This time of year I get many greeting cards from my friends and colleagues around the world. Yesterday I opened one from a colleague here in the United States. The card was beautiful but it was what she wrote that touched me. She said, “Thank you, Janet, for providing us with the opportunity to serve a global community.”

I hope to be more charitable during the coming year. And it starts with the obvious - giving and volunteering. It can also mean saying a kind word to someone who needs a boost. A kind word, a hug, or an ear to listen are very precious gifts to give. This season and everyday do a kind deed and take the time to listen to your family, friends and colleagues. You might be surprised at what you learn, and you will be offering them a special part of you.

It’s not about the job you have, it is about the job you want. Dressing for true success means presenting the image of the position you are striving towards in your career. If your desire is to be the CEO with the corner office of an international company, the way you speak, what you wear and the way you carry yourself should all support that image. Here is an example:

This is a classic suit that exudes a professional, powerful image for any woman. Just because your current position within the company is more manager than executive doesn’t mean the higher ups aren’t paying attention, looking for that next standout employee to promote.

A classy wardrobe can help even the youngest professionals to get ahead at work. It’s easy to fall into the comfort of a casual work environment, but employees beware! You would be surprised what people notice about you, even in larger corporations.

You could be the hardest worker at the company, but if your boss thinks twice about the impression you make on customers, he or she will also think twice about offering you a promotion.

What are your thoughts on dressing for success? Can a nice, tailored suit really be the difference between a promotion and a corner office?

The holidays-that blissful time of year when we’re supposed to feel happier and more content with life-can often add so much stress they become more menace than merriment. This seems to particularly affect women, since we are usually the main jugglers of meals, carpools, appointments, entertaining, and countless other responsibilities. So how do we not only survive the holidays, but actually thrive?

Four things that help keep me in check: (I detail each below)

• Take advantage of time management techniques.
• Ask for help.
• Keep things simple.
• Schedule in some quality time.

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If you haven’t heard of personal branding and its importance in today’s marketplace, you need to start here. If you have heard of it, but don’t think it applies to you, then start here.

Now that we are all on the same page, let’s discuss what personal branding can do for your career or business. Personal branding, like corporate branding, is based on how others percieve you. It is the idea of how all of your “marketing messages” work together to create an impression of you. These messages can be delivered intentionally (resumes, personal website, business cards, etc.) or unintentionally (blog posts, email messages, voice mail greetings, etc.). Think of a typical work day…how many impressions is your brand making? Probably a lot more than you realize.

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It’s no secret that times are tough financially for everyone right now, the world over. Companies are cutting back, jobs are being lost, and stock prices are falling. So how do you stay motivated and on track with your career or business when it feels like the world is against you?  Continue Reading »

The holidays are approaching and much too quickly for me. The ending of a year and beginning of a new one causes me to reflect on my personal and professional accomplishments and goals. Have I lived up to my goals this past year? How can I achieve what I did not? What are my next goals? So many questions.

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