We hear the word "mentor" thrown around in business all the time. But when it comes to actually finding a mentor to help us on our path to success, most of us are clueless about where to begin. More »How to find the perfect mentor
So you have a great idea for a business and dream of making millions in just a couple … More » What makes a successful startup?
How Iron Chef Cat Cora went from cozy restaurant in small town Mississippi to the top … More »Iron Chef Cat Cora on working under pressure
We hear the word "mentor" thrown around in business all the time. But when it comes to actually finding a mentor to help us on our path to success, most of us are clueless about where to begin.
Why is it important to have a mentor? How do we know if they will give good advice, or are even interested in giving it? We sat down with Margaret Keene, the Executive Creative Director at Saatchi & Saatchi, who generously shared her tips for finding the right mentor for you.
"I very much am the product of learning and the wisdom of those around me"- Margaret Keene.
Why do I even need a mentor?
Margaret believes that life is too short to figure everything out for yourself. Instead of going it alone, she recommends finding an individual who has come before and achieved what you desire, be it creatively, financially or on a personal level. Learning from them saves you a lot of time and frustration.
How do I pick the right mentor for me?
Margaret admits that finding the r
...Read More »- So you have a great idea for a business and dream of making millions in just a couple of years? Well, thanks to the internet anything is possible! Two women who are living proof of this are Susan Feldman and Alison Pincus, co-founders of exclusive interiors sale site, One Kings Lane. In just three years this dynamic duo have gone from a having a great idea for a business to building a company with an estimated revenue of $200 million. This week on Secrets To Your Success we get their expert tips on how to make your startup company a success. STEP 1: FIND YOUR WHITE SPACE
Question to ask yourself: What area is lacking?
...Read More »
Former merchandising executive Susan Feldman noticed that while there were fabulous home furnishing stores selling unique and desirable pieces in Los Angeles, she found the online shopping experience to be incredibly frustrating. Susan identified what she calls "the white space" or the opportunity to present fabulous home products online. From that idea One Ki - Some projects can really take it out of you. You've been working for 10+ hours a day, brainstorming new ideas as you brush your teeth in the morning, and thinking about the best way to pitch as you climb into bed at night. Your focus, creativity, and problem-solving abilities have been put to the test-for hours, days, and weeks on end. And now, it's time for a vacation.
Well, that is, if you define vacation as a Sunday afternoon to yourself to do laundry and grocery shop, before it's back to the office Monday morning.
Unfortunately, you don't always get a break when you need it most. So, how do you stay sane at work when you're coming off of a big project or a particularly stressful season? Battle your burnout on those rough days (or weeks) with these five simple ideas.
1. Take a Lunch Break (Or Better Yet, a Walk)
When you're exhausted, it can be tempting to just stay at your desk through lunch or spend that extra 10 minutes you have browsing Facebook. But save being glued to...Read More » - By J.I. Baker
Photo: Thinkstock
Pitfall #1: You Aren't Channeling Your Inner Italian
Think like Robert Duvall in The Godfather, and be a consigliere to someone. If you don't have the boss's ear, get the ear of the person who has the boss's ear. If you can't get that person's ear, get that person's best friend's ear.
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When a boss who'd deeply trusted me became suddenly enamored of a new employee, thereby shutting me out, I didn't let my ego get in the way. Instead, I took the new favorite child to lunch and asked if I could help her with a project she was working on. As a result, we became friends, and my boss started hearing about all my "brilliant" ideas through the current darling. All this returned me to the boss's favor--and eventually led (along with other things, of course) to a promotion.
RELATED: Why Avoiding Rejection Is a Major Mistake
Pitfall #2: You Haven't Cracked Your Boss's Code
I once had a boss who never sai...Read More » - Keeping a journal is a great idea-and not just for aspiring novelists and 15-year-old girls. And I'm not referring to the public online journals that many of us (myself included) keep-though there's value in those, too. I'm talking about a private, intimate journal; a daily record of your experiences and observations, particularly at work.
This type of journal is an unexpectedly great way to help you work through issues, analyze where you're at in your job, and grow in your career. In fact, consider it the easiest (and cheapest) form of professional development you can find!
So, go pick out a new notebook or journal, and get started writing-for these six reasons and more.1. Log Good Ideas
Brilliance doesn't always strike when it's most convenient. In fact, your next great workplace idea might occur before bed, as you're cooking dinner, or-as mine often do-when you're in the shower (like I said, not convenient). But don't let those ideas fall by the wayside simply because you didn...Read More »
