The Modern Venus Blog

New Book Release: Women, Work and the Art of Savoir Faire

Today marks the release of Mirelle Guiliano's newest book:  Women, Work and the Art of Savoir Faire: Business Sense and Sensibility. 

 

Ms. Guiliano is the author of the best-selling "French Women Don't Get Fat" which was an amusing read full of sensible tips on how to enjoy food without overdoing it (which is a particularly American pastime).  I look forward to picking up a copy of this book, as Ms. Guiliano has an impressive business background, rising to the top of the Veuve Clicquot company.   I went to see her speak several years ago when "French Women Don't Get Fat" launched and she was entirely gracious, charming, and down-to-earth.  I anticipate that this book will be very helpful to women in the workforce, as she too balanced a family and a busy successful business.  Here is a  blurb about the book from Ms. Guiliano's personal website:  

When Mireille Guiliano became a senior executive and spokesperson for Veuve Clicquot, she took the Champagne to the top of the luxury market, using her distinctive French woman's philosophy and style. Now she uses those same talents and savoir faire to help readers pop their own corks and get the mostout of life. Drawing on her experiences at the front lines and highest echelons of the business world, she gives women (and a few men, peut-être) the practical advice they need to make the most of work without skimping on all the other good things in life.

With lively lessons, stories, and helpful hints, Mireille teaches every reader how to identify her own passions and talents, improve her communication skills, balance work and life, cope with everyday stress, turn herself into a winning brand, and so much more. From acing a job interview or performance review to hosting a simple but elegant dinner party, Mireille tells it like it is as she shares her secrets for achieving happiness and success at any stage in business and life.

Stylish, witty, and wise, Mireille segues easily from the small details to the big picture, never losing sight of what is most important: feeling good, facing challenges, getting ahead, and maximizing pleasure at every opportunity.

RIP: Pink Magazine

I am so incredibly disappointed that the recession has claimed yet another magazine victim:  Pink magazine.  I don't believe any major announcements have been made about this, but an insert in my current edition notes that they are ceasing publication and that my subscription is being transferred over to More magazine.   Each edition over the last 5 or so years was chock-full of great business, career, financial and lifestyle information.  I have never seen a magazine so dedicated to increasing the success of women in the workplace, and giving strategies how to do so.   I am hoping that perhaps this is a temporary halt to production, but who knows.   You can sign up now for their daily email blast if you'd like (called the Little Pink Book).   Grab this last issue if you can, articles include:  

*  2009 Top Companies for Women
*  10 Ways to Live Rich (when you're not)
*  5 Ways to Avoid Office Burnout
*  Best Business Programs for Women

Such a quality publication, it will be missed.  Happily, I have at least 2 years of prior editions stockpiled, as many of their articles simply do not go out of date. 

"The Corner Office": Interview with Carol Smith of the Elle Group

The New York Times' "Corner Office" column interviewed Carol Smith, Senior VP and chief brand officer for the Elle Group about work, sexual office politics, hiring, and other very interesting topics like time management.     Here is a select blurb - the rest of the article is well worth your time.

* * * * *

Q. Do you have tricks for managing your time?

A. I come to work almost every Sunday for at least four hours to go through my e-mail. I did it when it was a real in-box, and I would go through it and write notes to everyone and then hand them out on Monday, and now I do it with e-mail. I’m glad I come in on Sunday. It’s the quiet time. I get things out of the way. I’m reacting, but I’m thinking as I do it, constantly going through things. So when I come in on Monday, it’s like my vacation day. I’ve gotten my e-mail down to under 30.

Q. Any other time management techniques?

A. I don’t waste time. If you want to chat, if you want to gossip, I’ll gossip with anyone, I’ll hang out. But when I’m working, I’m working. When you sit here in my office, we work. Men don’t do that as well as women do, either. All of sudden they’re on football. All of a sudden they’re showing videos of their son’s soccer game. Then they’re telling a couple of jokes. I’m not good at jokes during meetings. I’m very focused. I’m very singularly directed.

Read the rest . . .

In these times. . . The Layoff Coach

As we know, the market continues its ups and downs, and people continue to lose their jobs.   As a lawyer, I recommend to everyone that it is imperative to understand how the layoff process works and to ensure that your rights are protected during times where you might be very emotional and not thinking clearly (losing a job can do that to you).  I came across the resource on a local TV news program and was impressed by them - it is a website called The Layoff Coach.   This website has programs to prepare and guide you through the process, including how to negotiate the best severance packages possible.   This is something that you would want to check out before any employment termination happens, so you can be prepared . . . so if you are unfortunately in a market or position that you think is in jeopardy, definitely start doing your homework now.   And best of luck to you!  

Business Network International

When I was a practicing attorney, the concept of networking was always bandied about (who didn't want to become a rainmaker?) but the endless conference and awards dinners, etc. with the requisite passing of business cards always seemed like such a bore.  I thought I understood the concept of networking but in reality I didn't.   I learned about REAL networking through my membership in Business Network International ("BNI" for short).   In BNI, which is located all over the world, there are various chapters.  Each chapter contains only one of any given profession . . . and in the case of a large profession, like lawyering, there is only one specialist per type of law (i.e., corporate, litigation, tax, etc.).   

In BNI, there are weekly meetings where you see the other members of your chapter.  So it's not a haphazard "hey I think I met you last year at a luncheon" vibe that gets you and your business nowhere.  You actually get to know about each other, you give 60 second "commercials" about your business and the kind of clients you are looking for, there are weekly presentations given by a rotating roster of your chapter members, and then there is acting networking where referrals are passed to each other.  Most BNI chapters pass several hundred thousand - if not millions - of dollars to each other each year!

I strongly encourage all of you readers to check out your local BNI groups and visit a chapter or two.   I think it was hands-down the smartest business move I ever made.    The yearly membership is small ($330 per year) and you can make that back easily in one good referral. 

Getting Unstuck

We all go through times where we feel creatively and/or professionally stuck.   This is natural, so don't be too hard on yourself when you get to that point!  This is actually a perfect time for you to recharge your batteries and tap back into your creative juices.  Here are a few tips to get unstuck!

1.   Do something different:  step away from whatever project is challenging you!   Choose to work on something else -- preferably something less stressful and entirely different -- for a spell. 

2.   Take it easy on yourself:  trust that this is a natural process and will pass.   Try not to absorb yourself in feelings that you are supposed to be perfect or that this is a failing on your part.  It certainly isn't!  It's all perfect.

3.   Time to move:  go for a walk, a jog, a bicycle ride in the park.  Moving your muscles and blood can also unstick whatever is going on in your head.   Oxygenate yourself and your cells! 

4.   Take a dance break!  Put on your favorite dance tunes and boogie around your home or office.  You'd be amazed how doing this can change your frame of mind! 

5.   Ask yourself if there is something you are fearful of regarding this process -- and, if you do fear something, ask yourself what it is!   Is it that you want to impress a client?  Your boss?  Once you isolate what your fear may be gives you the ability to handle the situation.   Remember, there is little to fear but fear itself! 

6.  Are you taking care of yourself?  Have you been getting enough sleep, eating well, taking your vitamins, working out?   Our moods, energy level and mindsets are frequently dictated by something simple:  what we put in our mouths and whether we are getting enough shut-eye. 

7.   Pet your pals:  take a few minutes to snuggle up and pet any companion animals in your vicinity and/or take them for a walk!  Quality time with our furry companions has been demonstrated to reduce stress in our lives.

8.  Have fun!   Perhaps it's time to take a day off to do a fun daytrip!   Alternatively, if you can't take an entire day, schedule something relaxing like a massage or facial.  Know that your investment in your joy and fun will pay off in spades! 

Creating Peace of Mind

As I sit here typing this blog entry, I have whole cloves of garlic roasting on the stove and I just whipped up a fresh bunch of pesto from basil I bought at my local farmer's market.   The peace I feel when I'm cooking makes me think about other ways to bring peace of mind to my day -- and to those of my clients.  One recommendation I make to all my clients is to cut down on the bombardment of news and "infotainment" that gets blasted at us every day.   I am very deliberate about what news I read, because I firmly believe a lot of what is published -- at least in certain circles -- is designed to be more salacious than informative.  Thus, for example, I do not read the headlines or stories in papers such as the NY Post or the Daily News -- ever notice how they seem really exploitive?  Do we really need to have a 24-7 running commentary about what Britney Spears is doing (I think that the media should leave that poor woman alone already!)?  When I worked in midtown, I used to see people on the subway every morning getting their fill of the Post or the Daily News, and I always thought: "wow, what a negative way to start the day."  The headlines are usually salacious and always super-negative, covering the latest horrible murder or rape or other catastrophe.   It is not that I don't think that some of this news is important, but I don't think it is treated with the respect it deserves when latched on by  headliner-writers who want to sell papers.   I make a point, therefore, of being selective of what I read in the news (I prefer listening to National Public Radio or reading the New York Times), and I don't watch local news programs in the mornings when I wake up and definitely not before I go to bed.   I prefer to spend this time setting the stage for my day with beautiful music, perhaps reading something uplifting and entertaining, and by taking a run in the park to enjoy the weather and nature.  I encourage you to do the same -- and please let me know how this may make a difference to your day, to your energy level, and to your mindset. 

Get Thee to a Publisher!

I know a lot of women who really want to write books but who aren't sure if they should, if they write well enough, if a publisher would want to publish it . . . yaddayaddayadda.  I say to anyone who thinks that you have a book inside of you -- if you want to gain confidence in the brilliance of your ideas, take yourself to any "bargain" section of your local Barnes & Noble!   I love the bargain section not only because I can pick up hardcovers at a great discount, but also because of the varied kinds of books on sale.  Last time I reviewed the section, the three funniest books I saw were:  (1)  a book on how to read books (which poses a Catch-22 -- if you don't really know how to read a book, how can you read a book about reading books?); (2) a book and kit of make-your-own doggie biscuits; and (3) a photography book labeled "Dancing with Cats" which contained -- you got it -- large images of people dancing with their cats.  What is so great about these books are:  (a) the passion with which the authors poured their hearts, minds and souls into the books, which is so clear and is so endearing!; and (b) that publishers thought these books were all great and had the potential to make money! 

So if you think that your idea somehow isn't good enough or "publishable" enough, take confidence in your brilliance and go for it!   I'm starting to write my first book in fact this summer (working title:  "How to Build a Modern Venus") . . . so look for it on the bestseller lists in Summer 2008! 

PS:  In getting the picture to post here, I actually found the "Cat Dancing" webpage  -- with video!  I can't quite tell if this is very tongue-in-cheek or real . . . let me know what you think!