by Solange Lopes | Dec 30, 2013 | Career |
Athleta Spring Gym Tote – Photo: www.athleta.com
‘Tis the season for fitness resolutions, and just in time for us to start our brand-spankin’ new gym memberships, we can also get the bag that goes with the membership…the gym bag, that is…This Athleta spring tote is great for the corporate sisters heading to the gym before work, exercising at lunch, or hitting the elliptical after hours…Priced at $79, it has a compartment for clean clothes, and another section for…humm, the sweatier version of our sporty wardrobes…And even more important, it has a shoe compartment (yes, you read right) for those brand new Manolos you got over the break…And worried about carrying yet another bag to and from work, worry no more, this tote has a cross-body strap that makes it all easy…and of course, so stylish!
Photo: www.athleta.com
Seen a great product you’d like to share? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
by Solange Lopes | Dec 30, 2013 | Career
Photo: dreamstime.com
For us corporate sisters and minority women in a sometimes hostile and challenging corporate environment, and despite our most valiant efforts at keeping positive and unbiased, it is hard to get away from the race factor in the workplace. From noticing how very few of us there are out there in the corporate jungle, to struggling to decipher or simply face signs of sexism, racism, or both, there is no denying that, in the corporate game, the “race card” is hard to avoid. “Playing the race card” is commonly described as the exploitation of racist or anti-racist attitudes by accusing others of racism. And we’re not talking about this popular, common, negatively connoted “race card”….What we’re talking about is the other Race card, the somber, dark reality of negative bias faced by minority women in addition to the traditional gender inequality.
While some of us wonder if it’s all in our heads, or why we keep hitting a dark glass wall despite our best efforts, others tend to internalize the resulting professional struggles, failures and setbacks as a sign of our own inadequacy. As Dr. Cornell West put it so well, race matters, in the corporate landscape as in everywhere else. And despite not believing in New Year’s resolutions (check out our article on why you should not make New Year’s resolutions), one decision we have made this year in our small group of corporate sisters here is to dig out the “race card”, the other one…And it’s not what you may think it is…
While the intent is not to play an ineffective and demeaning game for all parties involved, it is necessary, as we look at our careers and professional paths, to have the courage to dig out all the racial realities, connotations and implications associated with these. As we devise career strategies, plan for opportunities, and prepare for professional success, we also need to consider the invariable variable, the “elephant in the room” that is seldom talked about: the Race factor!
In the era of “leaning in” and women empowerment, as Sheryl Sandberg confidently ushers all women to sit at the corporate table so that “there are more women in leadership roles giving a strong and powerful voice to [women’s] needs and concerns”, minority women (fortunately and unfortunately) get lumped into an ideal that negates reality. The reality that at Corporate America’s table, the gender equality game is still missing a card: the “Race card.” Without confronting the meaning and implications of race in the corporate space, and without a real, hard look at how we can challenge this “race card”, gender equality has only meaning for a select few. And if equality is not equal, it’s not really equality, is it now?
The “Race card” (the other one) is a tricky one, a difficult reality to confront and even more challenging to address. Yet without it, the corporate game is but deceptive and misleading, especially for us. Good or bad, the realities that this “Race card” reminds us of are the same realities we need to understand, confront and make others face, for a better tomorrow. And while it’s not a card that should be played maliciously, it is one that should be openly laid on the table for all to see, challenge and ultimately correct…
Will you be digging out the other race card this year?
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Dec 29, 2013 | Career |
Photo: watermark.cutcaster,com
It’s football Sunday, and while we’re watching the game, all comfortable in our PJ’s, snacks in hand and drink in the other, the last thing we tend to think about is how this popular play can affect our day-to-day careers. Unless your significant other, family member, friend or even a remote acquaintance is in the NFL, and can pull a professional string or two for you…Otherwise, you better just relax, get more dip for your spicy Tostitos, and mentally prepare to head back to work in the morning…right? Wrong…
As much as I don’t exactly know all the ins and outs of the game, one thing I know is that, as much interest (and money) is generated through this ball game, and as much of a fortune football players make, there’s got to be a method to this ball madness. And as much as for many it’s just a sports, for the small minority that racks up the majority of the game’s revenues, it’s a career and a way of life. Just like us, corporate sisters and minorities in a corporate world, except we ‘re still struggling to make it to the top of the game…
And as I watch our very own Tom Brady call the game shots and lead the Patriots further and further ahead of the game to victory, I can’t help but see a striking resemblance to our own competitive, team-based yet individual-rewarding, corporate gigs…And the more I think about it, the more I am seriously considering trading in my work pumps for Tom Brady’s sturdy cleats and become my own corporate career quarterback…
- Learn to call the plays! In football, the play is a mental diagram or blueprint of the game for every player on the field. It’s the quarterback’s responsibility to relay to the rest of the team the play the coach has called. This is more often than not the manager’s role in a corporate environment, as they have to ensure that they are positioning themselves to call the shots effectively while seamlessly translating the tone at the top. And even for those of us who are not necessarily in assigned positions of authority, we can still take ownership of an idea, a project, or a single endeavor, whether self-assigned or otherwise. There are many opportunities, many of them informal and at times low impact, where we can demonstrate leadership , assign micro responsibilities and conduct an assignment to successful completion…and be noticed for it!
- Be on the offensive! In football as in corporate, you have to be ready to be sacked by the opponent’s defense, be it your own boss’s expectations, the business pressures, or just your own career ambitions! And in sports as in business, it’s not personal, it’s just the nature of the game. As the quarterbacks of our careers, we have to be prepared in most, if not all circumstances, and have one or two plays up our sleeves to further our professional game.Whether it’s by getting prepared to give our inputs in the departmental meeting, or ready to present a sales proposal at the next budget meeting, to daring to offer a revolutionary yet potentially game-changing idea, we must continually be on the offensive!.
- Be Versatile! The quarterback’s role can greatly vary, depending on the offensive scenario followed by his team. From a very active role which would require him to pass most of the balls, to a role requiring different skill sets, the quarterback has to be one of the most versatile and adaptive players on the team. Similarly in a corporate environment, where different assignments, positions, and roles may require drastically different skill sets, versatility is very often one of the strongest competitive advantages we may display.
Are you your own career’s quarterback?
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Dec 29, 2013 | Career
Photo: sodahead.com
‘Tis the last Sunday of the year, and also our last media pow-wow of this year! Although our blog at The Corporate Sister is fairly new, our Sunday media pow-wows have been a longstanding tradition that we still enjoy so much, except that now we have the privilege to put it on paper and share it with you our readers. So in our Sunday tradition, here is the 411 on what were reading this week:
Happy Sunday, and happy reading!
The Corporate Sister Team.
by | Dec 27, 2013 | Career |
As corporate sisters, we all heard the proverbial piece of advice “Dress for the position you want, not the position you have!”. And as ambitious, motivated and committed corporate sisters, most of us try to heed the advice, and as part of our professional path, to “dress the part”. However, one question that is rarely asked yet is very much reflective of the reality we all go through, is this: ” How do I dress for the position I want on the salary I earn?” We’ve all seen that CEO, managing director, or Director’s fashion choices, and for many of these, especially in more traditionally conservative professions such as law, banking and finance, these choices are not exactly….on the frugal side! From designer sheath dresses, to top-of-the-line power suits, the examples of what it means to dress for the positions we covet tend to extend beyond our actual paychecks, and this for obvious reasons… As corporate sisters on the way up, we make less money, need to save more money, and also may have more financial commitments, from young children to student loan payments, than the lady boss in the corner office…So how do we reconcile this tried-and-true piece of advice, with the reality of our inflation-beaten, recession-tried, at times spread thin paychecks? Even if you can’t just sport the managing director’s Birkin bag, there are ways to dress for the position you want on the salary you earn:
NY& Company Madison Shirt – Now $10 on sale!
Invest in Classics! Tailored white button-down shirts, a couple of high-quality sheath dresses, a statement coat, a blazer, a couple of dressy cardigans and tailored pants, one or two well-cut skirts in
quality fabrics, one power suit, and sturdy yet classic black or brown pumps, is really all you need as a foundation for your professional wardrobe. Whether you choose to acquire these over time, or make a one-time investment in these, this is where the bulk of your wardrobe fund should go! And to extend the life of these pieces, be sure to pick them in high-quality fabrics, with classic cuts and shapes, and if necessary, have them tailored for the best fit!
Faux Pearl Stud Earrings – $16.95 – Thelimited.com
Skimp on the Accessories! As you will notice, accessories are more a matter of trends than anything else. So unless you are investing in authentic jewelry, you can spend less money on these, at least as you build your wardrobe. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other accessories should be kept to a classy minimum, so as not disrupt your entire appearance and professional demeanor, especially in meetings situations. They should be used to complement your appearance, and should not deter from the general appearance you want to convey. And if in doubt, as Coco Chanel puts it so well, “before you go out, remove one accessory”…and voila!
Take Care of What You Have! High-quality fabrics and garments are to be preserved so they can last a long time, and keep looking even better with time. So pay attention to the care label, and do not skimp on the instructions to save a few bucks! In the long-run, that dry-cleaning bill you’ve tried to avoid may cost you less than having to invest in a brand-new suit for that last minute interview!
Pay attention to Sales! Last but not least, this is where your natural frugal instincts should come into play! Scour the deals, coupons and sales for high-end stores to score the best deals on items that you ordinarily could not afford (without going hungry that is!) After-Christmas deals (please read our articles on great fashion sales this time of year, and also what to shop for after Christmas), end of season sales, and semi-annual sales are all great times to buy low and rack up on incredible deals without breaking the bank!
Are you dressing for the position you want on the salary you earn?
The Corporate Sister
by | Dec 27, 2013 | Career |
kohls-after-christmas-sale – Photo: mamacheaps.com
If you are a savvy corporate sister, you know that one of the best times to shop is NOT before or right at Christmas time, but right after Christmas. The after-Christmas sales are notorious for the incredible deals shoppers can snag, and some of the hottest bargains out there! And as much as the last thing you want to do after all the holiday hustle and bustle of gift buying, gift-wrapping, hosting and putting up with annoying family members, is to go do more shopping, you may want to think about it as an investment…
Rack Up on the Christmas Merchandise! First things first, start with what you can scratch off next year’s Christmas list. Holiday cards, Christmas tree ornaments, lights, gift wrap and all the holiday shabang is now on sale at rock-bottom prices. And even if your mind is well too fogged up to start remotely thinking about next Christmas, just think about how annoyed you were this year looking for halfway decent holiday cards for your boss two days before Christmas…Just sayin’…
‘Tis the Season to Buy Winter Apparel! That expensive coat from Zara that you could not bring yourself to buy at the beginning of the winter. Well, you can get it now at an incredibly discounted price! Gloves, jackets, boots and other winter apparel also are on sale, so now’s the time to rack up the deals! I personally take advantage of this time of year to get the premium, most expensive winter stuff that I would tend to think about twice ordinarily…And to keep your purchases up to date, invest in classic cuts and shapes instead of trendier items that may just be out of style next year.
Get Your Fitness On! ‘Tis the time to plan on getting fit and fabulous for the New Year (yeah right). So it’a no surprise that fitness retailers put the pressure on by enticing us with sales on fitness equipment! So if you’re really going to use the equipment, and if like myself, you are too busy to hit the gym and are better off hitting the elliptical in the morning, coffee cup in hand and eyes half-open, you know what to do!
And for the electronics aficionados, scour the returns section! I don’t know much about electronics, or shopping for them for that matter! But one thing I know is that at this time of year, you can get “open box” electronics that have been returned for way less than the original cost. And since new models are coming out in the New Year, electronics retailers are eager to get rid of the older models to make room for the new ones, hence your cue to check out that laptop you’ve been eyeing for a while!
Last but not least, get your couponing on! Now is the time to get your scissors out, and get to cutting those coupons! Or for the electronically advanced among us, just print them out of apps like RetailMeNot, or Coupons.com! You can score deals on top of already existing deals, and get stuff for ridiculously low prices this time of year!
Happy After-Christmas Shopping!
Got any after-Christmas sales tips or tricks? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister
by | Dec 27, 2013 | Career |
Neck Pleat Sheath Dress Sale Price $79.90 – The Limited
Much has been said about power suits and how indispensable these are to the corporate sister’s wardrobe. From tailored, conservative “interview” suits, to more fashion-forward, modern versions
Bow Skinny Belt – $29.99 – The Limited
of the power suit, these definitely constitute one of the top wardrobe investments for corporate sisters!
Yet, in the era of “leaning in” and women empowerment, there is yet a new version of the power suit that ought to be talked about more often. A more feminine, elegant version, yet just as imposing and powerful as the traditional suit. It’s what we like to call here at The Corporate Sister the “Power Dress”, otherwise known as the sheath dress.
Nothing like an elegant, tailored and well-fitted sheath dress to convey professional elegance without sacrificing femininity! And in most professional environments today, even in traditionally conservative fields such as law and banking, the sheath dress speaks for itself!
One of my gifts this Christmas is actually what I would call the perfect sheath dress. It’s from The Limited, is incredibly well cut, hits right below the knee, and comes in a range of colors. The substantial fabric is also very form -flattering, with a forgiving high waist and simple design that allows for many accessorizing options. Of course the red one is my favorite, although for work I would tone it down with a grey or black jacket or cardigan.
Priced at $79.99 on sale , this power dress is both affordable and oh so feminine! And for an extra dose of oomph, consider pairing it with this $29.99 bow skinny belt from The Limited, for an extra touch of elegance (and also a great waist-cinching ally)!
PS: The Limited is now having its semi-annual sale, with up to 70% off discounts, and for online shoppers, $30 off your $90 purchase, or $60 off your $150 purchase! Can you say deal?
Seen a great piece of work attire that you’d like to share? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister
