by Paige Churchman (New York City)
The first time I met Willa Shalit, she sat down at a conference table, put on some multi-colored cat-eye glasses and pulled out her knitting. While her fingers worked the yarn into rows, Willa listened, spewed out ideas, and spun others’ ideas into “yes-and-we-could”. I walked out of that room charged up, hopeful and ready for action. This was the early days of the Business Council for Peace, and we were both on the governing board.
by Heather Chapman (New York City)
The passage of the $700 billion bailout plan last week by Congress and the President was supposed to be the first step toward fixing the U.S. economy. But, instead, not only is the U.S. economy worsening, but the European and Asian economies are faltering as well. While steps are being taken worldwide to bolster the economies, it may now be a matter of “too little, too late”.
Contributed by Laura Stack of www.TheProductivityPro.com
Have you ever taken an honest look at how you are perceived around the office? Your behavior, attitude, and reputation play a huge role in how you interact with coworkers and subordinates. Others may listen to you because of your job title, but if that’s the only reason, you have a serious problem on your hands.
Contributed by Caroline Ceniza-Levine of SixFigureStart
I must be doing something right because I called in by employers to interview several times. But then I don’t get an offer. I get good feedback but no offer. What can I do to manage these marathon interviews?
There are a few issues here. First of all, congrats on getting to the later stages of the process. This means that the market recognizes your value, and you must be communicating that effectively. You’re not going to get every offer where you’re a finalist because things happen – the job opening changes, the chemistry isn’t there, the competition is just a better fit. This is why it’s good to have multiple companies in play.
by Erin Abrams (New York City)
What a difference a week makes. After the rejection of the bailout by the House on Monday, September 29th and watching the Dow plummet 777 points in a single day, a beefed up version of the legislation passed the Senate on Wednesday, October 1st and the House on Friday, October 3rd. President Bush signed the bill into law on that same day. Both senators running for president, Barack Obama and John McCain, returned from the campaign trail to Washington, where they expressed their support for the bill.
Contributed by Donna Deming
While at work, is your mind distracted by all the things you need to do when you get home? When you’re home do you think about things you need to do at work? Our minds travel at light speed jumping from one thing to another. Think back to your early school days when you daydreamed out the window during class. Or maybe you were bored near the end of summer wishing for school to start? It seems like we have a hard time focusing on the here and now!
by Sima Matthes (New York City)
All eyes are on the market today, looking to see if the $700 billion “rescue plan” will have the desired effect of soothing nervous investors and turning around the downward market spiral. This intense market scrutiny put us in mind of those who, among other things, process the market transactions. And, as we focus on the stock tickers and market fluctuations, it seemed appropriate to note some women leading the way in the Financial Data Services industry.
by Paige Churchman (New York City)
With all the other news from the financial world, you might have missed this – both Fortune and Forbes have recently published their top-paid lists of businesswomen. Fortune’s is a sub list of its annual 50 Most Powerful Women in Business, published just last week, three weeks after Forbes named its 100 Highest-Paid Women In Corporate America and about a month after the Census released its 2007 figures on the U.S. wage gap between men and women.
Contributed by Julia Kaufmann-Yu
Most of us feel helpless in the face of the “perfect storm” brewing on Wall Street and Main Street. So now may be a good time to focus what we DO have control over and remember that each one of us can make a difference in the crusade to eradicate breast cancer.
Yes, it’s October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month – time to re-commit our time and energy to this important cause that affects one more of us women every three minutes! Read more
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y Caroline Shannon (Dayton, OH)
Sure, “girls just wanna have fun” and “diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” but, despite conventional wisdom, shopping can sometimes rank pretty low on the list of fun things to do — especially, when you are a busy business professional who can barely squeeze in lunch let alone a trip to the department store.