HomeAbout MichellePresentationsMeeting PlannersBooking InformationMediaResources
Watch Michelle Engage Her Audience - View Video

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Howto: Dress for Success in the Office

As a (self-proclaimed) officer of the Fashion Police, I'm always on patrol for crimes against style. With a stack of Glamour and Vogue magazines under one arm and a Prada clutch under the other, I roam the streets in search of fashion victims - always vigilant and ALWAYS ready to protect (against culottes and exposed thongs) and serve (Gucci, Armani, and all the great fashion masters).

And I've found the biggest offenders are in the workplace! Offices large and small are rife with truly criminal style faux pas!

While it's true that for most of us, our workplace is not a fashion show, what you wear can have an impact on how you're perceived by co-workers, clients and the boss. If you're choosing unflattering colors, inappropriate styles, ill-fitting sizes and clothes that shouldn't make an appearance at the supermarket let alone the office, then you could be putting your career advancement in jeopardy.

But fear not, friends and fashion felons! With the help of style editor Ashley Baker of Glamour magazine, I'm going to give you insight into dressing professionally (and stylishly) at work so that you never skirt the fringes of fashion foul play again!

*****
For more FREE tips on advancing your career and navigating the workplace, sign up for my FREE e-zine "Lipstick Leadership" at LipstickLeadership.com today! And check out the products I've developed to guide you toward the success you deserve!

Labels: ,

posted by Michelle Yozzo Drake at 11:49 AM 1 comments links to this post

Email This Page

Top of Page

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Howto: Get Your Boss to Listen

Remember how the adults always sounded to the Peanuts gang in the Charlie Brown cartoons? The unintelligible static that seemed to go in one ear and out the other?

Do you ever feel like that's what your boss is hearing when you go to him or her with a complaint? Are you standing there running through a litany of problems and all they're hearing is "Wah wah wah wah...wahwahwahwah, Wah?" And then after you've finished your entire list, they "yes-yes" you, smile and nod - and absolutely NOTHING changes?

The frustration that bubbles up inside of you can be overwhelming, not to mention the stress of having to deal with those same problems day after day without any relief.

But is it really all the boss's fault?

*****
For more FREE tips on advancing your career and navigating the workplace, sign up for my FREE e-zine "Lipstick Leadership" at LipstickLeadership.com today! And check out the products I've developed to guide you toward the success you deserve!

Labels:

posted by Michelle Yozzo Drake at 10:18 AM 0 comments links to this post

Email This Page

Top of Page

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Howto: Get Teammates to Follow Through

How many of you remember sitting in class, listening to the teacher talk excitedly about a new assignment, and groaning at the words, "And I'll be dividing you up into teams..."?

And why were you groaning?

Was it because the project was uninteresting? Sometimes.

Was it because you were already trying to dig yourself out from under an avalanche of homework? A little bit.

But was the real reason the fact that you inevitably would end up on a team where one or more of the members DIDN'T DO THEIR PART?!

Dollars to donuts that's EXACTLY why a day at the dentist was preferable to working in a team.
Now, I'm a big advocate of teams. I love spit-balling ideas, listening to fresh perspectives, assigning tasks, and coming together to create a real powerhouse of a project. And when I entered the corporate arena, I thought I left behind the days of being stuck with unresponsive, uncommunicative, and unmotivated teammates who didn't pull their own weight.

Unfortunately, I was wrong.

*****
For more FREE tips on advancing your career and navigating the workplace, sign up for my FREE e-zine "Lipstick Leadership" at LipstickLeadership.com today! And check out the products I've developed to guide you toward the success you deserve!

Labels: ,

posted by Michelle Yozzo Drake at 12:26 PM 3 comments links to this post

Email This Page

Top of Page

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Howto: Earn the Respect of Peers

As hilarious as Rodney Dangerfield was, the last thing you want to be in your office is the Rodney Dangerfield who "gets no respect."

Respect is the cornerstone of all of your relationships - personal and professional. How you treat (and are treated by) co-workers, colleagues, supervisors and even the intern who fetches coffee can make or break your career. Who wants to promote a throw rug who let's everyone walk all over them? Or a timid mute who never shares his or her incredible ideas?

The most important person you should respect? YOURSELF. Respect your own opinions, your own qualifications, and your own ideas enough to share them at every opportunity. Sometimes, we forget how valuable we are and how amazing our contributions are to our organizations.

Jennifer in Springfield, MA knows exactly what I mean...

*****
For more FREE tips on advancing your career and navigating the workplace, sign up for my FREE e-zine "Lipstick Leadership" at LipstickLeadership.com today! And check out the products I've developed to guide you toward the success you deserve!

Labels:

posted by Michelle Yozzo Drake at 5:33 PM 0 comments links to this post

Email This Page

Top of Page

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Howto: Stop Nervous Habits from Ruining Presentations

Happy holidays, everyone! I hope the last few weeks were filled with joy, peace, good cheer...and a lot less work stress!

Although it may be a "New Year," most of us our still battling "old problems" in our careers. Hopefully, I can continue to shed a little light on solutions - so keep those questions coming!

Last week, I offered advice on how to overcome the fear that twists your stomach like a Slinky BEFORE getting up in front of an audience and giving a presentation. But what about AFTER you're up there?

You've managed your fear this far. You understand the perspective of your audience and have tailored your presentation to keep them engaged. You've practiced over and over again until your dog can repeat it back to you. And then...

You're up there in front of everyone and the second wave of fear hits and your nerves kick into high gear.

Lori from Waterford, CT knows what I'm talking about...

*****
For more FREE tips on advancing your career and navigating the workplace, sign up for my FREE e-zine "Lipstick Leadership" at LipstickLeadership.com today! And check out the products I've developed to guide you toward the success you deserve!

Labels:

posted by Michelle Yozzo Drake at 4:04 PM 0 comments links to this post

Email This Page

Top of Page