by Solange Lopes | Apr 5, 2017 | Career
Chambray ruffle skirt – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
Our Wear to Work feature showcases workwear pieces in various styles and price ranges. Please note this post contains affiliates links.
I absolutely love the polished look of this chambray ruffle skirt from J. Crew, which is the perfect mix of casual chic and classic fit. The cotton fabric is perfect for Spring, while the pencil cut easily takes you from desk to dinner. And the side ruffle? A great accent that you can dress down with a fitted tee and sneakers, or up with a white button-down and elegant sandals.
In similar styles, I also like this poplin ruffled version, also from J. Crew. This T Tahari faux-suede number from Last Call is also a winner.
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To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 4, 2017 | Career
Every time #EqualPayDay rolls around, I kinda get this gut reaction initially, that says something like: “Should I clap, get the protest placards out, or just bury my head in a giant tub of sea salt caramel ice cream?” I mean, after all, yes, #EqualPayDay has been on our radar (an calendars) since 1996 when it was created by the National Committee on Equal Pay. Although we’ve come a long way from women being relegated to cooking and cleaning, as of 2016, women are still 74 cents for every dollar a mean earns for the same job! And if you add to that the fact that women still handle the majority of all household work, and that laundry never seems to end, you see what I mean…
So how do we stop and celebrate, when we’re still not there in terms of equal pay? And how can we turn this day into positive, fruitful action we can all take, men AND women, to get closer to the day when Happy #EqualPayDay will actually mean that Joe and I can compare paychecks without having to call security, ya know?
So before I go back to my tub of sea salt caramel ice cream, here are a few ways we, as women AND men, can get closer to that day and actually mean it when we say Happy #EqualPayDay:
Negotiate that Salary!
As in, yes, ask for the money you want, deserve and should be getting! I know it’s trickier than it sounds, and I’m the first offender in the line of women who don’t always ask for what they want. And that’s a problem, I realize it…
Did you know men are four times more likely to ask for a raise than women? Which also means they have four more chances to making more money than you, I and LaShonda? Because you, I and LaShonda are too busy sticking by the rules, keeping our heads down, and not taking that fateful walk to the boss’s office to ask for more money…
What this also means is that over the course of our lives, we’ll make significantly less money then men. Which also lowers the bar for other women like us who would like the opportunity to make more, ask for more, and receive more, but are slowed down because so many of us are keeping silent! Translation: we’re all losing at the game of keeping quiet when it comes to equal pay!
The point is, if one of us is willing to negotiate a better salary, then so many others among us can step in and ask for more as well! So this year, let’s commit to asking for more. Because that old saying that “women don’t ask” needs to stop here and now..
Know your worth!
Everybody loves discounts, including your boss, organization and company at large! Which means if you’re willing to discount your skills, value and worth, you may receive just that! Not knowing our worth and value as women at work not only puts us at a disadvantage, but it also deepens the wage gap from the very foundation…
Do you know what your skills are actually worth? Don’t get me wrong, it can be challenging to know at times, because so much depends on us. However, settling down for less doesn’t work in the long run…
So today, make a commitment to finding how much you’re really worth and demanding it from your work! Consult the Payscale salary center, get your free salary report, or just ask mentors and leaders around you for guidance. Remember: when you know what you’re worth, you won’t give people discounts!
Speak Up!
You have a voice, so use it! Whether it’s in denouncing the lack of diversity in your organization, in the candidate pool, or generally around you, let your voice be heard! It could be as simple as mentioning the fact that there are too few women on a certain project. Or just recommending a female candidate to your boss! Whatever it is that you feel strongly about, don’t hesitate to express it.
Afraid? Intimidated? You will be…But the impact that you can have, and the leverage you can build for yourself and other women is so much greater in comparison that you owe it to yourself to speak up! Start today…
Champion Other Women
Whether you’re a man or a woman, you can be a sponsor and advocate for females in your workplace. Did you know that men who have sponsors and mentors at work earn 24% more than women? This is not surprising, because the more support you have, the further you can do.
By extending this type of support to other women at work, you can not only help them reach their career goals, but you can also help close the gender gap. And that’s a powerful impact to have!
Support female employees!
How many times have you noticed that your own achievements have not been highlighted? How many times have you also noticed the same thing for other women at work? Plenty, I bet…
So today, take it upon yourself to highlight a female co-worker, supervisor or leader’s achievements. And dare to do so publicly! It’s a powerful example and a great motivator which can go a long way towards pay equality!
Now your turn: What can you do today to celebrate #EqualPayDay?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 3, 2017 | Career
Our Wear to Work feature showcases workwear pieces in various styles and price ranges. Please note this post contains affiliates links.
This is the perfect twist to the classic black sheath dress, that you can take from desk to dinner in a cinch! Loving the original trumpet sleeves on this very chic and ladylike dress. The pleating at the waist also adds a nice touch to it! It’ s available at Lord and Taylor for $199!
In similar styles, I also like this Calvin Klein bell-sleeve sheath dress from Macy’s, or this V-neck Emerson Rose version available at Nordstrom. But my favorite has got to be this floral bell-sleeve number from New York & Co!
Seen a piece you’d like us to feature? Post in the comments below or email me at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 3, 2017 | Career
Have you ever looked at all your social media platforms, and just wanted to go lay down with a giant tub of ice cream? I know the feeling…Every so often, especially in the spring (because: spring cleaning time!), I try and take a dive into my social media to do some serious cleaning up…And I somehow end up with my head in the fridge, because: hard! And who wants to do hard after-hours and on weekends, which is mostly the time when most of us can tackle social media, right? (I know none of us spends hours browsing Facebook at work…)
Let’s be real…As professional and business women (and men), our social media presence now plays a definite and undeniable role in our careers, whether we want to admit it or not. Recruiters check for social media profiles before contacting potential candidates, while a number of hiring decisions take into account who you present yourself as and what you do on your social media platforms. Hence the need to periodically re-assess the messages we’re sending on these platforms, and how we’re getting perceived on these.
So how do you go about spring cleaning your social media presence, especially when you’re present on multiple platforms and have very little time to dedicate to this exercise? Do you just scrap it all and start over (including those questionable Spring break pictures from Freshman year)? Or do you spend your precious time combing through every photo and post?
For those of us who have zero time, desire or inspiration to re-assess our social media presence, here are 3 quick and painless tips to spring clean your social media platforms on the go:
Ditch the social media platforms you’re not (or barely) using!
Are you mostly on LinkedIn and Twitter but rarely can be seen on Facebook or Snapchat? Then it may be time to downsize your social media presence…As a rule of thumb, pick three platforms that you’re most active on and stick to these. Whether in your own business or career, there’s no need to endlessly spin your wheels on a gazillion platforms, when you can focus on two or three at the most!
However, remember to include a brief thankful message to your current followers when exiting a social media platform. It’s a sign of courtesy that can go a long way, and keep some of your connections alive while allowing you to do away with that particular platform.
Update (and clean up) your social media platforms!
Once you’re down to your two or three most used social media platforms, quickly go through them to identify any area that needs updating. Focus mostly on your bio and experience to start. Are these up-to-date and reflective of where you stand in your career and/or business? If not, consider dusting them off and updating them. Don’t forget to adapt them to the platform itself and what works best on it!
Twitter is great for networking and building professional relationships, Facebook and Instagram are more about sharing pics or posts of your personal and professional experiences. Keep these types of distinctions in mind when you update your information!
Devise a strategy for the platforms of your choice!
Now is time to think strategically! Instead of wasting time and energy on posts that may not create the best return, come up with a strategy that combines your resources with the goals you have in mind! Keep in mind that each platform may require a slightly different strategy, based on the type of platform, your own personality, experience and objectives…
For instance, you may want to consider spending more time cultivating relationships on Twitter and sharing content related to your industry or business. If you’re focusing on Facebook and Instagram, you may want to consider sharing more pictures of your professional experience or links to your latest blog posts.
by Solange Lopes | Apr 1, 2017 | Career
Welcome to our weekly career, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and fashion news roundup! Think of it as your online watercooler/work gossip station/coffee break spot for now…Want to add anything to our list? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
- Happy April! The Glassdoor Blog lists 20 companies hiring like crazy this month;
- In major news this week, the New York Times recounts Bill O’Reilly’s attack on Auntie Maxine Waters (who wasn’t having it either), which started the #BlackWomenatWork movement of denouncing discrimination at work;
- The Penelope Trunk Blog tells us what it’s like to have a career you love, and it’s not what you think;
- Essence tips you off on staying productive during Spring break;
- Parents alert! If you’ve not heard of the “eraser challenge”, Forbes tells you all about its dangers here (and why you should tell your kids to stop now);
- Want to manifest more money into your life right about now? Ellevate Network lists 5 cool ways to do so;
- Want smarter children? Inc. tells you to delay childbirth;
- Tired out of your mind? Entrepreneur lists 11 tips to stay productive when you’re exhausted;
- Super busy? Ellevate Network tells you that’s exactly when you should exercise;
- This past weekend, I attended the 2017 Lady Project Summit and it was a blast! Read my recap HERE!
- Read more on my fellow Senegalese gal and 24 actress Anna Diop here!
- Food Network lists some of the best African dessert recipes, check it out!
Seen any piece of news you’d like to share? Post in the comments below or email me at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
Cheers to the weekend!
The Corporate Sis
by Solange Lopes | Mar 28, 2017 | Career
Cotton-nylon coat – Photo credit: shop style.com
Our Wear to Work feature showcases workwear pieces in various styles and price ranges. Please note this post contains affiliates links.
Hello Spring showers! ‘Tis the season to be perfectly well-dressed one minute, only to be drenched in spring rains about a half second later…Hence the necessity for cute outerwear, such as this Brooks Brothers water-repellent cotton0-nylon coat! Loving the classic gingham pattern on this cotton oxford and durable nylon coat, perfect for Spring!
In other Spring coat goodies, I also love this ultra-feminine take on your classic trench coat from Club Monaco. This Badly Mischka faux-leather-trim long trench coat from Nordstrom is also an amazing pick for those dreary rainy nights!
Seen a piece you’d like us to feature? Post in the comments below or email me at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 26, 2017 | Find Your Purpose
I’m Judging You by Luvvie Ajayi
So after laughing for a few weeks straight after side-eyeing the last words in Luvvie Ajayi’s “I’m Judging You”, I’ve finally gotten to write my review. And it could basically be summarized in three words/phrases: side eyes, laughs, and a masterpiece.
Literally, this was one of the very few times that I sat/laid/rolled in front of a book, laughing my eyeballs out…And yes, your significant others will cut strange glances at you as you treat this book like your funny BFF from high school who cracks the best jokes about everybody and their mama…
In her book, released last September, Nigerian-born author Luvvie Ajayi, well…judges you, I and everybody else… I mean, she lays it on us, hilariously sharing her funny but oh so real take on serious issues ranging from racism, sexism to social media and the abuse of hashtags…Her do-better manual is a real, down-to-earth guide to all those modern sins we’re surrounded by (or commit ourselves) and how to, well…do better…
In the four sections of the book, namely Life, Culture, Social Media and Fame, Ajayi diagnoses the ills of our contemporary society in laugh-out loud chapters with hilarious titles such as “Your Facebook is my favorite soap opera” and exposes the naked truth many of us don’t see or admit most of the time.
Ajayi, whose previous professional experience includes marketing and digital strategist, started blogging in 2003. Within a short timeframe, she launched Awesomelyluvvie.com. Through her blog, she’s gathered a growing following of fans by writing about popular topics and topics she’s passionate about, such as her compelling reviews of the widely acclaimed Shonda Rhimes’ brainchild “Scandal”.
I personally felt a deep connection to the book, being a fellow West African like Ajayi. Some of the anecdotes she referred to, from the very African art of the side eye to her experience as an African immigrant (hello Africa’s not a jungle, or a single country), felt like home sweet home. Ajayi’s voice feels like the sister from back home who eats rice and knows what it means to have your African first name butchered in American school…
All in all, Ajayi’s collection of humorous lectures and sharp essays is a must-read. The book is even currently being developed as a cable series by Scandal’s Shonda Rhimes, and promises to be a sweeping societal movement. Plus a reminder that we should all do better, and yes, I’m giving you the side-eye…
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
