by Solange Lopes | Jul 1, 2014 | Career
Do You golf – blackenterprise.com
Happy Tuesday!
So, ladies, the question of the day is: “Do you golf?” I’ve heard the question being asked over and over in most of the high-ranking corporate spaces I’ve found myself in, except it was most often addressed to male colleagues. And I’ve also witnessed tidbits of conversations started on the golf course, and continued in the office, which appeared to place some of these male colleagues in better position for promotion. All of this because they play golf?
Yes, indeed…It’s simply the world of business, and golf happens to be its favorite game. For long, it has been the medium through which important deals are closed, business rapport is built, and friendly competition is nurtured…all without breaking too much of a sweat (we need to keep that business appearance more or less intact).
Yet women in the corporate sphere are missing out on the incredible networking opportunities generated by the game simply by being absent from it. According to the book “Even Par: How Golf Helps Women Gain the Upper Hand in Business“, published by businesswomen Leslie Andrews and Adrienne Wax, ‘golf is the new MBA” which can help women break some of the actual and mental barriers keeping them from success at work.
According to an earlier article by the Glass Hammer, and per a Mass Mutual survey of women who play golf, 73% of them agree the game helps them network for business. So should women, especially minority women, get into golf just to advance themselves professionally, even if they might just face as much discrimination (if not more) in the sport as in their respective careers? Or should they simply rely and count on their own strengths to make it up the corporate ladder? Or yet again, are we just missing on an incredible opportunity to learn yet another face of the world of business?
I believe discrimination against corporate sisters in and outside of the corporate sphere is not about to disappear any time soon. Some of the deeply entrenched beliefs about men’s potential versus women’s actual performance, or about how men are more able to turn relationships into business opportunities than women, have been well and alive for decades. We all know change, especially this type of deep belief-based, culturally reinforced change, does not happen overnight.
Yet if there exist possibilities to open the door of opportunities wider, not just for ourselves, but all those coming after us, shouldn’t we at least consider taking a crack at it? Or should I say, a club swing at it?
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 30, 2014 | Career
madamenoire.com
It’s almost 7pm, and Jenn still at work, plugging away, finishing this project or that quarterly report. She’s exhausted, has been plugging along for hours, maybe even skipped lunch, and is intent on showing she can handle her workload and more. The traditional adage according to which the best workers are the first in the office and last to leave is playing over and over in her head. She wants to pay her dues, and show everyone she can make it to the top, even at the expense of her family, sanity, and health.
Sounds familiar? Maybe all too familiar…If you’re a corporate sister who’s been trying to climb the corporate ladder, trying to pay your dues and prove yourself to management, you may very well understand Jenn. Especially when considering that, according to a recent Catalyst study, women represent only 46.8% of the US labor force, 51.4% of management and professional occupations, 14.6% of executive officers, and 4.8% of CEOs. Sobering figures? Definitely…And when it comes to minority women in the workplace, the figures are even more sobering.
Considering these limiting statistics, would it make sense for women to overwork to compensate for the absence of professional opportunities for women? While it may seem so, as confirmed by CNBC’s revelation that only 25% of Americans used their vacation in 2013, and 15% did not even use any of their vacation days, overworking is definitely more overrated than it appears. It doesn’t help that the media keeps on portraying characters with workaholic lifestyles. I’m a huge fan of Scandal’s Olivia Pope, but really, as much as I covet her impeccable wardrobe and no-less impeccable work ethics, I can’t exactly relate to her clean apartment, late night emergency work calls or single lifestyle. And unlike my Grey’s Anatomy Thursday night pals, spending my life in the operating block, with no time for personal life, is not exactly my idea of career success! Besides, studies have proven that a weak immune system, stress, mental health issues, weight gain and heart disease are all results of a workaholic lifestyle.
So is it worth it for ambitious, overachieving career sisters to give it all to their career and pay the price for success? Or is overworking really overrated, after carefully considering the real price many of us really have to pay for the modest acknowledgment the majority of us receive? I’d say the latter…. As for Jenn, she may still be plugging along at the office, lifting her head every now and then, wondering what else she may be missing out on…
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 30, 2014 | Career
Easily do app – makeuseof.com
It’s coffee break time, just in time to check in with your to-do list as you’re gulping your umpteenth cup of coffee down…unless of course, you already have the Easilydo app handy on your iPhone or Android.
If you’ve ever dreamt of actually hiring a personal assistant, dream no more…Or rather, keep on dreaming, but consider the virtual assistant thing handled with this app. What does it do? It helps save you precious time by automating some of your daily tasks, like remembering to call the babysitter before leaving work, saving your new work buddy’s information, or setting up the “Happy Birthday” post on your girl’s Facebook timeline ahead of time…
Most of the features are free, and you can also get premium service for $4.99/month or $49.99 a year. Give it a try and let us know what you think…
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 30, 2014 | Career
BR Monogram Drop-waist dress – $99.99 – banana republic.com
It’s lunch time, and for our digital fashion road trip today, we are combining the playfulness of summer with a classic lady style, with this Banana Republic Monogram drop-waist dress. Loving the flattering flared hem, and textured front panel of this dress, making it an unusual yet still professional-looking wardrobe choice (please know your office!).
While this is definitely not your most conservative dress choice, as the back’s cut is racerback, and the lack of sleeves can be challenging in certain work environments, it can definitely be dressed up with an elegant three-quarter sleeve blazer. Or worn as is in a more fashion-forward professional environment, like PR or advertising for instance…
It’s on sale for $99.99 at Banana Republic!
Pssst…Exclusive online sale, today only, at Banana Republic, use code BR40DAYS!
Seen a great, office-friendly fashion pick you’d like to share? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 30, 2014 | Career
huffpost.com
Happy Monday (is there even such a thing?)! If you hadn’t suspected it before, I’m not a big fan of Mondays, like a lot of fellow corporate sisters and brothers out there…
Yes it’s the start of a new week, and who’d want to start off the week on an unproductive, slow note? So despite the fact that Mondays rank pretty high on the list of our least favorite days, here are a few tried-and-true, no-nonsense tips to turning these dreadful days into productive powerhouses:
1. Start on Friday! Yup, you heard right! Prepare for dreadful Mondays on Fridays! Resist the temptation to slow your professional roll on Fridays as you’re looking forward to the week-end; instead, give a last hoorah and anticipate the following work week. How so? Leave a detailed to-do list for the next week, quickly prep for your major meetings, update your calendar, and voila! Your Monday morning will seem much less dreadful when you come to work to a well-planned week…
2. Have a system! Yes, in life and at work, you’ve gotta have a system! Whether you prefer to start with faster, more minor tasks, or tackle bigger projects first, pick a strategy and stick to it! The better you know how well you work, the more productive you’ll be!
3. Be flexible! Did you notice how every Monday morning, or at least most Monday mornings, something, anything will pop up to derail your morning. I had to drive back home this morning after I noticed I forgot my earrings. Then I ran into an old acquaintance who didn’t recognize me, right before I rushed to my desk and realized I had to reboot my computer…twice! The Universe has a funny way of reminding you that you’re not as much in control as you tend to think. So be flexible, allow for interruptions and delays, and keep your eye on the prize (I meant, your productivity, not that extra scoop of ice cream!)…
Did your start your work week on an effective note? Happy Monday!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 29, 2014 | Career
Two original “Rosie the Riveters” at The Department of Labor Regional Forum in San Francisco held ahead of today’s working families summit – womensenews.org
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Happy Sunday! It is great week-end on this side of the blogosphere, and as we’re relaxing on this beautiful Sunday morning, here’s the round-up of the news we read this week, some which made us smile, laugh, and frown a bit:
Happy Sunday, God bless!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 28, 2014 | Career
Lattice Print Walking Shorts – $49.95 – loft.com
Happy Saturday!
For our week-end pick today, we are loving these lattice print walking shorts in soft cotton twill from Loft! Nothing like an elegant yet casual pair of shorts on the week-end. You can take these from the neighborhood barbecue, paired with an easy tee, to a casual evening dinner, dressed up with a nice pair of open-toe stilettos!
The length is perfect, conservative enough as it falls to the knee, yet comfortable and summery. It’s on sale at $49.99 at Loft (and you can get an extra 60% off, no code needed!)
Pssst…LOFT is having a 60% off sales styles today, no code needed!
The Corporate Sister.
