Two of my fave things, shoes and champagne.
Several times a year my local shoe boutique opens especially for me and I invite friends, colleagues, neighbours and clients to join me at 'If the Shoe Fits' in Doylestown, PA. I provide lots of champagne to drink and sushi (and chocolate of course) to eat and we try on shoes.
Simple concept really but highly productive, loads of fun and a great way to build your network. I always invite women who will benefit from knowing other women and expanding their network. I get to see many friendly faces while making the most of one event. It is simple, bring lots of people to you instead of you going to them.
These events are invitation only and have gained quite a following.
What can you do that is fun, representative of your personality and helps you build your network with other women?
Until next time.. I am enjoying my new aquatalia suede boots and pokerdot black pumps... now maybe I can wear them in Vegas this weekend?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Productivity: Why do women have 12+ pairs of black shoes?
I recently read a query from a journalist asking this very question and it made me laugh. I thought you might enjoy my response to him:
To understand this question you must first realize that shoes mean many things to women. Here is what I believe based on my research (and personal experience):
Shoes will always make you feel good when you aren’t feeling fabulous. (Don't you agree ladies!)Shoes always fit (regardless of what your weight is).
Shoes are like trophies collected by women and remind us of certain events and celebrations.
Shoes will make (or break) an outfit.
Shoes represent how a woman is feeling i.e. stilettos are strong and powerful, Mary Jane are comfortable and practical while still stylish, ballet flats are ‘run around’ type shoes that are always in style, sneakers are energetic, flip flops feel casual.
Shoes have a real purpose (while still looking fabulous, women choose their shoes depending on their day, meetings, presentations, running around)
Now 12 pairs of black shoes…. I have many, many more than 12 pairs (and I suspect my clients and readers do too). That is because we need the ‘right shoe’ for every occasion, some of those occasions include:
1. Black pump – every day wear to the office.
2. Black stiletto – goes with everything especially at night.
3. Black Mary Jane – has a heel but more comfortable and can be worn all day.
4. Black ballet flat – as mentioned above, practical and great for errands.
5. Black sneakers – not as hideous as white sneakers, practical and still kind of good looking.
6. Black kitten heel – a little heel without too much height.
7. Black pump with pattern – shows a bit of personality and great for many occasions.
8. Black pump with detail (hardware, bows, zippers etc) – same answer to question 7.
9. Black stain pump – evening shoe
10. Black diamante pump – see answer to 9.
11. Black flip flops – casual, great for the beach or spa.
12. Black boot – goes with everything.
13. Black heeled boot – see 12 and add a little height
…. You get the idea, so we do need all 12+ pairs, because each shoe makes us feel fabulous, meets a certain requirement and helps us change our outfits (the same clothes can look completely different with a different shoe).
Now ladies, which black shoes are you going to wear to your next networking event?
To understand this question you must first realize that shoes mean many things to women. Here is what I believe based on my research (and personal experience):
Shoes will always make you feel good when you aren’t feeling fabulous. (Don't you agree ladies!)Shoes always fit (regardless of what your weight is).
Shoes are like trophies collected by women and remind us of certain events and celebrations.
Shoes will make (or break) an outfit.
Shoes represent how a woman is feeling i.e. stilettos are strong and powerful, Mary Jane are comfortable and practical while still stylish, ballet flats are ‘run around’ type shoes that are always in style, sneakers are energetic, flip flops feel casual.
Shoes have a real purpose (while still looking fabulous, women choose their shoes depending on their day, meetings, presentations, running around)
Now 12 pairs of black shoes…. I have many, many more than 12 pairs (and I suspect my clients and readers do too). That is because we need the ‘right shoe’ for every occasion, some of those occasions include:
1. Black pump – every day wear to the office.
2. Black stiletto – goes with everything especially at night.
3. Black Mary Jane – has a heel but more comfortable and can be worn all day.
4. Black ballet flat – as mentioned above, practical and great for errands.
5. Black sneakers – not as hideous as white sneakers, practical and still kind of good looking.
6. Black kitten heel – a little heel without too much height.
7. Black pump with pattern – shows a bit of personality and great for many occasions.
8. Black pump with detail (hardware, bows, zippers etc) – same answer to question 7.
9. Black stain pump – evening shoe
10. Black diamante pump – see answer to 9.
11. Black flip flops – casual, great for the beach or spa.
12. Black boot – goes with everything.
13. Black heeled boot – see 12 and add a little height
…. You get the idea, so we do need all 12+ pairs, because each shoe makes us feel fabulous, meets a certain requirement and helps us change our outfits (the same clothes can look completely different with a different shoe).
Now ladies, which black shoes are you going to wear to your next networking event?
Friday, September 5, 2008
Productivity: How to find a great mentor
The right mentor relationships will help you accelerate your career, increase your self-development and improve your relationships. Investing time in finding a suitable mentor will help you save time also. Try these strategies.
Decide to focus where you need help– examine your life and determine if you want help with your career or your health or your relationships. When you know the area you want to focus on you can then begin searching for a suitable mentor.
Investigate top performers in your industry – if you want to find a career mentor, find out who are the experts in the field of expertise you want to develop. Then seek them out.
Find out where your role models hang out – check out networks, industry events and conferences to watch out for potential mentors. Spend time watching the people in the room and make note of anyone who stands out and has the ‘presence’ you are looking for.
Investigate official mentoring programs – many organisations now have internal mentoring programs you can become a part of. If your company doesn’t have one, can you start one? If you are interested in a mentoring program with Neen check out her ‘Stiletto Mentoring Program’ at http://www.neenjames.com/
Select the mentor – when you find the person you believe would be suitable, spend some time watching them in action. Ask to go attend a presentation with them or ask if you can spend a “day in the life of” them and watch what they do.
Ask others opinion of your selected mentor – when you have chosen someone, ask around to find out what you can about their achievements, beliefs, values and way of operating. This will give you insight into them before you approach them about mentoring you.
Approach the selected mentor – phone them or make an appointment to see them. Advise them why you want to meet and schedule time. This is an important step in the process so you can show them you respect their time and you are committed to doing the right thing.
Have an agenda – when you meet with your prospective mentor, have an outline of what you would like to discuss. Your agenda should include why you want them to mentor you, how long it is for and what you hope to gain during that time. If they agree to mentor you, you can then work out how you can also support them.
Set up an agreement – if you both decide to proceed, set up an agreement with guidelines for timeframe, contact boundaries and a full honesty policy.
Fulfil your mentee commitments – always turn up to meetings prepared, always complete any assignments or tasks given to you from your mentor and always look for opportunities to support your mentor.
A good mentor can change your life and increase your productivity, help you achieve your goals faster and accelerate your potential – find a great mentor today!
Decide to focus where you need help– examine your life and determine if you want help with your career or your health or your relationships. When you know the area you want to focus on you can then begin searching for a suitable mentor.
Investigate top performers in your industry – if you want to find a career mentor, find out who are the experts in the field of expertise you want to develop. Then seek them out.
Find out where your role models hang out – check out networks, industry events and conferences to watch out for potential mentors. Spend time watching the people in the room and make note of anyone who stands out and has the ‘presence’ you are looking for.
Investigate official mentoring programs – many organisations now have internal mentoring programs you can become a part of. If your company doesn’t have one, can you start one? If you are interested in a mentoring program with Neen check out her ‘Stiletto Mentoring Program’ at http://www.neenjames.com/
Select the mentor – when you find the person you believe would be suitable, spend some time watching them in action. Ask to go attend a presentation with them or ask if you can spend a “day in the life of” them and watch what they do.
Ask others opinion of your selected mentor – when you have chosen someone, ask around to find out what you can about their achievements, beliefs, values and way of operating. This will give you insight into them before you approach them about mentoring you.
Approach the selected mentor – phone them or make an appointment to see them. Advise them why you want to meet and schedule time. This is an important step in the process so you can show them you respect their time and you are committed to doing the right thing.
Have an agenda – when you meet with your prospective mentor, have an outline of what you would like to discuss. Your agenda should include why you want them to mentor you, how long it is for and what you hope to gain during that time. If they agree to mentor you, you can then work out how you can also support them.
Set up an agreement – if you both decide to proceed, set up an agreement with guidelines for timeframe, contact boundaries and a full honesty policy.
Fulfil your mentee commitments – always turn up to meetings prepared, always complete any assignments or tasks given to you from your mentor and always look for opportunities to support your mentor.
A good mentor can change your life and increase your productivity, help you achieve your goals faster and accelerate your potential – find a great mentor today!
Productivity: How to find a great mentor
The right mentor relationships will help you accelerate your career, increase your self-development and improve your relationships. Investing time in finding a suitable mentor will help you save time also. Try these strategies.
Decide to focus where you need help– examine your life and determine if you want help with your career or your health or your relationships. When you know the area you want to focus on you can then begin searching for a suitable mentor.
Investigate top performers in your industry – if you want to find a career mentor, find out who are the experts in the field of expertise you want to develop. Then seek them out.
Find out where your role models hang out – check out networks, industry events and conferences to watch out for potential mentors. Spend time watching the people in the room and make note of anyone who stands out and has the ‘presence’ you are looking for.
Investigate official mentoring programs – many organisations now have internal mentoring programs you can become a part of. If your company doesn’t have one, can you start one? If you are interested in a mentoring program with Neen check out her ‘Stiletto Mentoring Program’ at www.neenjames.com
Select the mentor – when you find the person you believe would be suitable, spend some time watching them in action. Ask to go attend a presentation with them or ask if you can spend a “day in the life of” them and watch what they do.
Ask others opinion of your selected mentor – when you have chosen someone, ask around to find out what you can about their achievements, beliefs, values and way of operating. This will give you insight into them before you approach them about mentoring you.
Approach the selected mentor – phone them or make an appointment to see them. Advise them why you want to meet and schedule time. This is an important step in the process so you can show them you respect their time and you are committed to dong the right thing.
Have an agenda – when you meet with your prospective mentor, have an outline of what you would like to discuss. Your agenda should include why you want them to mentor you, how long it is for and what you hope to gain during that time. If they agree to mentor you, you can then work out how you can also support them.
Set up an agreement – if you both decide to proceed, set up an agreement with guidelines for timeframe, contact boundaries and a full honesty policy.
Fulfil your mentee commitments – always turn up to meetings prepared, always complete any assignments or tasks given to you from your mentor and always look for opportunities to support your mentor.
A good mentor can change your life and increase your productivity, help you achieve your goals faster and accelerate your potential – find a great mentor today!
Decide to focus where you need help– examine your life and determine if you want help with your career or your health or your relationships. When you know the area you want to focus on you can then begin searching for a suitable mentor.
Investigate top performers in your industry – if you want to find a career mentor, find out who are the experts in the field of expertise you want to develop. Then seek them out.
Find out where your role models hang out – check out networks, industry events and conferences to watch out for potential mentors. Spend time watching the people in the room and make note of anyone who stands out and has the ‘presence’ you are looking for.
Investigate official mentoring programs – many organisations now have internal mentoring programs you can become a part of. If your company doesn’t have one, can you start one? If you are interested in a mentoring program with Neen check out her ‘Stiletto Mentoring Program’ at www.neenjames.com
Select the mentor – when you find the person you believe would be suitable, spend some time watching them in action. Ask to go attend a presentation with them or ask if you can spend a “day in the life of” them and watch what they do.
Ask others opinion of your selected mentor – when you have chosen someone, ask around to find out what you can about their achievements, beliefs, values and way of operating. This will give you insight into them before you approach them about mentoring you.
Approach the selected mentor – phone them or make an appointment to see them. Advise them why you want to meet and schedule time. This is an important step in the process so you can show them you respect their time and you are committed to dong the right thing.
Have an agenda – when you meet with your prospective mentor, have an outline of what you would like to discuss. Your agenda should include why you want them to mentor you, how long it is for and what you hope to gain during that time. If they agree to mentor you, you can then work out how you can also support them.
Set up an agreement – if you both decide to proceed, set up an agreement with guidelines for timeframe, contact boundaries and a full honesty policy.
Fulfil your mentee commitments – always turn up to meetings prepared, always complete any assignments or tasks given to you from your mentor and always look for opportunities to support your mentor.
A good mentor can change your life and increase your productivity, help you achieve your goals faster and accelerate your potential – find a great mentor today!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
