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?
Monday, September 15, 2008
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!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Networking in Stilettos: Employ Kristel Closets
G'day Ladies,
If you haven't already heard of Megan Kristel from Kristel Closets - where have you been! This young, energetic and highly talented chickadee is working with corproate and entrepreneurial women around the US to help them increase their effectiveness, boost their productivity and increase their confidence. How you ask?
Megan will come into your environment, clean out your closet and help you create a productive wardrobe for every occassion, including those networking events. Check her out and subscribe to her ezine while you are there - she is fabulous: http://www.kristelclosets.com/
If you haven't already heard of Megan Kristel from Kristel Closets - where have you been! This young, energetic and highly talented chickadee is working with corproate and entrepreneurial women around the US to help them increase their effectiveness, boost their productivity and increase their confidence. How you ask?
Megan will come into your environment, clean out your closet and help you create a productive wardrobe for every occassion, including those networking events. Check her out and subscribe to her ezine while you are there - she is fabulous: http://www.kristelclosets.com/
Networking in Stilettos: Meeting and Greeting
When you have decided to attend an event or join a network, another important skill is knowing how to engage people when you first meet them. Meeting new people and making conversation can be daunting, but with a few simple techniques you’ll become more and more comfortable with each new event.
Appear confident. There’s an element of ‘fake it ‘till you make it’ here. Smile when you first meet someone and look him or her in the eye. Even if you don’t feel it, your smile and eye contact will show the other person you are friendly and confident.
Be aware of your body language. Be aware of good posture; stand straight with your shoulders back. Don’t fidget with pens or your clothing – keep your hands by your side if you are someone who constantly fidgets. A smile, combined with good posture will boost your confidence.
Introduce yourself first. Rather than stand alone, be brave. Walk up to an individual, or a group, extend your hand and say, “Hi my name is Neen James, nice to meet you”. Everyone will respond positively to your confidence and appreciate you making the first move. It will be a trigger for others to do the same.
Shake hands. This is an important skill; if you don’t know how to shake hands properly, learn. Some women, particularly those who haven’t been required to do it in business, can lack confidence with their handshake. It’s important. Cultivate a firm handshake – not too hard, but just right. Look the person in the eye when you shake their hand and say their name out loud: “Hi Robyn, it’s nice to meet you”. If you are unsure about shaking hands with someone, always extend your hand first. It is rude to not shake the hand of someone who offers theirs to you.
Learn how to pronounce their name. When you encounter someone with a difficult to pronounce name, ask him or her to repeat it, spell it and say it again – and allow him or her to correct your pronunciation so you get it right. People will appreciate you taking the time to learn how to say their name properly.
Use a person’s name several times when you first meet. This will help you to remember their name, it’s a very personal way to communicate – and, people love the sound of their own name!
Learn conversational skills. The ability to make conversation is what scares so many people about new social interactions, here a few questions you can ask anyone you meet for the first time:
§ What do you do?
§ Where do you work?
§ Where do you live?
§ Does it take you long to get from home to the office?
§ What inspires you?
§ What do you like read?
§ What has been your most valuable business lesson?
Ask people what they like to do in their spare time. This is a great question and most people become energised when you ask them about their life outside of work. Watch their eyes sparkle as they tell you about the activities they most enjoy. Take the time to discover that people are far more interesting than their work.
If you meet someone with an accent, ask where he or she is from. Find out something interesting about their country by asking:
§ Where are you from?
§ How often do you go to visit?
§ What do you miss most about that place?
§ Who is someone famous from there?
§ What food is that country famous for?
If you are at an industry or charity event, ask how they heard about the event. It’s a great icebreaker and allows you both to share stories of how you came to be at the event and what you hope to achieve by attending.
Listen intently. Give the person you are speaking with your full attention. Use active listening techniques such as nodding, smiling and leaning towards them while they speak. Ask questions about the topics you are discussing. People will appreciate your attention. It is very rude to look beyond the person you are speaking with or to look around the room for someone more interesting.
Effective networking can help you to maximise your productivity. You can master networking by choosing how you invest your time and energy. Choose your networks wisely, be prepared with business cards, follow up after every event, be engaging when you meet people…and have fun!
Rather than stand alone, be brave. Walk up to an individual, or a group, extend your hand and say, “Hi my name is Neen James, nice to meet you”. Everyone will respond positively to your confidence and appreciate you making the first move. It will be a trigger for others to do the same.
Appear confident. There’s an element of ‘fake it ‘till you make it’ here. Smile when you first meet someone and look him or her in the eye. Even if you don’t feel it, your smile and eye contact will show the other person you are friendly and confident.
Be aware of your body language. Be aware of good posture; stand straight with your shoulders back. Don’t fidget with pens or your clothing – keep your hands by your side if you are someone who constantly fidgets. A smile, combined with good posture will boost your confidence.
Introduce yourself first. Rather than stand alone, be brave. Walk up to an individual, or a group, extend your hand and say, “Hi my name is Neen James, nice to meet you”. Everyone will respond positively to your confidence and appreciate you making the first move. It will be a trigger for others to do the same.
Shake hands. This is an important skill; if you don’t know how to shake hands properly, learn. Some women, particularly those who haven’t been required to do it in business, can lack confidence with their handshake. It’s important. Cultivate a firm handshake – not too hard, but just right. Look the person in the eye when you shake their hand and say their name out loud: “Hi Robyn, it’s nice to meet you”. If you are unsure about shaking hands with someone, always extend your hand first. It is rude to not shake the hand of someone who offers theirs to you.
Learn how to pronounce their name. When you encounter someone with a difficult to pronounce name, ask him or her to repeat it, spell it and say it again – and allow him or her to correct your pronunciation so you get it right. People will appreciate you taking the time to learn how to say their name properly.
Use a person’s name several times when you first meet. This will help you to remember their name, it’s a very personal way to communicate – and, people love the sound of their own name!
Learn conversational skills. The ability to make conversation is what scares so many people about new social interactions, here a few questions you can ask anyone you meet for the first time:
§ What do you do?
§ Where do you work?
§ Where do you live?
§ Does it take you long to get from home to the office?
§ What inspires you?
§ What do you like read?
§ What has been your most valuable business lesson?
Ask people what they like to do in their spare time. This is a great question and most people become energised when you ask them about their life outside of work. Watch their eyes sparkle as they tell you about the activities they most enjoy. Take the time to discover that people are far more interesting than their work.
If you meet someone with an accent, ask where he or she is from. Find out something interesting about their country by asking:
§ Where are you from?
§ How often do you go to visit?
§ What do you miss most about that place?
§ Who is someone famous from there?
§ What food is that country famous for?
If you are at an industry or charity event, ask how they heard about the event. It’s a great icebreaker and allows you both to share stories of how you came to be at the event and what you hope to achieve by attending.
Listen intently. Give the person you are speaking with your full attention. Use active listening techniques such as nodding, smiling and leaning towards them while they speak. Ask questions about the topics you are discussing. People will appreciate your attention. It is very rude to look beyond the person you are speaking with or to look around the room for someone more interesting.
Effective networking can help you to maximise your productivity. You can master networking by choosing how you invest your time and energy. Choose your networks wisely, be prepared with business cards, follow up after every event, be engaging when you meet people…and have fun!
Rather than stand alone, be brave. Walk up to an individual, or a group, extend your hand and say, “Hi my name is Neen James, nice to meet you”. Everyone will respond positively to your confidence and appreciate you making the first move. It will be a trigger for others to do the same.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
You must try Footpetals!
G'Day Ladies
Whether you are standing around at a networking event or attending a meeting, those stilettos can sometimes hurt your feet. I have found the best addition to my shoe wardrobe is Foot Petals. Tina, the inventor of these lovely creations, is a fabulous lady, so accomplished and believed in her dream.
When I interviewed her she told me networking was essential to her success. Check out the great range at: http://www.footpetals.com/cgi-bin/footpetals/index.html
Stay comfy!
Whether you are standing around at a networking event or attending a meeting, those stilettos can sometimes hurt your feet. I have found the best addition to my shoe wardrobe is Foot Petals. Tina, the inventor of these lovely creations, is a fabulous lady, so accomplished and believed in her dream.
When I interviewed her she told me networking was essential to her success. Check out the great range at: http://www.footpetals.com/cgi-bin/footpetals/index.html
Stay comfy!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Networking in Stilettos: Sex and the City
Last Friday night I invited 15 girlfriends (and one fabulous guy friend) to a cocktail party at my house complete with cosmos and delicious food and we laughed, chatted and made new connections.
My girlfriends were all dressed up and had their most fabulous shoes on (that was my only requirement for them attending my party - divine shoes a must!). We then headed off to see one of the best chick flicks - Sex and the City! It did not disappoint. It was fabulous, the shoes were delicious and the bags divine.
Many of the girls reached out to me afterwards telling me how fun it was, how neat it was to meet new people and what a great time they had.
Building your network is easy. Find something you love to do, invite others to join you and voila - you are networking! Each woman made a new friend that night, all I had to do was put on my best Manolos and serve Cosmos - what are you doing to build your network? I would love to hear your ideas.
My girlfriends were all dressed up and had their most fabulous shoes on (that was my only requirement for them attending my party - divine shoes a must!). We then headed off to see one of the best chick flicks - Sex and the City! It did not disappoint. It was fabulous, the shoes were delicious and the bags divine.
Many of the girls reached out to me afterwards telling me how fun it was, how neat it was to meet new people and what a great time they had.
Building your network is easy. Find something you love to do, invite others to join you and voila - you are networking! Each woman made a new friend that night, all I had to do was put on my best Manolos and serve Cosmos - what are you doing to build your network? I would love to hear your ideas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
