Is your company uniform giving you the blues? While not intentional, mass produced logo wear is commonly cut shapeless and unflattering to many body shapes. What to do? Ask permission to have uniform altered. For example: Females are asked to wear a menswear oxford button-up shirt. Purchase shirt to fit widest area best. Tailor may alter the shirt to fit other areas in the most flattering fashion. Make the investment in one or two high-quality pieces in flattering colors and have them tailored. You’ll walk tall with confidence in your personal AND corporate brand.

It’s my favorite time of the shopping year. Shop Callosum’s client, Beta Boutique’s killer sample & overstock sale for fashionable ladies and fellas. Trust me - this one is worth the trip!

What: Semi-Annual Stacked Rack Sample Sale! Womenswear and Menswear. 8000 sq ft of the best designer stock/samples and choicest boutique overstock priced at 40-90% off for men + women, sizes XS – XL, prices range $5 - $150 and under!
When: Saturday, January 30th (10A-6P) - Sunday, January 31st (12-5P)
Where: River North. 233 W. Huron, at corner of Huron & Franklin (1 block east of Nacional 27 and 2 blocks south of Brown Line El - Chicago Ave. stop)
More info: http://betaboutique.com/sales.html

As technology changes, so does the way we host meetings — webinars, teleconferences, video conferences, etc. Are you communicating clearly? Although we may no longer be sitting face to face, appearance remains vital. A video conference is similar to being on television. Dress so your audience may see you clearly and polished. Solid colors and neutrals show crisp. Avoid bright colors as they vibrate on screen, patterns blur, and distort the screen.

Out in the world, I am increasingly saddened to see so many people resigned in their workplace. The cashier’s monotone regulatory “hello”… the subway blank stares… the hopelessness of pending unemployment. CNN Money confirms it. “Fewer than half of U.S. workers are satisfied with their jobs, the lowest level since record-keeping began 22 years ago.”

How do we swing the pendulum from “I work for the weekends” to “I love my work”? Let’s look in the mirror. You are in charge of your life. Reignite your power to choose and resist the habit of giving it away to the circumstances around you. Be proactive in improving your attitude, keeping your brain active and challenged will improve your lifespan. Start today as the author of your life. Create a brand YOU biography that’s a bestseller! I’ll leave you with my favorite quote: “Our primary job is to feel joy.” Dalai Lama.

2009 was a wonderful ride. Thanks for joining us. In case you missed our fourth quarter newsletter, click here to catch up to date. Missed past issues and curious what we’ve been up to? See our online archive here. And of course, Happy New Year! Callosum is grateful to have you in our circle of clients, colleagues, vendors, family and friends.

They see you coming from afar. Color is the first sensory impression you make when approaching a person. Regardless of personal color preferences your audience will have the same subconscious response as our body’s nervous and hormones react to the magnetic energies and temperature of colors. The brain physically senses and interprets color visually resulting in different emotional responses. Color sways perception, judgment and behavior.

By learning the science behind color psychology and applying it to your clothing choices you may use this interpersonal skill tool to manage your professional relationships. Consider which colors align with your desired image? (Don’t neglect to flatter your skin tone) Dress for success with a professional wardrobe in effective colors.

Black = authority, power
Blue = cheer, loyalty, productivity
Brown = abundance, genuineness
Red = passion, stimulates communication
Green = harmony, calming
Orange = enthusiasm, warmth
Pink = tranquilizing
Purple = luxury, sophistication, femininity
Yellow = enhances concentration
White = innocence, purity

As a manager you have the challenge of revenue accountability and building a successful team. You have a choice to have effective or ineffective relationships with your team members. It’s best to show an interest in your subordinates as people with career ambitions. If they think you are willing to work at building a relationship to benefit both of you, they will provide more of what you want. If they think you are a revenue-generating machine (bill more, work more) with little regard for their well being, they will respond in kind. The relationship will be diminished to transactional terms based on short-term needs. This is prime territory for talent pool loss come better economic times. Value your staff and your revenue will grow through productive team players.

Executive presence takes time to build. To start getting more comfortable in larger settings, begin by speaking up at least once in each meeting. Think through what you are going to say and when you open your mouth, don’t use any disclaimers (“This may not work but…”). Speak up loudly and hold the floor long enough to be heard. Studies have shown that when a woman is in a room with men, they often don’t even remember the women’s remarks unless she has spoken loudly enough and for a long enough duration.

Source: Author, Josette Goldberg of Goldberg Executive Coaching & affiliate of Callosum Creative Ltd.

To save time and money in building a consistent personal style, nurture relationships with retail sales staff. In essence, they are a free resource that acts as your research team for wardrobe development. Have a favorite store or discover a new one? As you enter approach a staffer you visually admire. Tell them you’d like help with a wardrobe plan. Share your strategic shopping list, budget, shape goals, color preferences and image muse. Ask about current sales. Ask if they keep client profiles and enroll in frequent shopper programs. When done shopping jot down remaining needed items and ask to be contacted if upcoming shipments arrive. Viola… the inside scoop to best deals and merchandise!

Working in a multi-cultural environment requires setting your colleagues and clients at ease in both environments. A wise initial step is to create a bilingual business card. Print English on one side and second language on the other side. Include phonetic pronunciation in a second language. Present card using two hands holding card away from you so text faces the reader in their preferred language. When recipient takes card, bow forward as a sign of respect. Also note, while taking notes on US-based card is considered helpful, it is disrespectful in the Japanese culture.

What makes a great speech, presentation or message?  Put the message up front.  Transition clearly from point to point and back up your viewpoints with credible ‘Forms of Influence’.  We recommend using S-P-E-A-K to give your messages more punch or ‘stickiness’.  S = Statistics & Facts, P = Personal Experience share, E = Example, A = Analogy, and K = Killer Quote.  Randall Larsen, (Ret.) Colonel, National Security Advisor, Center for Biosecurity, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center uses all in his speech, Lessons Learned from “A Good War”, The Global Smallpox Eradication Program and Homeland Security.

Source: Author, John Vautier of Vautier Communications & affiliate of Callosum Creative Ltd.

Sitting on a future client or colleague? What may be habit for you, may be considered disrespectful to another. Proper etiquette when receiving a business card is to take a brief glance at it, say “Thank you <Name>”, and place in your shirt pocket, handbag or briefcase - never in your back pocket.

Do you think of your client as THEM or vice versa? Often times it’s hard to determine how each side began competing for control of the relationship. Regardless, it’s imperative to not let the relationship spin out of control to enemy territory. Examples: 1) Focus on rehearsing call vs. planning how to get the conversation rolling 2) Asking for documentation/approval at all steps vs. trusting first 3) Obvious up-selling vs. sincere interest in client needs beyond the contract. Are you at your brand’s front line with a helmet or a handshake?

Speaking skill tip: Really, you want me to hug the audience? No, but metaphorically I do! If you want an audience to truly listen, trust your expertise and feel connected, it’s essential to connect on a human level. Remove the physical and energetic barrier by stepping away from the podium. Proximity creates vitality and gets the energy flowing. Without ever physically touching, the audience will feel the “hug”.

How do you recognize executive presence? Have you ever been in a meeting or chatting where one participant stood out? Where personal engagement level, clarity of thought and expression deemed them exceptional? You were likely witnessing executive presence in action.

Several attributes consistently characterize the very best executive presence. They encompass interpersonal engagement skills that define what executive presence is all about. Executive presence experts are very good at consistently projecting these attributes to their audiences. These attributes include:

• Passion: The expression of motivation, drive, and engagement that convinces others you are committed to what you are saying and doing.
• Poise: A look of sophistication and unflappability that creates the impression you are comfortable in your surroundings and able to handle adversity.
• Self Confidence: The air of optimism and assurance that convinces others you have the required strength, resources, and resolve to initiate and to lead.
• Candor: The appearance of being interested in truth and honesty, with a willingness to accept and engage the world as it is, not as you would like it to be.
• Clarity: The ability to create your story and tell it in an intuitively clear and compelling way.
• Openness: The willingness to consider other points of view without prejudging them.

Source: Author, Josette Goldberg of Goldberg Executive Coaching & affiliate of Callosum Creative Ltd.

Dress codes are really vague. Most senior company leaders say that they understand that the days of suits and dresses are long gone. I’m often told by them that they “get it” that their employees want fewer rules and regulations which have little to do with performance.

But later, they will make inconsistent comments. Behind closed doors they get a little more forthcoming. I’ve been told capri pants are too much for a work environment or so and so should stop wearing pants without his underwear showing if he ever expects to get ahead. “Flip flops? Not what future leaders should be wearing.”

The real world is that the boss really wants people to follow his or her lead when it comes to standards of dress. If the boss is wearing a sports coat with Dockers, or a business skirt with a cotton button down collar, they are sending a signal. Disregard such signals at your own peril.

Source: Author, Josette Goldberg of Goldberg Executive Coaching & affiliate of Callosum Creative Ltd.

As an executive or manager, there are three things to think about when it comes to the concept of accountability in your business:

• Expecting different results from the same, repeated behavior
• You get the behavior you reward in your organization. If you want to change behavior, you must change the reward system you have in place
• All culture flows top-down. You can’t change an organization from the bottom-up

Source: Author, Josette Goldberg of Goldberg Executive Coaching & affiliate of Callosum Creative Ltd.

A young woman went to her mother and shared things were so hard for her. She wanted to give up. In the kitchen, her mother boiled 3 pots of water. In the first, she dropped carrots, in the second eggs, and the last ground coffee beans. She boiled them 20 minutes then placed them in separate bowls. She asked her daughter, “What do you see?” The mother had her touch each cooked item. The daughter noted the carrots got soft, the egg got hard. She sipped the coffee, then asked. “What’s the point?”

Each object faced the same adversity…the boiling water…but reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting - it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile - its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans changed the water. She asked, “Which are you - the carrot, the egg or the coffee beans?”

When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean? The carrot seems strong, but with pain and adversity. Do you wilt and become soft and lose strength? The egg starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Do you have a fluid spirit, but after a life trial have become hardened? Does your shell look the same, but the inside is bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. How do you handle adversity?

Source: Author, Josette Goldberg of Goldberg Executive Coaching & affiliate of Callosum Creative Ltd.

When genders are working together it can sound like a personal relationship on occasion. Women asking the guys why they don’t participate in a discussion but then leave the meeting and have a bunch of ideas; or men asking the women why they take so long to make a point.

The way our brains are wired, according to recent research out of UC at Berkley really makes a difference in our processing. Women are more prone to thinking aloud and using that to come to a position while men go radio silent while they are thinking before making a statement.

If you’re a woman in a male dominated environment, don’t go processing aloud — it can frustrate the men who just want an answer. If your a man in a female dominated environment, don’t give the appearance that you’ve shutdown by processing internally without telling those around you what you’re thinking.

Source: Author, Josette Goldberg of Goldberg Executive Coaching & affiliate of Callosum Creative Ltd.

Client Event: Women’s ESCADA Sample Sale - “Over 8,000 Items, Up to 70% Off!”
July 16-19: Thur 10-7pm. Fri 10am-7pm. Sat 10am-6pm. Sunday 11am-5pm
Where: 344 N. Ogden Ave. Chicago 60606 [River West Off-Site Event Space]
More info click here

An alluring English accent. A booming baritone. Voice sets a mental image. How does your sound portray you? We increasingly use voice to convey our brand -  voicemail, radio blogs, phone conferences, webcasts… Most aren’t born with a radio voice, but a smile & smooth delivery is the difference between a listener receiving your full message versus being distracted by mispronunciation, filler words [uh, so] and rambling. Listeners get impatient if you lack good diction and modulation. Keep to the point, organized and articulate. Teensy Tip: Convey warmth through smiling. They can hear your smile!  

Does your profile photo make you want to know YOU? Whether on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or Match.com, it’s an instantaneous recognition or retraction tool! In regards to professional or personal branding, the most effective way to communicate to the world is with a current, in focus and preferably not shot in your bathroom mirror on your iphone headshot. An effective image will share your story as your personality shines through. Invest in yourself and engage your ‘readers’ with an inviting image. For headshot tips visit here.

Time management coaches advise using auto-replies stating you check your email 3x/day [not every 30 seconds] to gently train your recipient away from a ‘must hear back from you immediately’ mentality. Clients and colleagues beg you to remove it. How to please them all? When initiating a relationship share your ‘scope of work’ includes replying within 24 hours during xyz business hours. Without clear communication gray areas swell to the 24/7 workload complex. Gentle boundaries are an effective part of conveying your personal brand. Your clients are cared for and you retain work life balance. 

How to crosshatch increasing technology and the wavering practice of etiquette? Resist as you may, technology is increasing being used in our personal and business lives. Are the two incompatible? It’s not the gadget’s fault but more so the user behind it – increasingly indifferent, bored and attention-deficit inclined.  Take a deep breath, click the off-button and be present to the human being in front of you.  It’s likely far more engaging. 

When talking to a group it’s great to have direct contact with each of your listeners. Don’t make the mistake of maintaining eye contact with just one person. Doing this will stop the other members of the group from feeling engaged and thus listening. Instead focus on a different member of the group with every other sentence. You’ll keep them all interested and feeling valued in the conversation.

Please join me as Callosum client, Beta Boutique partners with Style Chicago to co-host an 11,000 piece HUGO BOSS sample sale for MEN & WOMEN up to 80% off retail price. Callosum is proud to be co-producing this fantastic event. I will be at the private Style Chicago Preview Shopping Party - shop Wednesday, June 3 6-9pm [registration required] or when doors open to the public Thursday June 4th at 9am. Sale continues through Sunday. || While able to say hello, if you’d like my undivided attention and expert wardrobe consultant advice, email me for an appointment. See links in copy for details. Hope to see you there!

Do you bring YOU to work? Have a separate professional and personal persona? Karma chameleon will tell you it’s an unhealthy way to live! Not only is it lonely, it’s destructive to your career and personal life. Yes, it’s appropriate to leave the hi-tops, Halloween costume and personal Facebook photos are home, but bring your unique personality to the office. Embrace the inner you then polish it for the professional sector. After all, building relationships make you successful and that requires integrity. Bonus: You won’t panic when you run into a co-worker, boss or client at the grocery store – it’s still YOU.

It’s not uncommon for women to feel beauty deters them from being taking seriously in the workforce. A common reaction is to ‘create flaws’ in order to be respected; however, de-feminizing or joining the ‘boys’ in old school bonding behavior will only further diminish your effectiveness as it leaves the TRUE YOU out of the equation and shows a disrespect of self. A more effective tactic is to build your presence and communication skills to increase your influence.  A little professional coaching goes a long way when investing in YOU.

Nerves got the best of you in a meeting or pitch? When client asks a question, give yourself a moment to think before responding. Inexperienced sales/account members feel the need to respond immediately - or risk being perceived as unknowledgeable. In fact, it’s just the opposite! A quick response often leads to a reaction rather than choosing a thoughtful response. Speaking Skills Tip: Wearing a ring? Each time you’re asked a question, spin the ring 3 times [under the table please] before responding.

Is your staff a good investment? Are you making the most of them? Are you letting go of the right ones? Investing in professional development training as a leg of your corporate brand development is a money-savings venture. In comparison, on-boarding costs are budget breaking. “…A company invests as much as $75,000 for each new hire, which takes into account training, orientation and productivity. A turnover rate in the 15 percent range can mean millions of dollars worth of investments walking out the door.” Put your money where your mouths are! [source]

Crains reports IL unemployment rate to be 9.1% - the highest since 1985. What to do? Are you considering the YOU beyond your stellar resume? This is the HUMAN part of branding Callosum focuses on - professional branding. Stay optimistic and engaged to present yourself in a good light. With millions of stellar resumes circling, it’s the relationships you’ve already built that get you in the door. Reach out and touch your network with a polished personal image and impeccable interpersonal skills.

It’s par for the course and a place to stand out. Are you search-engine optimized for a professional image? It’s an element not to be ignored. Prospective clients, colleagues and vendors will “google” a name to learn more. Like it or not, this will pull up all the public desires and dirt on your behalf. Much like a credit report, it’s wise to monitor the results for accuracy. [Be weary of personal results diminishing your professional image.]  Go ahead google youself!

All you have is your word. Will your word stand up not only in court but also in your client’s eye? On the heels of the Blagojevich scandal, let’s talk integrity. It may be considered a sixth sense and vital interpersonal skill of your personal brand. When you speak do your words match your tone, body language, and integrity? Even if you don’t SAY it, they’ll SEE it and FEEL it. Mama says, honesty is the best policy…

Callosum Creative Experts Teach Company Leaders How to Make Every Client Interaction Meaningful Press Release 3/24/09 Chicago, IL — Callosum Creative Ltd. has assembled an acclaimed team to support the company’s People-First BrandingSM program. With more than 70 years of collective experience, Callosum has the know-how to significantly increase the productivity and influence of three key employee units: sales teams who bring business in, account teams who retain and build business, and executives who serve as the face of the company. To read full release click here.

Employed or unemployed, now is the time to sharpen your personal brand to stay top of mind with your current or potential employer. How to weather the recession while looking sharp? Savings tip #1: Tailoring clothing. Brush up your look by tailoring suits versus buying new. Spend the savings on a memorable less-costly tie or blouse. Re-cut a jacket for as low as $40, versus buying $500 suit off the rack. Need help? Send us an email for a Chicago tailor referral.  

Callosum maintains a network of affiliates who collaborate with Callosum and our clients to offer the best in professional development and staff branding. Understand the expertise of our affiliates — Josette Goldberg, P.J. McGuire and John Vautier — on our management page. Our go-to network enables our clients to accomplish goals quickly and efficiently utilize services Callosum has screened and trusts resulting in high-level cohesiveness and like-mindedness to accelerate client results. 

With great pleasure, I announce the launch of our People-First BrandingSM service. In this economic climate, having a nimble, productive staff is critical to success. People-First Branding^SM gives employees the tools they need to make a marked improvement in their performance — and the company’s bottom line. To learn more click here. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you in more detail about the professional development program and answer any questions you may have.

lav⋅a⋅to⋅ry [lav-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] –noun, plural -ries. A room fitted with equipment for washing the hands & face & usually with flush toilet facilities. More commonly known as ‘the loo’. Basic rules of men’s restroom etiquette: 1] Choose a station as furthest from the others. 2] In case 1 cannot be achieved, use a stall. 3] TP out? Replace or notify the next guest. 4] No discussing office politics - you never know who’s in a stall. 5] Do not continue (or initiate) a cell call. 6] Do not continue your conversation that began in the hall. 7] No lingering. Meet in hall to improve efficiency. 8] Most importantly, wash your hands.  

Sales, account and project teams dictate the success of a service-based company. When presenting to clients, does your team spirit shine? Does the client gain trust and admiration when watching your team dynamics? It’s an account deal breaker. Consider: Do your team members respect each other? Do you encourage individual continual growth? Do you listen more than “talk talk talk”? Is communication open and support given upon requests? A team far exceeds the capability of the individual alone. How do you rank?  

When considering physical image, the triangle [defined as the shoulders, neckline and head] is vital as the most seen and memorable body area. Specific to hair, are you looking sharp? Is cut/shape reflective of you and your personal style? Your age? Style time realistic? In alignment with your daily environment? For example, a ‘bohemian sophisticate’ working in an agency with a toddler at home. Go for chic shape with ease of preparation and rich tones to accommodate lack of makeup application time. Hair color is just as important! Compliment your skin tone to look fresh. With an appropriate cut and color, you’ll command the attention you deserve.  

Recruiters say executive presence is the most vital factor when placing a candidate. Explore, what is it you hold true about yourself that creates a unique presence?  The eight factors of executive presence are: focus, intellect, charisma, communication skills, passion, culture fit, poise and appearance. Consider, are you self-aware, confident and gracious in your conversations? It may make or break a sale. 

Why hiring a wardrobe consultant may be your smartest savings move this year. Excerpt: It’s counter-intuitive, but spending money saves you money. By hiring a wardrobe consultant, they’ll show you what you don’t need to buy, to shop with a purpose and ensure you buy the right items. The average manager-level professional spends $5000 annually on wardrobe. With a consultant you may be able to cut it, but you’ll absolutely get you more bang for your buck. Spend your money wisely. |  To read full article, click here. 

New technology unfolds at an increasing pace – the latest being text messaging. A little is fine and sometimes very useful, but please use technology with etiquette reservation. Foremost, a text message should only be used if you have already developed a relationship. Just getting to know someone? Pickup the phone or email - it’s flattering. Beyond common sense points, consider: 1] The recipient’s setting. A quick distraction is fine, but repeated is disrespectful. 2] If conversation is takes more than 2-3 messages, do it live. 3] Send short questions or requests - Yes, no or quick simple reply. Please keep the human in technology.

Words . tone of voice . body language. Studies theorize which of the 3 communication elements is most important to focus on. I suggest skipping the analyzing and realize it’s most important to be congruent when we communicate. Our words, and tone of voice should be consistent with our body language in order to deliver an effective, believable message. Often we spend too much time preparing the WHAT to say and neglect the HOW to say it and show it through body cues. Verbal cues for thought…    

Service-based business employees may treat a client like a transaction or relationship. Consider, are your clients interested in a transaction expert or relationship advisor? Factors defining the transaction interaction: short-term benefit, “them”, detached, defensive, and protective; relationship interaction: long-term benefit, ‘us’, helpful, engaged, open, and inquisitive.  Interestingly, company majorities market themselves as interaction experts when yearning to be the ‘trusted advisor.” See a branding disjuncture? 

Mature, baby boomer, x, and y. It’s the first time in history with 4 generations in the workplace. Example being, my father, 80, has yet to retire nor does expect to. Work keeps him young! Subtract 20 years from each generation and theoretically his great-grandson is 20 and working. This creates new dynamics. When presenting yourself to a different generation, consider: Who is my audience? What motivates them? Is my wardrobe appropriate for their culture? Sales pitch catered to their attention span? Languaging understandable? Food for thought… generational protocol.

The fact is having a great handshake is a life skill we should all cultivate. In business etiquette, often overlooked, a handshake is your first point of physical contact. Western etiquette rules exist to assist behavior between people, so that rather than guess how one should act, one may know the proper behavior. Initiating the handshake is a form of respect and gratitude. In regards to form, a successful shake is moderately firm adjusting grip & durations to other person, sealed with eye contact and a smile. 

What’s the best way to rate a restaurant?  Visit the powder room. Is it clean? Well-stocked? Decorated nicely? Smell fresh? Arranged logically? Do you leave feeling fresh or filthy? Callosum calls this spatial branding. Anywhere a client/consumer steps must be branded. Corporately consider: reception area, conference room entrance, conference room interiors, and rest room. Maintain consistency. Ex. Paying oodles for a top-notch conference room door, but placing a low-grade table inside, discredits the entire space.  

Post-Thanksgiving. It’s crunch time - literally + figuratively. After 3 pie slices, sit-ups are in order. As we tighten our financial belts, many turn to consider job stability. Is there anything you can do to increase stability? Consider the way your present yourself. Is it representing you and your company appropriately? Does it distract from a professional image? Have you gotten to comfortable in your business attire? Are you an example to follow? These are all valid factors when evaluating a staff member. Stay sharp and stay employed. 

3 seconds. Go! Stop! We’ve made up our mind and we’re sticking to it. Do you leave a great first impression? Suggestions: Be on time. Turn off your cell phone. Present yourself in appropriate attire for setting and audience. Prepare a little small talk to break the ice. Make eye contact and listen. Keep posture in mind. Smile naturally. Be at ease with yourself. Be optimistic regardless of your not so great day. Now take a deep breath and be yourself. You’ll be great.