by Solange Lopes | May 27, 2014 | Career |
Chaps Floral Satin Sheath Dress – $75 – kohls.com
Happy Tuesday!
For our lunch break, we are loving this Chaps floral sateen sheath from Kohl’s. Loving the simplicity of this scoop neck, versatile dress that is both work-appropriate and uber-fashionable! The pleated neckline and lined bodice add to the sophistication of the dress, making it great for work and after-hours. Not to mention the faux-patent-leather belt, which adds a punch of color to this floral dress.
Love, love, love it! It’s on sale for $75 at kohl’s.com, and is an absolute buy!
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to share? Please email us a corporate@thecorporatesister.com, or post a comment below!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | May 27, 2014 | Career
Photo: wenb.org.uk
Happy Tuesday!
Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day week-end, and is gearing back for this (short) week at the office.
And as we’re back from the week-end’s hustle and bustle to our respective careers, we are (slowly) re-focusing on our career goals. For many, it means going back to the proverbial question “What’s your 5 year career plan?”, so often asked at interviews and on the job.
Yet in the changing business and corporate landscape, 5 years has gone from being the norm to turning into quite the exception. In an era where loyalty is scarce and frictional unemployment on the rise, a career plan is no longer what it used to be.
A company’s CEO (whom I won’t mention) once told a roomful of my peers that in terms of career planning, any job/career worth your while would require at least 3 years of advance planning. The first year would be devoted to understanding your business and career. The second year would be dedicated to making advances into this career or business. Finally, year three would be when you’d decide your next strategic move, whether to climb up, move laterally, or get out altogether.
Considering the rate at which many a corporate sister (and brother) switch businesses, companies, and careers altogether, it would make sense that we adopt a shorter-term planning approach when it comes to our careers. Flexibility being key in today’s corporate landscape, it is no longer optimal to stretch the limits of our career planning. Rather than asking ourselves (or others) what our 5-year career plan is, maybe we should shorten our goals into more bite-sized, current and attainable milestones instead?
The Corporate Sister
by Solange Lopes | May 23, 2014 | Career |
vibevixen.com
Happy Friday!
It’s Memorial Day week-end, and of course, we’re going camping hmm…shopping! Well, ok, at least for some of us who are always on the lookout for some great, work-friendly fashion! Well, we’ve rounded up for you 10 great Memorial Day week-end sales:
- Ann Taylor is having an extra 40% off sales styles;
- Bloomingdale’s is offering an extra 20% off sale and clearance items with code TAKE20. Sale ends May 26;
- J. Crew is offering 25% off packing picks for women, men, girls, and boys! Use code PACKME before May 24;
- J. Crew’s counterpart J. Crew Factory is offering a whopping 50% off women’s and 40% off men’s items with code SUMMER, only on May 26! So mark your calendars!
- Lord & Taylor is offering an extra 20% off sale and clearance items with code MEMDAY. Sale ends May 26;
- Nordstrom is having 40% off on select items;
- At Macy’s, get 20% off sitewide with code MEMDAY. Sale valid until May 26;
- Old Navy is offering a whopping 50% off the entire store, until May 26;
- The Outnet is offering an extra 30% off select Iris & Ink styles from May 24 until May 27;
- Up to 55% off select items at Saks. Sale ends May 31;
- Sole Society is offering 50% off select items. Sale lasts until May 26;
- Get 30% off select items at Topshop;
- GAP is having 40% off regularly priced items with code EVENT. Sale ends May 26;
- French Connection is offering an extra 30% off plus free shipping on orders over $150 with code S14MEM;
- Express is having a 40% off sale until May 26;
- Barney’s Warehouse is offering 30% off storewide and additional 40% off clearance. Sale ends May 28;
- Aldo Shoes is offering an extra 20% off select styles through May 26;
- American Apparel is having the BIGGEST blowout sale with up to 90% off with code SUPER15 through May 28;
- 6pm.com is offering at least 65% off site wide starting May 26 until May 28;
- Stylemint is offering up to 60% off. Ends May 26;
- And H&M is having a 70% sale on select items!
Happy Memorial Day Week-End!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | May 23, 2014 | Career
Customer service – blackenterprise.com
Happy Friday! TGIF, especially Friday right before a long week-end…
As a corporate sister, accountant and auditor, I’ve had the pleasure to study and work with a number of corporate agents who’ve all taught me a thing or two about success at work. And while most would think that the greatest work insights may be gained from the corporate leadership and management, I’ve actually learnt some of my most valuable lessons about work and success from the unsung, invisible heroes of Big Corporate.
Like Naila P. Naila is a lead customer service agent for a leading Fortune 500 company. She’s an ambitious, striving corporate sister who takes her job seriously, and believes in her company’s mission. As I watched Naila perform her job, handling call after call from disgruntled, more or less disgruntled and straight-up “out there” customers, I learnt more about success than when listening to many a CEO’s speech:
1. It’s all about SERVICE!What can I do for you? How can I assist you today? Thank you for calling, I’d love to help you with this! There’s a reason why Naila’s job is called “customer service”. And maybe if more of our job responsibilities included the word “service”, we could have a serious shot at being successful. The answer to most questions at work is really about what you can do to help others and the Company at large. What can you do for your manager? What can you do to improve the quality of your department’s work? What can you do to be of service? If you want to be successful, ask yourself these questions.
2. Always, always provide solutions, not problems! One of the things I noticed about Naila was her readiness to offer solutions to the customers calling in. Can I update your information to resolve the mismatch in database information? May I direct you to our Consumer Support group to address this issue? When faced with problems, rather than re-presenting the problem in a different way, offer solutions!And never underestimate the power of following up to ensure that your customer, manager or business contact is satisfied!
3. Attitude is Everything! I have to admit, I have been that disgruntled customer calling in to complain about a defective product or system. Yet it’s not until I was on the other side of the line, watching Naila respond to horrible comments with the most positive attitude that I realized that yes, attitude really is everything! In your career, you will probably face more downs than ups, and will be tempted to gamble your luck or respond inappropriately. Yet we often fail to realize that a positive attitude is the precursor to success!
So to all those who strive in the shadows of Big Corporate, thank you! And to you Naila, you are on your way girl!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | May 22, 2014 | Career
Halogen Brooklyn Stripe Suit – nordstrom.com
For our lunch break fashion interlude today, we’ve picked this “Brooklyn stripe” peplum front suit Halogen suit from Nordstrom (psstt…as we mentioned yesterday, Nordstrom is having its half-yearly sale, which kicked off yesterday with 40% off for women and kids).
Loving the unconventional kick of this otherwise conventional work suit! The pinstripes give us a touch of menswear, while the shawl-collar suit jacket and peplum front jacket compensate with a definite feminine kick! I would pair this suit with a simple, easy tee, as shown on the picture, and would let the original design speak for itself!
And at $76.80 for the jacket and $52.80 for the pants, you just can’t go wrong! So if you’re looking for an original, stylish yet work appropriate suit, this is it…
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to share? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com, or post a comment below!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | May 22, 2014 | Career
financialjuneteenth.com
“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”. This saying couldn’t be truer in our careers. As we, corporate sisters, often complain about the lack of, or sheer unattainability, of career opportunities, we also have to do some level of introspective work by asking ourselves how ready we’d be for these opportunities.
In Big Corporate, much of our learning is achieved by stepping outside of our comfort zone. And that is most often done by taking advantage of, or even better, creating opportunities for growth and development.
Last year, Aisha S., a talented auditor and internal controls guru, identified an amazing opportunity in her department for an internal controls group that would address the growing PCAOB and SEC requirements for public companies. As she shared the idea with her manager, he quickly recognized the validity of her proposition and proceeded to float the idea upstream to upper management. Yet although Aisha was a top candidate for the position, she was not a Certified Public Accountant. Long story short, the opportunity went to someone else, because Aisha was not prepared for it. Cliche? Yes. Unfortunate. Absolutely. Preventable. Certainly.
As you pursue new opportunities, or envision yourself creating or taking hold of upcoming ones to further your career, also consider how ready you are for these. Do you have the right degree or certification? Do you have any experience or familiarity with the field itself? If you were asked what makes you the perfect candidate for the job, would you be able to cite at least three major reasons?
Have you asked yourself if you are ready for the next opportunity?
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | May 21, 2014 | Career
Lace and ponte top – $198 – nordstrom.com
For our (very late) lunch break fashion interlude today, we can’t emphasize enough the charm (and great use) of an elegant yet simple top for work. For the days where your crisp button-downs or elegant sheaths dresses just won’t do, this lace and ponte top from Nordstrom (pssst…it’s had-yearly sales time at Nordstrom, starting with 40% off for women and kids!) will!
I’m loving the delicate detail of the floral cotton lace overlay on this otherwise simple ponte-knit top. This easy top combines great elegance with a comfortable fit, and will do wonders paired with just about anything in your wardrobe, from a polished pencil skirt, straight slacks, to your favorite pair of jeans on the week-end.
I would keep the jewelry simple to allow the lace detail shine, and would complement this top with subtle drop earrings.
It’s on sale for $198 at nordstrom.com. And don’t forget to check out the rest of Nordstrom’s half-yearly sale….
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to share? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com, or comment below!
The Corporate Sister.
