WBENC Certified
Summer 2008: Networking
By Tory Johnson
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Global Dynamo: Meet Ernst & Young’s Beth Brooke
Ernst & Young’s Beth Brooke is one of the dynamos of corporate America, and a role model for women globally. Raised in Indiana and a graduate of Purdue University, she has earned her top spot as the accounting giant’s global vice chair of strategy, communications and regulatory affairs—as well as a seat on its Americas Executive Board—through hard work, perseverance and sheer smarts during a 27-year career with the firm.
Think Lattice, Not Ladder, For Career Success
Ask women who’ve worked for years and many will tell you that what they did right after college bears no resemblance to what they do now. Banish the idea of a career ladder–the image of advancing in one direction one rung at a time is not reflective of today’s realities. Instead, envision your career lattice, which enables you to move in all directions as you find your way to success. Lara Hall, a senior marketing manager at American Express, is a perfect example. Here’s her story…
Unappreciated At Work? Might be Time to Move On
It’s easy to allow other people to define your worth. They’ll volunteer their opinions about you or treat you in a way that speaks even louder than words. While you can’t control what other people say and do, you hold all of the power to determine how—or if—you allow it to affect your self- esteem. The best way to weather ups and downs: have confidence in yourself and your abilities. Jennifer Valentine of Perkasie, Pa. has had to do just that personally and professionally. Here’s her story:
Work at Home New Book Explores Ways to Earn Cash Without a Commute
Working from home has its pros and cons. It’s a lifestyle for many, but not everyone. Think it’s time for you to take the plunge? Are you ripe and ready to bear the fruits of at-home labor? Or do you have some growing yet to do?
Can You Turn A Hula Hoop Into CASH
According to the Center For Business Research, more than 50 percent of business owners are women—and the numbers are growing. Yet for many women, launching and sustaining a business can feel overwhelming and out of reach. That’s why entrepreneurs Lauren Bacon and Emira Mears penned The Boss of You: Everything a Woman Needs to Know to Start, Run and Maintain Her Own Business. (Seal Press, $15.95).
Workplace Fix-It: Grade Results Not Facetime
You might think work sucks—and we hope you don’t because we actually like what we do. But in their new book Why Work Sucks and How to Fix It (Portfolio, $23.95), authors Cali Ressler and Jody Thompson think they have unlocked the secret to why many people hate what they do: there’s dysfunction junction in the corporate workplace.
Workplace Advice a la ‘Ugly Betty’
Making the leap from college to a stable career is no picnic, with most graduates finding themselves at the bottom of the ladder without a clue of how to climb to the next rung. Tanner Stransky thinks help has arrived for these workplace newcomers in the form of fashion backward go-getter Betty Suarez, star of ABC’s hit Ugly Betty, which is why he wrote Find Your Inner Ugly Betty: 25 Lessons for Young Professionals (Kaplan, $16.95). Stransky can relate to being at the bottom: he’s an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly.
How about a ‘Milkshake?’
In his provocative new book, The Milkshake Moment (Wiley, $19.95), management expert Steven S. Little teaches how to spot stifling behavior in your organization—hopefully so you’ll fix it, grow and prosper. The book’s title stems from his frustration at trying unsuccessfully to order a milkshake at a variety of venues—simply because it was not on the menu, even though the key ingredients– milk and ice cream–were.
‘Culling’ All Self-Help Books
Megan Hustad says she wrote How to Be Useful—a Beginners Guide to Not Hating Work (Houghton Mifflin, $19.95) to give people in their early 20s a “cheap and cheerful overview” of American self-help books.
A Key to Success: Get Out There
Sometimes comfort leads to complacency and we don’t even realize it. We think we’re doing all the right things to meet our goals until someone steps in and shakes things up. If you’re stuck, seek a source for a shake up. Shannon Joseph, 40, a management trainee at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, needed only to leave her house to discover it’s a big world out there. Here’s her story.
Make LinkedIn Work For You
You’ve earned your professional network, now Kay Luo, director of corporate communications for LinkedIn, tells you how to tap into its value.
Meet 3 Great Gals Going Places
Read the stories of Hannah Seligson, Allison Pillinger and Stephanie Argyros and learn about their exciting career paths.
Networking Wisdom from Four Pros Who Know
Many careers have been built on the art of networking. There’s no shortage of books on the subject and there’s an abundance of experts who’ll spout endless tips on the topic. We went to some of them to roundup their best advice.
A Mother/Daughter Tale: Joined At More Than The Hip
Lou and Crystal Cator co-own a mother-daughter coaching company in Illinois. They work with top employers to develop leaders, improve communication between managers and direct reports, and help individuals take responsibility for their behaviors and actions.
Determined to Make a Difference
Read Angie Parra’s story, a Women For Hire Spotlight Success.
Start Talking to Strangers
Read Women For Hire CEO Tory Johnson’s experiences that helped her overcome her fear of networking and why you should start talking to strangers.
