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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The Power of Nice: A Smile For Your Service
Column By: Kate Lewis
Charles MacPherson, this month’s Arbiter Elegantiarum, trains those who provide a service on a very personal level. He trains those who will become part of a staff to wait on someone hand and foot, as they say. Understandably, a certain amount of his training deals with etiquette. Making introductions, serving the dinner table, escorting guests, and making polite conversation are the sort of etiquette skills Mr. MacPherson teaches his brood.
But, what about etiquette from the other side of the fence? What about the etiquette of the person being served? Does it matter how we treat those who treat us so well? Take a look at the following excerpt from my book The Civilized Minute for the Professional due out at the end of the year. Your behavior toward those who offer their service tell a great deal about your core values.
It’s disheartening to see a co-worker who you thought was a “nice guy” act in a condescending way towards his wife. Or, to see the company president ignore the doorman’s assistance when the CFO idles up for a chat. Someone is always watching and WILL catch you acting like a turkey.
The way you behave toward one – no matter who that “one” is – is the way you should behave toward all. It’s very telling about a person’s character if they are curt towards the wait staff at a restaurant. The impression given is that person has a sense of entitlement and not everyone enjoys the level of attention he does. Gag. We are all just people who do a job for a living.
Acting impolitely toward certain people (namely, those who provide you some sort of service – trash man, postal carrier, school teachers, servers, etc.) does 2 things:
1) It takes the focus off your work and puts it on you. People will begin to associate your name with your arrogant behavior and not your work.
2) It makes people question your character and motives. Personally, I don’t want to go on a business trip with someone who I know is rude because I would curl up and die if he acted badly towards the potential customers we were to court. AND, how do I know he wouldn’t throw me under the bus if the situation got sticky?
If you think you may have trouble remembering this concept, just think of The Golden Rule. That sums it up better than I can, anyway.
Cocktails & Canape: Everyday Celebrations
Take stock of what’s happening around you.
I’ll bet you can come up with a reason to celebrate. Don’t wait for the typical excuses like weddings, graduations and new arrivals. Any ole reason will do: it’s Hump Day, you went to the gym twice this week, you woke up this morning! Pearly Bay Celebration sparkling wine is just the ticket to help you feel celebratory. Priced at about $10 a bottle, you will not be able to resist the pop of the top and the slightly sweet fizz as it hits your tongue.
We settled on no good reason at all to have a Pearly Bay Celebration recently and paired this treasure with a favorite summertime nibble, Pancetta Pear Cups.
Ingredients
1 package pancetta
1 pear, chopped into bite size pieces
Honey
Goat cheese
Quarter each slice of pancetta and line the cups of a mini-muffin pan with each quarter sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 5-7 minutes. Pancetta will bake in the shape of cup. Remove gently. Let cool. Place a piece of pear inside cup. If you chop pear ahead of time, toss with lemon juice so it won’t brown. Top pear with ½ teaspoon goat cheese. Drizzle with honey.
Article by: Kate Lewis
Article by: Kate Lewis
Page Turner: Winston & Clementine
"Winston & Clementine:
The Personal Letters of The Churchhills"
The Personal Letters of The Churchhills"
Amazon Says . . .
"I seize this fleeting hour of leisure to write and tell you how much I liked our long talk on Sunday," Winston Churchill wrote to Clementine Hozier in April 1908, shortly after their third meeting, "and what a comfort and pleasure it was to me to meet a girl with so much intellectual quality and such strong reserves of noble sentiment." They were married by September; he was 29, she 19. They would remain married--though, due to political circumstances, they were not always together--until his death in 1965. During that time, their daughter Mary Soames remarks, some 1,700 items of personal correspondence passed between the two. Winston and Clementine is far from a complete collection, but it does offer a comprehensive overview of their epistolary relationship and the deep love and mutual respect upon which their marriage was based. It may be somewhat disconcerting to see the man who stirred a nation to war with "blood, toil, tears, and sweat" and other memorable phrases sending "kisses to my sweet and beloved Clemmie cat," yet it also makes the imposing statesman seem more human.
Sometimes Clementine would send written messages to Winston even when they were together; it was an opportunity to gather her thoughts, or avoid taking up her husband's time with arguments when he was busy managing the war. In June 1940, for example, she told him that "there is a danger of your being generally disliked by your colleagues and subordinates because of your rough sarcastic and overbearing manner.... I cannot bear that those who serve the Country and yourself should not love you as well as admire and respect you." A few of the letters are accompanied by little cartoon animals that they would draw for each other: she always drew the posterior view of a sitting cat, while he would sketch pug dogs, and later pigs. Even toward the end, when they both had to deal with increased infirmity and tragedies among their children, they still found time to send "little love messages" to each other. Looking back at their marriage, with Soames's edifying commentary sprinkled throughout (as well as a quite well-done biographical dictionary), is an experience both revealing and touching.
Arbiter Elegantiarum: Charles MacPherson
Who is a role model that you have looked to in cultivating your sense of style? What would you consider to be their “secret ingredient”?
Firstly, I must acknowledge my Grandmother, Mother and Father who were all enormous influences on me. Outside of my immediate family, I believe it was my second employers Messrs Barette and Pearce who taught me style at a commercial hospitality level that to this day is still my measuring stick both personally and professionally. It all comes down to two things; first “attention to detail” and second “scale”. With both of these items suitably addressed, everything else falls into place no matter what your style!
Who is a role model that you have looked to in cultivating a life of substance? What would you consider to be their “secret ingredient”?
Two people in particular come to mind. First is Maya Angelou who I respect as someone who is cultured, influential, intelligent, smart, fun and a “bon vivant”. Professionally, Leticia Baldridge comes to mind. She is someone who is fearless while dealing with world leaders as she demonstrates that self confidence and kindness can help to overcome challenges and difficulty in the world of diplomacy!
If you could go beyond a company's marketing chatter, what would you really like to know about them when you are deciding on a business deal? How do you gauge their level of style and substance?
There are so many amazing companies out there. From a list of my favourite companies I would love to peak behind the magic curtain of Apple Computers. I want to know how they determine function, elegance, style and train their employees to this standard. For me I marvel at their consistency and believe that it presents a model more companies should strive to achieve!
What is the most important piece of advice that you would offer College Grads entering today's job market? How can they put their best foot forward? How can they take advantage of volunteer opportunities to cultivate business contacts?
1. Be yourself
2. Never impede your thirst for knowledge
3. Do not fear graciousness and manners; they have allowed me a fabulous life
If you could change one thing about your style, what would it be? When you consider your priorities, is there anything that you would change if you had more time or resources?
I don’t think I would change anything about my style. Is that pretentious of me? Perhaps I could learn to do a better job of editing … remember “less is more” and I sometimes fail at that particular lesson.
Monday, May 10, 2010
The Power of Nice: 3 Things That Keep Me Nice
If you could pin someone down and ask them why they might behave badly, I bet you would get a wide range of answers. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately, so I turned the question on myself. What makes me behave, uh-hum, unfavorably?
My answers were not pretty, nor mature, nor rational. I was forced into realizations that were even a bit uncomfortable. I am 38 years old and it still puts me in a bad mood when it’s really humid and my hair won’t act right. I think nasty thoughts about my children if they eat all of my favorite potato chips before I have some. I even get irritated about going to church on Sunday mornings if I’ve not had all the coffee I’d like.
Now, since I’ve divulged all this about myself, I’d prefer not to hear another word about it. I’m working on these… and many others.
I do, however, have 3 tactics to share that keep me on my best-behavior toes.
1) I use the myAgenda like I use oxygen. Feeling like I’ve overlooked something or realizing I’m late for an appointment because I’d forgotten about it puts me on the fast track to irritation. This compact calendar offers space to keep up with even the smallest details. It’s Murphy’s Law that says when I’m at my desk, I need what’s in my car and vice versa. Just by having a one-stop-shop for everything from appointments to book titles to passwords lets my mind be free of the burden of trying to remember where that post-it note went. I highly recommend this as a way to keep your thoughts and commitments organized.
2) Finding time for myself nearly every single day gives me the time I need to keep my perspective. Often, when we run across someone who is “having a moment”, we think something like, ‘It’s just a red light. Your screaming and ranting is not going to make it change to green any faster. And, really, doesn’t a red light last only a minute or two?’ Perspective. It’s the magic potion for irrational reactions to everyday situations. Your own strategy for finding and keeping perspective may be a jog, hanging with your children or even reading a book. The secret is to figure out what works for you and do it.
3) I go outside. The fresh air, the sounds, the sights…aahhh. It’s a distraction, pure and simple. To walk outside is to take a break from all the visual reminders of things to do. After a few short minutes of Vitamin D, I’m revived with a new attitude. It is said the lack of Vitamin D contributes to Seasonal Affective Disorder in which people experience depression due to the lack of sunlight. Anais Nin, a French author, said “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” Our state of mind makes a difference when it comes to behavior, so let a little light in!
Whatever your own tactics are, just be sure to use them with regularity. Why wouldn’t you use anything at your disposal to put your best foot forward? So, put a smile on your face and a skip in your step and, of course, be nice.
I do, however, have 3 tactics to share that keep me on my best-behavior toes.
1) I use the myAgenda like I use oxygen. Feeling like I’ve overlooked something or realizing I’m late for an appointment because I’d forgotten about it puts me on the fast track to irritation. This compact calendar offers space to keep up with even the smallest details. It’s Murphy’s Law that says when I’m at my desk, I need what’s in my car and vice versa. Just by having a one-stop-shop for everything from appointments to book titles to passwords lets my mind be free of the burden of trying to remember where that post-it note went. I highly recommend this as a way to keep your thoughts and commitments organized.
2) Finding time for myself nearly every single day gives me the time I need to keep my perspective. Often, when we run across someone who is “having a moment”, we think something like, ‘It’s just a red light. Your screaming and ranting is not going to make it change to green any faster. And, really, doesn’t a red light last only a minute or two?’ Perspective. It’s the magic potion for irrational reactions to everyday situations. Your own strategy for finding and keeping perspective may be a jog, hanging with your children or even reading a book. The secret is to figure out what works for you and do it.
3) I go outside. The fresh air, the sounds, the sights…aahhh. It’s a distraction, pure and simple. To walk outside is to take a break from all the visual reminders of things to do. After a few short minutes of Vitamin D, I’m revived with a new attitude. It is said the lack of Vitamin D contributes to Seasonal Affective Disorder in which people experience depression due to the lack of sunlight. Anais Nin, a French author, said “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” Our state of mind makes a difference when it comes to behavior, so let a little light in!
Whatever your own tactics are, just be sure to use them with regularity. Why wouldn’t you use anything at your disposal to put your best foot forward? So, put a smile on your face and a skip in your step and, of course, be nice.
Cocktails & Canape: The Fruits of Your Languor
The leaves of which are widely accepted as the iconic first fashion statement, one of my favorite fruits makes its debut in local markets mid-month. Paired with a clean, crisp white wine, fresh figs are the epitome of sophistication, elegance and abundance.
We weren’t surprised when the oh-so-versatile fruit made a media splash after being featured as the secret ingredient on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.” After all, there has even been some speculation that the “forbidden fruit” was a fig and not an apple.
Here are some of our favorite ways to serve them:
· Broiled with Honey & Brown Sugar
· Wrapped in Pancetta or Prosciutto
· Goat Cheese & Bacon Kissed
· Snuggled up with Chorizo & Blue Cheese
· Garnished with Chèvre & Chopped Cashews
· Dancing on Gingersnaps with Mascarpone & Chocolate Shavings
· Stuffed with Bourbon “tipsy” Walnuts
Entertaining has never been more relaxed, not to mention rewarding. For more recipes, download the Fig Fest 2009 Recipe Book by clicking here!
Page Turner: Christine Eisner
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One of Ashley's favorite "Tweethearts,"
the ruby-slippered Christine Eisner
brings us a Classic! Amazon says . . .
"With simple tools and do-able steps, Comfort Living will guide you in creating a home that transforms the way you experience each day. No big investment of time or money is required. Filled with exercises, ToolBoxes, photographs and planning pages, this book becomes a personalized experience for each reader, customized to individual needs and wants, much like a wedding planner or baby book. Just as comfort food does more than satisfy hunger, Comfort Living realigns your surroundings so that they support your priorities and feed your soul."
the ruby-slippered Christine Eisner
brings us a Classic! Amazon says . . .
"With simple tools and do-able steps, Comfort Living will guide you in creating a home that transforms the way you experience each day. No big investment of time or money is required. Filled with exercises, ToolBoxes, photographs and planning pages, this book becomes a personalized experience for each reader, customized to individual needs and wants, much like a wedding planner or baby book. Just as comfort food does more than satisfy hunger, Comfort Living realigns your surroundings so that they support your priorities and feed your soul."
Find out more about Christine & this lovely book at:
www.ComfortLivingByChristine.com
www.ComfortLivingByChristine.com
Arbiter Elegantiarum: Nina Restieri
Nina Restieri, Founder/President of momAgenda
Interview By: Kate Lewis
Who is a role model that you have looked to in cultivating your sense of style? What would you consider to be their “secret ingredient”?
My mother. Like me, she was a big picture thinker who goes with the flow. She was also a model to me because she was a mother to lots of kids and a business owner. She owned a marketing business. Her entrepreneurial spirit was certainly an influence.I don’t think you can get away from that when your parents have it. My parents would often talk around the dinner table about this or that commercial and how or why it was effective. That definitely made an impact on me.
Who is a role model that you have looked to in cultivating a life of substance? What would you consider to be their “secret ingredient”?
Again, my mother. She started her own business but was the best mom anybody could have. She possessed those dual values of working hard and building a home.
If you could go beyond a company's marketing chatter, what would you really like to know about them when you are deciding on a business deal? How do you gauge their level of style and substance?
I want to know why they exist. What is their core value? My company exists to help make mom’s lives easier, so I try to align with companies who have the same mission. I can judge their credibility by looking to see if they walk the talk and I use social media for this. Twitter is a great way to get to know people. For me, people can see I have the same struggles with kids and schedules as my customers do.
What is the most important piece of advice that you would offer College Grads entering today's job market?
Know who you are and follow that. It’s critically important to find work that doesn’t feel like work. They should do something that excites them, something they can feel passionate about. Find a career that allows that. Use your gifts!
If you could change one thing about your style, what would it be?
I wish I were more even-keel. I can be a bit of a hot-head. My husband is not that way and talks me down about once a month [laughs]. I think this has contributed to a lot of his business success. Often, I get this way when I’m stressed because I have too much going on.
What is the most important piece of advice that you would offer College Grads entering today's job market?
Know who you are and follow that. It’s critically important to find work that doesn’t feel like work. They should do something that excites them, something they can feel passionate about. Find a career that allows that. Use your gifts!
If you could change one thing about your style, what would it be?
I wish I were more even-keel. I can be a bit of a hot-head. My husband is not that way and talks me down about once a month [laughs]. I think this has contributed to a lot of his business success. Often, I get this way when I’m stressed because I have too much going on.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Le Tour of Kitchens: The Simmons Home
Kitchen photos by Maryann Bates courtesy of Macon Magazine
Special Events at The Simmons Home
Special Events at The Simmons Home
Jackson Springs Road
Go With Greer
Fountain of Juice
Society Gardener
Potted Plant Sale
Wreath Sale
Check out the latest issue of In Polite Comany
Produced by Savvy Mail, A Concierge Email Service
Le Tour of Kitchens: The Harper Home
Kitchen photos by Maryann Bates courtesy of Macon Magazine
Special Events at The Harper Home
Twin Pines Drive
Wine Styles
The Saucy Shallot
SoLUXE
Raffle
Check out the latest issue of In Polite Comany
Produced by Savvy Mail, A Concierge Email ServiceLe Tour of Kitchens: The Rankin Home
Kitchen photos by Maryann Bates courtesy of Macon Magazine
Special Events at The Rankin Home
Jackson Springs Road
Only Georgia
Food Gift Products
Food Gift Products
It's All About You
Monogramming
Monogramming
Check out the latest issue of In Polite Comany
Produced by Savvy Mail, A Concierge Email ServiceLe Tour of Kitchens: The Mealor Home
Kitchen photos by Maryann Bates courtesy of Macon Magazine
Special Events at The Mealor Home
Oakcliff Road
Betsy Pittard Designs
Kyle Hitchcock Photography
Raffle
Le Tour of Kitchens: The Welch Home
Kitchen photos by Maryann Bates courtesy of Macon Magazine
Special Events at The Welch Home
Nottingham Road
Southern Living at Home
Cooking for Fido
Cooking for Fido
Leon Loard™ Oil Portraits
Le Tour of Kitchens: Sponsors
Event Sponsor
Special Thanks To
Kitchen
Seth Bush, M.D.
Leon Loard Oil Portraits
MBG Office Systems
McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks and Co., LLP
Open MRI of Macon
Primary Pediatrics
Publix Super Market Charities
Rescom Cabinets
Waddesdon Subdivision, Zebulon Rd./Monroe Co.
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Jay McElrath
Appetizer
Callaway Catering
Frames and Art
Fusion Point
Go With Greer
iMedia
Kyle Hitchcock Photography
Petals Flowers and More
Primary Eyecare
Rutland Family Health
Scana Energy
Traditions in Tile and Stone
Travelers Insurance
Friends of Le Tour
Aflac Macon District Office, Amy F. Green
Cap1tol Street Financial Group
Dr. Jay Davis
Freeman Home Solutions
Andy Greenway
Macon Pets Resort and Spa
Southern Living at Home, Bethany Rensberger
In Kind Donors
All American Laundry
Mr. Jim Barfield
Chalkley Custom Homes
Chick-fil-A, Zebulon Road
DeZoort Insurance Agency, Sean DeZoort
Downtown Grill
Mr. Walter Elliott
Fountain of Juice
Houston Healthcare
Howard Advertising
InDoor Out, LLC
Karen Holleman Cakes
Keene Cleaners
Kottage Kennels and Suites
Nectar and Company
Previews Interiors and Antiques
Pumpkin Pie Designs, Clare Rauls
The Rookery
The Shoppes at River Crossing
Sorella, LLC
Starbucks, Forsyth Road & Tom Hill Sr.
Steve Schroeder Photography
Stuff It Macon
Twin Pines Apartments
Walthall Oil Company
Word of Muzzle
Le Tour of Kitchens: Ticket Outlets
Ticket proceeds for this fabulous event directly support our efforts to increase literacy in our community.
478.743.0847
www.jlmacom.org
Macon
Creter’s • Previews • Isabel’s
Warner Robins
Butterfly Kisses • Whimsey Manor
Perry
Sugarplum Tree
Gray
Mrs. Dottie’s
Forsyth
Flowers by Helen, Bolingbroke • Henry’s of Bolingbroke
Check out the latest issue of In Polite Comany
Produced by Savvy Mail, A Concierge Email Service
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Power of Nice: Are You Cramping Your Style?
a
Lisa Bruckner of Hendricks Park gave us invaluable information about our professional style and has a brilliant company that can guide men towards achieving that certain flair with ease. But it immediately made me wonder…what about those people who have tremendous style in the aesthetic sense, but nothing more? What about those people who look really good, but offer nothing more or, worse, get offensive when it’s time for them to open their mouths? I think I would rather be known for sporting a potato sack.
Lisa Bruckner of Hendricks Park gave us invaluable information about our professional style and has a brilliant company that can guide men towards achieving that certain flair with ease. But it immediately made me wonder…what about those people who have tremendous style in the aesthetic sense, but nothing more? What about those people who look really good, but offer nothing more or, worse, get offensive when it’s time for them to open their mouths? I think I would rather be known for sporting a potato sack.
Behaving inappropriately in the workplace either by design or by ignorance is a silent killer for professionals. No one at the office is going to tell you the reason you weren’t invited to an impromptu client dinner is because your table manners are atrocious or you become awkward when it’s time to make small talk. And, your boss will be reluctant to broach the subject of how the women in the office complain about your brash and crude comments (talk about an HR nightmare) since he has much bigger fish to fry than to try to teach you some manners.
So, here are the big 5 ways you could be cramping your own style:
1. Your language. No one expects Shakespeare, but they also don’t expect to be embarrassed. Check the potty talk and cursing at the door.
2. Your handshake. It’s always a shock to run into a smartly dressed person who offers a limp fish handshake.
3. You conversation skills.The ability to make polite conversation about nothing in particular is nearly a lost art. Make sure you don’t speak in acronyms (‘IDK’ for ‘I don’t know’), resort to gossip or get too controversial. Healthy debate makes for great conversation, just make sure it doesn’t get heated.
4. Your posture. Whoever tailors your clothes will not take into account that you slouch when you get tired. It’s never a good look to have your clothes tug, pull and bunch because you are slumping in a chair. Stand and sit tall. It makes you look confident and capable.
5. Your table manners. It doesn’t matter if you are in the company cafeteria or an awards dinner, having poor table manners is a turnoff to everyone. At best, it makes you look incompetent. At worst, it’s simply gross.
So put your best foot forward, just as Lisa Bruckner says and do so as you run - not walk - toward style and substance.
So put your best foot forward, just as Lisa Bruckner says and do so as you run - not walk - toward style and substance.
Cocktails & Canape: Toast of the Town
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Winemaker: Chris Carpenter
Winemaker: Chris Carpenter
I couldn't even begin to appropriately describe the experience that we were delighted to enjoy. compliments of Cardinale, at Wine Enthusiast's Toast of the Town, Atlanta. But I can certainly tell you that the Cabernet is an absolute must for entertaining clients. And I'll leave the review to Ed Thralls of Wine Tonite! who does a brilliant job of explaining just why.
What Kate and I were especially impressed with was Chris Carpenter's manner, presentation & grace. I would have never guessed that I would find myself hanging on every word of an explanation of the Egg White Fining process. Bravo!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Page Turner: Van Day Truex
The un-wiki-able man, and referred to as one of the Twentieth
Century'smost invisible design talents. Amazon Says . . .
Century'smost invisible design talents. Amazon Says . . .
"Van Day Truex was born in Kansas, the artistically inclined son of a stern and intolerant shop manager. After the seemingly obligatory stint living with a sympathetic and worldly aunt in Wisconsin, he escaped to New York City and design school (quite against his parent's wishes), turning in a stellar performance at the institution that would become Parsons School of Design and immediately earning the notoriously hard-won approval of none other than Frank Alvah Parsons.
Several hundred society introductions, garden parties, and black-and-white balls later, Truex found himself at the center of the international elite, one of the social register's most sought-after interior designers -- not to mention one of the most prized dinner guests in New York and on the Riviera.
As an enormously popular instructor at Parsons, and the school's president from 1942 to 1952, Truex influenced American interior design far beyond the rarefied circles of his friends and clients -- Brooke Astor, Lady Mendl, Grace Bingham, and the like. And as director of design at Tiffany & Co. from 1955 to 1962, arguably the store's heyday, Truex indeed had a hand in defining upper-class taste -- he called it "design judgement" -- or at least what went into place settings on the dining tables of the very wealthy. Many of the designs Truex commissioned and developed for Tiffany's are still sold today as classics of the brand: the all-over wild strawberry china pattern, for example."
Arbiter Elegantiarum: Lisa Bruckner
a
Interview By: Kate Lewis
Who is a role model that you have looked to in cultivating your sense of style? What would you consider to be their secret ingredient?
Lisa Bruckner
Interview By: Kate Lewis
Who is a role model that you have looked to in cultivating your sense of style? What would you consider to be their secret ingredient?
Do I have to stick to just one? *laughs* My mother, first, who had classic elegance with a sense of humor. She always taught me to “be your best and be yourself.”
Coco Chanel, of course and Julia Child. Both women I admire for their style and their flair and being true to themselves.
Van Day Truex, a style icon of the 20th century, who oozed style. The beauty in his story is that he built his business himself; he created his own style rather than having been raised with it. His is such a great story.
Lastly, my grandfather. He was very rigid and considered wearing denim a sign of delinquency yet he taught me that dressing appropriately demonstrates respect. As a child, I had to dress to the nines to visit him, but I learned so much from the effort.
Who is a role model that you have looked to in cultivating a life of substance? What would you consider to be their secret ingredient?
First, allow me to define what I consider “substance” ... Substance is the ability to find happiness and achieve balance. This is not something that is reliant on money, rather it’s the quantitative feeling of happiness. You have to love what you do in order to offer substance.
Two contemporary role models in the blogosphere I admire are Scott Schuman who writes The Sartorialist (selected as one of Time Magazine’s top 100 design influences) and Rhonda Carmen who writes All the Best ... A Passport to Stylish Living. They have taken topics they love and created a thriving business around them. I admire how they continuously evolve with their craft, are delightfully well-mannered and have genuine flair.
If you could go beyond a company's marketing chatter, what would you really like to know about them when you are deciding on a business deal? How do you gauge their level of style and substance?
I don’t believe it’s about the company or their marketing message. I believe it’s about the people and the relationship. After I hear all the marketing chatter, I ask, “Ok, so tell me what you really do. Tell me what you really care about. How are we going to connect?” In business, it all comes back to the relationship. If a company can't build and maintain a genuine relationship, it's a deal breaker.
What is the most important piece of advice that you would offer College Graduates entering today's job market? How can they put their best foot forward?
I would tell them to be prepared for the ladder of success because it is not always vertical.
Sometimes you have to go backwards in order to move forward. And, it takes maturity to handle that! However, always put your best foot forward, no matter what rung you're standing on because your appearance and manners demonstrate respect and have far-reaching effects. The business world is much smaller than you think and people do remember you (for better or worse).
When I am interviewing job candidates, the big 3 qualities I look for are a nice first impression, their genuine level of interest in this job and how well-mannered they are. Unlike job skills, these three qualities are not something I can easily train.
Sometimes you have to go backwards in order to move forward. And, it takes maturity to handle that! However, always put your best foot forward, no matter what rung you're standing on because your appearance and manners demonstrate respect and have far-reaching effects. The business world is much smaller than you think and people do remember you (for better or worse).
When I am interviewing job candidates, the big 3 qualities I look for are a nice first impression, their genuine level of interest in this job and how well-mannered they are. Unlike job skills, these three qualities are not something I can easily train.
Your advice on taking advantage of volunteer opportunities to cultivate business contacts?
You must be genuinely passionate about the cause. People can smell a rat a mile away. If you are unsure about something, give it a try. It may not be a fit for you, but you will learn something in the process and offer something back in return. Also, push your boundaries on what you consider your volunteer comfort zone. The experience will be much more rewarding.
If you could change one thing about your style, what would it be?
My style is a constant evolution based on my mood, what’s available, and the occasion. I would love to have more impact pieces, although my core style remains unchanged; I like classic simplicity with a statement piece. This piece should be quietly memorable – not screaming out or trying too hard.
I usually try to balance my conservative style with impact color and playful shoes. Shoes and a jacket are the make or break pieces, in my opinion. I would love to avoid wearing black for an entire month but I doubt I can do it. (My friends are laughing as my wardrobe is 90% black).
I usually try to balance my conservative style with impact color and playful shoes. Shoes and a jacket are the make or break pieces, in my opinion. I would love to avoid wearing black for an entire month but I doubt I can do it. (My friends are laughing as my wardrobe is 90% black).
When you consider your priorities, is there anything that you would change if you had more time or resources?
My first priority is for daily balance. My tendency is to be a workaholic, so it’s a constant challenge to ensure I balance my family and work lives.
Secondly, ideas and wishing are a dime a dozen; implementation is key. If you want something don't wish for it, do it!
Speaking of wishes, with so much to do and so little time, I would love to change the clocks to a 36 hour day. I might actually get to sleep at night.
Speaking of wishes, with so much to do and so little time, I would love to change the clocks to a 36 hour day. I might actually get to sleep at night.
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