As everyone knows, I'm a huge proponent of "paying it forward". And, in the spirit of paying it forward, I thought I'd share this with everyone.
Did you know that Mozy (an EMCCorporation) is giving away 2GB of FREE online backup service? It automatically backups documents, spreadsheets, images,whatever you choose from your PC when connected to the network. Well, it encrypts it first (DUH!), so nobody but you can have access to it. There are NO setup fees, no credit cards, no monthly payments, no expiration.
To access your FREE 2 gigs of backup, click on the link below:
https://mozy.com/?ref=6A4B9L
Happy backing up, everyone! And, remember, PAY IT FORWARD IN 2008!!
Regards,
Mary Stewart McGovern
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
www.stewartmcgovern.com
*****Coming soon... CLEVELAND CAREER GURU. End the Brain Drain!
Showing posts with label Cleveland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cleveland. Show all posts
Friday, January 18, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Study: Lose weight, gain productivity
I came across the article below on The Cincinnati Enquirer's website. Not sure if I truly believe it (I've represented, and worked with, several obese people and they were some of the hardest working people I've ever met), but I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Regards,
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*************************
Donna M. Gates measured productivity in a random sample of 341 manufacturing employees.
Most of the workers were overweight or obese, and the study found that employees with moderate to extreme obesity had increased health-related absenteeism compared with other workers. The number of days employees are at work but performing at less than full capacity was also higher.
Health-related losses in productivity averaged 4.2 percent for workers with moderate to severe obesity and 1.8 percent higher than for all other employees, the study found. Based on an average hourly wage of $21, the annual cost for moderately to extremely obese workers working at less than capacity was nearly $1,800—about $500 higher than for other workers.The study's results found that a weight loss of 10 percent would bring substantial health and economic benefits."Even modest weight loss could result in hundreds of dollars of improved productivity costs per worker each year," Gates reported in a press release on the report.
The study was published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Regards,
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*************************
Study: Lose weight, gain productivity
THE ENQUIRER
Workers who are moderately to extremely obese have reduced productivity on the job even when compared to overweight or mildly obese workers, according to a University of Cincinnati researcher.THE ENQUIRER
Donna M. Gates measured productivity in a random sample of 341 manufacturing employees.
Most of the workers were overweight or obese, and the study found that employees with moderate to extreme obesity had increased health-related absenteeism compared with other workers. The number of days employees are at work but performing at less than full capacity was also higher.
Health-related losses in productivity averaged 4.2 percent for workers with moderate to severe obesity and 1.8 percent higher than for all other employees, the study found. Based on an average hourly wage of $21, the annual cost for moderately to extremely obese workers working at less than capacity was nearly $1,800—about $500 higher than for other workers.The study's results found that a weight loss of 10 percent would bring substantial health and economic benefits."Even modest weight loss could result in hundreds of dollars of improved productivity costs per worker each year," Gates reported in a press release on the report.
The study was published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Monday, January 7, 2008
WOMEN ADVANCING WOMEN OF CLEVELAND TO PRESENT “NETWORKING 101: THE MOST IMPORTANT CLASS THEY DON’T TEACH AT SCHOOL” SEMINAR.
Women Advancing Women of Cleveland is pleased to present a free seminar by top executive recruiter/networking expert Mary Stewart McGovern, president of Stewart McGovern Enterprises, entitled Networking 101: The Most Important Class They DON’T Teach at School.
This seminar will help women learn the “how’s” and “why’s” of professional networking, and how developing a solid network can boost your confidence and advance your career.
Ms. Stewart McGovern’s seminar is being presented January 30, 2008 at the offices of Smith Barney, 100 North Main Street, Suite 300, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022. Registration and networking starts at 5:30pm, and the seminar begins at 6:00pm.
In order to attend this free seminar, participants must register with the Women Advancing Women website (http://www.womenadvancingwomen.org).
Women Advancing Women is a Cleveland, OH-based organization that seeks to help professional women in the Cleveland community achieve success through education and relationship building.
For more information on Women Advancing Women, please contact Andrea Shea (andrea.m.shea@smithbarney.com.) For more information on Stewart McGovern Enterprises, please contact Mary Stewart McGovern (mary@stewartmcgovern.com.)
This seminar will help women learn the “how’s” and “why’s” of professional networking, and how developing a solid network can boost your confidence and advance your career.
Ms. Stewart McGovern’s seminar is being presented January 30, 2008 at the offices of Smith Barney, 100 North Main Street, Suite 300, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022. Registration and networking starts at 5:30pm, and the seminar begins at 6:00pm.
In order to attend this free seminar, participants must register with the Women Advancing Women website (http://www.womenadvancingwomen.org).
Women Advancing Women is a Cleveland, OH-based organization that seeks to help professional women in the Cleveland community achieve success through education and relationship building.
For more information on Women Advancing Women, please contact Andrea Shea (andrea.m.shea@smithbarney.com.) For more information on Stewart McGovern Enterprises, please contact Mary Stewart McGovern (mary@stewartmcgovern.com.)
Friday, January 4, 2008
My way to help eradicate Cleveland's "Brain Drain"
Everyone knows that Cleveland is experiencing "brain drain." However, every day I am bombarded with resumes and requests for contact from local people, looking to make a career change. These same people are the ones who, when they aren't able to find an ideal job here, will leave and *thus* add to "brain drain."
With that in mind, I entered a contest at www.ideablob.com. Should I actually win the $10k prize, I would use the money to advance my recruiting business.
So, I'd like to *blatently* ask for your help with this...
Please click on this link and vote for my idea: http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/1158-Expand-my-recruiting-coaching-b.
I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on the status of my entry.
Regards,
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*****Check out Mary's new ebook, I've Graduated from College. Now What? Or, How to Go About Starting Your Career and Not Finding Just Another JOB. Now available for purchase on our website, http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/!
With that in mind, I entered a contest at www.ideablob.com. Should I actually win the $10k prize, I would use the money to advance my recruiting business.
So, I'd like to *blatently* ask for your help with this...
Please click on this link and vote for my idea: http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/1158-Expand-my-recruiting-coaching-b.
I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on the status of my entry.
Regards,
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*****Check out Mary's new ebook, I've Graduated from College. Now What? Or, How to Go About Starting Your Career and Not Finding Just Another JOB. Now available for purchase on our website, http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Position: Accountant (Mentor, OH)
Below is one of the quality positions currently available with our clients. To be considered an applicant, please send cover letter and resume (Word format only) to resumes@stewartmcgovern.com.
Accountant – Mentor, OH Job ID #1297057 Salary: $50,000 - $60,000
The Accountant position will perform general accounting duties including, but not limited to, the following:
- Prepare monthly journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, intercompany reconciliations
- Calculate and record Bad Debt and Customer Complaints reserves
- Administration of Customer Rebate Program (accruals and payouts)
- Amortization of Corporate Allocations to multiple divisions
- Monitor AFE related projects at Headquarters to ensure timely capitalization
- Track and monitor equipment and building leases
- Monitor accounts payable match exceptions and work with buyers to resolve and improve processes to prevent future exceptions
- Various analysis
- Completion of quarterly Corporate Schedules
- Support external audit requirements
- Support Sarbanes Oxley requirements (testing of controls for compliance)
The ideal candidate will have:
* Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance, CPA a PLUS
* will have worked in public accounting, manufacturing, and/or with companies with at least $250 million in revenue
* have 2+ to 5 years of experience
Accountant – Mentor, OH Job ID #1297057 Salary: $50,000 - $60,000
The Accountant position will perform general accounting duties including, but not limited to, the following:
- Prepare monthly journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, intercompany reconciliations
- Calculate and record Bad Debt and Customer Complaints reserves
- Administration of Customer Rebate Program (accruals and payouts)
- Amortization of Corporate Allocations to multiple divisions
- Monitor AFE related projects at Headquarters to ensure timely capitalization
- Track and monitor equipment and building leases
- Monitor accounts payable match exceptions and work with buyers to resolve and improve processes to prevent future exceptions
- Various analysis
- Completion of quarterly Corporate Schedules
- Support external audit requirements
- Support Sarbanes Oxley requirements (testing of controls for compliance)
The ideal candidate will have:
* Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance, CPA a PLUS
* will have worked in public accounting, manufacturing, and/or with companies with at least $250 million in revenue
* have 2+ to 5 years of experience
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Congratulations to Skoda, Minotti & Co.
Congratuations to Skoda, Minotti & Co. in Mayfield Village, OH for receiving one of the inaugural World Class Customer Service Awards presented by SmartBusiness Cleveland and Metro Lexus!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Why “I Go To Extremes” Wasn’t Just a Billy Joel Song Title to Me
How many of us have a 40-hour work week at our current job? Wow, check out the lack of hands going up at that question! Well, everyone can stop laughing. Looks like we’re not alone. According to the December 2006 Harvard Business Review, it’s estimated that 1.7 million Americans have “extreme jobs.” An “extreme job” is defined as “high pressure positions that require 70 hours or more a week.”
Geez! All us accountants are “extreme”?!? And we all thought that 70+ hour work weeks was called “tax season” and are what it took to get recognized, promoted, etc.
Doesn’t it have a nice ring to it, though? “Extreme jobs.” Seems the United States is a culture that thrives on “extreme” everything – from TV shows (Extreme Makeover – Home Edition) to sports (extreme Frisbee, anyone?), if it’s “extreme” – Americans embrace it.
But why do we continue to do it – even after the promotions, raises, recognition? Why are there those of us who feel the need to work 70, 80, 90 hours a week after the raises push compensation packages into the 6 figure range – placing them in the top 6% of American salary earners?
For most people, it’s just their personalities. Most accountants are Type A people. To quote Sir John Gielgud in Arthur, “It’s what I live for…” Others, it’s the trill of working excessively long hours. Yeah, some do find a thrill here that others (myself included) just don’t see. And, I’m sure, many find those increasingly larger paychecks very alluring! The Harvard study shows the majority of these “extreme” employees love it. Yep, they claim that there doesn’t appear to be too much employee resentment (notice there’s no mention of the family’s reactions to these long hours.)
Now, I’m not going to question the choices made by “extremers.” Having spent almost 15 years in accounting and finance, I’ve been “extreme.” Of course, my husband and children will be the first ones to tell you how much they hated it. Long hours in the office, coupled with constant cell phone calls during dinner and e-mails all weekend tend to make even the most supportive families resentful.
Of course, I didn’t see how bad this all was until I was grocery shopping at 7:00am on a Saturday (because I just didn’t have any other free time) while discussing monthly and quarterly P&L statements with the president of my company.
Not too long after this did I begin to realize how wrong it all was. Yes, the money, power, and prestige were nice. But at what cost? I was constantly breaking out in hives (from the stress), I was pushing family obligations to the back burner (come on – grocery shopping at 7:00 am on a SATURDAY?!), I was hardly seeing my kids (and boy did they let me know it!), and my husband joking about talking more to my office’s receptionists than with me. Yes, I was in full-blown burnout.
At the time, we were renting a house in a very ritzy suburb of New York City (Greenwich, CT) and knew we couldn’t afford to stay if I wasn’t going to continue to be an “extreme” employee. Three months later, we moved into an incredible house in a very middle class suburb of Cleveland, OH – Mentor, where I actually spent the bulk of my childhood. Not only did our mortgage become one-third of what we were paying for rent, I could finally wind down my “extremeness.” Granted, I still work 60 + hours a week, but it’s on my terms. I own my own executive recruiting firm. There is no one to complain that I’m taking a half-day off, to help with my older two daughters’ classrooms. And if I choose to take an hour off and attend a tea party hosted by my 4 year old daughter, who’s going to yell? And if my 19 month old daughter is having a rough night sleeping, there’s no “tsk tsk” from other “extremers” because I’m not starting to work until 9:00am.
A lot of companies are trying to combat “extreme employee burnout.” That’s why more and more firms every day are offering concierge-style services, like dry cleaning pick up and delivery, on site child care, and massage therapists on salary. They are hoping these incredible employees won’t do what I did back in 2004 – burn out and run away like the wind. It’s because these companies are now listening to their human resource managers. These managers know that it’s increasingly difficult to replace an “extreme” employee. Let’s be realistic here – how many new employees are going to devote themselves to an organization knowing that the previous employee hit burnout and fled? Companies are forcing employees to utilize their vacations. Some firms even occasionally cover the costs for a spouse to go along on certain business trips. And we’ve all seen the upswing in telecommuting and flextime.
Would all these perks have encouraged me to stay at my old position? Probably not. While I loved my job (and the two offices that came with it – one a corner office on Park Avenue in the Upper West Side of NYC and the other, a waterfront office in Greenwich, CT), enjoyed working with my coworkers (some of the hardest working people I have ever met), and the pleasure of working for one of the most brilliant minds around, none of this could ever make up for the looks of relief and gratitude on my family’s faces when they realized that they really did come first.
Plus, there’s a lot to be said for not breaking out in hives during the past three years!
- Comments welcome.
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*****Check out Mary's new ebook, I've Graduated from College. Now What? Or, How to Go About Starting Your Career and Not Finding Just Another JOB. Now available for purchase on our website, http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/!
Geez! All us accountants are “extreme”?!? And we all thought that 70+ hour work weeks was called “tax season” and are what it took to get recognized, promoted, etc.
Doesn’t it have a nice ring to it, though? “Extreme jobs.” Seems the United States is a culture that thrives on “extreme” everything – from TV shows (Extreme Makeover – Home Edition) to sports (extreme Frisbee, anyone?), if it’s “extreme” – Americans embrace it.
But why do we continue to do it – even after the promotions, raises, recognition? Why are there those of us who feel the need to work 70, 80, 90 hours a week after the raises push compensation packages into the 6 figure range – placing them in the top 6% of American salary earners?
For most people, it’s just their personalities. Most accountants are Type A people. To quote Sir John Gielgud in Arthur, “It’s what I live for…” Others, it’s the trill of working excessively long hours. Yeah, some do find a thrill here that others (myself included) just don’t see. And, I’m sure, many find those increasingly larger paychecks very alluring! The Harvard study shows the majority of these “extreme” employees love it. Yep, they claim that there doesn’t appear to be too much employee resentment (notice there’s no mention of the family’s reactions to these long hours.)
Now, I’m not going to question the choices made by “extremers.” Having spent almost 15 years in accounting and finance, I’ve been “extreme.” Of course, my husband and children will be the first ones to tell you how much they hated it. Long hours in the office, coupled with constant cell phone calls during dinner and e-mails all weekend tend to make even the most supportive families resentful.
Of course, I didn’t see how bad this all was until I was grocery shopping at 7:00am on a Saturday (because I just didn’t have any other free time) while discussing monthly and quarterly P&L statements with the president of my company.
Not too long after this did I begin to realize how wrong it all was. Yes, the money, power, and prestige were nice. But at what cost? I was constantly breaking out in hives (from the stress), I was pushing family obligations to the back burner (come on – grocery shopping at 7:00 am on a SATURDAY?!), I was hardly seeing my kids (and boy did they let me know it!), and my husband joking about talking more to my office’s receptionists than with me. Yes, I was in full-blown burnout.
At the time, we were renting a house in a very ritzy suburb of New York City (Greenwich, CT) and knew we couldn’t afford to stay if I wasn’t going to continue to be an “extreme” employee. Three months later, we moved into an incredible house in a very middle class suburb of Cleveland, OH – Mentor, where I actually spent the bulk of my childhood. Not only did our mortgage become one-third of what we were paying for rent, I could finally wind down my “extremeness.” Granted, I still work 60 + hours a week, but it’s on my terms. I own my own executive recruiting firm. There is no one to complain that I’m taking a half-day off, to help with my older two daughters’ classrooms. And if I choose to take an hour off and attend a tea party hosted by my 4 year old daughter, who’s going to yell? And if my 19 month old daughter is having a rough night sleeping, there’s no “tsk tsk” from other “extremers” because I’m not starting to work until 9:00am.
A lot of companies are trying to combat “extreme employee burnout.” That’s why more and more firms every day are offering concierge-style services, like dry cleaning pick up and delivery, on site child care, and massage therapists on salary. They are hoping these incredible employees won’t do what I did back in 2004 – burn out and run away like the wind. It’s because these companies are now listening to their human resource managers. These managers know that it’s increasingly difficult to replace an “extreme” employee. Let’s be realistic here – how many new employees are going to devote themselves to an organization knowing that the previous employee hit burnout and fled? Companies are forcing employees to utilize their vacations. Some firms even occasionally cover the costs for a spouse to go along on certain business trips. And we’ve all seen the upswing in telecommuting and flextime.
Would all these perks have encouraged me to stay at my old position? Probably not. While I loved my job (and the two offices that came with it – one a corner office on Park Avenue in the Upper West Side of NYC and the other, a waterfront office in Greenwich, CT), enjoyed working with my coworkers (some of the hardest working people I have ever met), and the pleasure of working for one of the most brilliant minds around, none of this could ever make up for the looks of relief and gratitude on my family’s faces when they realized that they really did come first.
Plus, there’s a lot to be said for not breaking out in hives during the past three years!
- Comments welcome.
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*****Check out Mary's new ebook, I've Graduated from College. Now What? Or, How to Go About Starting Your Career and Not Finding Just Another JOB. Now available for purchase on our website, http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/!
Spice up your Wardrobe with Prints
Okay, I admit... I'm stealing this from my friend, Kristen Kaleal's blog. BUT for the fashion-challenged of us (myself included), this should be considered Fashion 101!
Enjoy!
- Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*****Check out Mary's new ebook, I've Graduated from College. Now What? Or, How to Go About Starting Your Career and Not Finding Just Another JOB. Now available for purchase on our website, http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/!
Spice up your Wardrobe
with Prints
By Kristen Kaleal
A couple of years ago, I realized how blasé my wardrobe had become. I had precious few patterns in my closet, but those that I had, I wore quite often.
Several patterns I didn't feel were "right" and they quickly wrote their own ticket out of my closet. I looked at the patterns I wore the most to see what they all had in common and tried to figure out why I felt great and looked good in them.
I realized all the patterns shared one trait - they all contained beige or yellow. They worked with my coloring because I am a champagne blonde. It's all about harmony - my hair color was repeated in the patterns I wore.
I started using this new tactic, and you know what? I started buying (and more importantly, wearing) interesting patterns! My closet isn't boring anymore!!
Most of us appreciate a rule of thumb so we are assured that what we buy will look great on us. Fortunately, this concept works for everyone - whether male or female, and regardless of hair color - brown, red, black, gray, or blonde.
A pattern will generally work on you if your hair color is repeated in it. I think that's why leopard print is perpetually 'in'. It contains so many of our hair colors - blonde, light and dark brown, white, and black. And redheads can wear it because it's in their color palette!
A few more tricks for wearing prints:
The 80/20 Rule
This is for anyone who has attended one of my color events. For best results, when you buy prints, make sure 80% of the colors in the print are from your own palette. The other 20% can be any color in the spectrum. Remember, it's all about creating harmony!
Filling Your Closet
The easiest way to incorporate prints is to use the following list in descending order:
Stripes
Plaids
Checks
Dots
Abstracts
Florals*
*A quick note - be careful with florals in the professional world - they can undermine your credibility
Mimic your face and body shape
If your facial features are on the angular side with dramatic high cheekbones, a square jawline, or thin lips, and you are tall and/or slender, opt for bold, geometric patterns.
If you have softer features and are more curvy, choose soft or rounded prints, like paisley, swirls, and abstract florals.
A mishmash of prints from my very own closet:
clothes, bags, shoes, scarves
As you can see, I'm on the softer, curvier side, so I select patterns that are more rounded, leafy, or swirly - nothing too angular or with hard edges.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mixing Patterns
Guys do it all the time - a pinstripe suit, striped shirt, polka dot tie. Women, on the other hand, are generally afraid to mix patterns for fear of looking silly, I suppose. I do it quite a bit and I can assure you I don't look silly. I will pair striped or plaid pants with abstract print shirts or jackets.
There are a few tricks to making this look work:
Don't combine more than 2 patterns - unless you are going for a very fashion forward look
Items must have at least 2 colors in common
Make sure the prints are different proportions - for instance, herringbone (a very tight pattern) and a large print brocade jacket can work well together if you follow all the other rules
Mixing patterns mandates toned-down accessories
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kristen Kaleal is an image consultant and corporate speaker. She is the style and image expert for ClevelandWomen.com and can be reached at (440) 742-0385 or kristen@ClevelandWomen.com.
Enjoy!
- Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*****Check out Mary's new ebook, I've Graduated from College. Now What? Or, How to Go About Starting Your Career and Not Finding Just Another JOB. Now available for purchase on our website, http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/!
Spice up your Wardrobe
with Prints
By Kristen Kaleal
A couple of years ago, I realized how blasé my wardrobe had become. I had precious few patterns in my closet, but those that I had, I wore quite often.
Several patterns I didn't feel were "right" and they quickly wrote their own ticket out of my closet. I looked at the patterns I wore the most to see what they all had in common and tried to figure out why I felt great and looked good in them.
I realized all the patterns shared one trait - they all contained beige or yellow. They worked with my coloring because I am a champagne blonde. It's all about harmony - my hair color was repeated in the patterns I wore.
I started using this new tactic, and you know what? I started buying (and more importantly, wearing) interesting patterns! My closet isn't boring anymore!!
Most of us appreciate a rule of thumb so we are assured that what we buy will look great on us. Fortunately, this concept works for everyone - whether male or female, and regardless of hair color - brown, red, black, gray, or blonde.
A pattern will generally work on you if your hair color is repeated in it. I think that's why leopard print is perpetually 'in'. It contains so many of our hair colors - blonde, light and dark brown, white, and black. And redheads can wear it because it's in their color palette!
A few more tricks for wearing prints:
The 80/20 Rule
This is for anyone who has attended one of my color events. For best results, when you buy prints, make sure 80% of the colors in the print are from your own palette. The other 20% can be any color in the spectrum. Remember, it's all about creating harmony!
Filling Your Closet
The easiest way to incorporate prints is to use the following list in descending order:
Stripes
Plaids
Checks
Dots
Abstracts
Florals*
*A quick note - be careful with florals in the professional world - they can undermine your credibility
Mimic your face and body shape
If your facial features are on the angular side with dramatic high cheekbones, a square jawline, or thin lips, and you are tall and/or slender, opt for bold, geometric patterns.
If you have softer features and are more curvy, choose soft or rounded prints, like paisley, swirls, and abstract florals.
A mishmash of prints from my very own closet:
clothes, bags, shoes, scarves
As you can see, I'm on the softer, curvier side, so I select patterns that are more rounded, leafy, or swirly - nothing too angular or with hard edges.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mixing Patterns
Guys do it all the time - a pinstripe suit, striped shirt, polka dot tie. Women, on the other hand, are generally afraid to mix patterns for fear of looking silly, I suppose. I do it quite a bit and I can assure you I don't look silly. I will pair striped or plaid pants with abstract print shirts or jackets.
There are a few tricks to making this look work:
Don't combine more than 2 patterns - unless you are going for a very fashion forward look
Items must have at least 2 colors in common
Make sure the prints are different proportions - for instance, herringbone (a very tight pattern) and a large print brocade jacket can work well together if you follow all the other rules
Mixing patterns mandates toned-down accessories
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kristen Kaleal is an image consultant and corporate speaker. She is the style and image expert for ClevelandWomen.com and can be reached at (440) 742-0385 or kristen@ClevelandWomen.com.
Wardrobe Mixology
Yep, more stuff "stolen" from Kristen's latest newsletter. Great stuff for those of us who live in black clothes (although, today I took a break from my "uniform" and am wearing an off-white top with off-white pants with various shades of blue pinstripes.)
Enjoy!
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*****Check out Mary's new ebook, I've Graduated from College. Now What? Or, How to Go About Starting Your Career and Not Finding Just Another JOB. Now available for purchase on our website, http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/!
One of the most frequent challenges facing my female clients, as one of the most popular questions I am asked, is about how to make one's wardrobe more interesting. For some women, clothes are simply utilitarian and serve a purely functional purpose. These may be the women who have way too many pairs of jeans or call black pants their most valuable fashion asset. Or they may simply be stuck in a style rut – never varying their standard look. People always know what to expect from them – whether it's a twinset, T-shirt, or even fancy shoes. They may fear that they have become too boring and predictable.
If you're one of those women who routinely plays it safe, but feels uninteresting and knows she is missing out on something, it's time to add some fun to your wardrobe.
And if you're one of those who is routinely fabulous, there is a way to take your fabulosity to the next level.
I get a lot of comments about the way I dress. When women say, "I could never put that kind of an outfit together – how do you know it's all going to work together when you put it on?" My secrets? Start by only buying clothes you love. Dress in what expresses your mood.
And throw them a curve.
Color and pattern not only communicate our feelings to the world, but they can also have an immediate effect on our own mood!
For more of my secrets for wearing patterns, click here.
Here's how to use this little guide:
We have our BASICS – our base garments. The vodka of our wardrobe. The pieces that can be construed as a little boring if we aren't careful. But if we don't have these pieces, then our wardrobe has no solid foundation and we may either end up looking like we have no clue about how to put an outfit together.
Next, add a SHOT. This is if you're a typically uninteresting dresser, or if you feel like you're missing something. Go for a quick shot of something unanticipated. A bright teal blouse. Red pumps. Zebra print bag.
And if you're a little more daring, throw in a TWIST of the truly unexpected (maybe even over the top) to the outfit. Something that says "WOW". An item that truly sings. A piece that no one saw coming, but makes people stand up, take notice, and tells them that you know exactly what you're doing, stylishly speaking.
Here are a few examples from my own closet:
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..
1)
BASICS – Gray jacket, black pants (boring!)
SHOT – Bright red shirt
TWIST – Gold bag and leopard print shoes.
Cool colors and warm colors can go together beautifully.
2)
BASICS – White denim jacket
SHOT – Here, the base garment is the shot – an orange T-shirt and cotton skirt
TWIST – Accessories! Both the necklace and bag had the same colors in them, so I simply pulled out the teal from both and selected patent teal slingbacks.
Casually elegant!
..
3)
BASICS – Dark wash jeans
SHOT – Lemon yellow twinset
TWIST – Red ballet flats and red polka dot tote
I put this together in 2 minutes one day! Looked like I had actually put a lot of thought into it.
4)
BASICS – White pants with black pinstripe
SHOT – Black patterned top, gold shoes
TWIST – The straw bag adds another layer to this outfit. Playing with texture can be fun.
Interesting, but conservative. Great for business casual.
Here are 3 rules for adding color and pattern into your own wardrobe!
1. Have a color palette you shop within. When you find pieces like purses, shoes or necklaces that incorporate a lot of the colors you wear, buy them!
2. Buy items together. If you pick up a pair of great looking royal patent slides, pick up a top that matches them as well as a bracelet or necklace, perhaps. It's not the idea that you will wear all of these items at one time – don't be "matchy-matchy" – the idea is that you have the option to wear a couple of them at a time to look put together. It does an amazing job of curing "I have nothing to wear" syndrome. Trust me on this.
3. Use RESTRAINT. I say this very seriously. There is a fine line between being enjoying color, pattern and accessories and being a fashion victim. Use the rule of two. Wear a maximum of two patterns. Repeat an accent color only twice. Two colors in your outfit gives you a better basis to add interesting accessories.
Of course, rules are meant to be broken, but having the basic knowledge will take your wardrobe to that next level, help you be more daring, and truly enjoy getting dressed and have fun with your clothes.
Isn't that really what it's all about?
Kristen Kaleal is an image consultant and corporate speaker. She is the style and image expert for ClevelandWomen.com and can be reached at (440) 742-0385 or kristen@kkimagedesign.com.
Enjoy!
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*****Check out Mary's new ebook, I've Graduated from College. Now What? Or, How to Go About Starting Your Career and Not Finding Just Another JOB. Now available for purchase on our website, http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/!
One of the most frequent challenges facing my female clients, as one of the most popular questions I am asked, is about how to make one's wardrobe more interesting. For some women, clothes are simply utilitarian and serve a purely functional purpose. These may be the women who have way too many pairs of jeans or call black pants their most valuable fashion asset. Or they may simply be stuck in a style rut – never varying their standard look. People always know what to expect from them – whether it's a twinset, T-shirt, or even fancy shoes. They may fear that they have become too boring and predictable.
If you're one of those women who routinely plays it safe, but feels uninteresting and knows she is missing out on something, it's time to add some fun to your wardrobe.
And if you're one of those who is routinely fabulous, there is a way to take your fabulosity to the next level.
I get a lot of comments about the way I dress. When women say, "I could never put that kind of an outfit together – how do you know it's all going to work together when you put it on?" My secrets? Start by only buying clothes you love. Dress in what expresses your mood.
And throw them a curve.
Color and pattern not only communicate our feelings to the world, but they can also have an immediate effect on our own mood!
For more of my secrets for wearing patterns, click here.
Here's how to use this little guide:
We have our BASICS – our base garments. The vodka of our wardrobe. The pieces that can be construed as a little boring if we aren't careful. But if we don't have these pieces, then our wardrobe has no solid foundation and we may either end up looking like we have no clue about how to put an outfit together.
Next, add a SHOT. This is if you're a typically uninteresting dresser, or if you feel like you're missing something. Go for a quick shot of something unanticipated. A bright teal blouse. Red pumps. Zebra print bag.
And if you're a little more daring, throw in a TWIST of the truly unexpected (maybe even over the top) to the outfit. Something that says "WOW". An item that truly sings. A piece that no one saw coming, but makes people stand up, take notice, and tells them that you know exactly what you're doing, stylishly speaking.
Here are a few examples from my own closet:
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1)
BASICS – Gray jacket, black pants (boring!)
SHOT – Bright red shirt
TWIST – Gold bag and leopard print shoes.
Cool colors and warm colors can go together beautifully.
2)
BASICS – White denim jacket
SHOT – Here, the base garment is the shot – an orange T-shirt and cotton skirt
TWIST – Accessories! Both the necklace and bag had the same colors in them, so I simply pulled out the teal from both and selected patent teal slingbacks.
Casually elegant!
..
3)
BASICS – Dark wash jeans
SHOT – Lemon yellow twinset
TWIST – Red ballet flats and red polka dot tote
I put this together in 2 minutes one day! Looked like I had actually put a lot of thought into it.
4)
BASICS – White pants with black pinstripe
SHOT – Black patterned top, gold shoes
TWIST – The straw bag adds another layer to this outfit. Playing with texture can be fun.
Interesting, but conservative. Great for business casual.
Here are 3 rules for adding color and pattern into your own wardrobe!
1. Have a color palette you shop within. When you find pieces like purses, shoes or necklaces that incorporate a lot of the colors you wear, buy them!
2. Buy items together. If you pick up a pair of great looking royal patent slides, pick up a top that matches them as well as a bracelet or necklace, perhaps. It's not the idea that you will wear all of these items at one time – don't be "matchy-matchy" – the idea is that you have the option to wear a couple of them at a time to look put together. It does an amazing job of curing "I have nothing to wear" syndrome. Trust me on this.
3. Use RESTRAINT. I say this very seriously. There is a fine line between being enjoying color, pattern and accessories and being a fashion victim. Use the rule of two. Wear a maximum of two patterns. Repeat an accent color only twice. Two colors in your outfit gives you a better basis to add interesting accessories.
Of course, rules are meant to be broken, but having the basic knowledge will take your wardrobe to that next level, help you be more daring, and truly enjoy getting dressed and have fun with your clothes.
Isn't that really what it's all about?
Kristen Kaleal is an image consultant and corporate speaker. She is the style and image expert for ClevelandWomen.com and can be reached at (440) 742-0385 or kristen@kkimagedesign.com.
Networking - Cleveland, OH
So, am I the only one bemoaning the fact that August begins next week? To me, August always used to mean the "end of summer." Of course, as a parent, I am now look at August as being the "beginning of the new school year."
Either way, I noticed that August is almost here and there hasn't been a decent local networking event that isn't "career specific." I mean, I attend lots of great networking luncheons and cocktail hours, but most focus on either Accounting and Finance (my primary recruiting areas) or professional development.
Why not have a great networking cocktail hour at one of the fabulous bars in Cleveland? And why not have it be just so all of us can *finally* get a chance to meet in person?
Here's what I'm thinking... I want to set up a networking event somewhere in Cleveland toward the end of August. It would be a cash bar (sorry, folks) and the sole purpose would be for everyone who knows each other online (either by MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) to finally meet in person. Or, even if we know each other already, it's a great way to say "hi" in a way that doesn't involve email!
Post your suggestions for days during the 3rd or 4th week in August, as well as possible locations. Based on the most agreed upon day and location, I'll set up "Mary's End of Summer Networking Cocktail Party" (yeah, I'm gonna need to come up with a better name than that!)
Comments -
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*****Check out Mary's new ebook, I've Graduated from College. Now What? Or, How to Go About Starting Your Career and Not Finding Just Another JOB. Now available for purchase on our website, http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/!
Either way, I noticed that August is almost here and there hasn't been a decent local networking event that isn't "career specific." I mean, I attend lots of great networking luncheons and cocktail hours, but most focus on either Accounting and Finance (my primary recruiting areas) or professional development.
Why not have a great networking cocktail hour at one of the fabulous bars in Cleveland? And why not have it be just so all of us can *finally* get a chance to meet in person?
Here's what I'm thinking... I want to set up a networking event somewhere in Cleveland toward the end of August. It would be a cash bar (sorry, folks) and the sole purpose would be for everyone who knows each other online (either by MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) to finally meet in person. Or, even if we know each other already, it's a great way to say "hi" in a way that doesn't involve email!
Post your suggestions for days during the 3rd or 4th week in August, as well as possible locations. Based on the most agreed upon day and location, I'll set up "Mary's End of Summer Networking Cocktail Party" (yeah, I'm gonna need to come up with a better name than that!)
Comments -
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/
*****Check out Mary's new ebook, I've Graduated from College. Now What? Or, How to Go About Starting Your Career and Not Finding Just Another JOB. Now available for purchase on our website, http://www.stewartmcgovern.com/!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
50 Hottest Cities for Entrepreneurs
In 2006, Entrepreneur magazine listed Cleveland as one of the "50 Hottest Cities for Entrepreneurs", rating us higher than San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York City.
Wow!
Regards,
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
Recruiters specializing in the placement of Accounting and Finance professionals in and around Cleveland, Ohio
www.stewartmcgovern.com
Wow!
Regards,
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
Recruiters specializing in the placement of Accounting and Finance professionals in and around Cleveland, Ohio
www.stewartmcgovern.com
Did You Know???
According to Monster.com's Local Employment Index, America's hottest job markets (in terms of year-over-year growth in online job demand) are:
1. Houston, TX
2. Dallas, TX
3. Atlanta, GA
4. Cleveland, OH
5. St. Louis, MO
Regards,
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
Recruiters specializing in the placement of Accounting and Finance professionals in and around Cleveland, Ohio
www.stewartmcgovern.com
1. Houston, TX
2. Dallas, TX
3. Atlanta, GA
4. Cleveland, OH
5. St. Louis, MO
Regards,
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
Recruiters specializing in the placement of Accounting and Finance professionals in and around Cleveland, Ohio
www.stewartmcgovern.com
Accountants' Hourly Rates Increased - Does Your Salary Reflect It?
According to Intuit's 2007 ProConnection Rates survey, the hourly ratges charged for accountants are on the rise.
Intuit asked 1,100 CPA's and the average rate increases ranged from $1 to $10 per hour, based on services performed. Non-software business consulting came in at the highest hourly rate of $95/hr., an increase of 12 percent. Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors' bill at $60/hr. for bookkeeping. Bookkeepers who aren't CPAs and are not certified average $48/hr. for their services.
So... does your current salary reflect these general accounting rate increases? We'd like to know. Either post your comments, or email us directly at info@stewartmcgovern.com.
Regards,
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
Recruiters specializing in the placement of Accounting and Finance professionals in and around Cleveland, Ohio
www.stewartmcgovern.com
Intuit asked 1,100 CPA's and the average rate increases ranged from $1 to $10 per hour, based on services performed. Non-software business consulting came in at the highest hourly rate of $95/hr., an increase of 12 percent. Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors' bill at $60/hr. for bookkeeping. Bookkeepers who aren't CPAs and are not certified average $48/hr. for their services.
So... does your current salary reflect these general accounting rate increases? We'd like to know. Either post your comments, or email us directly at info@stewartmcgovern.com.
Regards,
Mary Stewart McGovern
President
Stewart McGovern Enterprises
Recruiters specializing in the placement of Accounting and Finance professionals in and around Cleveland, Ohio
www.stewartmcgovern.com
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