Make It Happen Magazine 2013 Edition by Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business

ďż˝IH make it happen magazine

the

business of

Shoes, street style, and student fashion

the success issue! Find an apartment in NYC

10 Essential

Start-Up

Tips

Network like a pickup artist Nonprofit spotlight:

Strong Women

Strong Girls

talking music with

Wu Han The Innovation

Gender Gap: what it is & what to do about it

an exclusive interview with

tina brown

Fall 2013

�IH Make It Happen

Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business

2013 MIH Staff

2013 HUWIB Executive Board

Editors-In-Chief Claire Leibowicz Harvard ’16 Sadie McQuilkin Harvard ’16

Co-Presidents Kavya Shankar & Rena Wang

Writers Kimberly Herrmann Harvard ’12 Rachel Julie Huynh University of Texas Gretchen Krupp Harvard ’15 Sumit Malik Harvard ’13 Ishani Premaratne Harvard ’15 Niani Tolbert Mount Holyoke College Selina Wang Harvard ’15 Amy Yin Harvard ’14 Photographers Heidi Lim Harvard ’14 Cindy Niu Harvard ’16 Taylor Vandick Harvard ’16 Advertising & Distribution Connie Lin Harvard ’14 Nancy Liu Harvard ’16

Questions or comments?

Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business? Visit www.huwib.org

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Treasurer Nicole Iacopetti Alumni & Advisory Board Chair CiCi McMullen Career Development Chair Alissa Song Communications Chair Heidi Lim External Initiatives Chair Jasmine Griffin Fundraising Chair Jessica Chao Intercollegiate Business Convention Chair Juliette Bailin Membership Development Chair Celena Tyler Outreach Chair Svilena Bochukova Operations Chair Katerina Solovyova

A Letter from the Presidents “Our network of undergraduates, alumni, and speakers continues to

strengthen with every passing year

and allows students the chance to develop and explore diverse and innovative paths in business.” Dear Readers, We are Kavya Shankar and Rena Wang, the 2013 Co-Presidents of Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business (HUWIB). HUWIB is Harvard's largest undergraduate business organization on campus, reaching over 400 members. We seek to empower future female leaders by uniting them through panels, conferences, outreach initiatives, skill-building workshops, leadership projects, and mentorship programs. Founded in 2000 by a group of only ten women, HUWIB began with the goal of motivating and inspiring young leaders. Starting with a conference of 250 participants, thirteen years later the same convention now draws over 1,000 attendees from the top universities both domestically and internationally. Our network of undergraduates, alumni, and speakers continues to strengthen with every passing year and allows students the chance to develop and explore diverse and innovative paths in business. From the publication of Anne-Marie Slaughter’s work-life balance article to Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In to the recent Harvard Business School study release on gender equity in the classroom, one theme is clear-it has never been more important to build the next generation of female industry leaders.This year, we focused on building our internal and external networks to provide women with a strong community as they progress through the business world. The two of us have made lasting friendships and have had invaluable experiences that will last well beyond college. We are proud to present one of the most important components of our external network—the annual issue of Make It Happen. We hope you find yourself inspired by the words of the female business leaders we greatly admire. To making it happen,

Rena Wang & Kavya Shankar 2013 Co-Presidents

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

contents Vol. 8 â&#x20AC;˘ Fall 2013

perspectives

6 8 10 12

defining success

with MIH's editors

finding new ways to be

more productive switching career paths

after college

the problem with innovation

gender gap

fashion & business

16 32 38

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

what is business causal?

photo series

blogger at We Wore What

Danielle Bernstein

co-founder of Milk & Honey Shoes

Dorian Howard

how-to

quick & dirty guide to

entrepreneurship are you a pretty little

people pleaser? finding an apartment

in New York City pickup artist tips for

better networking Jacqueline Whitmore is

all about etiquette

44 46 48 52 56

on the cover

an exclusive interview with

Tina Brown

rethinking business Wu Han & Lauren Bailey know

66 nonprofit in Boston 72 Harvard Business School 78 music & business

Strong Women, Strong Girls reigniting a career at

forge

your own

path to

success 6

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A Note from the Editors, Sadie McQuilkin & Claire Leibowicz

photo by Heidi Lim '14

remember that future success doesn’t just exist in the corner office of the far-off future; it exists tomorrow, and next week, and next year. It’s great to have a big picture and big goals, but don’t forget to set shorter-term goals, and celebrate those little successes when you reach them. And when some of those smaller goals don’t work out? Don’t give up if the long-term mark of success is still calling your name.

Here at Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business, we’re focused on helping college women explore their career possibilities and reach their goals. In short, we do what we can to help each other find success. But what exactly is success, anyway? Is it a big paycheck? A corner office? Your own company? Or is it something less tangible, like the satisfaction of creating something entirely new, or seeing your work have a positive impact on someone’s life? It’s up to you to define success for yourself, and to pursue it in the way that fits this definition. To guide you along the way, this issue of Make It Happen explores success through the lens of women from all aspects of the business world. Of course, there is no cookie cutter response, but our hope is that the features in this magazine will help you think about how you personally define success.

As sophomores at Harvard, we’re still exploring our own definitions of success and failure. Success may not have been necessarily getting an A in all of our classes, but rather realizing how much we loved a particular subject (though those As we did earn were triumphs in their own right). Or maybe, the things that seem like failures in the moment can turn into our biggest successes by opening the door for other opportunities. Likewise, such difficult moments can be the key to success if we use them to learn from our mistakes and strengthen our skills for the future.

And indeed, it is in the future that success truly lies. What makes success so difficult to define is the fact that as we attain our goals, we set new ones; there’s always a higher rung to reach for, another mountain to climb. Our careers are in their infancy—a fact that can simultaneously feel expansively intimidating and intensely liberating. We have enough trouble selecting courses for the semester; deciding what we’re going to do for the rest of our lives can seem an overwhelming task. That’s why it’s so crucial to

Our cover feature subject, Tina Brown, is living proof of the value of appreciating both short- and long-term success. She’s seen dramatic changes in a multitude of publications, and pushed herself to make vast improvements and innovations in each of her projects. She’s also not afraid to let go and start fresh when she discovers a new source of success inspiration. In the two months since our interview with Brown this August, The Daily Beast Newsweek Company announced that it would be selling Newsweek, and that Tina Brown would be stepping down from her position as Editor-in-Chief of both publications to start Tina Brown Live Media, a “theatrical journalism” company focused on bringing “compelling narratives to life for a global audience.” As the child of a movie producer and a former playwright, Brown is returning to her roots with this new project and demonstrating that sometimes the best way to progress your path to success is to revisit passions and goals from earlier in your career. Our interview with Brown marks a key turning point in her pursuit of success, and we urge you, our readers, to keep an eye on Brown’s latest ventures as a source of inspiration for staying innovative in your own careers. Furthermore, Brown’s work will increasingly focus on her Women in the World Foundation, an organization she started in 2010 that has brought together some of the globe’s most influential women with the goal to “advance women and girls” by empowering them through “vivid storytelling and live journalism."

This effort demonstrates another crucial point we hope to highlight for our readers this year: success is not a solitary project. None of the women we’ve profiled in the following pages would be where they are today if it weren’t for the support of other women. Historically, being female has been a disadvantage in the workplace. But this need not be the case; if we push each other to achieve our goals, offer a hand to sisters in need, and cross generational lines to collaborate with women both older and younger than ourselves, we can achieve far more than if we try to do it alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and don’t hesitate to offer it when you can. Ultimately, everyone wants to be successful. That seems like a rather obvious statement, but it’s no simple task. Success takes inspiration, passion, stamina, innovation, teamwork, and a little bit of serendipity. Make It Happen aims to give you the tools you need to tap into all of these elements within yourself. We hope you enjoy the magazine, and we wish you the best of luck along your own path to success—however you may choose to define it.

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

e v i t u c e Ex e c i v Ad their plates, but they The Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business Executive Board has a lot on they’ve learned do it all thanks to some very important life tools and habits. Here are some things along the way to help you boost productivity and efficiency!

❶defeat procrastination

I don’t know about you, but when I’m on the computer, I’m literally always checking and responding to emails that arrive in my inbox. This tends to be problematic when it comes to work that involves an intensive amount of reading, whether it be a novel or a textbook. The trick? Put away your computer. This doesn’t mean keep it on and to the corner of your desk, because you are bound to still get distracted. What I do is turn off my computer and store it underneath my chair, or put it on a shelf in my closet. Out of sight, out of mind; with my computer gone, I’m able to get a lot more work done. Often times when I’m going to the library to work on some reading, I purposely leave my computer in my dorm room so that I’m not tempted to go on Facebook or check my email. - Kavya Shankar, Co-President When it comes to completing big tasks, I’m the world’s biggest procrastinator. I’d rather swiffer my dorm room floor or help my friend with HER homework rather than start my own. However, I have recently found a solution: going for a run. I live next to a river that is constantly filled with runners, and going on a run for as little as 20 minutes has left me more de-stressed, creative and focused than any other activity I have tried. The increased levels of productivity and calmness (helping you to focus) have been scientifically proven to be short and long term side effects experienced by regular runners. The increased blood flow helps increase brain activity helping you to think more creatively, and the release of certain chemicals helps with your ability to be calm and focused. Most amazingly, these effects are present even after short distance runs, which is perfect for running novices like myself who don’t have a lot of time to spare. So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or refreshing your Facebook newsfeed for the gazillionth time in the midst of procrastination, strap on some running shoes and just do it- go on a run! - Katerina Solovyova, Operations and Alumni/Advisory Chair

❷The A-B-C Method: Creating a List of Prioritized Goals

Some people will tell you that every day, you should make a schedule of exactly what you’re going to do with the length of time it should take you to complete it and the order in which you are going to complete the tasks. While that may work for some people, in my experience, the planning fallacy tends to kick in, and we always underestimate the amount of time it takes us to finish a task. Instead, I’ve invented The A-B-C Method. This involves taking a piece of paper, folding it into thirds, and labeling each column with a letter, A through C. In Column A, you write down everything that absolutely must get done before you get to bed that night, such as the homework that is due the next day. In Column B, you put down some tasks you should definitely get started on if you have time, because the deadlines are coming up soon (within about a week). Column C is for long-term planning; you put down the bigger tasks that you want to start thinking about and working on if you particularly have a lot of time. Then, every night, I keep working until I get tired. No matter how tired I am, I can’t go to bed until I finish Column A. If I’m done with Column A and it’s still pretty early, I move on to Column B. Using this technique, I am able to finish everything that needs to get done in a prioritized fashion. - Kavya Shankar, Co-President

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

❸Maximize your gmail efficiency

Boomerang for Gmail Boomerang is a great way to transform the way you send emails by providing you with an easy way

to schedule email delivery, follow-ups, reminders, and more. It’s especially helpful if your schedule has gaps and it’s easier to draft emails in one sitting as opposed to one at a time. Check it out here:www.boomeranggmail.com. - Rena Wang, Co-President shortcut keys and undo send Save a ton of time going through your e-mails by enabling shortcut keys (Gmail settings > General > Keyboard shortcuts on). My favorite keys are J (view next e-mail), K (view previous e-mail), shift+U (mark unread), and U (go to inbox). Even without turning on shortcuts, it’s useful to press tab+enter to send e-mails. Your hands may never have to leave the keyboard when sending e-mails! If you do happen to send an e-mail and realize at the last second that you made a mistake, that’s where Undo Send can help. You can enable this feature in Gmail settings > Labs > Enable (next to Undo Send). This will let you retrieve your e-mail after you’ve sent it, for up to 30 seconds, so that you can fix that last-second error or quip you forgot to add. It’s saved me so many times!

Rapportive This is another awesome Gmail add-on that will allow you to easily find out more about people you interact with via e-mail. Open an e-mail thread, and it will show you the person’s LinkedIn profile, Facebook link, and other social media links, as well as a photo and work history according to LinkedIn. - Heidi Lim, Communications Chair

❹stay focused

Cherry-flavored Red Bull does nothing for me. If I want to be attentive, energized, and productive, I choose people over liquids with questionable ingredients (okay, that’s hypocritical of me--I love Diet Coke). Still, when I want to get things done, I surround myself by other people with the same objective. Sometimes, I go to libraries. Most often, I find myself in the dining hall. When there are lots of people around me--especially friends working and encouraging me to get off of Facebook-I get more done. While I generally have to listen to SimplyNoise so that my paper about Christian missionaries does not become a response to the rant nearby diners are having about Kesha’s new album, I am more efficient when I feel as though others are watching my progress. Only when all else fails do I open SelfControl and stop myself from reading the most recent post on What Should We Call Me. - Juliet Bailin, IBC Chair Using cell phone alarms to help focus - It can be distracting when there are events coming up that you need to head to. When I get tired checking my phone time every 5 minutes, I sometimes just set an alarm for when I need to start preparing to head up. - Alissa Song, Career Development Chair Make lists and detailed schedules (hour by hour) and find a good place for you to work, though remember to also switch it up every few hours. - Jessica Chao, Fundraising Chair

❺Get that essay started right

As a Government major, I write a lot of papers. Starting to write the actual paper is always the most intimidating part of the process for me, so I have a trick to make it easier. I write down all my ideas on paper and circle the ones I plan on writing about. Then I connect them with arrows that show how I can transition from one idea to the next. I also write down the relationships above the arrows to make sure that my paper will flow and I clearly understand what I am trying to convey in my essay. - Svilena Bochukova, Outreach Chair

❻Give yourself a break

When there’s a long week of work ahead, having fun not only afterward but also before can help get the antsiness out of your system. After a fun weekend with friends, I often find myself even more productive on the weekdays. - Alissa Song, Career Development Chair You don’t have to force yourself to work, work, work all day with no rest. In fact, you really shouldn’t, because you’ll experience diminishing marginal returns. Instead, you want to reward yourself for your hard work by taking breaks. Set a goal, such as to finish the chapter of the textbook that you’re reading, before you allow yourself a ten minute Facebook break. Use meals as breaks as well; force yourself to finish a certain amount of work before you go to eat dinner. Building in incentives will motivate you and also keep you on track for your work while ensuring that you don’t go crazy, which is always a plus. - Kavya Shankar, Co-President

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Searching for

Success negotiating the job hunt away from campus for a career thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not one-size-fits-all

by Kimberly Herrmann Harvard University â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

hen I entered Harvard in the fall of 2008, I was bent on a career in politics, eager to study government and work in immigration reform. Years later, I found myself pouring through commercials and advertisements, intrigued by opportunities in marketing. My junior summer, I found myself at a major magazine publisher in New York, promoting the power of print. When I graduated a year later, I went off to a trading firm, ready to test the waters of Wall Street. Today, I work in public relations, having left the firm I signed with during my senior year to find something that would be a better fit. Sometimes I think it may be easier to commit to one narrow path, working through on-campus recruiting, pre-med, or pre-law requirements without a doubt regarding one’s intended future. I have come to realize, however, that many undergraduates do find themselves in my position—continuously questioning their career trajectories, unsure where they will best fit, and switching gears as they learn more about themselves and the opportunities available to them after graduation. For me, the conveniences of on-campus interviews and desire to secure a job by J-term became key factors leading to my initial post-grad role. After leaving Harvard, I spent five months in finance wondering what had driven my decision, feeling as if I had disregarded the interests and aspirations that had compelled my academic and co-curricular pursuits. I realized that the notions of financial security, an appealing benefits package, and the prestige of the financial industry had overshadowed my desire I had for a job that would be rewarding and enjoyable for me on a daily basis. Though this career path may be suitable to many, I

recognized that I was one who considered my job to be a reflection of my identity—I needed to go to work passionate about the fruits of my labor, confident that I was pursuing a job in tune with my interests and abilities. By opting for a second job search within a year of graduating, I was able to learn a lot about looking for opportunities outside of school. The job hunt during my senior fall term of college had been slated between classes and coursework—the second time around, it was my full-time role, and I was able to take a more strategic approach towards thinking about my priorities and finding a good fit. Those applying to positions outside of college should indeed regard the process as a job in itself, maintaining a full-time schedule for reviewing new listings, writing cover letters, connecting with human resources staff and following up with calls and emails. During the winter of 2013, I began calling on contacts and recent grads for help in thinking through industry options and applying for better fitting roles. I learned that campus counselors, tutors, human resources professionals, alumni and peers from classes and organizations could provide intriguing insight into new roles and career fields. This can also be a great time to learn about companies that do not have active postings listed. By sending inquiry emails expressing your interest, the job hunt process can become a time to network with experienced professionals and learn more about your intended field. The search also highlighted for me the growing importance of online resources in the modern job market. Recruiters are increasingly turning to LinkedIn as a way to publicize openings, vet applicants, and interact with prospective hires. Indeed. com and SimplyHired.com, when coupled

with one’s alumni job site, can provide access to hundreds of new job postings each day. GlassDoor.com is also a phenomenal resource for learning about the job interview process and career experience at larger firms and organizations, as well as for gathering details on compensation packages and promotion opportunities. While re-navigating the job market off-campus can be a whirlwind, the process offers vast opportunities for self-exploration and learning. After a month of job-hunting off-campus, I assumed a new role in communications. The position more closely aligns with the various fields I had considered in college; public relations calls upon my creative instincts and passion for content development. I am able to leverage the insights into social science, politics, and communications that I fostered during my time at school. I enjoy the pace of my work and believe it is preparing me for carrying out my career goals in the future. In thinking over the past year, I have come to appreciate the importance of considering personal goals and objectives when selecting a job path. These will vary from one individual to the next, so it is important to honor yourself in the reflection process. For some, the mission of your work may be most important—for others, financial security or promotion opportunities can be more valuable. Some find work-life balance the mainstay of their job choice, while others want to do something in tune with their personal philosophies. Taking the time to think about what you want to accomplish in the day-to-day, as well as the long-term, is key in finding a satisfying role. The more convoluted path may seem a challenge, but it can lead to outcomes that celebrate your identity and bolster your true potential. e

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

For his thesis in Applied Mathematics, Sumit Malik '13 explored the gender gap in business innovation. Here, he explains why.

career gender parity is

Everyone's Business I

have seen firsthand hundreds of businesses disappear. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve watched them fade away, dying embers of an abandoned flame. For every woman deterred from business, discouraged by a yetunfulfilled promise of equality, another restless aspiration is left behind, future unrealized. As financial uncertainty in Europe constrains employment, youth in Chile take their desire for accessible education to the streets, and nearly 1.3 billion people remain in extreme poverty worldwide, the challenges of economic stagnation and inequality of opportunity have forced themselves past the walls of academic seminars and into the global spotlight. The promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women provide a key to global economic progress. Recognized by the United Nations in the Millennium Development

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Goals, they constitute among the highest-priority international objectives for social advancement. Indeed, a greater share of global economic growth in the past decade can be attributed to increased employment of women in developed nations than to the rapid economic emergence of China. The gender gap in business, however, has been persistent; women are far outnumbered in both executive leadership and academic positions and account for a fraction of scholarly output. Established academic thought suggest that innate, biological gender disparities in technical aptitude are nonexistent, motivating further curiosity into environmental factors that can explain the divide. Eliminating womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s underrepresentation in innovation-intensive fields would increase United States GDP by hundreds of billions of dollars. Research into the innovation gap has been constrained by lack of data, often limiting studies to specific countries where information is more accessible, as well as interviews, qualitative surveys, and analy-

sis that cannot be generalized on a global scale. To better understand the gender divide, I developed and implemented an artificial intelligence approach to characterize and evaluate gender disparities in innovation across industries, geography, and time, with three key steps. First, utilizing census data, machine learning, and computational pattern recognition, I predicted gender for over 8.9 million assignees of patents filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) from 1975 to 2010. Second, I performed large-scale analysis of the nature, magnitude, and distribution of the gender gap. Finally, I used the classification as a foundation for analysis of the social and institutional origins of gender disparities and their broader financial implications. Because total patenting activity does not take into consideration the recognition, utility, or impact of an innovation, I evaluated patents by the number of citations received. The particulars of the gender divide are as revealing as they are astonishing:

figure 1

Men account for over

three-quarters of citation-weighted patents in every country with significant USPTO filings (Figure 1).

The gender gap in patenting is highly country-dependent, and the top four countries by USPTO citation-weighted patentsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the United States, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdomâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;are far from global leaders in gender parity in innovation. In each of these countries over the past 35 years, men have accounted for well over 10 times as many citation-weighted patents as women. Among countries with at least 1000 patents filed with the USPTO since 1975, France has the greatest gender parity in citation-weighted patents, followed by the former Soviet Union, Finland, and Malaysia.

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Men take out over nine-tenths

of citation-weighted patents in every American state. Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share of citation-weighted patents is lowest in New Hampshire and highest in Maryland. Greater parity in citation-weighted patenting occurs disproportionately on the east and west coasts. Atlantic and Pacific coastal states among the top 10 by gender parity include Maryland, Delaware, Georgia, California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Whereas countries with the greatest numbers of total citation-weighted patents are far from the top in gender parity, there is noticeable correspondence between states leading in citation-weighted patents (primarily states with large populations) and states leading in gender parity. States that are among the top 10 for both categories are California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Minnesota.

figure 3

figure 2

Gender disparities

varyacross widely industries. The categories displayed in Figure 3 represent the top 10 industries as measured by total citation-evaluated patents from 1975-2010. Physics and engineering fields, such as telecommunications, semiconductor devices, multiplex communications, and active solid-state devices exhibit greater gender disparities in citation-weighted patenting than do fields with greater female representation in education, academia, and the private sector.

figure 4

The proportion of citationweighted patents

awarded to women has increased significantly since 1975. Figure 4 shows the time series of women’s patenting in the top 5 industries as measured by total citation-evaluated patents. Among these industries, the most dramatic increases in citation-evaluated patenting over the past 35 years have occurred in scientific fields in which women have attained the greatest representation, in particular bio-affecting drugs and biological sciences. Progress toward gender parity in active solid-state devices and multiplex communications has been comparatively restrained.

High-impact interventions to reduce the gender gap worldwide should include

While increases in citation-weighted patenting among women can in part be explained by higher education, educational attainment among women has increased much more rapidly than innovative activity. Consistent with the 2012 OECD report on the gender gap, innovative or entrepreneurial activity depends on the nature of education. Where women receive a larger share of technical degrees, women obtain a greater proportion of citation-weighted patents. Maternal health interventions can similarly reduce the gender divide; high maternal mortality is linked to persistent gender disparities. Taken together, this information indicates that although meaningful progress has been made toward gender parity in innovation, the divide remains strikingly large. The innovation gap varies by industry and geographic location both within the United States and, to an even greater degree, internationally. Beyond identifying where the most work remains, these data emphasize the profound relationship between a persistent innovation gap and international development, economic progress, and equal opportunity. Addressing gender disparities is about more than empowering women. In an era afflicted by security threats, infectious diseases, and resource limitations, it’s about building a global society that together can address humanity’s greatest challenges. With half the population still disproportionately constrained to the sidelines, it’s about shaping lives that will shape our world. It’s about not allowing another business to disappear. l

the promotion of

girls’ education and maternal health.

Sumit Malik graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University in May 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics with Economics and Computer Science, a concurrent Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics, and a minor in English. He is currently employed at Goldman Sachs as an Investment Banking Analyst in the Financial Institutions Group.

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Defining

Business Casual

This often-referenced category of attire is neither formal nor truly casualso what is it? We looked to students at Harvard University to find out.

Photographs by Cindy Niu

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Harvard University '16

Model: Preeti Srinivasan Glastonbury, CT Harvard University '16

“

Business casual is the most

free-spirited dress code

”

because it’s defined by the wearer. - Preeti Srinivasan (pictured center)

Garrett Allen Harvard University '16 Seattle, WA

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Sumit Malik Harvard University '13 Washington, DC

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

The unrivaled versatility of the

L.B.D. (Little Black Dress) makes it an investment-worthy wardrobe essential.

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Carter Stratton Harvard University '16 Seattle, WA

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Keep your look sharp with

well-tailored pieces from the same color family.

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Shalhavit-Simcha Cohen HUWIB Associate Jerusalem, Israel

The relaxed rules of business casual allow you

the freedom to show your

personal stylewhether it be edgy or classic prep.

Auden Laurence Harvard University '16 Southern Pines, NC

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Stand out from

the crowd with

a pop of color

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

left: Alina Ranjbaran Harvard University '16 Garden City, NY right: Grace Huckins Harvard University '16 Weston, MA

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Unique details like a statement necklace or a pleated-front leather jacket add

interest & sophistication to your wardrobeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staples.

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Model: Ekaterina Tchebotareva Harvard University '16 Novgorod, Russia

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Dami Aladesanmi Harvard University '15 Brooklyn, NY

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No matter what you wear for business casual,

pair it with confidence for a look thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about success.

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Rising Up

Standing Out by Selina Wang 32 written Make It Happen | Fall 2013 Harvard University â&#x20AC;&#x2122;15

photos by Michael Dumler

We sat down with

Danielle Bernstein, the founder & blogger

Reformation Jumper Converse High-Top Sneaker The Caravan Reflective Aviators

of We Wore What for an exclusive interview about fasion, business, and what it takes to get noticed Fall 2013 | Make It Happen 33 professionally online.

“A perfect leather jacket,

a plain white tee, a great pair of boyfriend jeans, and a pair of skinny jeans... ”

These four items comprise the key base of any fashionista’s closet, according to Danielle Bernstein. It really doesn’t take much to look put-together. But for those who don’t count themselves as fashion connoisseurs, it can be a daily challengea challenge that Bernstein takes on in her style blog, We Wore What .

Danielle Bernstein, now a well-established fashion blogger, first started her blog as a daily source of outfit inspiration for others. When she transferred from the University of Wisconsin to the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City in 2011, she noticed that she was surrounded by well-dressed girls. Wasting no time, Bernstein bought a camera and started a street style blog called “We Wore What" soon after arriving at school. She gained a wealth of followers and was invited to be a photographer at New York Fashion Week in 2012. Fellow photographers noticed Bernstein’s unique style at Fashion Week, and began to take her picture. More and more people asked Bernstein why she didn’t simply photograph herself; so, she started posting photos of her own style on her blog. From there, Danielle said it “all kind of turned around.” After winning Refinery29’s “The Next Big Style Blogger Contest,” Bernstein noted that “everything blew up from there.” Despite the multitudes of fashion bloggers online today, Bernstein has managed to maintain her status as a go-to source for Internet style inspiration. She admits that when she started “We Wore What,” blogging was a relatively new concept; at that point, “there was still room to get out there as one of the top bloggers in the industry,” Bernstein explained. However, her success has been due to more than just good timing. She makes an effort to show styles that are very relatable, and she maintains loyalty to her personal aesthetic leanings on her blog: “Even if a brand is willing to pay me a lot of money, I won’t blog about it unless I truly love it.”

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Bernstein has more than just a good eye for fashion— her business acumen has come in handy as well. When asked how she gained tens of thousands of followers, she says that serious networking was hugely important – “never be afraid to bring cards with you wherever you go, and hand them out to people. I made a lot of friends in the industry and with people who were already established bloggers [that way].” Social media has played a huge role as well. To any aspiring bloggers, Bernstein says, “considering your social media as part of your business is very important…I really take pride in my Instagram; I consider it a business for myself. I think that having a business plan and a content schedule behind your social media is a really good way to gain followers. And hashtagging like crazy, of course.” Aside from having a business plan, Bernstein encourages budding fashion bloggers to focus on high quality over quantity. The little things such as having high-resolution photos with consistent dimensions make a big difference. She admits that now is a very difficult time to tap into the blogging industry, so every detail counts. “Make sure that your whole design and aesthetic is very on point, and that you find your own niche,” she says. Blogging is part of Bernstein’s daily life, but the tangible fashion world is a whole other realm to navigate. One succeeds in the fashion world by “being a hard-ass, for lack of a better word,” Bernstein explains with a laugh. Her advice that it is important to “not [be] afraid to try something different, not [be] afraid to reach out to people that you may be scared to talk to, not [be] afraid to ask

Zara Pants & Tank Jennifer Zeuner Choker Chain Necklace Jane Basch D Necklace

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

for advice, and definitely not [be] afraid to let people know who you are” applies not only to working in the fashion world, but can also serve as solid suggestions for success in any industry. She continues, “It’s really all about putting yourself out there so that people see that [you’re someone who] clearly knows what she wants, or what she’s doing.” Bernstein describes herself as a “total go-getter” who does not let any obstacle stand in her way when she is doing business. A quick glance at her blog shows a clean and professional display of a wide range of carefully selected ensembles. From simple jeans, tees, skirts, rompers, and more, she creates unique, but wearable outfits. She describes her style as a “good mix of Stockholm and New York City.” The people walking around Brooklyn inspire her, as do the classic looks that can be spotted most frequently on the Upper East Side. During Stockholm’s Fashion Week, she discovered a love for pointed-toe shoes, boyfriend jeans, and more structured and classic looks. She admits that although she has been fortunate enough to be able to afford designer pieces as a result of her blog business, she always mixes her designer pieces with something from Zara, H&M, or even Forever 21 – “I think finding a mix between highs and lows and edgy and classic is important.” Like many students, Bernstein faces the tough balances between college life and career ventures. She confesses that although her career has taken a lead in her priorities, she is still set on graduating on time. Bernstein is definitely not slowing down anytime soon. In addition to video blogging and working with TV networks on some yet-unannounced projects, she also has a design collaboration in the works, due out in 2014. Reflecting on her career thus far, Bernstein said, " I never searched for the success I've been so lucky to receive. Being able to influence young girls in such a positive way has been the most rewarding part of my blogging career. What should be the easiest part of someone's day (getting dressed in the morning) is sometimes the hardest, and that's why I blog."

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

stepping into the land of

Milk & Honey Dorian Howard

co-founder of Milk & Honey Shoes and former Vice President of Production for Paramount Pictures talks about making the switch from a corporate career to entrepreneurial endeavors, working with family, and pursuing your passions in the workplace.

interview by Ishani Premaratne

Harvard '15

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

ZX Sisters Dorian & Ilissa Howard were both successful career women

in their own rights, holding positions in the entertainment industry and product development for a major toy retailer, respectively. But in January 2011, that all changed. The sisters decided to leave their high-powered jobs in order to found their own company, within an industry where their only previous experience was as consumers: shoes. With spunk, character, a great deal of trial and error, and an unshakable resilience, these sisters set out to sell the world exactly what it wanted in footwear—and in doing so, you might say that they found their own personal land of milk and honey. In the case of the Howard sisters, this became the clever moniker for their new e-commerce company, Milk & Honey Shoes. The business allows customers to design their own stilettos, pumps, and other varieties

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

of shoes from the convenience of their laptops and then have them shipped anywhere in the world. As the CEO of the company, Dorian manages day-to-day operations, with responsibilities ranging from managing sales to overseeing business development and marketing. Primarily based in Asia, Ilissa handles many of the responsibilities on the design and product development end. Despite the company’s relatively recent launch, Milk & Honey shoes has already received a great deal of press including features in “E! News Daily,” Lucky, InStyle, Marie Claire, The New York Times, and more. Celebrities including Ginnifer Goodwin, Selena Gomez, and Malin Ackerman have also endorsed the custom-made shoe brand. Here, Dorian Howard talks with us about her journey from her role as Vice President of Production for Paramount Pictures to becoming the CEO of a company that she co-founded.

A New Start

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Reflecting on your former job as Vice President of Production for Paramount, what do you think the most interesting part of your position there was? I loved working with writers and directors, people who had exciting ideas for movies. I found so much fun in developing those ideas. An example would be getting the chance to work on a commercial that is based on a shred of a specific narrative or reading a book that you realize could be turned into a movie. I loved the creative process--locking myself in a room with the writer for six hours and figuring out what was working and what wasn’t until we were sure we would really reach our audience.

What was it like transitioning from the film industry to fashion? It’s two totally different languages. There were good things that came from the film business—the hours you work is one example. Having had a corporate job for so long, there are certain things that are pounded into you. Literally this morning I was looking at a skirt and thinking that that it was too short for the office, but then I was like, wait there’s no Human Resources Department! There’s no one to be inappropriate in front of. But the work ethic from having a corporate job for so long was definitely something that I took with me. And, for me, it wasn’t so much about going from film to fashion but rather going from film to startup. I didn’t have a lot of different departments to work with all of a sudden and had to figure things out on my own. Did you always know that you wanted to start your own business one day when you first went into the film industry? We [my sister and I] always wanted to do something entrepreneurial, something on our own. It took some time to figure out what that was going to be. We were looking in areas where there was lots of excitement and we were beyond inspired by what was happening in e-commerce.

}

all of a sudden I had to

figure things out on my own.

Work & Lifestyle How many hours do you work a day and how many hours of sleep would you say you get, on average? “The idea of being able to start and build a company, as well as have a great work environment…well, that is the ultimate goal. Yes, I’d like to have a family one day too, but for right now, this is what I want. And yes, it requires a lot of hours. 7 a.m. conference calls, emails at 2 a.m. Yes, it takes a lot of dedication. Looking for work/life balance is great, but the start up world is not necessarily the place to find it.” Since you run an e-commerce business, do you work from home now or do you have an office space? “I started Milk & Honey in my living room and then when I got bored I moved to the coffee shop around the corner. Having been in a corporate job for so long, I never thought about things like taking a yoga class at noon…that seemed crazy. But now, my physical office location changes and I just go to where the team of people I’m working with is.” What is your working relationship like with your sister? Well, we do live in different countries. My sister is based in Hong Kong. We are generally 8,000 miles away but we talk every morning and every night. But we are first and foremost sisters…and you don’t get too far into a meeting without people figuring that out (laughs). Usually when we’re in a professional setting we can straighten up our act, but I think people understand our dynamic more when they understand that we’re sisters.

What’s the best part about working with her? “I can’t imagine going into business with anyone else. I trust her implicitly and we understand a lot of the little things about one another, so that means that we don’t have to bicker about the small stuff.” The most challenging part? “Well, luckily, our mother’s a therapist who specializes in conflict resolution. So there have certainly been times when we’ve had to rope our mom into the discussion. But we’re also total opposites, and in certain areas of the business—with design for example— she has the final decision because that’s her area of jurisdiction. But with strategy, it’s my decision. We both make our opinions very clear but defer to the other when the decision falls into her area of expertise.”

Are there any particular rituals or quirks that you and your sister have? “There are certain things that I’ve obviously known about my sister her entire life and I see them manifest themselves. For example, she talks very fast and also tends to talk really quietly. And with my family over dinner, I’m used to having to repeat what she says at times. Now in conference calls, sometimes she’ll mumble things and I’ll have to interpret something she says which is really natural for me, but I think it can be funny for the other people who observe it.” continued on next page

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

It’s All About the Shoes Do you have a favorite pair of shoes and if so, who designed them? “Well, I always design them. Sometimes, my sister will randomly design me shoes and send them to me. Of course I think she’s being thoughtful, but really she wants to try out a new style combination. Today, I’m wearing one of our new samples. But I always have a pair of heels or a pair of flats…I have about seven shoes in my car right now, because you never know what mood you’ll be in!” Why do you think people are attracted to the idea of designing their own shoes? “We all kind of know what we like. It’s nice to go shopping and have the experience but if you’re looking for that navy blue pump or that wedge or something specific, then shopping isn’t fun anymore, it’s a chore… at the same time, some people are very creative and have a specific vision. One of our challenges now is that we have to re-educate women a little on the shopping process. We want them to know that anything is possible—the world really is their oyster and whatever they want, we can make it for them.” Why did you choose to make the business an internet-based one? “I don’t think retail is dying; I think retail needs to be reinvented. When you are a little store, you can get big, but you’re never going to be massive. Last week we had an order from Singapore for example…we like the scale of e-commerce because it means that more people have access to our products versus just the people who happen to be walking down the street past a physical store.” It says on your website that you designed your own signature “lasts” (the mold around which the shoe is made). Can you talk to me about that process—how did you go about that since both you and your sister didn’t have specific experience in this industry previously? “That took a ton of research. We spent an afternoon at the Hong Kong Institute of Science and Technology learning about how to make shoes more comfortable. We talked to shoe specialists. Take padding, for

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

example. Here’s a basic way to look at it: if we want our shoes to be really comfortable, we need to use tons of padding. But over time, the sweat from your feet will cause all that padding to break down and the shoes will get too big as a result. So we had to figure out what the right amount of padding was. Like this, we had a lot of different aspects of the shoe to research and understand thoroughly.”

it’s important to know how the industry works. You should know the rules so that you know how to break them properly!”

What’s it like working with manufacturers in Asia? Do you fly to Asia frequently? “Ilissa is there so she deals with the factories. I go a few times a year, though she has that part pretty much nailed down now. And then we have women who work for us who speak Chinese as well and that’s helpful. If Ilissa wasn’t there though, it would absolutely be more of a challenge. Physical presence is important, especially in the beginning. At this point though, we know people at the workshop and our cobblers know what we’re looking for.”

What skills do you think you’ve gained through the process of starting an e-commerce business that you didn’t have before? “Oh gosh…general resourcefulness and “figured-outed-ness.” If you don’t know what the answer is, you google it. You don’t have red tape all of a sudden and you can move very fast. And I think that’s really important especially in a start-up where the whole point is that if you don’t know the answer, you find a way to figure it out.”

What is an example of a challenge that you’ve faced while on your path to making Milk & Honey successful, and how did you deal with it? “I love working with our customers. However, as the co-founder of my own company, I also have to make sure that we’re paying our taxes properly and that our corporate structure is done properly, etc. That’s not why I wanted to do this, it’s not the fun part-but being a business you have to make sure you handle that too.” Starting a business venture right out of college is becoming increasingly popular—in retrospect, would you have started something like Milk & Honey Shoes right out of college or do you think getting work experience first is the way to go for someone who wants to start a business in the future? “I would definitely recommend getting a little experience under your belt first. If you’re doing something where you already have the experience right out of college, that’s one thing. But I do think that people underestimate how hard it is and when you’re out there trying to raise money, people care about your experiences…being a kid with a dream is great, but you need some credentials to back that up. I think

What was the inspiration for the name “Milk & Honey”? “We figured if we could create a way where we could have our shoes the way we wanted them, then it would be like the Garden of Eden, or the land of milk and honey.”

Are you still involved with the film industry despite your new role? “All my best friends still work in it so I’m involved in that I know what projects are going on. I have a bunch of friends who got shows on the air this season, for example. I will still sometimes hear about a story and then usually I’ll call a producer friend of mine and say ‘here’s a good film, you should go chase it,’ but generally that’s not how I want to spend my days anymore.” How have connections in the film industry helped you in growing Milk & Honey? “Getting celebrities in our shoes has been great for us and a lot of that comes from the film business. But I also had a lot of relationships with other really successful people in that industry and still having access to them now is helpful. I believe, though, that if a person is successful in one industry, chances are that a lot of the same strategy and resourcefulness will make them successful in another.” Do you see Milk & Honey expanding or changing in the future? If so, how? “I can’t really talk about that yet…but we have all sorts of fun plans! Stay tuned.”

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Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

How to Become a

successful entrepreneur { } in ten steps or less

by Niani Tolbert mount holyoke college

originally published online in conjunction with the IBC Campus Ambassadors program on August 1, 2013

Oh, the freedom of being an entrepreneur!

You can be your own boss, wake up whenever you want—it’s your business, you can do what you want. However, there are a few things you should consider while starting your entrepreneurial journey. We’ve compacted a list of advice on becoming a successful entrepreneur, just for you.

1 2

Deflate yourself if you’re too “gassed up.”

No one wants to work with a Kanye West personality unless you are actually Kanye West. Be confident, but think about what’s best for your mission, staff and customers first.

Keep it simple.

It’s very tempting want to create a “lifestyle” or “brand” and launch clothing line with a blog, TV channel, music label, and all of the works. The reality of it is if you disperse your attention on too many things, none will progress forward. Keep your idea simple. What is your goal? To sell product or service X to Y for Z profit. That is your goal.

It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Plan ahead for possible unexpected turns and be prepared for the worst case scenario. Always have a plan B, C, and D for every decision, and with cash planning, have at least 3-6 months of expenses.

Be originally unoriginal.

Be patient, young grasshopper. You’re broke.

There is no market validation for the “reinvented wheel.” Instead of trying to introduce something that the world hasn’t seen before, put a creative spin on a pre-existing idea that already has satisfied results.

∙ Initially focus on ideas that could turn a quick profit and doesn’t have many start-up costs. ∙ Prioritize your inventory. Focus on the necessities, and let the other things come when the money has arrived. See the internet as an advantage of being an entrepreneur right now. The internet is a cost-efficient way to could leverage your business in the beginning stages. Focusing on social media presence and search engine optimization requires little to no money as you give your business exposure.

Be Cheap.

Do you need a camera, or can you partner with a photographer for a favor in return? There are many ways to get what you need- do it the cheapest way possible. Use your resources, and “know the difference between a frivolous expense and a necessity that can be bartered, bargained for, or partnered on.”

Choose you partners wisely, partna.

Stop planning and make it happen.

Although they may know everything about you, a business partner is not necessarily your best friend. Try to find someone who brings balance and new skillsets to the table. If you’re a creative, try to find an analytic mind. If you’re not good with deadlines and organization, make sure you find someone who is. You know the deal.

Investors are not going to read a 50+ page business plan, and neither will you. Consider writing paragraph answers to each of these questions, and a one-page executive summary summarizing all of these points.

Review of Market Business ∙ What business are we in? ∙ What have you accomplished so far? Competitors ∙ Who are our competitors? ∙ What have they done recently?

Market ∙ Who is your target market? ∙ What do you think will happen next?

Strategy and exit Strategy Goal ∙ What do you want to achieve? ∙ How are you going to do it? Exit plan ∙ How does this end, and what happens next?

photo by Heidi Lim '14

It’s about who you know.

It’s over-said, but I cannot emphasize this enough. Use your resources. Practice your elevator pitch, make business cards, and be confident. Remember that others also have selfish goals when they network. Don’t only think about what that person can do for you, but what you can do for that person.

If it doesn’t scare you, it's not big enough. If you’re scared, (wo)man up and go for it.

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Pretty Lit t l e by Rachel Julie Huynh The University of Texas at Austin

ooking back on my upbringing, I now recognize that I was constantly subject to the conditioning of societal norms from the very beginning – we all are, every day. One of those norms was gender-specific, and it was being a helpful, agreeable little girl. If you consider

yourself a generally nice person that goes out of your way for others and avoids conflict, you probably fall into this category. Though the days of outright sexism and housewives are fading away, a diluted version of the same idea remains: females are expected to be agreeable, and more so than our male counterparts. But wait – being sweet and helping others are supposed to be good, right? Sure, but our good nature can easily be stretched to a detrimental extent. Now let’s fast-forward to real life. After I did some research, it turns out that that societal conditioning as a pleasant little girl is coming back to haunt us in our adult life. Here’s the secret: we say ‘yes’ too much. It was adorable as a child, but it can seriously cost us at this age in every sphere of our lives – professional, social, and personal.

p what you

need to know

I don’t want to harp on the fact that women earn less per dollar than men. It’s a sad fact, but we now have to consider why it’s true: because women do not initiate negotiation. It’s actually been proven. Whenever we are offered a great full-time position, the societal conditioning kicks in and we immediately accept and thank the offerer. Before accepting graciously, however, women tend to miss out on the crucial step of playing hardball and talking salary.

Being a people pleaser will lead to weight gain.

Whoa, where did that come from?! Actually, it’s from this study. Basically, people pleasers feel the need to make others comfortable when they’re eating, so they eat too. This includes occasions when they’re not hungry or the food is unhealthy (i.e., Superbowl watching parties, office gatherings, etc). However, we do so at the expense of our waistlines.

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Women earn less than men per dollar because they don’t initiate salary negotiation.

You are more subject to manipulation and disrespect.

Unfortunately, not every average Joe(lle) will be as nice or helpful as you are. In fact, when your answer is always a chipper yes, people begin to expect you to yield to them. UCLA psychology professor Dr. Marion Jacobs says that, you’re simultaneously “training someone how to treat you and training them not to respect your opinion.” This applies in all environments – at work, at home, or out with friends.

People Pleasers originally published online in conjunction with the IBC Campus Ambassadors program on July 27, 2013

what you can do about it

Change your default “yes!” answer.

Instead, it should be something like, “Let me think about it and get back to you later.” Spontaneously adding major assignments to your to-do list means you’ll have to begrudgingly deal with the consequences on your own time and dime. You’ll end up resenting the person who asked for putting the burden on you – even though it was you that heaped it on your own shoulders. Responding this way gives you the physical and emotional space you need to make decisions with clarity. Just politely get back to them after considering your own schedule.

Cut down on your passive verbal clutter.

People pleasers tend to ask for things like this: “I know it’s really short notice, and I’m sure you’re really busy… It’s just that Johnny’s soccer game got moved up, and Alec is working late on this new project, so I was wondering if you could help me [request].” Avoid the long justifications and explanations and begin your requests with ‘I would like’ or ‘I feel.’ Adjusting your body language so it’s less passive and more active will also make sure your message is taken more seriously.

Get over the squirming feeling when you say “no.”

After glancing at that jam-packed schedule, the answer will sometimes be ‘no.’ And that’s okay. What’s not okay is the major internal discomfort you feel when you think about turning the person down. That’s normal, and it’s just proof that you’re a kind person. This takes will-power and time, so take it slow. Expressing your honest feelings and fielding possible conflict is vulnerable and scary for anyone. Recognize when you’re doing it, and know that you’re ultimately acting in your best interests.

There’s a little talk about how women are inherently less _____ than men, but I reject that. If we are really going to strive toward equality across the board, the only way we get there will be by demanding respect, not gently requesting it with a cherry on top. There is a fine line between feminine delicateness and professional graciousness. Like all things, it’s a balancing act – knowing when to be accommodating and when you can’t compromise. The million dollar question all along has been why women don’t get just as much as men. It turns out, a major reason was because we just had to ask for it. Who knew? L

Fall 2013

| Make It Happen

home

sweet home

{

navigating the rental real estate market in nyc

by Kimberly Herrmann Harvard University â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

}

Amidst the flutter

of fulfilling course requirements, spending time with friends, and preparing for commencement, college seniors in their spring semester also encounter the challenge of finding housing post-graduation. Considering the multitude of online resources and large number of recent grads coming to the city, one may conjecture that the process of choosing and securing an apartment would be quite easy. In reality, however, the diversity in apartment and neighborhood options, layers of paperwork, and required payments can make for a complex and convoluted course. By learning a bit about the market and thinking through the following factors, aspiring New Yorkers can be confident in conducting a strategic search.

Forming the Team:

Thinking through Roommates A large portion of Harvard’s senior class heads to New York City each year—in fact, almost 20% of the Class of 2012 wound up in the Big Apple. The apartment you decide on will depend heavily on whom you choose to live with. Property preferences, size and price can vary tremendously based on the needs of your prospective roommates. Most recent grads, and many young professionals in New York, will choose to live with roommates—not only to share the costs of living but also to have companionship as they acclimate to life in a new city. As you discuss rooming with friends and acquaintances, think about schedule and living habits, just as you would when choosing suitemates at school. Choose roommates who you can trust and depend upon, who have similar preferences for location and apartment style, and who you would be glad to see when you come home from work each day.

Prioritizing Preferences: Considering Apartment Style & Location

Once you know with whom you are going to live, you can begin thinking about your preferences for apartment style and location. Finding the perfect place requires that you closely consider the fundamental differences that define apartment offerings. The menu ranges from doorman buildings with first-class amenities to no-frills walk-ups without laundry rooms or elevators. The allure of an in-house steam room and multiple roof decks may be tempting, but consider that expenses can add up quickly—having extra cash for dinners with friends or late-night cab rides may be more practical. While doorman buildings may feel safer and make package delivery more convenient, walk-ups with a reliable video intercom can be just as secure and can significantly reduce monthly cost. Reflect on your priorities and keep in mind that price will vary depending on the type of building, level of ameni-

ties, and location. Some neighborhoods are more desirable than others, and thus will come with a higher price tag for less space and fewer amenities. Proximity to transportation, shopping, and restaurants also weighs into costs. On Manhattan, the Upper East and Upper West Sides tend to be more affordable, especially as you head farther north. Prices in Battery Park and the Financial District are also cheaper than those in mid- and downtown, and rent can be much more economical in the outer boroughs and in New Jersey. If price is less of a concern and you prioritize living alongside Hollywood stars, then check out SoHo and TriBeca, where you’ll pay more per month, but also have a greater chance of running into Jay-Z at your corner market. You will also need to think about size preferences. Studios are one-room apartments with a full bathroom and kitchen space, alcove studios feature “L-shaped” layouts allowing a separate area for sleeping, and “convertibles” are spaces large enough to be divided into an additional dining or bedroom. Many recent grads do not find themselves in “n+1” residences—rather, the living room is divided into a bedroom and common space, creating what is known as a “flex” apartment. The renters are usually required to upfront the cost of these installations, which can span from $900 to $1500. Where some buildings will allow a floor-to-ceiling pressurized wall to be installed for the duration of the rental, increasingly stringent fire codes are requiring that only “bookshelf ” or “walk-around” walls be installed. These do not reach the ceiling and sometimes do not have a true door, arranging walls so that one overlaps the other. Some will opt out of wall installation and instead use furniture, curtains, or sliding panels to divide the space—this is something to think about as you look at the layout of prospective apartments and determine the privacy you desire for you and your roommates. Beyond bedrooms, consider your kitchen needs and whether you want a dishwasher, the importance of in-house laundry, whether you would want bike storage, and your preferences for closet space, natural lighting and common areas—such as backyard gardens and roof decks. As you evaluate apartments and work with real estate brokers or landlords, knowing your “wish list” will make the selection process much easier.

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Fees and Finances: It’s More than the Monthly Rent Bill

In terms of finances, the first thing to think about is how much you can actually allocate for rent each month. When applying for an apartment, you submit a rental application that includes your offer letter, credit history and bank account summary, allowing landlords to check your reliability for paying the monthly bill. Most New York City landlords require that renters have a combined annual income of at least 45 times the monthly rent. For a $3,000 per month apartment, you and your roommates will have to show a combined annual salary of $135,000. In instances where this is not possible, the applicant can submit paperwork from a guarantor, a relative or friend making at least 80 to 100 times the monthly rent and willing to pay should the renter be unable to do so. Forthcoming payments, however, are not the only financial consideration when selecting an apartment. After deciding to apply for a place, prospective renters will pay a $50-$150 application fee to cover the expense of the credit check and approval process. A deposit is also required, which will be returned if applicants are not approved. If approved, renters advance to the lease-signing stage. “No-fee” listings will not require a broker fee, but this is not the case for many New York City apartments. In instances where a fee is required, renters will pay 8-15% upfront to the real estate agent associated with the listing. Then, a security deposit is required, usually one to two months’ rent, to cover any damage done to the apartment; this deposit is returned when the apartment is vacated. Renters will also be asked to pay upfront the first (and sometimes also the last) month’s rent, to confirm the rental process and receive keys for the listing. After securing the lease, renters will have to think about other monthly fees of renting the apartment. When budgeting, keep in mind the costs of cable, Internet, utilities and renters insurance, as well as how you and your

roommates will divide these costs. While some groups split these expenditures evenly, others will divide depending upon room size, closet space, windows, etc.

Timing and Resources: Planning Ahead

The apartment market in New York City moves quickly—prospective renters often submit applications the day of viewing and can secure a place within one week. Summer can be a particularly high-demand time, as graduates from across the country come to New York to start new jobs. Therefore, timing your search requires some thought. While it is possible to confirm a rental weeks before your job starts, you may snag a more desirable deal if you sign a lease in the spring and then sublet until moving in the fall. The ease of the apartment search will also depend on whether you work with a real estate broker or use online resources to identify individual apartments and view these individually. Agents will listen to your needs and compile a day (or more!) of viewings, helping you consider the various factors and facilitating everything from negotiations to lease signings with landlords. It can be wise, however, to couple these viewings with searches online, using Craigslist, Nofeerentals. com, Nakedapartments.com, and similar resources to vet your choices. Though these details may make the apartment hunt seem daunting, remember that this is an exciting opportunity to think about your housing preferences and take initiative in choosing your place. Once you have the keys to your rental, you will be able to enjoy decorating, finding furniture, and settling into your new neighborhood. Remember that recent grads have already been through this process and can serve as a great resource while you learn more and consider your options. Soon you too will be in the position to provide similar insight to those moving to the city.

Ask an Agent “What are the benefits of working with a real estate agency during the apartment search?”

photo by Claire Leibowicz '16

Moving to New York City can be an exciting process, as well as a somewhat stressful one. When looking at advertising, it seems as though there are quite a number of options on the market at any given time, in every neighborhood and at every price point. Upon further inspection, however, newcomers to the NYC market quickly realize that apartments in the city can be expensive, that ads don’t always reflect what is actually on the market, and that properties rent very quickly, especially in the summer months. Often, when entering this market for the first time, what should be an exciting process turns into a daunting and frustrating one. Connecting with an agent that you trust, who prepares you in advance for what to expect, and whom you can utilize as a resource from start to finish can be extremely helpful; an agent can help you avoid many of the common pitfalls that people experience when moving to New York. Having a relationship with an agent that you like—one who is responsive and on your side—can transform the process and make the experience not only enjoyable, but also productive. It’s not uncommon when working with an agent to find a great new home in a day or two. Thereafter, instead of worrying about getting settled before the first day of work, new graduates can spend time relaxing and enjoying the summer before launching new careers in the fall. An important thing to note is that all agents share information and listings in New York, so if you connect with an agent that you like and trust, that agent can be a single point of contact for you. That way, as you talk through what you are looking for and as they get to know you, they can help you pinpoint spaces that will work best for you. Be honest and let them know what you need as well as what you think about potential options so they can help you as best they can. -Courtney Hopper Vice President, Cooper & Cooper Real Estate

Pickup Tips Professional e

h t r

Networker

"Pickup Artists" and successful networkers have more in common than you think.

by Amy Yin Harvard '14

Picture a beautiful, leather-bound book with gold-edged pages.

There is a delicate red ribbon that keeps your place in this sacred book. Many men swear by it. Others call it The Bible of Dating. Few girls know about the book without which many straight men would never enter the world of dating-The Game: Penetrating the Secret Life of Pickup Artists by New York Times writer Neil Strauss. To be fair, this book has a huge stigma around it because its stereotypical audience is men looking for a formulaic approach to sleeping with women, but I read the book and was able to vastly expand my social skills and confidence level. The Mystery Method was developed by Neil’s friend Mystery, an esteemed pickup artist who, despite his crazy outward appearance and character flaws, is able to successfully woe and bed hundreds of women. Obviously, Mystery’s tips are about sleeping with women, but at the core, these tips are about understanding another human being and connecting with him or her. In a way, you’re aligning your interests with another person, and that’s generalizable beyond sex or dating. With my modifications, these tips can be ways to get an interview or job recommendation or even just build an invaluable business connection. These tips are ways to boost your confidence when meeting new people and make conversation fun, especially at networking events and any other place you might want to meet a new person.

Mystery's Formula, without edits:

A1 - Open A2 - Female-to-Male Interest A3 - Male-to-Female Interest

C1 - Conversation C2 - Connection C3 - Intimacy

Attract A1

S1 - Foreplay S2 - LMR S3 - Sex

Comfort A3

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Seduce A3

Let’s redefine some of the terms to fit our goal before I talk about them in detail.

Attract = Intrigue This word doesn’t have to change. You need to attract or somehow seem interesting to your tar-

get, the potential person you are “approaching.” Obviously, my version of these tips is applicable to any gender, so replace “Male” with “approacher” and “Female” with “POI" (person of interest). I'm going to make the POI a "he" to simplify my use of pronouns, but again, these tips are meant for both genders.

Comfort = Trust Perhaps comfort isn’t the best term to use when talking about someone with whom you want to maintain a professional relationship, so let’s call this trust. You want this person to think that you’re amazing and would champion for you if you applied for a job or submitted your resume to his company. C2, Connection, translates directly to the networking process but C3, Intimacy, should not--take intimacy to mean that your POI knows who you are and what you can do well enough to be your supporter.

Seduce = Land Let’s say land, as in land that interview, or secure that job referral. This is the stage where you accomplish what you set out to do when meeting this person. Replace what the Mystery Method refers to as “sex” in S3 with what your goal is. LMR (Last Minute Resistance) can be thought of as hesitation or doubt about whether or not you are as great to the POI as you have presented yourself. Before you approach anyone, you yourself need to figure out what you’re trying to gain before trying any of these tips on your POI and why you think you are great!

Step One: INTRIGUE Opening In the Mystery Method, stage one is opening. Ap-

proach from a 45 to 90 degree angle to your POI. This may sound silly, but you will be far less intimidating than if you just walk right up to him. It makes the encounter seem more casual and social instead of too eager or business-driven. Remember, the more important or senior the person is, the more likely that he will be easily bored and overly accustomed to young people approaching him for business-related inquiries. To make the encounter go smoothly, rehearse some non-standard openers. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked, “So what was your major? What year did you graduate? What are you doing?” First of all, you have to be way more subtle than that--don’t make your POI feel like you’re trying to gain something from his network. Make him feel like he has something to gain from you, even if it’s just a great conversation. Nice openers can be timely e.g. “Did you see that car crash on the way over here?” or something that asks them of their opinion (remember, people love to talk about themselves or their opinions!) such as, “What did you think of the recent XYZ?” Then, try to create an artificial time limit. As a junior person, you risk making your POI uncomfortable. You don’t want him wondering how long you are going to talk before he can gracefully excuse himself ! Do your opener and then say something along the lines of "I have to meet a friend in five minutes but I overheard you talking about company XYZ…." or "Sorry to interrupt, but I was on my way to pick up my order and I noticed ____" Neil Strauss, the author, uses this technique to great success because it lowers the expectations of the POI, forces you to make a meaningful impression quickly, and allows both parties to decide, with limited opportunity cost, whether to continue the conversation or not. To be clear, you don’t always have to set a time limit, and even if you

do, you can talk for longer than you say you will (but be careful to observe the POI’s interest levels).

Generate Interest Your quick opener was your hook--this next step is your thesis. What about you is interesting or exciting? Get him to think you are exceptional-you need to figure out what about you can positively benefit your POI and that will be guaranteed to leave an impression. Keep in mind that, while you may be talking about yourself or demonstrating your skills (e.g. personality prediction, travel stories from a region you know and your POI is curious about), the conversation is secretly all about them. Don’t talk about what you want--talk about what they want. You need to figure out what they care about, whether it’s to know more about wine, or to recruit top talent at his friend’s firm, or maybe even to mentor a budding entrepreneur, and play that angle. Build a connection This is the last step of Intrigue, before you move to trust building. Now that you have your target interested in you, you need to show them you are genuinely interested in them. Make them feel special, like they have earned it, because no one likes to feel like they sold themselves cheap. Compliments at this stage could come off as too eager, but assess on a case-by-case basis. Remember, “flattery is telling the other person exactly what he thinks of himself ” (quoted from Dale Carnegie) so appreciate something about the other person that is sincere. In general, if you’re approaching someone who has something you want, you don’t necessarily want to come out and say that you want an interview or say that you want their referral. You might demonstrate interest in the fact that they have great people skills and it’s something that you observed in them and would love to improve in yourself. You might mention how well your personal stock portfolio is doing (assuming you want a recommendation for a job in finance) and that you are actively looking for jobs at great companies such as your POI's. Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Step Two: TRUST The next phase is what Mystery considers the “bulk” of the pickup. This is where you build your POI’s trust--you should be emailing, setting up phone calls or coffee dates. The Mystery Method breaks Comfort into three parts, C1, C2 and C3 to distinguish the locations, but I dismiss those since the “seduction” location is somewhat irrelevant for networking. Let’s say your goal is to score an internship or job shadow from a consultant you met at an event. If you show your potential and your talent, your POI will want to mentor you. If he doesn’t see it, then maybe he doesn’t have the right skills to help you go where you want to go anyway, and you are better off looking elsewhere for advice. After you have gone through the phases of Intrigue, you’ll enter C1, the first stage of trust building. You could talk about a club that you are both interested in, for example, Women in Business, and about the great upcoming events. You might even, for example, invite him to be a speaker at the event if he is interested in talking to undergrads. The one thing that i highly recommend you to NOT do is ask for mentorship--as Oprah once said "I mentor when I see something and say, 'I want to see that grow.'” (Quoted in Lean In.) C2 should be in a different location than where you first met your POI. This could be over email, the phone, etc. If you are inviting your POI to be a speaker, you can demonstrate your communication, thinking, and organization skills by making yourself the main point of contact between your organization and him. If you’re asking for resume revision or interview prep, then make sure you prepare ahead of time and never waste your POI’s time. Be punctual, polite, and very considerate of his time--he is doing you a favor, and while excessive thank you’s are unnecessary, gratitude is not. Follow up your phone calls with thoughtful notes about how a certain suggestion helped you in a specific way or how you will make certain behavior changes based on something your POI did. Remember, if your POI is taking the time to be your mentor, then he wants something in return. That something could be personal impact or recruiting-related, but no matter the reason, make sure you give your POI some sort of metrics by which he can judge himself. If he spends an hour of his time coaching you on interview prep and never hears back from you, then he will never know if his time was well spent. Similarly, if he reviews your resume and you get the job you were applying for, send him a note saying so (even if it’s not his company). If you frame yourself as a bright, thoughtful person who is genuinely interested in what your POI does, then your POI is more likely than not to help. Even if you don’t end up in your POI’s field, if you enjoyed talking to that person, stay in touch! Use LinkedIn, Twitter, email, or whatever you feel is appropriate. You never know where your career could take you--you two could very well end up working together in the future.

Z If you show your potential and your talent, your POI will want to mentor you. Step Three: LAND

Now comes the end game. Landing your goal. You’ve done all the work and now is when you ask for the internship or request a letter of recommendation. The three steps in “Seduce” are arousal, last-minute resistance and sex, but in this more professional setting, you can be straightforward and explicit about what you want. Since you’ve already built a rapport with your POI, you should have no trouble asking him to back your candidacy when you apply for a job or to do a job shadow. At this point, you’ve earned it! A few notes on courtesy: For banks and consulting, it’s usually neither necessary nor appropriate to explicitly ask your POI to select your resume for interview. If your POI thinks you are good and you meet his firm’s qualifications, then it should happen naturally behind the scenes. If it’s not for on-campus recruiting, then you might want to ask for a referral. At many firms, referrals actually lead to cash bonuses for the the referrer, so if you feel like you could be a good fit for your POI’s firm and you believe he has confidence in your success, ask in writing. Over phone or in person can be awkward. Email gives your POI a chance to think it over. Then, make sure you ask in a way that allows your POI to politely excuse himself. Phrases such as “Do you feel like you know my work well enough to write a strong letter or recommendation?” or “Do you feel as if you could give me a referral?” are much preferred to “Could you write a reference letter for me?” or “Would you please refer me?” That way, if your POI agrees, then you know he will enthusiastically write about you (or decline, saving you a potentially mediocre or bad recommendation). Finally, know that you won’t land every goal or make a connection with every person, and that’s okay! The worst that could happen is someone turns you down. A bruised ego is less expensive than a lost opportunity, so put yourself out there and make some meaningful relationships!

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Practice Makes

Perfect

Business etiquette may be a soft skill, but Jacqueline Whitmore proves that a solid understanding of behavioral protocol is the key to professional success.

photo by Heidi Lim Harvard University â&#x20AC;&#x2122;14

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

by Gretchen Krupp

Harvard University â&#x20AC;&#x2122;15

Jacqueline Whitmore, who markets herself as “a foremost authority on business etiquette and protocol,” is the founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach in Florida. She also authored Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work (St. Martin’s Press, Nov. 2011) and recently, Poised for Success (St. Martin’s Press, 2005). Whitmore has been featured in numerous national and international publications. Additionally, she works as a corporate spokesperson and professional speaker. Here, she weighs in on her own entrepreneurial success and the importance of etiquette in business today.

MIH: Thank you for taking the time to speak

with us, Ms. Whitmore. You have grown an empire based on the value and profitability of business etiquette. What is it that makes business etiquette so important?

JW: Business etiquette is a soft skill that

cannot necessarily be taught in schools. It’s acquired over time with experience. You can teach technical skills, but they can only get you so far. The people who really excel in business have the greatest people skills. Business etiquette [skills are] people skills. It is how you make people feel important.

photo: Kristy Furg

“Never stop learning; school is never out.” MIH: What’s the most common misconception about business etiquette?

JW: One of the most common misconcep-

tions about business etiquette is that most people think that it’s pretentious, stuffy, and artificial, and that if you focus on etiquette, you’re not being genuine. Etiquette is [the ability to know] how to treat other people. It’s not about white gloves and fancy tea parties. It’s about being mindful, careful about how you treat others. It’s how you send an e-mail or write a thank-you note to someone who refers business to you. It’s

how you interact with teammates. It’s being able to communicate with anyone at any level, both easily and comfortably.

MIH: Through your books, seminars, and other products, you have managed to brand yourself as “a foremost authority on business etiquette and protocol.” What advice would you give young women with entrepreneurial ambitions?

JW: I think you have to have passion for what you do. You have to do what you love. Fall 2013 | Make It Happen 57

I think persistence is the most important thing. Your success is ongoing, but it may take a while to get there. Seek advice from people who are smarter than you. Surround yourself with mentors. Never stop learning. School is never out. What I mean is that you should do whatever it takes to do well in your business. Don’t hesitate to expand your education and take courses. Also, never stop networking because you never know whom you will meet along those networking pathways or who will get you to where you want to go. That means joining clubs and organizations and staying in touch with the people you’ve met. Because in the end it’s not what you know but who you know that’s going to help you achieve that success. Don’t get me wrong; what you know is important. But in the end it’s most important who you know and who knows you.

business. I ended up going to her school in Washington and took a course in etiquette and protocol. After that, I started teaching on the side. Then, in 1988, I decided to start my own business and founded The Protocol School of Palm Beach. Over time I started getting telephone calls from universities asking me to come speak.

“If you really have a dream in life, you should work it in.”

JW: I was working in public relations for

a major hotel, The Breakers, in Palm Beach and I took an etiquette course while working there. The instructor saw a lot of potential in me and suggested I start my own

MIH: If you could give young women start-

ing their careers one piece of advice, what would it be?

JW: I would say just do it, because you’ll never know unless you try. And so many

MIH: Have you had any experiences that people say they’ll do it after they finish especially impacted your career path or that taught you something important?

MIH: How did you become an etiquette ex- JW: I was really wrapped up in starting pert?

I didn’t go to the doctor for four years and then found out that I had cervical cancer. Luckily, I found out in the early stages. But it definitely taught me to take time to stop and to take better care of myself. For me it wasn’t too late, but for some people it is. Don’t forget to play. Don’t forget to laugh. You can still fulfill your dreams and passions, but you can’t have any if don’t have your health. It may sound trite to someone young just starting off, but health it the most important thing that you have.

my own business for so long that I forgot about taking care of myself. With business, family, and school, I think sometimes we forget to take care of what’s most important – us. There was a period of time when I forgot and I ended up getting very sick.

school, or when they’re married, or when the kids are grown. If you really have a dream in life, you should work it in. I tell students go ahead and start now, don’t wait until you graduate. Get your ducks in a row. Get organized. There’s a lot of free help out there, a lot of good resources. All that’s holding you back are themselves and their own mental barriers.

a message from the IBC team About The

Campus Ambassador Leadership Program This year, HUWIB has revamped its previous Campus Ambassador program to allow for greater ownership and involvement from its Ambassadors. The revitalized, yearlong Campus Ambassador Leadership Program is personal and professional leadership development program for young women all over the world. One of the primary responsibilities of our Campus Ambassadors is to recruit as many girls as possible from their schools to attend IBC. Marketing the convention thoroughly is key to making the conference a success. Our Ambassadors develop creative campaigns that utilize social media, email, and wordof-mouth. Another aspect of the program is the Leading Ladies Blog. Campus Ambassadors write bimonthly posts ranging from

business op-eds to event summaries. The most engaging, thoughtful posts will be published in HUWIB's premiere Make it Happen Magazine. Finally, Ambassadors are required to plan and execute at least two events, one during the year for the women at their schools to encourage leadership development and engage with business ideas, and another during WIB Weekend, which will be a collaboration with other Campus Ambassadors. These events will bolster the enthusiasm and excitement for IBC throughout the year as well as engage young women internationally with issues currently being combatted in the business world. Examples of campus events include company visits, panels, and dinners with local business professionals and professors.

Jacqueline Whitmore’s

Tips for Professional Poise

Write thank-you notes by hand. Sending a handwritten note ensures that your gratitude will be noticed and remembered. It also shows more effort and consideration than an e-mail or other form of communication. “Whenever someone gives you their time, advice, or a helping hand, that’s reason enough to express your gratitude.” Send thank you notes for intangible things in addition to physical gifts, because showing appreciation for others help in growing your business or career. It can help ensure that someone will be willing to assist again in the future.

from her book, Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work

When considering how to dress, focus on quality instead of quantity. “Wear clothing that reflects the level you wish to achieve rather than the level on which you’re currently working.” How you dress can be an indicator of your potential.

As Whitman writes, “Follow-up is paramount if you want to foster long-lasting relationships with new friends, colleagues, clients, and customers.” She suggests, “Stay in touch by sending notes, e-mails, and news clippings.”

Pay attention to your appearance.

Learn names.

Use tricks like repetition or association to help you remember. If you miss a person’s name when you are first introduced, ask her to repeat her name or to spell it for you. Once you learn names, use them. Whitman explains, “When people hear their name, it makes them feel closer and more connected to the person uttering it.” Knowing names shows that you care about the person you are addressing.

Maintain your network.

E-mail etiquette matters.

Whitman suggests, “Treat your e-mail as you would a business letter.” Reread e-mails for errors before you send them. Handle emotional situations in person, not by e-mail, because emotion can be hard to gauge online. With the centrality of e-mail in business today, professional and thoughtful correspondence is key.

Gender-specific rules no longer apply.

Unless your boss tells you otherwise, customs like gentlemen holding chairs or doors for ladies should not be followed in the business arena. “At business meals, it is not necessary for a man to pull out a woman’s chair or stand when a woman approaches or leaves the table during a meal… Today, whoever reaches the door first, regardless of gender, should open it for the other person.”

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Tina Brown has a résumé that reads

like a list of the World's Best-Known Magazines:

Vanity Fair, Newsweek, The Daily Beast.

Here's What got her there, and what keeps her going.

asking the right

Questions

interview by Sadie McQuilkin Harvard University '16

You’ve worked in publishing since the beginning of your career. When and how did you first become interested in that industry and did you consider alternative paths?

I was much more interested in becoming a playwright and producer when I was little in the’70s. I never thought that I would end up in journalism, as a matter of fact. It was really by accident that I got into journalism. One of my friends was editing a magazine at Oxford [University] called the Isis. She kind of got me involved, asking me to do things, one of which was contributing to a series called “Oxford Superman,” where you had to go and interview a man or woman from Oxford who you admired. So I wrote about Auberon Waugh who was always writing wonderful pieces and commentary. I got the interview and went to meet him and then he invited me to something called the Private Eye lunch. Private Eye was a kind of satirical magazine, and every other Wednesday they’d have a lunch where they’d invite politicians and journalists and he invited me as his guest. I wrote it up for the Isis, and I have to say it was a very funny piece—very irreverent. In fact, I made fun of all these guys at lunch the way they made fun of other people. It was much liked by everyone at the lunch, and they sent it around to other people. One of the

editors they sent it to liked it so much that he invited me to write for his literary magazine, The New Statesman, where I became their Oxford correspondent, writing occasional pieces. Eventually I’d move into editing, but [getting into journalism] was really happenstance and it just shows that life sometimes takes very strange turns. My father was a movie producer so I thought I’d be in the dramatic arts, not in editing. But editing and producing are very similar; they’re really all about the same thing. It’s about judging material, it’s about assembling a team, and it’s about getting people to do the things you want them to do creatively. So editors and producers are very similar in what they do.

You mentioned a few skills that work in both industries. What skills would you say are most important in your career? I often used to say, “If you don’t have a budget, get yourself a point of view.” As an editor, it’s a question of what your point of view is and what you are looking for—what you can see and say. Being very curious is a very important skill for an editor. The best stories comes from reading something somewhere else and being left curious, you know you read a story and you think I wonder what really happened there. [It’s important to have] an instinct for the

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

“Being able to persuade people to say yes is a skill you can take with you wherever you go.” untold story that you’re reading. Usually I like posing questions when I’ve read something that makes me curious, makes me want to know more. Those are the best kinds of stories because they develop into something that other people are thinking too. The question is: do you have an instinct for stories that interest other people? I only ever assign stories that interest me. I always need to satisfy my own curiosity about something and wanting to know more.

How do you stay innovative in your field? Between seeing Newsweek going exclusively online and creating The Daily Beast, how have you worked with those changes? I was very excited about going digital, because I wanted to bring the design flair and visual glamour of magazines to mix it with news and digital technology. When I started The Daily Beast there really wasn’t anything online that had any visual appeal. You know I wanted to do something that looked good, and felt good, and felt upscale in its presentation, but at the same time having that fast-energy news that you can only get from being 24/7. So The Daily Beast is I think one of the best designed sites on the web and it’s won awards and accolades, it has simplicity, navigability, and visual glamour that you don’t see on any other news site. Most news sites are very functional-looking.

The Cheat Sheet, which features prominently on The Daily Beast Website, gives readers quick access to the most important news stories of the day. How did you come up with that idea? Again, I was following my own instincts for what I want. I usually feel drowned or inundated with too much information, and what I’m looking for are ten stories that I should read or know about at any given time with a kind of direction of how I should be thinking about them. The Daily Beast really appeals to people who are informed and sophisticated about news, but who are looking for the best story about Afghanistan, the most interesting story about the Anthony Weiner affair. With the Cheat Sheet, some-

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

one has given you a very curated sense of what they should think because I don’t have time to read 25 stories on these topics and most people don’t either.

More generally, what advice would you have for young women who aspire to leadership positions in journalism and also in business in general? I’m very much in favor of starting something and somewhere small. There’s a lot of emphasis on interning at [large companies like] Goldman Sachs. I think those jobs are dead. You really want to go somewhere which is small—maybe under 12 people in the office—where it’s just you and a small group trying to do something together as a team, because that way you learn all of the different skills that are there. I learned everything [at Tatler magazine], which had a staff of 12 at the time; I learned how to do captions, I learned how to get people to do things for nothing, I learned to edit pictures, get photographers to take pictures for very little money. Being able to persuade people to say yes is a skill you can take with you wherever you go, whether it’s a deal you want to close, or a person you want to hire, or a project you want to get done, or operating on a small budget (which is every more important nowadays, getting things done inexpensively). All of those things are incredibly important skills to have wherever you’re going to go, and they’re all going to be prized wherever you go. It also allows you to have the responsibility for something where it’s you who has to turn it in and be the judge of whether you’ve failed or not. If you go and hide yourself in a big company, nobody can really know if you’ve succeeded or failed because you’re being carried along by this big organization, which doesn’t really notice whether you’ve succeeded or failed until you are just a mediocre performer. Being judged on whether you fail or not is very important, as is finding someone who you can emulate. There’s a lot of talk about mentors at the moment, but being mentored could even just be told that you’re doing it wrong. It’s a good idea to find someone who is willing to tell you when you’re doing it wrong as well as encouraging you when you’re doing it right.

How would you define success, or in your words, “doing it right,” both in your own career and in general? Most important is personal satisfaction. People overestimate someone else’s view of success. Some people lead very successful lives—not based on someone else’s metric, but in ways that are personally extremely rewarding. Real success is finding something to do that is both personally rewarding and that pays enough of a salary that you can continue to do it. But if you can’t, obviously you need to find something else in your life to make that up. Secondly, stretching and growing—that’s success. Being able to see yourself growing, looking back three years in and thinking, “Wow, I could not have done this three years ago.” That’s success.

What would you say your proudest moment in your career has been? I’ve had a lot of satisfaction from every damn thing that I’ve done. I’m very proud of The Daily Beast, because I think that to go from print to digital and have something that was immediately successful has been terrific. We had instant traffic success and acclaim for The Beast. We were Best News Site [at the Webby Awards] two years in a row, beating out the New York Times, the Guardian, and NPR, which is terrifically exciting. I was very proud of what I did at the New Yorker. I felt that I really helped to save that magazine at a point when it was in great peril. By restarting it, finding the most wonderful writers like Malcolm Gladwell—many of the great writers that I brought on really made that magazine a success. Vanity Fair was also hugely important to me, in the sense that it was a turnaround that created a brand from scratch really that hadn’t been there before and has lived on to become a big, successful, and important magazine in the culture. So I’ve had a lot of moments of great pride. But I also take pride in the things that haven’t worked—Talk magazine didn’t work, but I was extremely proud of it; it was a very good magazine. I’ve always loved what I’ve done. I am very lucky being able to be so fulfilled in a sense in my career.

So, you’ve done a lot-most recently being in charge of Newsweek and the Daily Beast at once. How do you balance all of it? Newsweek we took digital and it is going to be sold, which is good for it because when it went digital we made it viable. It’s been a lot to manage, but I like having a full plate. I find it exciting, and if I didn’t have it I would immediately take on something else. I just love working hard, I love it. My work is my treasure, so I will always be somebody who does too much I guess by someone else’s criteria.

Do you have a favorite part of your job? I just love hanging out with writers; my favorite part of my job is talking to writers about their stories. I love talking about their stories, spending time with them, helping them make their stories better. You know, discussing their stories with them as they go through them. But even though I do much more managerial things at this point in my career, I still maintain very close contact with the writers and always want to know how they’re doing.

Do you think that women and men have different experiences working in your industry and in business in general? I created the Women in the World Summit to promote the stories of women who are not easily heard. Nowadays there are a tremendous num-

ber of opportunities for women in business today. I think there tends to be less support for women in general when things don’t go right. When men fail at jobs, there’s always a huge network of other people helping them out and placing them somewhere else, but I notice when my women friends lose their jobs there is far less of a network working for them. Women have to work much harder at creating their own professional networks so that when things don’t go right they have the same kind of support system that men have when they fail.

do Women in the World, which is now a hugely successful global network of women that is growing by the minute and creating a very big energy. I think that we’re on the tipping point right now of global women’s rights, which interests me a lot and I’ve become more and more engaged in as time’s gone on and I’ve reached this point in my career. [Editor’s note: At press time, Brown had just announced her intention to step down from her role as editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast and Newsweek to focus her attention full-time on Women in the World and her new company, Tina Brown Live Media.]

Have you had any personal experiences where you have How do you see Women in the World expanding, growing, found that your gender has influenced the career path and improving in the future? that you have taken? We are taking it internationally in a very big way—we took it to Um, I think women very often find themselves-taunted and they’re not sure why. You feel that you’re not getting traction in a certain area, and it’s not so much that someone is deliberately saying to you that you can’t do this because you’re a woman in any way, but there’s kind of a complicity between the men making the decisions in the company, which means that somehow you don’t get the same traction on the issue that men do. But most of the time I have surged ahead and not really thought about it. My outlet has been to

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

Brazil, where we did a mini-summit, and we’re going to be doing it in India and Turkey, too. We’re also expanding nationally; we’re going to Texas next year. There’s a great energy around Women in the World and I think it can become even more of a global forum than it is now. We have the temporal summit in Lincoln Center in April, but I think we can definitely expand the movement of it in smaller but very intense ways in other markets, which is very exciting.

What is your opinion on Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In movement? She’s done a great job of kick-starting a conversation and game that has been lagging. I tend to think that it’s somewhat simplified since the ability to lean in is economic. You can’t be promoted and take on additional hours and responsibility if you don’t have the childcare taken care of. I think there’s a little bit of a lack of emphasis on the need for economic empowerment that goes with it, because otherwise you can’t raise your hand to promotion. You know, it’s fine if you have a bunch of domestic help at home, as the author does, but it’s difficult if you don’t. So I think she’s done a good job of kick-starting the conversation and I’m very glad it’s brought the focus back to the need to get women out there.

There’s been a lot of conversation about women “having it all.” What does that mean to you and do you think it’s possible? No. I have two children myself, and I think women should much more focus on having sequential success. It’s very difficult to have it all unless you are economically very well off. And even then it’s very, very difficult. I could not have done what I did in my career with my two children if my mother had not come and taken the apartment across the landing from me in New York. She was a tremendous support when my kids were young, and I don’t know if I would have been able to do the amount that I did when I did it if she hadn’t been there to step in and help me. All kinds of things happen when you’re raising kids and have a job. You could be heading out the door and you get a call saying the babysitter isn’t coming, and your whole world collapses because obviously you’re not going to leave your child without anybody there. It can be very difficult, so having my mother around was the most enormous help to me. And I think women need to think very hard about what their support is going to be if they’re going to try to do everything at once, because without it, you’re just going to live in chaos.

Could you describe a typical day in your life? Obviously it’s different when you have young children, since when I was younger everything would be about getting my kids up in the morning and rushing off. Rushing, rushing, rushing all the time. Now that they’re older, I love being able to spend more time with my husband [Sir Harold Evans]. The great thing about having a good marriage, which I’m lucky enough to have, is that when the kids are off hand you get to refocus on your marriage. As soon as I get up, I work out at about 5:45 and then when I’m done, my husband and I go off to the diner on the corner and get breakfast, read the paper, look at the news online, and chat and discuss it all for the next hour and a half. I send all my emails to the newsroom and I tweet. The morning is enormously great—I love it. Then I head into work, and I spend the whole day at work. Very often I start very early, like this morning I was on Morning Joe so I was up at 4 a.m. to go off to the studio. I did that broadcast, and then I met my husband for breakfast and my day began.

“Real success is finding something to do that is both personally rewarding and that pays enough of a salary that you can continue to do it.” Once your day beings at the office, what sort of course does it take? This morning after breakfast, I interviewed somebody for a job and had a very interesting hour with him, then I’m going to another meeting, then another meeting, then having lunch with somebody about joining us, and spending the afternoon again probably looking at the digital app of the Weekend Beast which is being done right now, then discussing the next Women in the World summit taking place next year, thinking about who we should be going after, which we have to start now. So it’s a very mixed and interesting day, and then tonight I’ll probably go to a movie screening. So my day is long, but on the weekend I have what I like to call “sleepwalking,” where I sleep for hours—I just collapse.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? I have to be told to slow down all the time, because I tend to want to do everything at once, I’m the ultimate impatient person. Anyone who tells me to stand back and re-think is very useful to me because I do things too quickly. I tend to respond too fast. The best advice I ever get is—don’t do that, don’t send that e-mail, think about it again, spend another day and a half thinking about it. Every time I take a step back and think about it, it’s always been a big help. Nowadays, everyone is being told to respond quickly, and sometimes I think it is an enormous mistake to respond too quickly. Your reactions or your judgment can be off. You have to think about things that are important before you respond.

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Make It Happen | Fall 2013

the business of

making music Wu Han has made her passion for chamber music into an illustrious career. Here's how. By Claire Leibowicz

Harvard University '16

he first time I arrived at 66th and Broadway in New York City, the home of Lincoln Center, I was awed by the iconic elements of this cultural stronghold: the fountain, the Metropolitan Opera House’s majestic chandelier, The Julliard School. A bastion of the arts, Lincoln Center has this breathtaking effect on countless tourists, musicians, dancers, fine artists, and New Yorkers every day. For two years during high school, I was lucky enough to take in this location weekly, as a Student Producer at The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS). And while I thought it was the location that would leave the greatest mark on me, the fountain and chandelier have given way in my memory to the moments I spent interacting with the people I met at CMS, particularly its Artistic Co-Director, Wu Han. Before ever coming face-to-face with Han, I already knew she was an incredible woman. I had seen her perform in her trademark colorful outfits that stood out from the typical subdued concert attire and backdrop of Alice Tully Hall, captivating audiences with her skills as a pianist. Upon meeting Han, it was clear that this vivacious personality that comes through as she performs as a pianist manifests itself even more intensely in person. As both a world-renowned pianist and business leader, Han is even more impressive than the sites of Lincoln Center itself. Han was born in Taiwan and began studying music at the age of nine. Despite receiving acclaim only years after she began studying piano, she did not always know that she wanted to be a classical musician. When she was very young, her mother worked for a newspaper and she thought she would like to pursue journalism. It was only a few years after she began playing piano and went on her first concert tour that she knew she wanted to pursue classical music performance, a job she now considers to be “the best in the world.”

Throughout her career in performance, Han has performed at some of the world’s leading concert venues, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City, Wigmore Hall in London, and at countless music festivals around the world. She frequently performs with her husband, cellist David Finckel, with whom she shares the responsibilities of Artistic Director at The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. In 2012, the duo was named Musical America’s Musicians of the Year. Beyond Han’s role as a concert performer, she has expanded into the realms of arts administration, recording labels, music festivals, and other aspects of cultural entrepreneurship. It was after having her now 19-year-old daughter Lilian that Han was compelled to move beyond concert performance and into these entrepreneurial ventures. In regard to her motivation for her business mindset, Han explained, “All musicians carry the responsibility to propel the art form forward, and I was so in love with this idea of promoting chamber music and making sure that the art form flourishes.” With this

mentality, Han went on to devote much of her time to transforming her artistic medium. What was originally an artistic calling became an influential business venture for the acclaimed pianist. Han’s first foray into the business side of music began with her husband in 1997, when they created a recording label called ArtistLed. She developed the idea for an online recording label out of the desire to have total control over her projects; with people she was familiar with aiding the production process. “It was out of a pure calling to make the best recording possible that ArtistLed began, and I now get to take ownership of my playing and be my own boss,” Han explained of the label. In regard to how her role as a professional musician helps her navigate the business world, Han explained that being an expert in your field is incredibly important when starting out in any business. “Because I am an expert on chamber music repertoire, I can speak with authority and spread ideas on behalf of the musicians because I understand what it is like to be a performing artist. I understand the

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

musician’s point of view,” Han remarked. With her understanding of what it is like to perform, Han can bring this knowledge to her business ventures, optimizing elements as mundane as performance lighting and recording environments for performers she works with. And on the other side of things, Han’s business skills can help her as a performer. When she is playing piano, Han understands the subtle production elements involved in her performances. She can appreciate the details of a performance much more than someone who is not involved in both aspects of the arts. Aside from spearheading ArtistLed and directing CMS, Han and Finckel also run Music@Menlo, a summer music festival in Silicon Valley. The summer music festival launched in 2003, and Han cited the entrepreneurial spirit of the Bay Area as what drew her to the location. She wanted to devote some of her time to arts education, and the summer was the only time that fit into her schedule. “I had a vision of what a great summer festival should be, with the best concerts, educators that are engaged, an international following, and a recording label and engineer with the best performances.” At the time, Han sought “rich soil to plant the idea” of her ideal music festival, and Silicon Valley was just going through its first bubble. According to Han, the people in the Bay Area are incredibly intelligent and intense, and this provided the perfect environment for her summer music festival. Before beginning Music@Menlo, many critics were skeptical that classical music— and chamber music in particular—would

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be well received by today’s generation. However, as Han explained, it is “totally false that people do not like classical music. Chamber music is sophisticated, complicated, and what you put into it can help you get so much out of it. I don’t believe in the misunderstanding that chamber music is a dying art form.” Han is clearly right, as Music@Menlo reached 95 percent capacity in its first year and is still running annually as one of the most acclaimed chamber music festivals in the world.

“We need more female voices in leadership positions in the art world.” However, Han did agree that one of the most difficult parts of her many roles is challenging people’s perceptions about what classical music is. While many still refuse chamber music’s lasting power, Han rejected this notion as both “shallow and untrue.” She explained, “I see young people when I travel around the country; I see all the music lovers listening to the greats like Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, so I find statements like these ridiculous, as do all of those who have loved music, have been touched by music. These are the people that need to come out to prove these misconceptions wrong, by saying that we love

[chamber music]. We are a new generation, and we are unapologetic about our art form. Use the power of music to present what it stands for. That’s the trick.” Han’s innovative career and successes have not come without challenges. As a woman, she acknowledges that it can be difficult to balance being a mother and having a career. In reference to this topic, Han suggested, “Women will always struggle with time management. We are expected in our generation to not only fulfill family duties, but also to make money and have a career, and this is a very hard task.” She remembered traveling with her daughter Lilian when she was very young and playing concerts with her backstage, attempting to master her craft while raising a daughter. While this is something Han feels the current generation will continue to struggle with, she believes all women have to learn that nobody can be perfect, to prioritize what is most important to them as women, and seek a balanced approach to life. “What makes this so difficult—work/life balance—is that it is so new and nobody taught us how to handle it when we were younger.” In terms of her advice for young women seeking a career in the arts and business, Han feels that arts administration is a fantastic career for a woman. The work hours are flexible, it is detail-oriented, and allows for the opportunity to bring family to events where they can listen to great music and travel readily. “If anybody has any artistic calling, whether it is to be a musician or a painter, she should pursue it. We need more female voices in leadership positions in the art world. Do not give up having a family or career if that is what you want, and do not be afraid to ask for help from other women, family, and others. And most importantly, have a good sense of humor.” From leadership roles at ArtistLed, Music@Menlo, and CMS to professional concert performances and even motherhood, Han has achieved her goal of propelling her art form forward. With her home at Lincoln Center—a venue that epitomizes the power of music—it is fitting that Han is such a powerful woman. Whether you are a young woman unsure whether to pursue the arts or already confident in your career choice, Han offered some guiding advice: “Don’t wait for anybody to tell you that it’s not possible.” Now that’s advice that resonates beyond 66th and Broadway.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;do not be afraid to ask for help from other women, family, and others.â&#x20AC;? Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

working at the intersection of

Music o Marketing an interview with Lauren Bailey by Claire Leibowicz

Harvard University '16

ach spring, the Harvard Crimson publishes its annual survey of the graduating class, noting the class of 2013’s job decisions. In doing so, they decided to create separate categories for arts/media and business careers. This prompts the question: is it not possible to combine elements of both of these vocational paths after getting an undergraduate degree? Lauren Bailey, the Director of Marketing and Communications for The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in New York City, has managed to combine her interest in music with a career in the business world through her role at Lincoln Center. Her work serves as proof that business and arts careers most certainly are not mutually exclusive. Bailey entered college knowing she wanted to major in music, but she was confident that she wouldn’t seek a career in the performing arts. However, she wasn’t quite sure about how exactly she wanted to incorporate music into her career until she started working at her university’s center for the performing arts her freshman year of college. There, she began house managing, working in the box office, and then ultimately completing her summer internships as a marketing assistant there. Reflecting on these experiences, Bailey explains, “This start made me really passionate about arts administration.” Before she began at The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Bailey opened her career in arts administration as a booking assistant at a classical music booking and management agency called International Creative Management (now Opus 3 Artists). It was here that she was able to realize that her true interests lay on the presenting side of arts administration. While she learned that booking assistant would not be a role in which she wanted to continue for long, she feels that her time at the booking agency was still invaluable, in that it helped her learn about managing and servicing artists. After this, she sought a job in marketing at Columbia University’s Miller Theatre where she was able to hone her creative skills. These experiences ultimately brought her to Lincoln Center, a job that had become “a dream” for Bailey after perform-

ing there with her high school choir. The fact that chamber music is her favorite genre of classical music, though, is what really drew Bailey to The Chamber Music Society. “I had been to many of their performances in the past, and the idea of working for such a historic and renowned organization was both exciting and thrilling,” Bailey recalls. While Bailey’s career choice shows that it’s possible to combine one’s interests in the arts and business, it’s also important to not underestimate the value of a very strong artistic background when entering the business side of things. Bailey believes that those with a strong artistic background will likely be more passionate about their projects when presenting them from the business angle. As Bailey suggests, “I am a better marketer because I love and understand my product in a personal and intimate way.” This artistic background also serves as preparation to tackle the various roles an arts administrator may have to play. Bailey explains that there is no typical day at The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. At any given moment, she can find herself working on sales analysis, reviewing mock-ups and proofs of print pieces, selecting the best mailing lists for direct mail campaigns, writing copy for e-newsletters, planning budgets for seasons, working on advertising campaigns for live-streamed events, and more. But in response to this seemingly crazy work life, Bailey remarks, “That’s one of my favorite parts of the job—it never gets boring; there is always something more you can do to further the brand.” While she has not felt that she has experienced any unique challenges as a woman working in arts administration in the city, Baily suggests that young women looking to enter the business and music world should spend some time thinking about which elements of each field excite them. “Find what you are passionate about within the music business and use your business skills to take it to the next level.”

“I am a better marketer because I love and understand my product in a personal and intimate way.”

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empowering

{ tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leaders }

y interview by y

y photos and additional information courtesy of y

ishani premaratne Harvard University '15

strong women, strong girls

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

As the new president of Boston-based nonprofit Strong Women Strong Girls, Haviva Kohl has made it her mission to build up the next generation of successful young women through mentorship and education.

a brief introduction to...

Strong Women, Strong Girls (SWSG)

is a nationally recognized not-for-profit

organization that is dedicated to raising the aspirations and self-esteem of pre-adolescent girls. The program connects girls with undergraduate college women and puts them on the path to future life success.

programming y Provides free, weekly group mentoring sessions to low-income pre-adolescent girls in urban areas y Engages, trains, and supports undergraduate college women to serve as mentors y Fosters leadership skills, a sense of female community, and a commitment to service

y Focused on building relationships, role modeling, and skill building

y 90 minute mentoring sessions; 4/1 girl to mentor ratio; 10-12 girls per group

Make It Happen | Fall 2013

y College mentors have the opportunity to be mentored by professional women through the Strong Leaders program y Founded in 2000 at Harvard University by then-freshman, Lindsay Hyde

What do you believe SWSG’s core mission to be? SWSG is about getting the best and the brightest college women, matching them with young girls that need them, and helping to transform them into tomorrow’s future leaders. Our hope is that we’re reaching first-generation college women who will then help the next generation of college women to succeed. Can you tell me a little bit about your interest in women’s and girls’ empowerment? Where did this passion originate and how has it grown? I’ve done a lot of work in the emerging market space with disadvantaged populations, primarily in Africa. And so, you could say that women’s and girls’ issues have always been dear to my heart… I’ve always had a soft spot for it because I’ve always known about these vulnerable populations in the world. This really fits into my own story of being a young girl who left home at the age of 12 to get an education. I had a role model in my mom, who was a supermarket clerk, and my dad who was a struggling musician—we lived paycheck to paycheck and my mission was to get out of that struggle. So this work is really personal to me and inspired me to give back. In your own words, what do you think the power of mentorship is in a young girl’s life? As a young girl I had a role model in my mother, but I didn’t have any other mentors. And ultimately, I think life is made easier when you have people who’ve been through these experiences and can guide you in a meaningful way.

Q&A

wwith

Haviva Kohl P resident of Strong Women, Strong Girls

Why does SWSG stress women-to-women mentorship as opposed to mentorship in general? What is the difference? There’s a lot of research that demonstrates that girls learn best from other females and so the women-to-women mentorship model is about creating a safe space, an opportunity for relevant dialogue to happen, and an element of security. What was your first job out of college? In retrospect, what do you think you learned from it? My first job was in finance, at American Express. After three months—I worked in this really fancy office in Brentwood—I realized that I would stare out of the window each day and feel like I wanted to do more than just be sitting in an office and staring at numbers. I had a fantastic boss who told me, “When you decide you’ll figure

Fall 2013 | Make It Happen

out how, but until you decide you’ll talk about if,” and I didn’t want to be the one talking about “if ”; I wanted to be the one deciding. There had always been this feeling within me that I had to get a stable job outside of the blue collar world because I would be the first in my family to do so, but my job at American Express showed me that there was more that I wanted to do with my life. What has been the rewarding opportunity that you’ve had or created for yourself in line with your work? I always believe you can create your own opportunities, and that started from a very young age. If there is no ‘ideal job’ for you, I’m a firm believer in creating that for yourself. As a 15-year-old, I wanted to build schools in emerging markets and I remember writing to different country organizations asking if I could do it. I’ve worked in close to 70 countries now, and for me it has always been about navigating myself around the world and not waiting for someone to present an opportunity. I see value in creating those opportunities where they don’t exist. I’ve also spent a lot of time in Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa with opportunities to learn from amazing people. From meeting Mother Theresa’s godson to sitting with heads of state, I’ve learned to do my best to experience the world through leadership and also through the local populations in the places that I visit. You are at a point of transition in your career. What has it been like leaving one role and stepping into a new one as president of SWSG? Transitions are always a challenge but I think the older you get, the more perspective you have. You set ambitious goals, but you also understand that things happen. And so the one thing that I would say throughout my career and in my life is that you should always look to people who are smarter than you and then ask for help. You don’t do everything yourself. And so in this new role at SWSG, I’ve turned to a lot of mentors of my own and a lot of colleagues that I’ve met along the way to ask, “Can you help me think about this?” or, “Can you make an introduction?’ Reaching out for help is always helpful at any point

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in your career. Is there any such thing as a “right” moment to switch into a new job? What were some of the reasons that you chose to leave your last position and move to SWSG? There is never the right moment and I think that, as women, this becomes even more challenging, but ultimately you really have to make whatever decision you think is the right one for you and your family. What do you see as the most significant differences between your new role and your former position with the New York City Department of Education? I worked under the Bloomberg administration, which was changing at the time, and I felt like it was also the right time for me to make a change in my career. I felt like I had reached my maximum capacity and I had started to feel stale. I think it’s always good to be in a stretch/strain position rather than being in your comfort zone.

{

}

What tips would you have for other women who are in a similar point of transition? One piece of advice is just to be brave and be bold and to jump into something wholeheartedly but also with humility, because the older you get and the more advanced you get in your career, the more experience you have. And the more senior you get I think it’s important to be generous and give back to those around you who are looking to learn. There have always been people around me who have taught me a lot. And so I’ve always been a great believer in helping other women who need support. And one more thing— never think that everything is new. There are people who came before you and have

done this before, so rely on them for advice, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. What is your ideal work schedule and how do you see this helping you balance work/home life? Balance is not a reality. I think you have to be honest with yourself and know why you’re doing what you’re doing. Be okay with what you’re doing. Especially being a young mother, I never want my children to think their mom doesn’t like her job, and doesn’t like work because in fact, I think it’s a gift to work. I enjoy working. I want my kids to understand that it’s not a hardship, but an opportunity. So I think reframing the conversation and the way we think about work is important and we should be okay with saying, “This may not be a balance, but this is what is working for me.” And just be sure to take care of oneself in the process. If you had to name 3 essentials to having a successful workday, what would they be? One—remind yourself everyday why you’re doing what you’re doing, two— put yourself around positive people, and three—always remember that no dream is ever too large. What do you see for the future of SWSG? Are there any significant changes or improvements that you envision? I do think that, in the future, Strong Women, Strong Girls will have a significant national presence so that every young, bright college student is mentoring an at-risk, low-income urban schoolgirl. I envision the conversation changing and see those who have made it out of poor circumstances leading the way through Strong Women, Strong Girls. On a daily basis, we have communities in countries around the world who ask if we can bring our program to their country. And now I’m looking into how we can do that. I hope to see a huge movement in the future, and seeding the aspiration early on in young girls who don’t know that college exists or that the professional world exists in more cities in this country is where it all starts. y

Impact 94% 88%

of girls showed an increase in self-esteem

showed increased aspirations to attend college and increased knowledge of career options

92%

87%

mentors reporting increased self-esteem

of mentors reported increased leadership capabilities

benefits{Volunteering with SWSG } for Undergraduate College Women y Access to SWSG alumnae and community networks y Build skills and expertise for professional future and experience potential career paths y Foster pool of potential professional references y Gain understanding of personal leadership competencies

“SWSG taught me to be strong and believe in yourself.” —Third Grade Girl

y Positive peer cohort on campus y Connect and learn about neighboring communities y Interaction with positive adult role models y Enhance interpersonal competencies y Increased learning

y y

“When I asked one of my mentees how she felt during SWSG, she said it made her feel happy, but most importantly, proud of herself.” —Undergraduate College Mentor

Stay Connected

Interested in bringing SWSG to your campus? Email all inquiries to info@swsg.org. Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on our other social networks for updates.

https://www.facebook.com/strongwomenstronggirls https://www.twitter.com/SWSG_Tweets http://www.youtube.com/user/SWSGn ational http://www.linkedin.com/company/353000

A New Path

Interview by Raymond Mendez ’76 HBS ’79

Discussing an Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School with Katherine Fuller Mendez P ’16

A New Path is a one-week program for women that was created to help them reevaluate their careers and consider new professional directions. According to the program’s description, A New Path is "designed for women with significant professional experience who are seeking to return to the workforce, recharge their careers, or take their professional lives in a new direction." So tell us, why did you attend A New Path? Because Janet Hanson, the founder of 85 Broads, suggested it. And who is Janet Hanson? Janet Hanson founded 85 Broads, originally as a way for women who had worked at Goldman Sachs to stay connected. She built the platform out, as technology changed, to become a global professional women’s networking organization. I really like her—I had a conversation with her about my frustrations, where I was professionally, and she suggested the program—which I would otherwise not have known about. What was it about the program that appealed to you? It is for women only. And Janet thought it would “unstick” me, because I felt “stuck” professionally. Perhaps you should tell our readers what is A New Path.What is the program all about? Professors Timothy Butler [Director of Career Development Programs] and Janet Kraus [Senior Lecturer in the Entrepreneurial Management Unit] at HBS run

it. It is a weeklong program designed for women who wish to expand their professional horizons. When was the program founded? Ten years ago. It was originally intended for “On Ramping”—women who have left the workforce, and want to return. There were very few of those women, however, in my program, in 2013. Does Professor Butler specialize in research on women? No. He studies career decision-making, and the relationship between personality and job satisfaction. His research resulted in CareerLeader, an internet-based self-assessment exercise used by over 300 business schools and corporations globally. About half of the A New Path program is devoted to these kinds of exercises. The other half is “hard-knowledge” stuff. Attendees are instructed to arrive prepared with three assigned cases, a completed accounting tutorial, and a new business idea to pitch. The combination of the psychological, “softer” side of the week, with the “hard” knowledge element…there is some synergy in that approach, I think.

Tell us about what the preparation was like.You said that A New Path is a weeklong program…was there much preparation beforehand? I spent around 40 hours preparing. The accounting tutorial was challenging for me, and I was happy to discover, for many of my compatriots. The three cases covered marketing, expansion in a young business, and a finance case that showed the importance of adequate cash flow to enterprise growth. Although I arrived with a new business idea, my study group chose another to pitch. Tell us about the women who attended. How many were there? Was it broken down into smaller groups? What was your cohort like? There were 46 participants, total. Sixteen were American. Twenty countries were represented. We were broken down into groups of four. My study group had a Brazilian woman, a woman from Pakistan who lives in Bahrain, and a Nigerian woman who has spent most of her professional career in Manchester, England but is now in Abuja, Nigeria. I hope to keep these women in my in my life. Permanently.

It must have been an incredible experience to meet women from all over the globe. Yes. Having lived in New York City for 35 years, I found the international diversity invigorating. Okay, I know that New York is the most cosmopolitan city in the world, but it is different to spend time with people who actually live in another city.

What did you learn from the program, academically and personally? I learned that it was not too late. I heard a story that when you came back and your husband met you at the train, he barely recognized you. Did you recognize yourself afterwards? Unfortunately, yes [laughs]. Unfortunately, it’s hard to change your default.

So you had to apply to this program? Yes.

Why is your experience important to young women today? KFM: I don’t know if young women today…they might already know the things that were revelations to me…because there is an organization at Harvard called Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business. There was nothing like that when I was at Barnard.

At Harvard Business School, there’s a lot made of the case study method. How did you find that approach? Did you find it edifying or disappointing? I really liked it. I really liked the professors. And I liked the fact that they are real cases. What was it about the cases…elaborate on that. The marketing case, for instance, was very topical. It covered Unilever’s transition of “Dove” into a “Masterbrand.” Another stage of their controversial marketing campaign had just been launched using social media. The professor, John Deighton, is very charismatic. His perceptive insights into the case suggested intimate knowledge of Unilever’s marketing decisions. So practical insights from a relationship with the company? Yes. I should add that my finance professor, Luis Viceira, was equally terrific. He was masterful at pulling people into a subject that was otherwise unappealing to them. Tell us about your own career and background. I graduated from Barnard College in 1982, with a major in Economics. I have been on the sales and trading side of the financial services industry since then. I didn’t go to business school…something [that] in retrospect maybe was a mistake. You mentioned before that you attended A New Path because you wanted to get “unstuck.” Talk about the notion of getting unstuck, and what that means. When you’re in a line position, where you’re responsible for P&L [profit and loss], it’s hard to keep an awareness of the changes in the world outside your daily demands. That is a dangerous thing professionally, because you don’t think strategically. The road I’m on…that road is undergoing significant changes because of transformation in the

"I have more perspective, and I also have the confidence that comes from attending the program. I could do the work." way securities are traded and sold. Being that’s what I’ve done for 30 years, I needed help in seeing the bigger picture. Do you think the program was successful in helping you get unstuck, in seeing the bigger picture? Well, I’m not unstuck yet. But I’m in a better place than I was before I went. I have more perspective, and I also have the confidence that comes from attending the program. I could do the work. So there was real work involved, and not just a spa week? Yes. And it was psychologically restful, because you are in a bubble when you’re in an academic setting [laughs]. The academic bubble was very restful, versus the everyday slog that life can be.

Tell us more about the revelations. Well, I learned that even if you are in a revenue job, you have to think strategically, you need to set aside time for that. Your work is not going to speak for itself. That you have to network…I hate that word, network… it is important to socialize with your colleagues. Otherwise you become isolated within your firm and most importantly, in your field. Let’s go back to the beginning, the organization 85 Broads. Were there only 85 of them at the beginning? Where did the name come from? The name came from Goldman’s address… Goldman was located at 85 Broad Street, downtown, when Janet worked there. Harvard Business School has quite a worldwide reputation. Do you think that the program benefitted from Harvard’s renown? Absolutely. And did you find it global? Yes. In particular, my fellow students. I will have to admit that, previous to the week at HBS, I had never worked in close quarters, in close emotional, academic, and intellectual quarters, with women from six out of the seven continents. Any last words of wisdom for college women today? It’s important to examine your life regularly. And assume that you will have more than one career. Also taking accounting early! c

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