Devon Fleming LLC

J McLaughlin Dress for Success Donation announcement

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:08:50 GMT

GILT GROUPE and Rent the Runway-Digital Hot SPOTS

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:16:34 GMT

"For many women, a $1,000 dress is something they admire in the pages of a glossy magazine or see draped on the frame of a celebrity — not an item hanging in their closet.
But a nascent Web site called Rent the Runway is hoping to make high-end fashions much more accessible and almost as easy as renting a movie from Netflix.."

But a nascent Web site called Rent the Runway is hoping to make high-end fashions much more accessible and almost as easy as renting a movie from Netflix.

The mail-order service, which finishes the testing phase on Monday, allows women to rent dresses from notable fashion designers like Diane Von Furstenberg, Hervé Léger and Proenza Schouler for roughly one-tenth of what they would cost to buy in a retail store.

The rentals run $50 to $200 for a four-night loan and are shipped directly to the customer’s doorstep. After wearing the dress, she puts it into a prepaid envelope and drops it in the mail. Dry cleaning is included in the price, but damage insurance costs $5, and in the case of outright destruction of the dress, the renter is responsible for the full retail price.

Rent the Runway is a recession-era twist on the Internet rent-by-mail model, which has been used for things like textbooks and video games in addition to movies. Unlike those utilitarian items, however, the dresses offer a touch of Cinderella — on a budget.

Julia Harris, a 27-year-old graduate student living in New York, turned to Rent the Runway when she needed something chic for a fall wedding. For $50, she got a fuchsia Catherine Malandrino number with an elaborately ruffled bust that would have cost $495 to buy.

“It was so easy. You just wear it and drop it back in the mail to them,” Ms. Harris said. “I don’t spend $2,000 on a dress regularly, so it’s nice to be able to wear some of the more expensive brands I wouldn’t be able to buy otherwise. And instead of just buying one or two dresses for this season, I can still have a lot of things to wear.”

Rent the Runway was founded by two recent Harvard Business School graduates, Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Carter Fleiss. Ms. Hyman said she got the idea for the service last year after watching her younger sister agonize over whether to buy an expensive new outfit to wear to a wedding.

“Here was this young girl who loves fashion and was willing to spend a good portion of her salary on a dress that she’s only going to wear once or twice, and I thought, there has to be a solution for this,” said Ms. Hyman.

The founders say that more than 20,000 women have signed up for the service, which has been shipping dresses for only a week. Bain Capital Ventures provided seed financing, which the company used to build its inventory of 160 styles.

Rent the Runway declined to discuss its business strategy, but it is clear the company faces several risks. Unlike DVDs, fashion changes quickly, and there is no guarantee that the company will be able to rent each dress enough times to cover its costs.

In addition, retail stores in major cities have offered dresses for rent for years. Rent the Runway is betting that its shop-by-Web convenience and the appeal of its top-quality fashions will persuade women across the country to rent a dress for a special occasion without trying it on beforehand.

Atlantic Magazine's The End of Men?

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 13:04:13 GMT

IN THE 1970s the biologist Ronald Ericsson came up with a way to separate sperm carrying the male-producing Y chromosome from those carrying the X. He sent the two kinds of sperm swimming down a glass tube through ever-thicker albumin barriers. The sperm with the X chromosome had a larger head and a longer tail, and so, he figured, they would get bogged down in the viscous liquid. The sperm with the Y chromosome were leaner and faster and could swim down to the bottom of the tube more efficiently. Ericsson had grown up on a ranch in South Dakota, where he’d developed an Old West, cowboy swagger. The process, he said, was like “cutting out cattle at the gate.” The cattle left flailing behind the gate were of course the X’s, which seemed to please him. He would sometimes demonstrate the process using cartilage from a bull’s penis as a pointer.

In the late 1970s, Ericsson leased the method to clinics around the U.S., calling it the first scientifically proven method for choosing the sex of a child. Instead of a lab coat, he wore cowboy boots and a cowboy hat, and doled out his version of cowboy poetry. (People magazine once suggested a TV miniseries based on his life called Cowboy in the Lab.) The right prescription for life, he would say, was “breakfast at five-thirty, on the saddle by six, no room for Mr. Limp Wrist.” In 1979, he loaned out his ranch as the backdrop for the iconic “Marlboro Country” ads because he believed in the campaign’s central image—“a guy riding on his horse along the river, no bureaucrats, no lawyers,” he recalled when I spoke to him this spring. “He’s the boss.” (The photographers took some 6,500 pictures, a pictorial record of the frontier that Ericsson still takes great pride in.)

Women Mean Business: The New Business Etiquette

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:05:10 GMT

When casual Fridays were introduced 20 years ago, no one knew the huge ripple effect this new business environment and attitude would cause across the board (and board rooms) of America.

Out went our `best practices' and hard working ethics that our country was built on and in came a laissez-faire, lower professional standard that led to so many questionable corporate decisions helping to ultimately destroy the integrity of our economy, financial markets and ensuing far reaching global implications.

This opens up a bigger topic which I will save for another column, but the point can be made that every individual action can and does lead to a corresponding reaction. Changing the professionalism of one week day (20 percent of the work week), into a casual, ineffective and wasteful period can and has made a huge difference in our world.

This cultural phenomenon happened with no concern for the fact that economic growth was almost non existent. Our old attitudes of `bigger is better and play now, play later" continued throughout periods where economic growth slowed but Joe Public still felt entitled. Now is the time to say good-bye to casual Fridays and a casual work ethic. Urban theorist and authorRichard Florida, says today's recession will fundamentally change the work we do and the way we do it.

In his latest book, "The Great Reset," Florida notes that our new economy will be built on knowledge, work, science and the service sector. This is all the more reason to banish the "no problem" attitude of today's service people and replace it with "my pleasure" and "how else can I help you?"

Our new economy (and your success) depend on being better and working harder than your competitors. The new service economy is an opportunity for you to reset and restart your work ethic and approach your job with a new seriousness.

It's time to restart and bring back a "dress for success" attitude and you'll stand out with a polished look that says you mean business. Dressing well makes you feel better and always leaves you prepared for an unexpected encounter and opportunity.

In addition to looking serious, dressing the part will help you professionally in the following ways:

1. Image is key

Whether you are technically in sales or not, how you present yourself on the outside will send a message as to your overall level of professionalism and work ethic.

2. Homophily Syndrome

It is common knowledge that people like to associate themselves with those of similar or higher "aspiring" status. If you want to be successful and do business with others who are successful, you need to appear successful and well dressed.

3. Communication

Together with ones external appearance, ones ability to communicate- speaking and writing- in a professional manner does make a difference. It has been cited that one of the key reasons for lack of professional advancement is the inability to write and communicate effectively. While most executives are well-versed online with social media, they are not always able to write well. LOL and OMG are NOT acceptable means of communication! Refer to # 2.

4. Boundaries

It should go without saying that crossing personal boundaries is not a smart or professional way to behave with work colleagues. Using inappropriate language, visiting any type of questionable website and/or drinking while working or spending time with work associates is never acceptable.

5. Working Hard Brings Good Luck

You have heard this old saying, but it's true. Now more than ever, we need to focus on working hard, being persistent and consistent and always putting our best foot forward to get ahead.

I hope you enjoyed this snippet of information and look forward to sharing more on this topic at my next event October 5 at the Greenwich Hyatt. Find information on this and more at www.DevonFleming.com or email me at devon@devonfleming.com.

Devon Fleming is considered the metropolitan area's business and lifestyle leader. Her brand publishes books, articles, blogs, and other online content. Devon provides `Fairfield County Living Tips' on four Cox Radio stations and appears on area TV providing lifestyle segments and "practical solutions for the modern woman." For more information, visit www.DevonFleming.com or email devon@devonfleming.com .

Girl Power= Women Entrepreneurs Mean Business!

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:19:24 GMT

Female Phenoms™: Women Mean Business!

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:10:16 GMT

	TheGlassHammer.com One of the finest resources for empowering professional women.The Glass Hammer is an online community designed for women executives in financial services, law and business. Visit them daily to discover issues that matter, share experiences, and plan networking, your career and your life!

	TheWhiteHouseProject.org The White House Project, a national, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization, 501(c)(3), aims to advance women’s leadership in all communities and sectors, up to the U.S. presidency. By filling the leadership pipeline with a richly diverse, critical mass of women, we make American institutions, businesses and government truly representative. Through multi-platform programs, The White House Project creates a culture where America’s most valuable untapped resource—women—can succeed in all realms.

	Tory Johnson, CEO of Women for Hire, is an award-winning business leader, national network television contributor, popular speaker and bestselling author devoted to career success.Women For Hire is the only producer of high caliber recruiting events for women. Johnson is the Workplace Contributor on ABC’s Good Morning America, where she reaches millions of viewers on a wide range of job-related issues and challenges. She is the anchor of Home Work on ABC News Now, the digital channel.

	85 Broads is an exclusive global women’s network whose mission is to generate exceptional professional and social value for its members. Through our regional events and online, password-protected community, our members engage in a rapid, high-powered exchange of ideas and information which is what makes 85 Broads so unique. The women in 85 Broads are investment bankers, lawyers, educators, venture capitalists, hedge fund managers, philanthropists, athletes, scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, and entrepreneurs. 85 Broads was originally founded in 1997 as an exclusive network for women who worked for Goldman Sachs at 85 Broad Street, the investment bank’s former NYC headquarters. In 2000, the network was expanded to include a more diverse group of women from a variety of fields and backgrounds, including the non-profit sector. Today, over 20,000 women who are alumnae and students of the world's leading colleges, universities, graduate business schools, law schools, medical schools, and other graduate programs belong to 85 Broads. Learn more about our exclusive network and apply for membership.

NY Times Article Today: More Gender Gap Data in Tech Firms-Supports my new non profit and Need for Education, Awareness and Solutions!

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:26:01 GMT

CANDACE FLEMING’S résumé boasts a double major in industrial engineering and English from Stanford, an M.B.A. from Harvard, a management position at Hewlett-Packard and experience as president of a small software company.

But when she was raising money for Crimson Hexagon, a start-up company she co-founded in 2007, she recalls one venture capitalist telling her that it didn’t matter that she didn’t have business cards, because all they would say was “Mom.”

Another potential backer invited her for a weekend yachting excursion by showing her a picture of himself on the boat — without clothes. When a third financier discovered that her husband was also a biking enthusiast, she says, he spent more time asking if riding affected her husband’s reproductive capabilities than he did focusing on her business plan.

Ultimately, none of the 30 venture firms she pitched financed her company. She finally raised $1.8 million in March 2008 from angel investors including Golden Seeds, a fund that emphasizes investing in start-ups led by women.

READ FULL ARTICLE: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/technology/18women.html?pagewanted=all#

Academy of Women of Excellence

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:05:48 GMT

The New Business Etiquette

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:28:27 GMT

This opens up a bigger topic which I will save for another column, but the point can be made that every individual action can and does leads to a corresponding reaction. Changing the professionalism of one weekday (20 percent) of the whole work week, by a casual, potentially unethical, ineffective and wasteful period can and has made a huge difference in our world.

Our new economy and your success depend on being better and working harder than your competitors. The new service economy is an opportunity for you to reset and restart your work ethic and approach your job with a new seriousness.

In addition to looking serious, dressing the part will help you professionally in the following ways:

1. Image is key

Whether you are technically in sales or not, how you present yourself on the outside will send a message as to your overall level of professionalism and work ethic.

2. Homophily Syndrome

3. Communication

4. Boundaries

5. Working Hard Brings Good Luck

You have heard this old saying, but it's true. Now more than ever we all need to focus on working hard, being persistent and consistent and always putting our best foot forward to get ahead.

Leadership Skills For Everyone

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:15:15 GMT

When I started my business in 2002, I was both excited and overwhelmed by all details that came with it. It required change – in myself, in my home and in my relationships. To get some guidance over the years, I’ve read a lot of books on management from some of the top experts in the country including Jack Welch, one of the most successful CEOs of all-time and known for his leadership skills, I believed his proven methods and management philosophies could help this Household CEO learn to manage the business and family. After all, for modern women, isn’t running a household similar to running a business and managing the various divisions of life – home, family, health, career, and friendships?

Jack Welch turned a huge manufacturing giant into one of the world’s most agile enterprises using his personal formula for success: The 4 E’s of Leadership - Having the Energy to handle situations, being able to Energize others, having a healthy competitive Edge and then being able to Execute. These are Welch’s traits and positive habits that we household managers can employ to reach our own personal success.

I am a naturally energetic person and normally love the thrill of the ‘professional game’ but within my own household, it has been tough to focus on positive energy during the past months given the economic downturn. But, since my kids look to me to set the tone at home and need my energy to harness the spirit and morale needed to accomplish their own roles and responsibilities, I make it my business to stay empowered. I don’t have the luxury of quitting my ‘job’ so I must have the energy to handle the tasks at hand.They rely on me to lead them and how lucky am I to have this opportunity?

To be the best “me” for them, I use a 24-hour plan to find the energy – taking every day as it comes and only planning one day at a time. I focus on the tasks I need to accomplish for EACH day only. Part of that plan includes keeping my food intake in check by eating energizing, nutritious foods and exercising often which is key for my stamina and mental strength. I also employ techniques like mediating and positive affirmations – it’s amazing how a quick deep breathing exercise in the car while waiting for my daughter can re-energize me for the rest of the day!

Secondly, Welch speaks of energizing others, finding ways to spark others to action. This is my $64,000 question as a parent: how do I motivate the kids in a healthy way? It is particularly difficult to do within your own family as emotional baggage can get in the way. I try to think of myself as the coach or cheerleader of my family, rather than the dictator (though I have been known to have my dictator moments.) I try to inspire them to want to try harder. I reward good behavior and try to find growth opportunities in their defeats. I try to outline a vision and then include them in a plan for making that vision a reality – even some as simple as how to spend the day can be energizing is everyone is involved in the planning. Then, I stay focused on the aspects of the plan that build confidence and stay enthusiastic. Also, I’m not afraid to point out my own mistakes and use myself as an example of how to do things better in a situation. I get the most results with rewarding or promoting my team. The carrot on the stick always works better than the ‘what the heck is your problem’ route.

Having the Edge – or knowing you’re on the right path for yourself and your family – is a difficult trait as well. Welch reinvented GE based on the belief that change was good and necessary. Wouldn’t most household managers love to learn how to reinvent their own families to meet the needs and demands of this new economic world we live in? It requires many tough decisions like cutting out unnecessary expenses, prioritizing activities and thinking long-term while trying to provide in the short-term. It’s tough! We are all learning to produce more output with less input. It requires different abilities - flexibility, adaptability and responsibility – but ones that are good for everyone in the long run. This doesn’t happen overnight and there is no such thing as perfection. I strive for progress rather than perfection.

Lastly, execution is key. Results speak for themselves. By keeping track of the progress and goals my family is achieving helps put life in the proper perspective. I try to reward the family with a bonus for each milestone that is reached. Simple, inexpensive recognition tactics - homemade diplomas or baking a batch of favorite cookies – go a long way. At family meetings, speak of persistence and consistency as a key behavior for achieving results. Use examples of famous sport figures, heroes or others who never gave up under extreme circumstances. What did they do to reach their goals? They tried harder, practiced more, learned more about their industry and emulated other successful people. I’m am a role model for my children, but other role models are important, too.

At the end of the day, a CEO uses the power of example to lead. Each day brings a new opportunity to start over or change. To quote Mr. Welch, “Face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it to be.”

Devon Fleming is considered the area’s Home and Lifestyle Expert. She writes books, articles, blogs, and other online content. She provides ‘Fairfield County Living Tips’ on four local radio stations and appears on area TV providing lifestyle segments and “solutions for the modern woman.” For more information, visit www.DevonFleming.com.

Success Breeds Success

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:27:34 GMT

Success Breeds Success: Six Tips for Abundance

The Law of Attraction, (aka Law of Abundance) has been around for a long time, yet you don’t need to be a person of faith to have had some form of experience with what is sometimes called karma. When we make good choices, good things tend to come our way and conversely, when we make poor choices, or dwell in the negative, negative forces seem to attract us.

As the Household CEO, we can benefit from this principle as well. I know it is easier said then done, but since we are the power of examples in our households (whether we work outside the home or not), it behooves us to think like winners. This is what many influential people--heads of companies, professional athletes, men and women in our government—say helps them in their positions. And thinking like a winner can help you as you influence the most critical group of all, our next generation. We set the tone; We are the backbones of our households, communities, businesses and governments.

To help you do just that, here are Six Tips, inspired by some of my favorite authors.

• Good Attitude- a good attitude tends to produce the same in those around you. It’s like the yawn theory--if you yawn, those around you will too. Everyday you have a choice—do you want to think like a winner and try to be in the solution? Or, do you want to mope, dwell on the problem and be miserable? Easy choice, right? I thought so. Read on.
• Measure success properly- One of the problems in the world today (in my opinion) is that society, by and large, bases success on the material and external world. In reality, the majority of us just want simple pleasures, joy and peace. Money and materialism, or anything that may not be sustainable, will ultimately disappoint us. Family, love and a personal faith, brings me joy and this is how I measure my own success.
• Believe in ourselves- We are all special in some way. We need to believe in ourselves and be our biggest cheerleader. If you believe in yourself and believe that you are capable, you will achieve. Again, if we tell ourselves that we are not capable, that is the result we will receive.
• Fear is our greatest enemy- We all have fears, and yet most of our fears are unfounded and cannot really hurt us. Fear is the other side of having faith in yourself, so when you fear something try to “flip the coin” in your head and tell yourself that you are a hero, a champion, the leader of your family. You can do anything that you set your mind to.
• Visualize success- Actions come from thoughts, and thoughts come from your mind. If you visualize where you want to be, you will think it until you act on it and it happens. These are techniques that leaders, professional athletes and CEO use in their daily practice. Why shouldn’t you!
• Fake it ‘til you make it!- An old technique used in 12-step programs, this is a great one. Act as though you are a winner. Dress for success. Walk with a bounce in your step. Smile at others. Even if you don’t feel like it. You will be surprised at the results. Believe in yourself and before you know it you will really be feeling and living like a winner!

YouTube - Women in Business

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:02:53 GMT

Check out TV Clip to promote Empowering Women 2010

What Happens When Women are Over Half of the Workforce?

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:14:13 GMT

"The economic empowerment of women across the rich world is one of the most remarkable revolutions of the past 50 years." Revolutions. Just over a year ago I gave a speech called "Are You Ready for a Revolution", which you can watch in full if you become a member of 85 Broads! (event section - dec 9 2008), in which I said that the time is now for women to claim their space and share in decision making and leadership. The Economist goes on to say that "If the empowerment of women was one of the great changes of the past 50 years, dealing with its social consequences will be one of the great challenges of the next 50." True, so much has and will change BECAUSE of the numbers. Women now make up half of the work force in this country and earn almost 60% of the University Degrees. Those numbers simply do not line up with the fact that we are only 2% of Fortune 500 company CEOs and less than 13% of board members in America. Corporate America will have to change, as will government policies, the most important of which being the support for affordable, quality child care.

The article mentions some research done by Goldman Sachs regarding the connection between gender equality and economic growth. The reasons for supporting and enabling the increased participation of women in the workforce are strong. "Closing the male-female gap and boosting female productivity would help to address the problem of pension sustainability via boosting employment amount those of working age, lifting household saving rates and lifting taxation receipts for government."

Investing in women and girls - from a non-profit perspective and a for-profit perspective - is the investment thesis for this decade! ( and maybe longer) This will be the focus of my writing, speaking and consulting this year! Within a few weeks I hope to have my web-site up and running so as to provide you with an extensive resource list to support this thesis.

2010 - A Game Changing Year for Women and Girls!

A Few Resources - There have been SO MANY outstanding reports and articles this past year alone that support this trend, and here are just a few to get you started.

The FEMALE Economy - HBR Article Sept. 2009
Women Saviors of the World Economy - CNN Oct 25, 2009
Womenomics 101 Survey - October 2009
The Shriver Report - A Woman's Nation Changes Everything 2009
The Whitehouse Project Report - Benchmarking Women's Leadership 2009 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"In short, ensuring that women move into leadership alongside men is not a women’s issue, nor is it a trivial concern compared with the massive problems we face on a national and global scale. Increasing women’s leadership is an imperative. Advancing women serves us all — men and women, businesses and institutions alike. "

Posted by Jacki Zehner at 11:46 AM 3 comments
Labels: Goldman Sachs, Womens Economic Empowerment
Friday,

Empowering Women EVENT IS FULL! Special Event - FEB 3, 2010

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 23:31:22 GMT

Habits of Highly Successful Managers

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:12:43 GMT

Stephen Covey is one of my favorite authors and an expert in the habits of highly successful people. He refers to those traits or ways of thinking that can be applied to anyone who wants to become more effective in life—business people, homemakers, athletes, students—anyone! Surely, we women, who are running our households, families, careers and personal lives, can find these habits of particular use!

Summing up Covey’s findings with my own personal experience spin, here’s a few great habits to take you into the New Year!

1. Be Proactive This is great advice for anyone and though it may sound a bit simplistic, I find the best words of wisdom stick to the basics. Identifying the next “right” action in our lives and taking responsibility for those actions (and our attitudes about them), is a wonderful mindset for approaching life. Remember, the goal is progress not perfection. But progress requires action! It’s a daily practice and way of thinking that improves with time.

2. Begin with the End in Mind This is one of my favorites. Knowing where you’re going is most efficient way to start any new venture, path or plan. By visualizing a clear target, and keeping your eye on the ball, goals are much more easily realize.

3. Put First Things First I find that many women are naturally inclined to multi-task – managing a wide range of activities, schedules and goals. To get things done, certain priorities must rise to the top of the to-do list and take precedence over the others. In my personal experience, the challenge, particularly for women, is including themselves on their to-do list. Sometimes personal, emotional, psychological or physical health needs need to be put first in order for the rest of life to run smoothly. How (and how often) do you put yourself first?

4. Think Win-Win- This is a wonderful concept but not always easy to execute. The idea is to have an attitude that seeks mutual benefit in situations. I feel that one of the greatest attributes a business can have is alignment with synergistic brands where joint effort produces exponentially better results. The same can be applied to your household and personal efforts. Ask yourself who in your life has skills or assets that complement yours. What can you do together to help each other?

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood The benefits of thoughtfulness and empathy cannot be overemphasized. It’s not always easy, but empathic listening inspires openness and trust whether in the Board Room or the Family Room. And there’s the boomerang effect, the more you give it the more it comes back to you.

6. Teamwork This is a term many people use, but the best results come from cooperation and valuing differences by bringing together different perspectives in the spirit of mutual respect. As the CEO, you need to set the tone in the household, and while this might sound a bit corporate in nature, it is attainable with regular practice.

7. Sharpen the Saw This is the habit that brings BALANCE. When we keep our physical, mental and emotional attributes renewed, personal growth is possible. Without personal growth and adaptation to new circumstances, we cannot run our ships.

We amazing, female phenoms, aka SheNoms ™ as I have coined, are the backbone of our households, schools, communities, businesses and governments. We are each powerful examples to those depending on us. There is tremendous pressure, I know, particularly given all of the economic strains in the world today. Yet the New Year is a wonderful time to try new ways of getting things done, and I hope the above inspires new habits in your life.

Want more inspiration? Please join me at my next event, Empowering Women 2010, to hear how to handle these pressures and learn about some valuable resources.

Date: February 3rd
Location: The Greenwich Hyatt
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Cost: FREE
For more details or to sign up, please visit to www.DevonFleming.MyEvent.com
Space is limited

Happy New Year!

Reflection and Projection

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:04:39 GMT

REFLECTION Year-end is always a wonderful time of year to reflect. I have found that when I look back on many years at a time, sometimes they can run together and I don’t always remember exact details of each year (especially as I get older!) As a result, I recommend writing in a journal, even if it only once a year. I started a holiday journal as a tradition, when we started our family. Each year, we write down the memorable things that happened—good and bad. Certainly, this is more sentimental than what a corporate CEO would do, but as multi-tasking, super female phenoms, a.k.a. SheNoms™’ a term I’ve recently trademarked for my next book. A SheNom is a woman who doesn’t necessarily differentiate between personal and professional lives since they are always “on duty.” Unlike many of their male counterparts, who typically keep a strict line between their personal and professional lives, we Shenoms ™ are typically reflecting on what we need to do in all areas of our lives—ways to manage this division (kids), manage that division (finances), manage the other divisions (career) etc… YOU GET IT! So, in my journal, we reflect on what happened in the year, personally and professionally. After I see it in writing, it is easier to see where there is room for improvement. Where did I excel? What life lessons did I and my family learn? And, for this year in particular, what good came out of any difficulties?

As always, I like to say focus on the progress rather than perfection. The past year taught me many life lessons. As I came to realize, especially during Thanksgiving, I have so much to be grateful for. What happens in life isn’t always what it appears on the surface. Through this past year and its deep recession, my family and I became closer. We started spending more quality time together, had more meals together, prayed more together. The end reflection was that our family unit is stronger despite all the negative economic news we had last year. We choose NOT to let the state of the economy rule the state of our family. In summary, we women are ‘Shenomenal™’ at reflecting and this is a great time to do it and write it down!

PROJECTION Although no one is able to project the future perfectly, what we can do is make projections and forecasts based on our goals and expectations. Certainly, this is more difficult for those who are unemployed, but either way, I say “fake it until you make it.” Success breeds success, so start to think like a successful CEO of your life. What are your goals for the year? Be realistic… sometimes baby steps are best, however, visualize your goals and start to behave as if they are on the way. What we can predict and control is our behavior. We can take the right actions, or the next right step, and sometimes that is all we can do. The results will certainly vary and may be out of our control.

Look at life’s different divisions again—finances, children, household maintenance, personal relationships, career etc. Write down the goals for each for the year. This can be very handy to review at this time next year.

Projections are also a good way to anticipate future events and avoid possible problems. My daughter will be applying to college this coming year and we will need to make sure that the funding is there. My husband’s is turning 50 this coming year and I may want to think about a super surprise and plan for this. I am working on a new national book deal and merchandising relationships. I want to take a spiritual retreat with my best friend from college. Write it all down!

Back to the planning aspect. Once the plans and projections are written down, you have a reference point and can plan your quarters, months, weeks and days accordingly. It always starts with the big picture! Take time for some quiet time this month. Yes, I know it is December. Why not schedule in 30 minutes a day to sit still and meditate (or every other day, whatever you can legitimately accomplish) PUT IT IN WRITING on your calendar and make it your daily medicine so it’s THAT important, to sit still, quietly, pondering the past year. Then, ponder the present moment and cherish it. Then ponder your goals. Spending time in the present can be the best ‘present’ you can give yourself this holiday season.

Season’s Greetings!

Our Common Wealth for Economic Security

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:28:12 GMT

One of my experts, Catherine Avery has the following advice. In addition, we will be offering a fall event in New York to deliver specific solutions for this key challenge.

Financial Procrastination
Procrastination and finances are a volatile mix. Investopedia.com points out that while delaying paying your taxes definitely comes at a price, procrastinating on major financial decisions can ultimately cost you the most, and lead to some seriously negative repercussions. For example:
Making hasty decisions without adequate research
Having insufficient time to read and analyze the "fine print" in contracts
Delaying saving for retirement

All of the above can wipe out a massive chunk of one's bank balance and net worth. And if that isn’t a stressful scenario, I don’t know what is!

Got A Plan?
Prompt action is the antithesis of procrastination. When it comes to your finances one of the best ways to counter foot dragging is to break things down into a realistic, actionable plan. This kind of successful investment plan should include the following three steps:
Get organized
Know where your money is
Know what your goals are i.e. retirement savings, trip around the world, college savings etc

2. Move FORWARD!
If there’s just one thing you do, maximize the money you save for
retirement
Be realistic about how much risk you’d like to take (never mind what everyone else is doing - remember people rarely tell you about the bad stuff!)

3. Stay the course
Don’t be influenced by short-term performance. It’s rarely a reliable
indicator of future success. Progress toward goals is more important.
Be aware of anything going on in your life that may change your financial needs i.e. aging parents, starting a new business, unemployment.

* * * * *

For those of you with questions, feel free to call me at 203.966.2712. Also please visit my website at www.catherineaveryinvest.com

Please pass along this newsletter to friends and family to spread the word!

Warm regards,

Catherine Maniscalco Avery

CAIM specializes in creating and managing
customized and fully diversified investment portfolios
for private investors.
203.966.2712 p
203.966.5697 f
www.catherineaveryinvest.com

Organization is OPTIMAL

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:08:33 GMT

"How do you do it all?" is a question I’m often asked and one I think about all the time given how many women I’m fortunate enough to meet and speak to: How do modern women handle all of the pressures of managing the home, taking care of their families, working, handling the finances and maintain personal friendships and activities? For me, it boils down to how you manage each day; and how you manage your days depends on how organized you are. In addition, looking at each day or week with its own business agenda also helps: what is the plan? What goals and deadlines do must be met? Which have more wiggle room? Where or to whom is there for support? How will you communicate and delegate to those on your team?

As I have mentioned, I like to look at my life in terms of “divisions” and while I have an overall “big picture” perspective on it, I strive to manage each area more or less separately. And it’s this management of what I call the daily ‘grind’ that I find much more challenging than the big-picture thinking and planning. There was a time when my children were smaller and I was blessed to have a greater amount of hands-on help around the home. Ah, those were the days. I had someone helping me with the cleaning, cooking, laundry, paperwork, paying the bills, managing the schedules for my personal and professional lives. The business of life was good! Now, fast forward a number of years: the kids are older and it is much harder to justify all of the help, so I am finding myself doing it all. Luckily, my husband is helpful but let’s face it, by and large, it’s the women who are in charge of family’s daily tasks and responsibilities.

Keeping your ‘stuff’ in order. I think one of the most helpful skills is something that women do intuitively: know where everything is and keeping your home and life orderly. This is so helpful with your kids (and husband too). Remove everything (constantly) that doesn’t belong or have a home – it’s a constant game of de-cluttering but the order that is found is well worth the daily “clutter scans.” Most offices are set up to be “command central” for running your job or your business. Files are kept, areas are designated for specific projects, shelves houses relevant resources and materials. Your home should be the same. Setting it up is the key to success. Getting in the habit of putting everything back in place is how you stay on track. If your children and husband know where everything belongs, then they know where to go to find everything. Sounds simple enough? Now try getting them to put everything away!! But that’s a subject for another column!

I am not a Mindreader! How many times have you found yourself saying that to your family? Well, the same applies to them. Does everyone know the plan for the week? Osmosis is not a method of communication. Do everyone a favor and keep the family schedule somewhere, on a board in the kitchen, or in a weekly email update to your family if everyone is online and old enough for the digital world. In those weekly dinner meetings (remember that column?) make plans and then write them down so everyone knows what to expect! This avoids confusion.

Ask for help if you need it. If your plumbing is broken, you call an expert. Why is it that so many of us Household CEO’s feel the need to figure it all out on our own? I haven’t read about too many successful CEO’s who do it all in their companies- so why should you? When it comes to organization, many women I know feel overwhelmed by the thought of putting systems in place because their “stuff” is so out of control they don’t know where to start. I’ve been there. I have called a professional organizer in the past. Just making the phone call helped. I ended up not even using her. She came over and after a few minutes, encouraged me by saying that I was doing a good job already. She gave me some pointers and I was off to the races. I offered her some referrals for her time and VOILA! We were both in a better place. Sometimes, just opening our minds to the possibilities and visualizing our goals is enough. Other times, putting on a large pot of coffee and spending the afternoon de-cluttering and removing unwanted items for good will is the solution.

Whatever your methods or organizational challenges, all the divisions of your life will operate more smoothly when you set up systems that work for your family and your home.

Go forth and organize!

Devon Fleming is considered the area’s Home and Lifestyle expert. She writes and publishes books, blogs, articles, gives radio and TV endorsements and hosts many charitable events.

The 3 P’s Of Planning

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:11:54 GMT

September is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a time of new beginnings for my children, beautiful weather, more social time to see friends and get reacquainted and a time for some serious PLANNING! I am always astounded at how quickly the last four months of the year go – in a blink the holidays are upon us.

I help myself have a "soft landing" from the summer into the final months of the year, I treat the time as one long project, and create a clear plan – which is the same tactic successful business people employ. As any Household CEO can attest, this time of year is like tax season for accountants. A plan helps to keep me focused, on task and ready to adapt to whatever life throws at me.

To do that, I have my Three P’s of Planning - Prioritize, stay in the Present, and don’t Panic.

Prioritize
As Household CEOs, it’s draining to manage every aspect of the household, the children, the career, and the personal relationships, let alone try to sneak some fun in there. In order to attend to each “division,” a good tactic is to set priorities and deadlines well into the future, and work backwards. As management guru Stephen Covey writes, “don’t just prioritize what’s on your schedule, schedule your priorities.”

Take time now to consider all the upcoming important tasks and determine what’s important and when it will be accomplished. For example, set your holiday party date and order invitations now; decide now on your holiday card and buy them even if you don’t have the photo yet; mark you calendar with the date to place in the mail. Then work backwards to Thanksgiving – are you traveling or staying home? How many guests will you have? Make the calls and travel plans now so there’s less chance of change or surprises down the road.

I go so far as to schedule routine seasonal tasks. Choose a weekend to shift your closets for the season and write it on the calendar (in ink!) That way you have reserved that weekend and you know you will do it then! Ask your kids what that want to be for Halloween and order the costume as soon as possible – that’s one less thing to do! With all of the ‘important’ tasks on the calendar through the end of the year, you’ll see the time you have for things like school visits and teacher meetings, repair jobs, appointments and other day-to-day tasks.

It might feel overwhelming at first to try and think through EVERYTHING that needs to get done in the next four months, but once they are all on a list, you’ll gain control and confidence. Author John Maxwell, in his book Make Today Count, writes that the secret to success is determined by your daily agenda. By making priorities and a longer term plan I can then break down my months, weeks and days into manageable bit of time for specific tasks. Everyday, I know exactly what I need to do, where I need to be and what specifically, I will accomplish. If my success boils down to my daily agenda, which is a manageable load, I can easily accomplish both my short term and my longer term goals! Voila! I don’t have to wait for success to happen, it’s happen right now!

Don’t Panic
We all have our bad moments, but I have learned that panicking never does ANY good! If I feel overwhelmed, I slow down and breathe, turn off all electronic stimuli and noise, and go back to my Daily Agenda. Maybe my plan for the day is too ambitious, or I haven’t accounted for the lack of energy a cold had brought – whatever it is, re-evaluating and rescheduling are positive ways to deal with the stress. Life is about progress, not perfection. Stay “in” the solution and move on. If you do act out by snapping at someone, apologize and change your behavior as quickly as possible. Don’t beat yourself up. Just ask yourself, how important is ____? Then, start over with a new or revised plan.

Stay in the Present
Spencer Johnson wrote a little book called The Precious Present. In the book, there is an old man talking to a little boy about the Present, and of course, the boy assumes it is a gift like a birthday toy or something. Over time, through many parables, the boy (and the reader) learns that the old, wise man is really referring to the present day. When we stay in the moment while planning for the future and respecting the past (especially ones mistakes), we can find true happiness. That may sounds easy, but trust me, it’s not. It’s easy to spend too much time projecting the future or dwelling on the past. Trying to live in the “right now” isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Acknowledging to ourselves that we are doing the best we can - that we can’t change the past and obsessing about the future doesn’t change anything – allows us the freedom to be in the moment and truly listen to ourselves and those we love. With daily, sometimes moment-to-moment practice, we can build trust and confidence in the world and our ability to navigate it even when life gets chaotic.

Enjoy September!

Devon Fleming is considered the area's Home and Lifestyle Expert. She writes books, articles, blogs, and other online content. She provides 'Fairfield County Living Tips' on four local radio stations and appears on area TV providing lifestyle segments and "solutions for the modern woman."

You Are Your Family’s Greatest Asset

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:56:35 GMT

As the Household CEO, your well-being is essential to the success of the entire family. You can see this demonstrated in the corporate world with the increasing opportunities for flex-time, job-sharing, and even gym membership reimbursement and other wellness perks for employees. Look at Steve Jobs. He took a high profile leave of absence from Apple in order to focus to his medical well-being. There was a lot of speculation on how his choice would impact the health and future of the company, but in the end it allowed him to take care of himself so he could return the helm as Apple’s chief and visionary. As they instruct on airplanes, ‘put the oxygen mask on yourself first, and then help those around you.” You cannot be of any service to your family, employer or anyone depending on you, if you are not taking care of yourself first.

Managing all the areas of home, life and family is physically, emotionally and spiritually draining. Many women don’t factor their personal health and wellness into the “success equation” and then wonder why they feel exhausted, cranky and even resentful about her roles and responsibilities. It’s a recipe for martyrdom – and no one likes to be around a martyr. It is, generally speaking, the beginning of the end of the health of the family unit.

My own “moment of clarity” came with I was a new stay-at-home mom with three small children. On top of all the driving and planning and activities of my new suburban life, we had undertaken a large home renovation and I had committed to a board position with a local charity. I was overwhelmed, but instead of stopping, breathing and unburdening myself, I just kept going – doing, doing, doing – in an effort to make everyone else satisfied. In the process, my health and self-esteem took a beating. It was at this time that I realized I needed more for “just me.” I needed time to attend to my physical health so I joined an exercise class. I also needed something that gave me a sense of accomplishment I used to find in my corporate job. I decided that working was the best way for me to have a feeling of independence and gain some more self-esteem, so I started my own business. This didn’t mean that my family wasn’t the most important part of my life, but that I needed to carve out my own piece of the pie in my life- something that I could call my own- and this is essentially how my Pink Book started.

I am asked all the time to help women discover the ‘thing’ in their life that will allow them to increase their self-worth and self-esteem, or to help them reinvent themselves as they go through the different stages of their lives. It occurred to me, based on my own experience, that a lot of women either don’t know what they love to do, or are too afraid to fail in pursuit of making their long held dream a reality. What I’ve discovered is that it’s the pursuit of the goal that brings satisfaction, self-discovery and joy. Sure, reaching the goal is great, but when we feel good we create the space to make the next plan or goal. And on and on. When we are finding time to do these things, when we are taking care of ourselves, we are healthier and setting a powerful example to our children.

Are you good at organizing or have a background in editing or accounting? Why not consider formalizing your skills as a small business? Have you always wanted to paint or learn another language? Personal development and self-discovery shouldn’t stop once we have children and are in our ‘mid-life’. For this Household CEO, it involves helping other women. When I look at my work as a service commitment first and foremost, and I am genuinely helping someone else, I feel empowered! What would empower you?

I encourage other Household CEOs to take the month of August to challenge yourselves and find out what it inspires you, what makes you feel energized or excited. Take that idea and find a way to follow that energy, even it’s just a little bit. (Sure, you might want to take a master’s level photography class, but if that’s too much, wouldn’t it feel great to dedicate one day this month for a day-long, Mom-only photography shoot in some fun or spiritual place?) Start with small steps, celebrate your accomplishments and dream big!

Whatever path to self-reinvention or self-rediscovery you pursue, you’ll bound to reap the rewards of increased personal satisfaction and well being – how’s that for a success equation?

Team Delegation is Key

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:04:24 GMT

Whether you are a single stay-at-home mom, an entrepreneur or the head of a major corporation, the key to successful management at home lies in the same tried and true principle businesses use: surround yourself with the best team of resources, then delegate tasks and responsibilities. I have always believed in this principle theoretically, although there are times when delegation is difficult to put into practice. Why is it that we Household CEOs think we should do everything ourselves? How many CEOs perform every task in their company? None. The most prominent and trusted business leaders know that their team is stronger, better equipped and more effective when working together than when each person is working alone. There simply isn’t enough time, energy and attention to do it solo.

To get the team together I turn to my personal network of friends, neighbors, business associates, and others. Just as many businesses have an active Board of Advisors, the Household CEO should have a personal go-to list of trusted people and resources to turn to when the need for help arises – trouble disciplining your ten year old? Call Aunt Elizabeth who is always good for clear direction and insight on kids since she has five of them! Need to know the best, most affordable landscaping company? Call the neighbor you overheard at the bus stop talking about her exhaustive search for one. There’s no need to create more work for yourself if others have already been there, done that. On the flip side, be sure to offer up your particular resources and experiences to others. What goes around, comes around after all.

Being a successful Household CEO means looking at the job at hand and knowing how to tackle it mentally first – whether you are about to undergo a home renovation or simply trying to manage your children and husband, all the while taking care of yourself. Look at your life in big picture terms. You are essentially running different divisions of one company: Your Family. You are the ultimate manager, and while it’s prudent and often necessary to bring in an outside perspective, don’t neglect to consider family members as part of the team, starting with the kids. As I write this article, my 10 year old is vacuuming, my 15 year old just cleaned the entire kitchen and my 13 year old son is doing the laundry! Why should I run around like a headless chicken, cleaning, cooking and trying to run a business, while my children lay around the house waiting to be driven to their sports? If we don’t involve our own children as team players, we are doing them (and ourselves) a big disservice. While I don’t ask them to do more than they are truly capable of achieving, getting them involved in our day-to-day tasks teaches them independence, self-reliance or responsibility – and helps me insure they don’t turn into spoiled little monsters. More importantly, they’ve come to appreciate how much work it takes to run a household and I don’t have resentment any more for feeling like their personal servant.

Job-sharing, when two people share the same job in order to reduce the number of work hours and increase flexibility, is gaining popularity in the business world. It’s a great idea to apply to running a home and family. It’s efficient and economical, especially in the current economic climate when everyone is tightening their belts and looking for ways to save. Want to go on a date with the hubby but dinner and a movie plus the babysitting feels too expensive? Trade babysitting with another friend with small children so you can each go out and not have to pay for childcare. Carpooling is second nature to modern moms—why not do more sharing? Try “dinner-pooling” where you and a neighbor or two take turns making a meal once a week for everyone. It’s just about the same amount of work to make a lasagna for four as it is for eight. Plus, you can take better advantage of the deals for buying in bulk.

Finally, even though times are tough for many, we should still find ways to treat ourselves once in a while. One affordable way to do this is through bartering. If you have accounting skills and your friend has decorative painting skills, why not offer to help her with bookkeeping and have her to help stencil the baby’s room? Offer your special talents or skills in exchange for a haircut or photography session – you never know what someone needs until you ask. The perks can be so worth it!

When we start to become serious about the work involved in running a household and find ways to manage those tasks more effectively, the end result is more free time, less stress and more FUN! Have a question or suggestion for helping other modern moms and Household CEOs? Email me at devon@devonfleming.com. I love to open my network of resources to readers!

Communication is Critical

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:06:13 GMT

Summertime can be a wonderful time of year. It can also be daunting, as so many modern moms are faced with finding activities for the children, and given the economic climate budgets are on the minds of many. With the added summer fun and lack of a regular schedule for the kids, household managers have less time to handle the day-to-day tasks of staying organized and on top of the house, handling the finances and generally keeping everyone happy and healthy. Household CEOs – my term for today’s modern women who may or may not work outside the home but definitely run the ship at home - are leaders by nature. We are the ultimate multitaskers, yet few of us use our business smarts when managing life at home. The time has come to take the business of living seriously, using tools and proven business methods to get things done. The profit of this mindset is extra quality time with your family, friends and yourself. Who doesn’t want that?

Your Communications Plan
Every business needs to be able to convey its mission and its plan – whether it is to attract new clients, find investors, sell a new product or manage employees – communication is key. The same is true in the family, your team players. I am continually amazed at how few families actually sit down together and communicate (effectively) towards their common mission. Given the technological advances, so many of us are ‘virtual families’- we communicate electronically and spend less and less time together. When I find myself texting my 15 year-old daughter more often than I see her, it’s time for an in-person communications intervention.

So, what’s your family’s plan for the summer? What’s already scheduled (camps, family trips, visiting relatives, etc)? What’s pending? What goal or goals does each member want to accomplish? These questions and more can be addressed a fun family meeting. In my house, we pick an “easy” night like Sunday or Monday, make a fun meal like tacos and make your own sundaes to set the tone, and then make a plan for the next week, month or even the whole summer. As the CEO, keep things on track by printing out an agenda for each person and assign a family “secretary” to take notes. Encourage creative brainstorming where no idea it too “out there,” even if it’s unlikely to happen this summer. The idea is that your family it getting to know each other, you’re identifying short-term and long-term goals and needs, and it’s fun right in the moment! Your daughter wants to go to Paris? Write it down. Your 13 year old son wants to build a rocket? It goes on the list. Your husband wants to golf at least once a week? Put it in writing. Don’t forget to include some of your needs and goals, too! Household CEOs often need to be reminded of that!

Once everyone’s ideas are on the table, discuss the feasibility of each and make plans where you can. Determine each member’s general responsibilities of the household as well as any additional ones to help them reach their goals. If you son wants to build the rocket, perhaps he needs to research any local resources to help him (a rocket club?) and then earn the money to buy it? How will he do that?

In our house we find it helpful to create a chart of chores and goals. Rewarding good behavior or ‘promoting’ their privileges is a nice motivation. If your kids are old enough to have email, send them updates on their progress during the week and friendly reminders if you see areas that need more attention. Continue to schedule family meetings to discuss the progress made and check in to see if anyone has changed their goals. Just as with any business, the ability to adapt to changes and new circumstances is vital – helping your family by checking in and letting them know it is okay, and often the best decision, to re-assess a goal and change course if needed.

The result of this communications plan? A family who knows the plan – the overall family plan and their own personal one. With clear goals, each member of the family can feel secure and confident in the weeks and months ahead. And, if you’re really lucky, you’ve just cut down on the number of times you’ll here “Mom, I’m bored!”

Devon Fleming is considered the area’s Home and Lifestyle Expert. She writes books, articles, blogs, and other online content. She provides 'Fairfield County Living Tips' on four local radio stations and appears on area TV providing lifestyle segments and "solutions for the modern woman."