Women@Work Sept/Oct 2013

Get Connected: Don't miss our panels on career advice — and managing your boss!

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013

Managing

Up

Tips for keeping your boss happy

Getting the most from your

paycheck

What’s for lunch?

Exercise!

Body Language What messages are you sending?

Power

Dressing

What to wear this fall

Kimberly Adams Russell

President, Frank Adams Jewelers

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Publisher George Hearst III Editorial Janet Reynolds, Executive Editor Brianna Snyder, Associate Editor Design Tony Pallone, Design Director Colleen Ingerto, Emily Jahn, Designers Jennifer Stufflebeam, Design Intern Contributing Writers Kristi Barlette, Molly Belmont, Laurie Lynn Fischer, Laurie Freehafer, Valerie Foster, Anna Zernone Giorgi, Silvia Meder Lilly, Stacey Morris, Lee Nelson, Anne Saile, Cari Scribner Contributing Photographers Jeanne A. Benas, Colleen Ingerto, Emily Jahn, Tyler Murphy Sales Kurt Vantosky, Sr. Vice President, Sales & Marketing Kathleen Hallion, Vice President, Advertising Tom Eason, Manager, Display Advertising Michael-Anne Piccolo, Retail Sales Manager Jeff Kiley, Magazine Sales Manager Circulation Dan Denault, Home Delivery Manager Business Ray Koupal, Chief Financial Officer TimesUnion.com Paul Block, Executive Producer Women@Work Advisory Board: Anne Saile†, chair; Marri Aviza†, Kristen Berdar†, Debra Best†, Nancy Carey-Cassidy†, Andrea Crisafulli-Russo†, Kathleen Godfrey†, Ann Hughes†, Theresa Marangas†, Frances O’Rourke, Lydia Rollins†, Curran Streett†, Joella Viscusi, Karen Webley, Kirsten Wynn †

Advisory Board founding members

Capital Region Women@Work is published six times per year. If you are interested in receiving home delivery of Capital Region Women@Work magazine, please call (518) 454-5768 or visit capregionwomenatwork. com. For advertising information, please call (518) 454-5358.

Capital Region Women@Work is published by Capital Newspapers and Times Union 645 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY 12212 518.454.5694 The entire contents of this magazine are copyright 2013 by Capital Newspapers. No portion may be reproduced in any means without written permission of the publisher.

Capital Newspapers is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hearst Corporation.

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Contents September/October 2013

www.capregionwomenatwork.com

@ WORK 10 Bitstream

33 Body Talk

Business tidbits for all

How your body language can undermine your message

14 Tips from the Top Ending the Who Dunnit? game

36 Come Together MS patients don’t need to suffer alone

16 On the Cover Kimberley Adams Russell on leading the Frank Adams empire

39 Power in Numbers Great things happen when women help women

19 On the Trail Michelle Pyan helps you know who you’re hiring

58 The Last Word What should you do when your boss makes a mistake?

22 Making Facebook Work How Facebook can help your business soar

24 Reach Out and Touch Someone Why newsletters are still a savvy business strategy

26 Managing Up Why keeping your boss happy matters — to your career

28 Saving More... ...Without breaking the bank

@ HOME 41 Moms@Work

Fear the fall

42 Meals on the Go Speedy, healthy meals from Susan Garth

46 Lunchtime Fitness Exercises you can do without breaking a sweat

51 Power Dressing What the savvy businesswoman will wear this fall

“

It’s within everyone’s grasp to be a CEO.

”

— MARTHA STEWART

Is your company in this issue?

Boscov’s.........................................................53 Breakthrough Counseling..............................46 Buzz Media Solutions.....................................24 Capital District Women’s Employment and Resource Center.................................. 26, 58 Commercial Investigations.............................20 Deb Best Practices..........................................26 Dish Bistro......................................................42 Evoke Style.....................................................51 Evolution Fitness............................................46 Frank Adams Jewelers....................................16 Food Pantries for the Capital District..............26 Fusco Personnel.............................................58 GoatCloud Communications..........................22 Karner Blue Marketing...................................22 Key Bank........................................................28 Krispin’s Automotive......................................22 Morgan Stanley..............................................28 Pinnacle Human Resources............................51 Professional Image Management...................33 Profitable Speech LLC....................................58 State Farm Insurance.....................................24 Siena College Career Counseling Center....... 58 The Counties of Ireland..................................22 The Sage Colleges................................... 33, 58 The Saile Group....................................... 14, 58 TNT Fitness.....................................................46 United Way of the Capital Region..................26 Upstate NY Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.........................................36 Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, ..............................58

 ON THE COVER: Kimberly Adams Russell, president of Frank Adams Jewelers.

Photo by Suzanne Kawola.

6 | women@work

Call 518.454.5366 or e-mail jreynolds@ timesunion.com with your story ideas.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Managing Up I

don’t know where I learned this strategy but I have used it as one of my guiding tenets in my career for years: My job is to make my boss look good.

Sometimes that means letting him — I have only had one female manager and that was 25-plus years ago when I was not a manager — take credit for something that was my idea originally. Sometimes that means doing things I’d rather not do or that I disagree with. Sometimes it means letting go.

While that sounds like a form of subjugation, I’ve found the opposite. The more I work for my boss, the more autonomy I’m given. As he learns to trust that I have his best interests as my guiding work light, he usually lets me go and make things happen.

Taking this strategy has also freed me to state my opinion without fear of workplace retribution. As a manager, I’m paid to give my opinion and since I have made it clear that all my opinions stem from the best interests of wherever I’m working and whoever I’m working for, my bosses have been more open to hearing what I have to say. I also recognize and appreciate hierarchy; sometimes I just need to do what the boss wants. After all, I’m not at the top.

This strategy hasn’t always worked. One man found this approach daunting. So I left the company and now work here.

But most of my bosses have appreciated this approach. We’ve got an exciting panel in October on this topic. I hope you’ll join us. Get the details on page 50. W

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BITSTREAM Compiled by Brianna Snyder

for the Office L

ife Coach Ashley McIntosh, of getliving.ca, recommends 10 quick health tips for the office.

They’re simple, fast and easy: 1. Eat breakfast! It kick-starts your metabolism and helps you stay focused.

2. Take breaks to restore your energy.

3. Pack your lunch to resist the temptation of cafeteria or fast-food eating.

4. Don’t eat lunch at your desk!

Teamwork

Focus on one thing at a time.

Don’t multitask mealtime.

5. Try to drink only two cups of coffee a day. Any more than that will probably make you jittery.

6. Don’t heat your lunch in a plastic container, which can release toxins into your food.

7. If you can, walk or bike to and/or from work.

9. Eat nuts! Full of protein and good fats, they’ll keep you satisfied and energized.

10. Squeeze in your exercise before going home for the day. Once you get home and sit on the couch, it’s that much harder to get up again and go out.

Source: tinyurl.com/ww13officehealth

A

re you unemployed? Has your recent college grad been struggling to find work? You‘re not alone. The New York Times reports there‘s a trend in parent-child franchise partnerships.

Thanks to a still-recovering economy — 53.6 percent of college grads under 25 are jobless and employment is harder and harder to come by for those over 55 — the Times reports that many families are teaming up together and opening franchises because they offer ”easy-tofollow systems,” according to the NYT. Source: tinyurl.com/ww13franchise

10 | women@work

8. In the afternoon, drink something green, such as a chlorella or spirulina mixture — both types of algae. It’s healthful and boosts energy.

“

A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.

”

— Diane Mariechild

Photos: GettyImages. Desk salad, Stephen Smith; Handshake, Michael Bodmann; Woman with clipboard, fatihhoca.

Health Tips

9 Businesses Started by Women

Cisco Sandra Lerner

PC Connection Patricia Gallup

Liquid Paper Bette Nesmith Graham

Discovery Toys Lane Nemeth

W

e see the faces of Fortune 500 company owners everywhere: Trump, Gates, Zuckerberg.

What about the female faces of big, successful companies? Here are nine big businesses started by women.

“

Ruth‘s Chris Steak House Ruth Fertel

The Body Shop Anita Roddick

Flickr Caterina Fake

Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. Maxine Clark

Proactiv Katie Rodan & Kathy Fields

Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.

”

— Maya Angelou capregionwomenatwork.com | 11

BITSTREAM

The Good, Bad & Ugly

continued from page XX

“

Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.

”

— Amelia Earhart

2000 1950

Work-at-Home Jobs

B

1200 1150 1100 1050 1000

Tax Preparers

1250

Financial Managers

1350 1300

Coputer Science Programmers & System administrators

1400

Computer Software Engineers

1450

Registered Nurses

1750 1700 1650 1600 1550 1500

Home based physicians & Radiologists

Meadian Weekly Income ($)

1900 1850 1800

Source: tinyurl.com/ww13goodbad Source: tinyurl.com/ww13workathome

12 | women@work

etween 1997 and 2013, the number of women-owned businesses increased by 59 percent — one and a half times the rate of U.S. businesses overall, reports Forbes. That’s good news! “Over the past 16 years, employment by companies owned by female entrepreneurs was up by 10 percent and their revenues grew by 63 percent. Both of those increases exceed those of all but the largest, publicly traded firms,” the article says. Today, more than 8.6 million U.S. businesses are owned by women.

But there’s bad news. According to Forbes, women-owned businesses tend to employ, on average, just one person in addition to the business’s owner.

Additionally, women-owned businesses average annual revenues under $155,000 — less than the $400,000 average of a typical private business. So what’s going on? It’s educated speculation at this point, but the theory is that women tend to go into “low-growth” fields — in other words, industries largely untouched by male entrepreneurs. Because these fields are considered “low-growth,” it’s harder for women to find venture capital and help getting off the ground.

Photos.Graph, Jennifer Stufflebeam; Woman business owner, Laura Flugga/GettyImages; Job Hunting, Echo/GettyImages.

Best Paying

Join In, Lean In

S

heryl Sandberg’s book of the year, Lean In, has many great tips for women in the workplace. One notable, and oft-cited, statistic in Sandberg’s book is that women receive fewer raises because they ask for raises less often than their male peers.

Slate magazine found that women in Lean In groups — where women get together to discuss the book and its tactics for success — have been more successful in getting what they need and want out of their jobs, including raises.

According to the piece, “One woman

“

who works for a nonprofit with a fixed budget knew she was up for a mid-year salary increase. Rather than accepting what they were planning to give her without question, which she would have been more naturally inclined to do, she instead met with her supervisor and made a case for how her roles and responsibilities had expanded.”

End result? She got her larger raise.

Not sure how or where to join a Lean In group? Visit leanin.org — or start one yourself!

Source: tinyurl.com/ww13leanin

I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived. Curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.

”

— Elanor Roosevelt

9 to 5

By Jeanne A. Benas

capregionwomenatwork.com | 13

TIPS FROM THE TOP

Ending the

“Who Dunnit?”

Game at Work

Anne Saile is an award winning CEO, entrepreneur, executive coach, author and owner of the Saile Group LLC, a leadership and business consulting company. For more information, visit sailegroup.com.

Photo by Joan Heffler.

By Anne Saile

P

laying the “who-dunnit” or “blame game” never results in a positive outcome. Accountability is one of the strongest attributes of successful business leaders. Stepping up to the plate can advance a career faster than just about any other characteristic, but it is common for people to go to great lengths to avoid responsibility when something goes wrong or questions arise about the failure of a project. This is known as who-dunnit syndrome.

“

pect.” It illustrates how our human nature motivates us to do things because we know someone is watching, not necessarily because we should. The dictionary outlines accountability as “answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and the expectation of account-giving.” By definition, accountability holds with it negative connotations that we may understandably try to avoid, when, really, accountability should be seen as a positive attribute that we strive to possess, the fabric of who

Accountability breeds response-ability.

We see it in individuals and within teams when people search for anyone or anything to blame for incomplete tasks, shoddy reporting, overall project failure, you name it. It is certainly not our fault so we put the responsibility onto someone else who didn’t follow through or return a call or deliver a report. I have heard from CEOs about their struggle to shift their staff from playing who-dunnit to owning the work. For some, placing blame is an automatic response to even simple questions. We have all worked with people who become immediately defensive about any topic or conversation that happens in the workplace. You can see the results of this syndrome by taking a close look at some of the people you know who never seem to get promoted. Chances are they have played who-dunnit more than a few times, and it has not gone unnoticed.

You may have heard the phrase “people do what you inspect not what you ex-

14 | women@work

” — Stephen R. Covey

we are and how we lead when no one is looking. So the question is obvious: As business leaders, how do we create an environment where people own their work and take initiative to do the best job possible rather than spending time dodging accountability?

First, ban phrases from the workplace such as, “I sent an e-mail but they never got back to me,” “I’m waiting for approval,” “I thought someone else did that,” “That’s not my job,” “I don’t know who put that number in there,” and “I didn’t know who to call.” These are red flags of an accountability breakdown.

It’s a good idea to redefine accountability in your office as something that can enhance a career and improve the work environment. Accountable people are truth-tellers who look for solutions to problems rather than places to hide them.

If you are the boss, create an environment of trust. Set the tone for your workplace to be more proactive, to make sure that

communication and expectations are clear, and never talk about your disappointment about another staff person’s shortcomings to one of their co-workers.

Highlight and praise accountability.

If a mistake happens — and it will — never yell. Yelling at staff will not change things or make them better. In fact, it will reaffirm the strategy to find any excuse to avoid responsibility. Yelling in the workplace creates an atmosphere of mistrust and hostility that can rarely, if ever, be repaired.

Just as success is almost never a solo act, neither are mistakes. Creating a culture of honesty and awareness will help to assess what went wrong, what could have been done differently on every level, and how the situation can be used as a tool for learning to encourage a better, stronger business and employee.

It is important to remember that we communicate our values by the questions we ask. If we use an accusatory tone, it often triggers people to be defensive and try to hide a mistake. Hiding mistakes can be dangerous for many reasons but most importantly, because you risk the same mistake happening over and over again. When feeling accused of something, people are afraid to openly and honestly talk about the mistake or how to prevent the issue from happening again.

Accountability is hard for some people, but it is a quality that you want your employees to possess and implement. As a leader, make it easy to be accountable in your office, discourage the who-dunnit, blame game mentality and, most importantly, lead by example. W

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The Crown in the Jewels Kimberly Adams Russell balances a jewelry empire with family life

By Brianna Snyder | Photos by Suzanne Kawola

I

t’s easy to think of the life of a jewelry shop president as breezy and diamond-studded. And though Kimberly Adams Russell does wear fabulous jewelry, her life isn’t exactly a breeze.

As president of Frank Adams Jewelers, she is crazy busy.

“I’m booked for events every weekend this month,” she says, then laughs, adding, “Wait, and next month, too.” She works almost every day of the week managing the two stores — one in Albany and one in Saratoga. Her husband, Jeff, works a couple of days a week in the Saratoga location and then switches to family and errand duty while Russell holds down the business.

The couple has three children: 11-yearold twin girls and a 15-year-old boy. At 45, Russell is vibrant and fast-moving. She chats easily and exudes confidence. The jewelry she’s wearing when she chats with Women@Work is classic, subtle, stunning.

Russell has been working in the family jewelry shop since she was a kid, and today she’s an expert in fashion and jewelry trends.

The Frank Adams franchise is a carrier of famous, international brands. Started as a watch shop by Russell’s grandfather in 1922, the business has been in the family for three generations, winning countless awards and recognition throughout the region. Russell is the middle child — she has an older brother and a younger 16 | women@work

sister — and says her siblings never really expressed interest in taking over the business. “The business just ended up coming to me,” Russell says.

It was a natural process. Russell finished her high school credits early, so she spent her senior year traveling through Mexico and came back to the Albany area to graduate with her class and head to Ithaca College, where she studied communications. “I went my own way for a little while trying to figure out what it is I wanted to do,” she says. “I always had interest in the business, and I was always

Top Tips For Success “When you have a great idea, jump in with both feet — not just your pinky toe.”

“Take care of others when they need it and they’ll take care of you when you need it — in life and in business.”

“Stay current and relevant and grow with technology and your industry. Whatever industry you’re in, you have to make sure the business doesn’t get stodgy.”

The Download on

Kimberly Adams Russell Title: president, Frank Adams Jewelers Age: 45 Lives in: Ballston Spa family: husband, Jeff; twin girls, 11, Samantha and Jessica; son, 15, Jeffrey (“never Jeff! Always Jeffrey,”) What’s your guilty pleasure: Oh, potato chips.

What kind of potato chips? Sea salt.

I don’t like fancy chips. Wait, but my other guilty pleasure would be shopping for designer shoes. I definitely have a shoe thing.

Surprising fact about you?

I have size 4 feet!

interested in marketing and advertising.”

Russell has a knack for administrative work and — get this — she loves public speaking. “That’s an attribute that I’ve been blessed with,” she says. “I’ve been taught this wonderful business sense, but I also feel like I’m fortunate and blessed that I’m comfortable with the public.”

Sometime after graduation, Russell’s dad — who’s now “semi-retired,” she says — asked her if she’d be interested in helping out with an ad campaign for the shop. She was. At the time she’d been teaching classes and giving presentations on how to pick the right type of jewelry and how to insure it. Her father suggested she study at the Gemological Institute of America, saying if she was going to teach classes she should be knowledgeable in the subject. So she did that, too.

Little by little, Russell became an integral part of the family franchise.

Ten years ago, she became president.

At about the same time she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. “It was a complicated time,” Russell says. “I was tired. My son was 5, the babies were little, the store was closed and being renovated. All of a sudden I woke up and couldn’t get out of bed.”

Today, you’d never guess Russell

What’s a jewelry trend you love?

I love wearing gold. The trend has gone back to gold jewelry. I think it looks nicer on my complexion. It looks rich. It has intrinsic value and it looks warm.

What excites you about your job? I love the memories that we create with people. The jewelry’s pretty nice too, don’t get me wrong.

But I think that Frank Adams has made a difference in so many people’s lives for generations. We’re part of people’s stories for life.

Biggest challenge? Honestly, it’s trying to manage it all together. Managing a household, that’s a job in and of itself. But managing a company and your family and my illness and trying to keep myself at peace with all of that is a challenge that every day I face. You have to learn to prioritize things.

Remember to always put your family first.

struggles with the exhaustion and pain that can be symptomatic of her condition.

She’s all energy and excitement. “I have a lot of responsibilities in my life and people depend on me,” she says. “I have to be there for everybody. … I always felt that once you make a commitment to your family, you don’t turn back.” W

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I DID IT

On the Trail Michelle Pyan helps you know who you’re hiring

By Cari Scribner | Photos by Colleen Ingerto

M

ichelle Pyan’s love of puzzles began as a child. Today she satisfies that itch for putting pieces together in her job as owner of Commercial Investigations LLC. “I love putting the pieces together, and that’s what we do here,” Pyan says.

“Women are very good in running a business and very good investigators. It’s that sixth sense.”

Pyan’s career as a licensed private investigator began after being raised in the Midwestern “Badger State” of Wisconsin.

At Winona State University in Minnesota, Pyan was a pre-law and paralegal major, which she followed with an MBA at University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh in 1998. But her interests led her onto another path.

“I loved the investigative classes, back when you had to open the Yellow Pages to get started,” Pyan says. continued on page 20

capregionwomenatwork.com | 19

I DID IT

continued from page 19

After graduation, Pyan spent about two years in the trenches, doing undercover and surveillance work. “It was incredibly nerve-racking, and I got death threats,” Pyan says.

Pyan decided to focus on commercial

the Capital Region one weekend, Pyan received two job offers. From 1999 to 2004, Pyan worked for a health care organization running background checks on potential employees of the association’s member organizations.

In 2004, Pyan launched her own company, ComMichelle Pyan’s 10 Tips for Success: mercial Investigations LLC, a woman-owned, licensed, • Go with your gut.

• Hire for your weaknesses. private investigative agency • Mind your scruples.

• Do the right thing that performs background — always.

• Persevere. checks for a wide array • Negotiate for win-wins.

• Live your dreams. of clients, ranging from • Plan. landlords who need to find • Give your all to out more about potential everything you do.

• Have fun. tenants to boards of directors looking to verify the investigating, which means she works for background of board members. companies and other clients to research Dressed in a white blouse with her potential employees and volunteers using company logo, black slacks and red databases not available to the lay person. pumps, Pyan talks passionately about her Her early work brought her to the East work from her Cohoes office, which has Coast frequently, and when she came to an undisclosed location due to security 20 | women@work

reasons. The main door has a lock and a staff member must usher in all visitors.

After starting with a staff of two, Pyan today employs 10 to 14 people, whom she refers to as “colleagues,” rather than employees or even team members.

Pyan can verify information as basic as motor vehicle and credit reports or go deeper using proprietary software to access databases not available to the public, depending on a client’s needs. Pyan is a pro at using the databases, especially since she helped develop the search tools in conjunction with the New York State Sheriff’s Department.

“What we’ve done is evolutionary,” Pyan says. “There were voids that existed in locating information about a person, and we’ve worked for several years to fill that gap. In our economic climate, the Department of Criminal Justice and other government agencies can’t do all the work.”

Among her 800 clients, about 70 per-

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cent are nonprofit organizations needing background checks on employees, volunteers and board members. “In this day and age, with the responsibilities held by board members, such as handling money, it’s absolutely necessary to check them out,” Pyan says. “Yes, it’s unfortunate that these checks are necessary, but when you’re talking about a volunteer in a child-based nonprofit, you need to know if they have a criminal record.”

Despite the wide scope of information gleaned by Pyan and her colleagues, she says the most common falsification on a resume is a person’s education. “They lie about their GPA, where they went to school, if they graduated,” Pyan says. “You have to wonder what else they will lie about.”

Within the last year or so, there’s been publicity about employers checking Facebook pages of their employees, an occurrence that has brought public outcry. Pyan says while an employer can’t legally require access to Facebook pages by becoming “friends” with employees through false profiles and pretenses , most people dig their own graves.

“With today’s social media, most people don’t think about what they’re posting in a public forum,” Pyan says. “People post when they’re going on vacation, who they’re in relationships with. One person posted that he was going to work while he was collecting unemployment.”

Today’s technology allows information to be stored longer, something that helps in an investigation. “There were paper records tossed out after seven years,” Pyan says.

“Now we can check political contributions over decades, and even a person’s online purchases.”

As for the future, Pyan says her company is “in the growth mode,” which may call for a satellite office on the West Coast. “I’ve already exceeded my business goals,” she says. “I want to continue to grow the business and provide opportunities for my colleagues.” W

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M

ake a plan. That’s the first bit of advice our experts gave us for getting the most out of your Facebook business page.

According to the marketing group HubSpot, 77 percent of businesses in America report getting new customers through Facebook. If done correctly, Facebook can be a great way to engage with and draw in customers.

Rebecca Murtagh, chief strategist and president of Karner Blue Marketing, LLC, in Albany, offers this caveat about the effective use of Facebook, however. “The most important thing is to put everything in context and understand that Facebook is effective when you target your audience,” Murtagh says. “You have to understand who you’re trying to reach and you have to have a plan in mind.”

22 | women@work

Creating the right plan depends on your business. Victoria Southwick runs the Facebook account for Krispin’s Automotive, her brother’s auto-repair shop in Troy.

She says when they launched the page a couple of years ago, they took a more indirect approach to luring in business.

“One of the things we wanted to do was try to occasionally put in helpful tips that we come across every day that might be helpful to our customers or our friends,” Southwick says. “Even if they’re not our customers, we just want to share new things.” They post tips for long car trips, general car maintenance and what to look out for to ensure your car runs well.

By keeping posts friendly, personable and vehicle-related, Southwick says the shop receives new customers and they stay connected with regulars. (One

sample post: “Happy Friday everyone!

Anyone who wants to bring us iced coffee can have their next oil change free :)” — Southwick says one regular customer did bring them coffee and did, in fact, receive a free oil change.)

Use the data Facebook provides in its analytics section to learn more about your audience, Murtagh says. “You really want to use [that information] to bring [fans and customers] into your own environment so you can cultivate that relationship. Get the data, learn from them, have them learn from you and build a relationship.” You may find your business attracts a lot of women in their 40s, for instance, or that more people respond to posts that ask a question. Have you noticed an uptick of views and fans from, say, Idaho? Maybe consider online

Photos: Cover photo box, Phil Kamrass; Video box, Henrik Sorensen/ GettyImages; Unique Content box, David Meharey/GettyImages.

By Brianna Snyder

Women @ Work Home

marketing that targets a different geographic point. Facebook gives you a lot of information about who’s looking around your page. Put it to good use!

Create unique content with a personal touch. “The idea [behind running a good Facebook page] is that you shouldn’t just be repeating everything on your website on Facebook,” says Cliff Rohde, owner and SEO specialist of GoatCloud Communications. “Then it’s just duplicate content, and what’s the point?”

Robin McDonough, owner of The Counties of Ireland, a shop in Troy selling Irish wares, posts weekly specials, new arrivals and bits of Irish insight, humor and other miscellany. “My posts are all over the board,” McDonough says, “but most of the time I use it for sales.”

Post Photo / Video

Create unique content Yesterday

TIP:

Don’t just repeat everything that’s on your website on Facebook.

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McDonough says customers do come into the store looking for a sale they saw advertised on her Facebook page. And McDonough, who takes her shop on the road for a couple of months every year, keeps in touch with long-distance customers through Facebook. “It’s a fun way to keep in touch with some of my customers who aren’t local, because we do a lot of festivals,” she says. “It’s a great way to keep in touch with the customers who I only get to see once a year.”

Do. Not. Worry. About. Likes. We can’t emphasize enough the irrelevance of that number. If you have 150 fans who are engaged with you and interested in your product, you’re doing just fine. And the number will grow — with effort.

McDonough tried Facebook ads a cou-

ple of times, and had insignificant success. Yes, her number of likes increased, but she didn’t notice much improvement in the quality or quantity of her business.

Ads are necessary for every small business, she says, but really success comes down to having meaningful interactions with customers.

“You still have to quote-unquote pound the pavement. It’s not an ifyou-build-it-they-will-come thing. You have to work at it,” McDonough says.

“I’d rather have the interaction [with a customer], instead of worrying about an increase in my likes. … The people who interact with me on Facebook are my customers.” W

Dealing with Online Criticism

About an hour ago

NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY, you will inevitably be faced with an unhappy customer.

“If you have a Facebook page or any other social media page, you should expect that people are going to post reviews,” Cliff Rohde of GoatCloud Communications says.

“You can’t please all the people all the time [and] you should expect negative reviews from time to time.”

So how do you handle a disgruntled customer who posts something negative on your Facebook page? Respond to it right away, Rohde says. Make an obvious effort to try to right the wrong, and encourage your disgruntled patron to message you privately to work out a solution.

“Show you are a responsive business owner who tries to correct a problem,” Rohde says. “This comes out of the textbook for crisis communication. If there is an issue, then show that you’re dealing with it. … Give that person who made the complaint an opportunity to see you’re responding to it.”

After the issue is resolved, is there a need to keep a negative comment on your wall?

“Why would you?,” Rohde says.

Like • Comment • Share capregionwomenatwork.com | 23

Reach Out and Touch Somebody Why newsletter marketing is still a savvy business strategy

By Laurie Freehafer

24 | women@work

What about print?

Does all this mean that print newsletters have become extinct? Not quite. “Direct mail is still a powerful tool,” says Buzz Media Solutions CEO Susan Bardack. “You’ll hit people you’d never reach [with online newsletters].”

Everyone has that friend who refuses to use Facebook, and, Bardack adds, “We are flooded with so many e-mails that many are deleted before even opening.” Recognize that as of 2011 more than 25 percent of households were still without computers.

Direct marketing expert Tom Ahern says, “E-mail newsletters and print newsletters are not equivalents. … E-mail newsletters are a clicker’s medium, quickly dismissed.

Printed newsletters are physical, and readers

tend to sit down to read them,” assuming that what you’ve written is worth reading.

The same rules about style and content apply as with e-newsletters, but having a tangible product may make the content even more “sticky” than an e-newsletter.

Opportunities for interaction, though, are more limited. Print newsletter readers may need phone numbers, URLs and mail addresses to provide feedback. Also, consider that the costs of printing and distribution can be high, as are the costs to the environment.

Finally, tracking the popularity of your newsletter and details about your readership is as cumbersome as it was before home computers existed. These issues should be weighed against the value of capturing a high volume of otherwise neglected prospects.

Illustrations by Getty Images. Hands and paper, penfold; newsletter, Dorling Kindersley.

I

n 1911, the Hudson Motor Car Company began publication of The Hudson Triangle. This newsletter included testimonials, enthusiastic vehicle descriptions, photographs (with only men in the driver’s seat) and the occasional cartoon.

The Triangle was an engaging, informative and successful marketing tool. It helped boost the car’s popularity, driving sales to a remarkable 6,500 vehicles that year.

Content marketing is a tried and true strategy. But consumers and businesses alike often think of a newsletter — even e-mail newsletters — as old-school, a has-been supplanted by social media websites. But to do that may be to lose an opportunity. Why? Because unlike social media options, newsletters go to your customers instead of waiting for them to find you.

E-newsletters also allow personalization and customization for specific audiences. That targeted approach allows you to nurture and excite existing customers, as well as offer enticing incentives to lure new subscribers. Newsletters contain meaningful, curated content that may be more deeply analyzed, better organized and more memorable than the hundreds of pins, posts and tweets popping up at the speed of thought.

Creating an e-newsletter is as close as your MS Office software, which includes templates. Hundreds more are available online. If your budget allows, you can hand off any or all aspects of the newsletter, from template design to content development to distribution, to local or Internet marketing professionals.

Newsletter Content Ideas Not sure what to put in your newsletter?

Here are some suggestions.

Costs vary widely depending on the package, but businesses may pay $1,000 or more for the initial template, and an additional monthly or per-issue cost — perhaps costing thousands more but manageably spread out over time.

At Buzz Media Solutions, CEO Susan Bardack says, “Generally, e-newsletters are not standalone. They are part of a marketing strategy.” Lower prices may be negotiated as part of a larger program.

• _________ of the Month: Employee, charity, client or product — whatever works for your particular business.

• Submissions from readers: Make it easy for them to share opinions and experiences.

• Cartoons: Search for “Creative Commons cartoons” for free comics.

• Op-Ed pieces offering your or others’ personal perspective.

• “Big picture” industry news: recalls, lawsuits, acquisitions, regulatory changes.

• History: articles on early products and practices.

• Calendar of industry or company events.

• Guest columnists.

• Videos. Link relevant YouTube posts to a screen shot from the video.

• Exclusive incentives: coupons, discounts, prizes.

• “Top” lists and “Best Ofs”: Top 5 new products, Best of the blogs, etc.

• Advice: How-to, dos and don’ts, FAQ.

Tips for successful e-newsletters With almost 3 billion e-mails sent daily — over 80 percent of them spam — according to the news site Business Insider, it can seem a Sisyphean task to make sure your letter is read. Here are 10 tips for a successful e-mail newsletter campaign that will keep fingers from the delete key:

1

Give to get. Build loyalty by offering incentives such as discounts and coupons to subscribers. Be generous with advice. Offer “friendly” content such as recipes, contests, humor; these all help your readers look forward to the next issue.

2

Stay relevant. “State Farm’s newsletter customizes content based on local issues,” says State Farm’s Sandy Demskie. “For example, [the Northeast region] newsletter wouldn’t necessarily have articles about forest fires, but they might have tips for teens on driving on the ice.” Know your audience.

3

Be creative. Make your newsletter lively and visually compelling. Include color, charts and photographs. Browse Scribd. com’s 17,000 newsletters for inspiration, and look through the many template sites to find a style compatible with your business goals.

4

Make it interactive. Link, link, link!

The newsletter should be a portal to further information. Include prominent buttons and links for readers to visit, like and share your social media pages, blogs, positive media coverage and your website.

Make it easy for readers to submit stories, provide feedback, and sign up for events.

5

Be professional. Exercise good taste. Use meticulous grammar and spelling, and never underestimate the negative emotional impact of overused or inappropriate fonts. Google “most hated fonts” and check language usage sites to avoid customer alienation.

6

Track your success. Metrics programs such as Google Analytics have a bit of a

Sources: Long, John C. and Hyde, Charles K. (2004). Roy D. Chapin: the man behind the Hudson Motor Car Company. Wayne State University Press. p. 98.

“Ask an Expert: How to Raise Money With a Newsletter.” The Chronicle of Philanthropy. 6 June 2013. Web. tinyurl.com/ww13raisingmoney

learning curve, but knowing who is clicking on what is invaluable information.

7 8

Make sure your newsletter is mobile-friendly.

Spotlight your audience. Publish client profiles, highlighting their accomplishments and publicizing their events.

These articles are sure to be shared.

9

Toot your own horn. Proudly share your business awards and recognize the success of your employees. Enthusiastically introduce new products. Share your involvement in charity events. Speak proudly and confidently of sales figures, media coverage and positive reviews.

10

Never, ever spam. Keep to your publishing schedule. Take anti-spam registries very seriously and never e-mail any customers who prefer to opt out. Taking “no” for an answer shows your professionalism. W

Yarrow, Jay. “107,000,000,000,000.” The Business Insider. 14 Jan. 2011. Web. tinyurl.com/ww13business.

“Internet Statistics.” Statistic Brain. 30 July 2012. Web. tinyurl.com/ww13brainstatistic.

“Computer and Internet Use in the United States: 2011.” United States Census Bureau. 30 June 2013. Web. tinyurl.com/ww13internetuse. capregionwomenatwork.com | 25

Managing Up

Why keeping your boss happy matters — to your career

By Molly Belmont

T

26 | women@work

Want to get more tips on the best ways to manage your boss? Come to our breakfast panel Oct. 14, 7:30-9 a.m., at the Albany Marriott. See details on page 50. their bosses, Best warns. It also doesn’t mean assuming you know what your boss’s needs are. Best points to a scene at the end of Working Girl, where Melanie Griffith’s character, who has finally been promoted, meets her new assistant. Her assistant asks her to outline her expectations for her, many of which seem to surprise the assistant.

“I love it as an HR geek because it’s an authentic conversation between an employer and an employee,” says Best, who encourages employees to have similar conversations with their superiors

as well as their direct reports. Too often, employees get fixated on their managers, when they should be servicing the entire organization, says Best.

As part of senior management, Anderson sees herself as accountable not just to her boss, but to her board, her staff and her volunteers. “A good leader helps staff advance, and a good staff helps a boss succeed,” Anderson says.

Elizabeth Miller, executive director at Capital District Women’s Employment and Resource Center (WERC), a local notfor-profit that advances women’s success

Photo: GettyImages/ Izabela Habur.

oday’s work environment may be increasingly collaborative, but the reality is that making sure your boss’s needs are met is still every bit as important as it was a decade ago. Your boss’s happiness is critical to your company’s success, not to mention your own personal career trajectory. For many, this might seem like a no-brainer — necessary evil? — but for the luckiest among us, finding alignment between your boss’s satisfaction and your own personal career goals can be the signal that you’ve found your calling.

“Of course you have to keep your boss happy; that’s what your job is,” says Margot Anderson, vice president of philanthropy at United Way of the Greater Capital Region. As the head of fundraising for the organization, Anderson reports directly to the executive director, who leads the organization in fulfilling its mission. She recognizes the crucial role she can play there, but she’s also fortunate enough to work in a position where she can see the direct impact that her boss’s success has on the overall mission of the organization, a mission she believes in wholeheartedly. “If he’s successful, then we as an organization are successful, then fewer children are hungry, then more of our seniors can get that hot meal that they need,” she says.

“Your boss is your biggest customer,” says Debra Best, principal of Deb Best Practices, a human resources and recruiting firm in Albany. “If your boss is successful, you’re successful.”

This is not to say that employees should spend their time fawning over

“

A good leader helps staff advance, and a good staff helps a boss succeed. — MARGOT ANDERSON

by providing training and other resources, says that so much of an employee’s individual success is determined by her own willingness to grow.

“I think in any job it’s what you make of it,” says Miller. “I add things to my job description that I get excited about.”

For instance, this year, Miller and her staff are overhauling their website. She also connected with a volunteer to extend the organization’s reach. “You have to be creative and always push yourself to the next step,” Miller says.

K

eeping your boss happy is one thing, but what happens when you have to keep multiple bosses happy?

Many employees report not to one person but to an entire board.

Natasha Pernicka, executive director at the Food Pantries for the Capital District, says that clear communication is essential to building a good relationship with a board. With a small staff and the support of a dedicated board, the Food Pantries for the Capital District is able to organize and support 53 food pantries in the area through fundraising and collection and distribution of food. But a goal this large begins with a strategic plan that clearly outlines not just the mission of the organization but the steps that will be taken to achieve it.

“When you’re working with a board of 15 people, it’s important to have a plan to work with,” says Pernicka. The plan helps the organization stay on track, preventing individual board members’ priorities from taking center stage, and it also very clearly outlines performance expectations for Pernicka. At the Food Pantries, the board makes good use of committees and meetings, trying to carefully manage everyone’s time by staying on point with conversations and responsibilities.

Pernicka also believes in preparing

consistent and regular progress reports for her board. “I was told once that you can never provide too much information,” Pernicka says.

When it comes to keeping your boss happy, don’t overlook basic expectations.

Manage yourself first. “Keep your own house clean,” says Best. This includes doing your work, following the company rules, and being respectful of others. (Of course, she allows, this is easier said than done. “If more people managed themselves before they had to get managed, then I wouldn’t have so much work to do,” she says with a laugh.) Ensuring that these basic expectations are met, frees up employees — and managers — giving them more time to explore new avenues, which in turn can mean taking more satisfaction in their work.

Workplace satisfaction begins with

Tips for balancing the bossemployee relationship Keeping yourself and your boss happy isn’t always easy. Here are some tips for managing the boss-employee relationship so that you’re both wellserved: • Keep growing. Find a mentor outside your company who can help you meet your professional goals, says Margot Anderson, vice president of philanthropy for United Way of the Greater Capital Region.

“Be of service, get on a board, build your network. Always be evolving,” she says. “It makes you a stronger asset.”

• “Work for the level you want to be at,” says Debra Best, principal of Deb Best Practices. Similar to dressing for the position you want

”

you. Anderson says that when employees are dissatisfied, they often complain about their boss rather than address their own shortcomings. “I hear a lot of grousing, but I don’t hear a lot of ‘What can I do?,’” says Anderson. “It’s all about the boss, and what he is or isn’t doing.”

Instead, Anderson recommends taking a long hard look at your own performance and career aspirations; if your goals are consistently not in alignment with the company’s goals, then it might be time to move on.

If on the other hand there’s a natural symbiosis between your employer’s goals and your own, that is a signal that you have found a good professional fit. “My personal goals are in line with my professional goals. I’m passionate about what I do. I live and breathe it every day,” says Miller. “I have found the right job.” W

to have, working for the level you want to reach means exceeding your boss’s expectations. Don’t just satisfy your tough customers; dazzle them.

• In a not-for-profit setting, it’s easy for executive directors to get caught up in the numbers, but it’s the people and their stories that engage people and keep them coming back, says Natasha Pernicka, executive director for the Food Pantries of the Capital District. Remember to keep the population you serve uppermost in your mind.

• Use your board. “Be realistic and honest and don’t be afraid to ask for help,” says Elizabeth Miller, executive director for the Capital District Women’s Employment and Resource Center. “There are people who want to help.”

capregionwomenatwork.com | 27

Saving More

Without Breaking the Bank Even small regular deductions from your paycheck can add up

By Anna Zernone Giorgi

I

f you think you can’t afford regular contributions toward a retirement or savings account, think again. It’s easy to gain a meaningful return on even a nominal amount when it’s placed in the right account at the right time. In addition, by depositing money directly from your paycheck, you often can use pretax dollars, which will help stretch limited funds further.

If one of your long-term goals includes enjoying a comfortable retirement, financial experts insist that you really can’t afford not to save now. Women typically earn less than men — an average of about 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, according to data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. In addition, other circumstances create challenges for women who expect to be financially independent in retirement.

“Because women tend to serve as primary caregivers for young children and 28 | women@work

aging parents, women typically spend fewer years in the workforce. As a result, the average woman could earn significantly less than the average man during the course of a lifetime,” says Lydia Rollins, senior vice president and financial adviser at Morgan Stanley in Niskayuna. “That combination of lower earning power and fewer years in the workforce translates into less retirement savings for women.”

The situation is further complicated because women likely will have to make their retirement dollars last longer than men will. A woman who retires at age 65 can expect to live an average of three years longer than a man retiring at the same age, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Saving for the Future Most employers offer an option for retirement savings. One of the most common employer-sponsored retirement plans is

a traditional 401(k). The plan allows you to contribute a portion of your pretax dollars, which may be matched to some extent by your employer’s contributions. You pay taxes when you withdraw money from the account in the future.

“We usually recommend that women first fund the retirement account that their employer offers. Very often there is a company match. In some companies, it may be as high as 6 percent. The longer time period that you can take advantage of that match, the more you’re going to save over the course of your career.

If you don’t take advantage of that, it’s like leaving free money on the table. Yes, free. In addition, it’s deducted from your pay pre-tax and is growing tax deferred.

There can be tremendous benefit to that from a tax standpoint,” says Frances O’Rourke, senior vice president/market manager at Key Private Bank – Capital Region in Albany.

“ Photo: peepo/GettyImages. *Note: this investment scenario illustration is hypothetical and shown for illustrative purposes only. The illustration is not intended to predict the returns of any particular investment, which will fluctuate with market conditions. Actual results may differ from those depicted in the illustration.

Regardless of how much someone can afford to put aside, even putting aside a small amount each week is going to have tremendous benefit and tremendous impact over the course of time.

In 2013, employees can contribute up to $17,500 of pretax dollars into a 401(k).

If you are age 50 or older, you also may have the option of contributing a “catch up” deposit of up to $5,500.

Other options are available if a traditional 401(k) isn’t offered or you’ve maxed out your contributions. An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a personal account used for retirement savings. “If you have severed employment, you can roll a 401(k) into an IRA. Also, if you do not have an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you can take a tax deduction for funding an IRA. Investments grow tax-deferred meaning that you do not pay taxes on the growth until you withdraw the assets,” Rollins explains.

A variation of a traditional 401(k) is a Roth 401(k) plan. With this plan, your contributions are made with after-tax dollars. Income earned during the life of the account is tax-free. In a Roth IRA, contributions also are made with after-tax dollars, meaning that qualified withdrawals in retirement can be tax-free. “While income limits may preclude some investors from contributing to a Roth IRA, anyone can convert funds from a traditional IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan to a Roth IRA,” Rollins says.

Self-employed workers have savings options, too. In a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP), employers make contributions into each employee’s IRA (SEPIRAs). Other options include a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE IRA) and solo or individual 401(k) accounts.

“It’s important if you are self-employed that you research your options as part of your planning since someone else may not be putting them in front of you.

Based on the type of business you have, such as a sole proprietor, LLC, or a corporation, find out what the options are for those various entities and how you can fund a retirement plan,” O’Rourke says.

”— FRANCES O’ROURKE, KEY PRIVATE BANK

Finding the Money If you’ve put off saving because your short-term expenses or other immediate obligations are competing for your funds, perhaps it’s time to reassess your budget.

How do you find a balance between current and future goals? “Both are important. Obviously, the short-term goals take precedence; however, often times the longer-term goals are neglected until it’s almost too late to catch up. For this reason, it is important to prioritize both.

First, examine your income and expenses to determine what is left when you pay all of your bills. Then make a plan and stick to it,” Rollins says.

You’ll succeed in saving if you regularly review your finances to see if where you are will get you where you want to be. “Women need to educate themselves.

There are many tools that are available online and through financial services websites that can help with calculations, from estimating required retirement savings to creating a budget. It starts very simply with budgeting and making sure that savings is included as part of the budget. Pay yourself first,” O’Rourke says.

By assessing your income versus your expenses, you’ll get an idea of where you stand. “Start with a cash flow analysis to see how much you have after your nondiscretionary bills have been paid. From there, build in your retirement savings. It is important to fund at least the amount that your employer will match if you are funding an employer sponsored plan,” Rollins says. “A good rule of thumb is to start higher than you think you should and scale back until you reach an affordable level.

Also, take advantage of raises and bonuses to increase your contributions.”

It’s essential to seek out advice from someone who can help ensure you’re not wasting valuable time or limited funds.

“It’s important for everyone to have an individual financial plan, not just one

that follows what others have suggested.

Women tend to rely on the advice of family and friends. However, it’s very important that they get objective advice from someone who has the qualifications and background to be able to make some sound recommendations for their unique situation,” O’Rourke says.

Making It Happen Financial advisers agree that the key to making the most of paycheck contributions to a retirement account is starting early, even if your contribution doesn’t seem significant. “The power of compounding is why it is so important to start saving early! Look at what happens with three different [hypothetical] investment scenarios *: Employee A: $1,000/year @ 5 percent for 40 years = approximately $124,000 Employee B: $1,000/year @ 5 percent for 20 years = approximately $34,000 Employee C: $1,000/year @ 8 percent for 20 years = approximately $47,700 You can see how important it is to get started early,” Rollins says.

And don’t worry about the size of your starting contribution. “Regardless of how much someone can afford to put aside, even putting aside a small amount each week is going to have tremendous benefit and tremendous impact over the course of time,” O’Rourke says.

Once you’ve committed to a specific plan and contribution amount, it’s wise to ensure that the money gets to where it needs to be. “The first piece of advice we give is to have your savings automatically deducted. If you don’t see it, you don’t necessarily miss it and you get used to whatever that amount is in your takehome pay,” O’Rourke says. “It’s much less painful to have the amount taken out weekly or biweekly than in one lump sum at the end of the year.” continued on page 31

capregionwomenatwork.com | 29

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Even if you’re not dealing with a 401(k), you can arrange for automatic contributions to be made toward other types of accounts. “If your financial institution offers a funds transfer service, you can set up an automatic IRA contribution schedule through electronic transfers from your other financial accounts,” Rollins says. “If your current financial institution doesn’t offer this service, you might want to investigate one that does.

Typically, you can either set up a onetime transfer, or establish a recurring schedule to make your IRA contributions over time.”

Saving for Special Needs Automatic payroll deductions can also help you achieve other goals besides retirement. If your employer offers a cafeteria plan, you may be able to choose from among several options. One savings vehicle is a health savings account (HSA).

This is an account that you fund with pre-

tax dollars. It is established for reimbursement of medical expenses for employees who have a high-deductible health plan.

The money remains in an HSA until it is used.

A similar option is a flexible spending account (FSA). This type of account also is funded by pre-tax dollars from your paycheck. However, FSAs differ from HSAs because the money you place in the FSA should be spent during a given year.

Depending on your employer’s offerings and your individual situation, contributions to either an HSA or FSA may be an important option for stretching your paycheck by investing your pretax dollars.

If you have children, long-term college savings also may be a consideration. 529 plans are savings plans that allow you to save for college with tax benefits. When withdrawals are made for specified college expenses, your earnings in 529 plans are not subject to federal tax.

While you’ll make your money work

the hardest by using your paycheck to take advantage of several investing options, your situation may demand that you prioritize even your best intentions. “When allocating money for retirement versus college savings, we suggest that clients consider the advice we are given when on an airplane, that’s to put the oxygen mask on yourself before you put it on your child.

The same holds true in financial planning.

We recommend that clients, women especially, don’t sacrifice retirement savings to fund college. You always can borrow for college, but you won’t be able to borrow for retirement. As women, we always want to put our children first, but sometimes we’re doing that to our own detriment,” O’Rourke says.

Ultimately, your savings goals will change over the course of your lifetime, so it’s important to set your goals, but remain flexible and reassess regularly. “Make a plan and stick to it. Modify accordingly,” Rollins says. “It is all about discipline.” W

These solutions include the development of affordable housing, employment services assistance and educational assistance. In keeping with our long-term goals, HATAS opened the Housing & Employment Center and Kids Zone on September 7th, 2012. With three "work stations," two phone lines, and access to a fax, scanner, and copier, the Housing and Employment Center insures access to jobs for homeless and low-income persons. Within the first six months of operation, thirty homeless adults secured a full-time job.

The Kids Zone entertains children while Mom or Dad look for work and we are thrilled to offer these type of "wrap around" services as part of our mission to end homelessness. In addition to the Kids Zone and Housing & Employment Center HATAS offers the following programs; homelessness prevention, 24/7 emergency services, supported housing for persons with a mental illness, jail diversion, and rapid re-housing.

The number of homeless families (in Albany County) requiring an emergency homeless shelter referral tripled between 2000 and 2010.

However, between 2011 and the end of 2012, the number of new homeless family cases dropped from 873 to 678, a decline of 28%.

A recovering economy and a focus on long-term solutions like prevention, employment, and education are having positive results however for this trend to continue, we need the public's help. By supporting programs like the Housing & Employment Center, you are making a concrete positive impact on a homeless household and we appreciate your ongoing and dedicated support.

SAVE THE DATES! Saturday November 9th, 2013

Gingerbread Builder Competition at Crossgates Mall in front of the Apple Store

Thursday November 21st, 2013

Evening in Winter Wonderland Cocktail Reception at Yono's Restaurant in Downtown Albany

2013 Champions in Compassion

Daniel P. McCoy, Albany County Executive Peter & Marilyn Newkirk, Owners, Newkirk Products

138 Central Ave., Albany NY 12206

(518) 463-2124

info@hatas.org

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Established in 1924, the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society of the Capital District, Inc. (HATAS), is a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to proactive solutions which will end homelessness. In addition to meeting a homeless household's immediate need for shelter, food, and clothing, HATAS is committed to long-term solutions which will insure that the children of today are not the homeless adults of tomorrow.

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Body Talk Y

How your physical gestures can undermine your message

Photo: Robert Daly/GettyImages.

By Lee Nelson

ou have great confidence when you speak in meetings. You are social at the office but never catty.

You are polite, hardworking and charismatic. Then why aren’t you climbing the ladder as fast as you thought you would?

Perhaps it’s not what you’re saying but rather how you look when you say it that’s holding you back. With one raised eyebrow, crossed arms during a conversation or slouching posture, you might be sending your boss and coworkers subliminal messages completely different from what you’re thinking or saying.

“Body language is so so important,

and people don’t understand how they can either make it work for them or work against them,” says Juanita Ecker, owner of Professional Image Management in Troy. Her book, Image Management: Image & Etiquette Tips for the Business Professional, is in its second edition.

What you think is an innocent gesture with your hands could mean something entirely different to the person on the other end of that gesture. The movement or lack of movement from various body parts can give off clues to someone’s temperament, approval, excitement, fear, insecurity or a host of other feelings.

“Most people haven’t figured out or observed what powerful and successful people do with their bodies and haven’t figured out how to do it themselves. It is so powerful because the brain registers body language first before what it heard,” Ecker says.

In her seminars, she tells the audience to think about when their child or spouse comes home. You can sense something isn’t right even before they say anything.

You ask them what is wrong. They say nothing, but you pick up on the negative energy coming from their movements or lack of movements. continued on page 34 capregionwomenatwork.com | 33

continued from page 33

34 | women@work

“

I’ve had people tell me that learning about body language is manipulative and phony ...

It’s as manipulative as using spellcheck or dressing for success for a key meeting.

”

— CAROL KINSEY GOMAN, author of The Silent Language of Leaders and The Nonverbal Advantage

B

etter understanding body language can do more than help you monitor your language; it can also help you better understand the messages being sent by your colleagues.

Mike O’Connor, director of career planning at the Sage Colleges in Troy, offers mock interviews to help students secure their dream job. Observing their body language during the interviews is a big part of helping them.

“We videotape them, and then give them feedback about the things they do and don’t do. The biggest mistakes they do are truly nonverbal,” he says.

One of the major problems he sees is people being too expressive with their hands. “It’s distracting. They don’t even know they are doing it. But then there are those who do the complete opposite.

They have no emotion or movement whatsoever,” he says.

Photo: Fabrice LEROUGE/GettyImages.

“In business, it’s the same thing. People are making snap judgments on your body language even though you may not [think] you are portraying anything,” Ecker says.

You may have developed a habit through the years that’s hard to break.

You may think what you are doing such as waiting your turn to speak is just good manners. But all these could be hurting your chances of getting ahead or even being noticed.

“In business negotiations, men take control by talking more than women and interrupting more frequently,” says Carol Kinsey Goman, author of The Silent Language of Leaders and The Nonverbal Advantage. “Females physically condense themselves in their chair and their stance. You can’t do that all the time. Status and authority are nonverbally shown through your height and space.”

Goman, an executive coach and keynote speaker through Kinsey Consulting Services in Berkeley, Calif., suggests women spread out their papers and claim their territory during their next meeting.

You’ll also see powerful men even put their arms on the back of other people’s chairs to expand their presence. Try it, she says.

But before entering the meeting, she suggests a routine called “high-power pose” for as little as two minutes to summon an extra boost of confidence and well-being. This pose includes standing up, widening your stance, spreading your arms out and holding your head up high.

A Harvard Business School study by associate professor Amy Cuddy with women MBA students showed that this pose stimulates higher levels of testosterone, the hormone linked to power and dominance. It also lowers levels of cortisol, the stress hormone that in excess can increase blood pressure and sugar levels, and decrease your immune system and impair memory. “You will change your brain and change your blood chemistry,” Goman says.

Most of the student job candidates are shocked when they see the video, O’Connor says.

“It really takes them back a bit. But when it’s on the screen, there is no way they can argue about it,” he says.

Eye contact is another obstacle for many of the Sage Colleges’ students during these mock interviews. Some people believe maintaining eye contact all the time is the appropriate move.

However, that can be perceived as a threat when someone locks their eyes with yours constantly.

“Then there are certain people who stand too close to others or have nervous tapping, picking their nails, clenching their hands or touching their hair,” O’Connor says. “Many people know they have a habit. But some don’t realize they have done it like 40 times during an interview. It’s almost compulsive at that point.”

If you don’t have access to mock interviews or videotapes of your actions, Ecker offers another suggestion for success: Mirror your actions to match those you are sitting near or across from in a meeting or in a conversation.

“We want to deal with people we like and trust. So mirroring the other person’s demeanor and actions can help while we

are presenting an idea or just having a conversation with the boss,” she says.

For instance, if your boss is relaxed in the chair and you are leaning forward, the rapport will be lacking. If you begin to lean back just as he or she is, then subconsciously you are sending the other person a message that you want to deal with them on an even level. “Our brain interprets that the person mirroring you is like you, and you can trust them,” Ecker adds.

Women can have some particular challenges in the workplace, especially in the area of touch. There is a fine line between being warm and approachable and being perceived as overly friendly.

“If you are a touchy-feely person, it should be curtailed in the office,” Ecker says. “It’s a no-no in business.

Not everyone likes to be touched even if you think it’s just a harmless hand on the shoulder. Just remember that some people have been physically abused in their lives. When you touch them, it triggers other responses.”

And, when it comes to greeting people at work, your mother was right: A firm, confident handshake is still a great icebreaker.

“Women are evaluated just as positively if they have a nice firm handshake as men are,” Goman says. “Look that

person in the eyes, smile in a positive and powerful way, and make sure your hand is right into the web of the other person’s hand. And when you end your handshake, don’t drop your gaze down.”

Goman recently worked with an executive at a government agency. Her supervisors continually wrote on her performance reviews that they didn’t trust her because they thought she was hiding something. “That devastated her because she prided herself on being open and candid. But they didn’t see it that way,” Goman says.

Through interviews and observation, Goman helped the woman realize that, because she was consistently physically cold, she regularly slouched and crossed her arms at meetings. She has since learned to wear layers of clothing to stay warm. She also consciously learned to uncross her arms and legs, and keep her palms down and showing. Her work reviews have changed dramatically.

“I’ve had people tell me that learning about body language is manipulative and phony,” Goman says. “It’s as manipulative as using spellcheck or dressing for success for a key meeting. Most people are really smart and savvy, and what you are doing is aligning other’s perceptions with your best self.” W

The Do’s and Don’ts of Body Language Smiling Excessively — A genuine smile is great. It is the nonverbal communication to which the human brain responds the most because it hits the brain’s reward center. However, a smile (even though it probably is just a nervous smile) can confuse people, especially men, if you do it while they are stating a serious issue or giving bad news.

Crossing Arms — This gesture often tells people you aren’t listening anymore. It can also say, “I’ve made up my mind. Don’t fool with me,” and that’s OK if that’s what you are trying to express.

Head Tilting — It’s a signal that you are listening, so use it when you want to show concern and interest in your coworkers. However, it also reflects submission. So don’t use it when you want to project authority.

Flirtation — It can be fun in the workplace, and you think it is harmless. Not so. Flirtatious men aren’t looked at with less status or competence, but that’s not the same with flirtatious women.

No one said life is fair.

Girlish Gestures — Twirling your hair and playing with your jewelry because you are under stress can only make you seem childish to others or even incompetent. Keep your hands on your lap or on the table during a meeting.

Nodding — A woman’s nod means she agrees or is empathetic, listening or encouraging someone to continue talking. If a man nods, it only means he agrees. Too many head nods detract from your authority.

Source: Carol Kinsey Goman, author of The Silent Language of Leaders and The Nonverbal Advantage.

Want to learn more? See our exclusive video on the do’s and don’ts of body language at capregionwomenatwork.com capregionwomenatwork.com | 35

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Victims of MS need not suffer alone

M

ultiple sclerosis is not an equal-opportunity disease.

“MS affects women three times more than men,” says Stephanie Bradshaw, director of development for the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The nerves are covered by a myelin sheath. “When you have MS, that coating gets eaten away,” says Bradshaw. “No one knows the cause. There’s no cure. It’s not known why some people get MS and some people don’t.”

Common symptoms include fatigue, numbness and tingling in the limbs, 36 | women@work

By Laurie Lynn Fischer

sensitivity to heat, double vision, balance and coordination issues and sometimes cognitive issues, such as trouble remembering or processing information.

“When people have MS, their symptoms can come and go. It’s really hard to definitively say what will happen to you on any timeline,” Bradshaw says. “We have some people who had an exacerbation. They woke up one day with double vision; they got into therapy and were symptom-free for 20 years. Other people are still dragging one of their legs a year later. Everyone’s symptoms are unique.

This makes MS a very unpredictable dis-

Get involved “Whether your contribution is time, skills, funds, or ideas, it can make all the difference,” Bradford says. “If you know someone who has MS, connect them with the National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter. Help and information is available for anyone living with or going through the diagnosis process. You can support those living with MS by becoming involved in a chapter event to raise funds and awareness.”

Phone: 1-800-344-4867 Address: 421 New Karner Road, Suite 6, Albany, NY 12205 Website: msupstateny.org E-mail: nyrevents@nmss.org Facebook: facebook.com/MSupstateNY

Photo: Crowd shot by Dave Kraus/KrausGraphik.com; Stephanie Bradshaw by Emily Jahn/Women@Work.

Come Together

Fundraisers The 8th Annual Women Against MS Luncheon will feature Elizabeth Smart.

Famed as a teen hostage, she went on to start an advocacy foundation and become a news contributor to Dateline and Good Morning America.

When: Nov. 1, 11:30 a.m. networking; 12:30 p.m. lunch and talk Where: Wolferts Roost Country Club, 120 Van Rensselaer Blvd., Albany

The Download on Stephanie Bradshaw

Admission: $75 a plate. Corporate sponsorships are available.

Title: Director of development for the Upstate New York Chapter of the National MS Society.

Family: Parents and younger brother reside in Rotterdam, her hometown.

Bike MS in September at Birch Hill Catering is non-competitive. Cyclists choose a 10-, 30-, 60- or 100-mile route.

ease, which is part of why it can be scary for people who are in the process of being diagnosed.”

The disease most often is diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. “They’re in the prime of their lives,” says Bradshaw.

The MS Society has been working since 1946 to help people with this disease.

“Sylvia Lawry’s brother had MS. She put an ad in the newspaper asking other people with MS or family members of those who had it to contact her,” says Bradshaw. “They founded the MS Society.

Now we have a 50-chapter network. The society serves 400,000 Americans who have MS.” The MS society advocates for people with the disease. “We don’t want them to be forgotten. MS stops people from moving. We exist to make sure it doesn’t,” Bradshaw says. “The National MS Society’s goal is to stop MS in its tracks, restore function that has been lost and end MS forever. We’d like to raise $250 million for research by 2015.”

Bradshaw says progress has been made

Lives in: Cohoes.

Education: Hospitality management undergraduate degree from Ohio State University; graduate degree in recreation and leisure science from the State University of New York at Brockport.

First job: Convenience store clerk.

Toughest job: Convenience store clerk (darned lottery machines!).

Best decision: Having gastric bypass surgery.

Surprising fact: Once had a pet chipmunk.

Guilty Pleasure: Watching The Golden Girls whenever possible.

since the society was first formed. “Because of the research that the national MS society has helped fund over the years, there are more treatments than ever before, including the first two oral treatments in the past year,” she says. “This is a huge breakthrough for those who have avoided therapy in the past because they didn’t like to give themselves shots.”

The upstate New York chapter covers 50 counties and serves 12,800 clients. The organization offers support groups and self-help groups as well as an online community for people who might not to be

able to get out because of mobility issues.

As with many nonprofits, the chapter relies on fundraisers to help meet its needs. This year’s Women Against MS luncheon in November will feature Elizabeth Smart, whose kidnapping from her bedroom was one of the highest-profiled kidnappings since the Lindbergh baby.

“Every year, we try to present a motivational, inspiring speaker with a message of hope, while simultaneously raising money and awareness for multiple sclerosis,” Bradshaw says. We usually sell out. Our goal is $72,000.” W capregionwomenatwork.com | 37

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BOOK REVIEW

Read this book if…

You want straight-talking information about how to take advantage of the network of women who can help your career.

Power in Numbers

Great things happen when women help women

Stiletto Network: Inside the World’s Power Circles That Are Changing the Face of Business, by Pamela Ryckman, Amacom Publishing, 258 pages, $22.95

Instant Recall:

By Brianna Snyder

I

nvestment banker-turned-aspiringjournalist Pamela Ryckman found herself struggling to get a leg up in a new industry. With young kids and a desire for a better work experience, Ryckman found herself striking out again and again with editors and other journalists, who never returned calls or e-mail. But then she discovered what she calls “stiletto networks.”

“It all started at a women’s conference,” writes Ryckman in the intro to her book Stiletto Network. She met a woman senior executive who introduced her to other women executives, smart ladies in powerful positions who “didn’t carp about ‘balance’ or lament not ‘having it all.’” Ryckman stumbled on collectives of successful

women, many of whom opened doors for Ryckman that she’d never have opened on her own.

The Stiletto Network chronicles anecdotes of success and networking within these groups, who call themselves names such as Harpies (a group whose members have included Nora Ephron and Barbara Walters), Power Bitches, Babes in Boyland and S.L.U.T.S. (Successful Ladies Under Tremendous Stress). One woman who benefited from stiletto networks tells Ryckman, “This is not just a financial relationship.

It’s one of passion, true loyalty, care, and concern for our mission. These incredible women have rolled up their sleeves and been involved in the nittygritty of building my business.” W

Notable Quote: “Networking isn’t a zero-sum game; it’s just good business and good karma to assist qualified people.”

 “There’s been a Big (Girl) Bang, and constellations of energized young ladies have alighted on the scene.

Venture capitalists say they’ve seen a huge influx of female entrepreneurs in the last five years, and many think it’s the start of a virtuous circle.”  “Gender alone won’t qualify any woman for membership in the club. For Stiletto Networks to be relevant and desirable, they must be rooted in shared experience and true sympathy — which means they have to have some form of exclusivity.”  “Women’s ways of bonding and communicating have always been different from men’s, so maybe the ladies are finally at ease acknowledging and accentuating these differences, integrating all sundry parts of themselves into the boardroom.”

capregionwomenatwork.com | 39

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MOMS@WORK

Silvia Meder Lilly, an Albany resident, enjoys the challenges of dual careers in the education and restaurant fields and is the mother of three boys. Other passions include friends, food, travel, books, writing and running.

Fear the Fall

By Silvia Meder Lilly

Illustration: AnnaSumska/GettyImages.

I

don’t know about you, but I feel a certain dread as the days grow shorter and the evenings take on a crisper quality. It certainly isn’t a regret about going back to school because it’s always exciting to anticipate a new year of students, opportunities and academic challenges. No, it isn’t that.

And, after a summer of eating bountiful local vegetables and juicy fruits, my palate is ready for earthier taste delights.

My taste buds crave roasted root vegetables, hearty stews and roasts rather than another tomato or ear of corn. But, my diet isn’t really it either.

Ten weeks of relatively lazy living are drawing to a close. Languid mornings with coffee on the deck and the indulgence of long days with late-night bottles of wine al fresco with neighbors are coming to an end and I begin to panic. What if I can’t remember how I did it all? You know, the job(s), the kids, the household stuff, the gym ... that is my fear of fall.

So what to do? Here are some tried and true tips for transitioning from swimming to soccer, from grilling to slow cooking, and from shorts to sweaters.

Make this the year of the calendar.

When that overwhelming packet of papers comes home in your child’s backpack, take 10 minutes to add the important dates to your calendar. Do your children have more than one place they call home? Create a shared digital calendar and vow to keep it current.

Check equipment needs for your sport-minded children. Kids seem to grow like weeds in the summer months

and last spring’s cleats may no longer fit.

Replace shin and mouth guards, check your supply of water bottles and make sure your child’s sports physical is up to date.

Experiment with grains such as lentils and quinoa for delicious and satisfying meals. Visit a market where you can purchase these items in bulk and buy in small amounts until you’ve decided if you’ll be working them into the regular rotation of meals.

Master your slow-cooker and a few foolproof recipes that can be ready when you come home. Nothing, aside from takeout, takes the stress out of an evening faster than the knowledge that dinner will be ready when you walk into your home.

Evaluate your summer clothing.

Consider consigning or donating items that were not worn this year. Summer weight fabrics can be layered to help you transition to cooler temperatures and will allow you to continue wearing those summer favorites you’re not quite ready to part with. Think about next year, too: Look for end-of- season, deeply discounted sale items. New shorts, tops, and sun dresses will pack away nicely until summer rolls around again.

And remember. June will be here again before you know it. Promise. W

Some websites to get you started

Goggle calendar • freebies.about.com/od/ online-calendars/fr/googlecalendar-review.htm Cozi family organizer • freebies.about.com/od/onlinecalendars/fr/cozi-family-organizer.htm Sports equipment • playitagainsportslatham.com • olympiasports.net Cooking whole grains • wholegrainscouncil.org/recipes Slow cooker recipes • allrecipes.com/recipes/ main-dish/slow-cooker/ Consignment shops • tinyurl.com/ww13consignment Wardrobe tips • workingmother.com/fashionbeauty/8-tips-transitioningyour-wardrobe-summer-fall

Working can be challenging for any woman. Add children into the mix, though, and the formula changes again. In Moms@Work, Silvia Meder Lilly shares her insights on working and raising a family. You can also find her blogging in between issues of the magazine at blog.timesunion.com/momsatwork. capregionwomenatwork.com | 41

MEALS ON THE GO

Healthy Passion Why Susan Garth loves being vegetarian

By Brianna Snyder | Photos by Tyler Murphy

W

hen Susan Garth became a vegetarian in the early ‘90s — and shortly after, a vegan — the dietary options for people like her were few and far between. Veganism hadn’t quite taken off yet. “If you went to a restaurant, you’d be limited to pasta marinara,” she says.

So Garth began experimenting with vegan cooking. “I had a roommate who also loved to cook,” she says. “We taught ourselves about beans and tofu, how to use it. We just started coming up with our own recipes. I realized I had a knack for it.”

Soon she began cooking for parties and eventually landed a job at Four Seasons Natural Foods in Saratoga. “The Four Seasons was my first real professional cooking job,” she 42 | women@work

Susan’s Must-Have Pantry Items

TECH CAREER EXPO

REALLY GOOD BUTTER REALLY GREAT OILS, highquality oils.

Extra virgin olive oil. “Everyone loves that one.

I do too.”

September 12 · 2-7pm

SEFCU Arena, University at Albany www.timesunion.com/TechCareerExpo

A variety of WHOLE GRAINS FRESH HERBS

says. “A lot of what I learned happened Top Tip for in that kitchen.” Garth discovered an unHealthy tapped market for personal chefs and left Four Seasons to explore cooking for a list Cooking of clients. That led her to Santa Barbara, “Incorporate Calif., where she did a 5-year stint as a as many personal chef for Kenny Loggins, folplant foods lowed by a month of study at the Kushi as possible Institute in Becket, Mass., where she throughout went to learn about macrobiotics. Then your weekly she landed in New York City, where she menus: whole worked as a personal chef for Jon Stewart. grains, fruits, leafy greens, Three and a half years ago, Garth and make those her husband, Scott, moved to Greenwich the focus of and opened Dish Bistro, a lunch and dinyour menus.” ner restaurant serving organic and local homemade food. “This has really been our project together,” Garth says. “It’s as much him as it is me. I do most of the cooking and he deals with all the bookkeeping and the paperwork.” They also have a 2-year-old, whom customers have gotten to know and love, too.

It’s a family affair.

Garth still works as a personal chef, which she loves. She has clients throughout the area and into Saratoga, and she’s passionate about whole grains, leafy greens and a general holistic approach to healthy eating. She’s no longer vegan but remains a vegetarian. And, she says, macrobiotics have expanded and evolved to include more adventurous, spiced and fuller flavors.

“Macrobiotic just translates as large life — holistic life, holistic lifestyle,” she says. “I definitely focus on the whole foods aspect of cooking, but we don’t turn off the local crowd. We’re not too weird.” see recipe on page 45

Pre-register & attend for a chance to

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STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS Featuring Christel MacLean

Co-Hosted by:

Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Group Tuesday, September 10, 7:30 - 9:00 am Hilton Garden Inn Clifton Park 30 Clifton Country Road

Christel MacLean is no stranger to business or to success. An entrepreneur with a strong business background, she has demonstrated her talents time and again through several restaurants in the Saratoga area including; Hattie’s, Sperry’s, Circus Café, The Crown Grill and the Saratoga Juice Bar as well as her company Realty Saratoga. All of that occurred after spending 10 years on Wall Street. She has found time to balance her dedication to her community through volunteer service on boards of directors as well as balancing her family life with her husband and daughter. An accomplished and respected individual, she has ideas about success that she will share. Thank you to Key Bank for sponsoring the 2013 Women’s Business Group for the Saratoga County Chamber.

Attendees will be asked to share some of their thoughts and ideas and all feedback will be compiled and shared with participants after the event.

Buffet style full breakfast will be served from 7:30 – 8:15 am, program from 8:15 – 9:00 am.

Cost is $25. Please reserve your spot through www.saratoga.org or 584-3255

MEALS ON THE GO continued from page 43

Dinner in 30 minutes Aloo Gobi Serves 4-6 as a side dish, or 3-4 as a vegetarian main dish Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of ghee, plus one teaspoon 1 ½ teaspoons whole cumin seeds ½ teaspoon hing powder, also known as asafoetida (available at specialty Asian markets or natural food stores) 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander 2 medium-sized tomatoes, diced 1 small green Thai chile, seeded and minced (or hot green chile of your choice) ¼ teaspoon turmeric sea salt to taste 6 cups cubed potatoes — any kind of potato works well, cut into 1-inch cubes (I leave the skin on) 6 cups cauliflower, cut into large florets 2 teaspoons fresh minced ginger 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice chopped fresh cilantro for garnish Method: Heat the one tablespoon of ghee over medium heat in a large wide skillet or pot.

Add cumin seeds and hing powder and let sizzle until fragrant and lightly browned, about 10-15 seconds. Add coriander and fry another 5 seconds.

Add chopped tomatoes, ginger and chiles and stir to combine.

Add turmeric and salt and stir again to combine.

Add potatoes and ½ cup of water, cover and cook about 7-8 minutes.

Add cauliflower, stir well to coat with the tomato spice mixture, add a little more water, cover and cook another 7-8 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and cauliflower is well cooked.

Remove from heat, stir in the lemon juice.

Serve this dish with a generous garnish of chopped cilantro. W capregionwomenatwork.com | 45

Lunchtime

Fitness Exercises you can do without breaking a sweat

By Valerie Foster | Photos by Colleen Ingerto

N

ew studies have Women@Work wondering if sitting in front of your computer all day might be the most dangerous job in

America.

Our experts won’t go that far, but all agreed we need to get up more. And is there a better time to get moving than at lunch? “By noon, your mind is on overload, thinking next task, next task, next task, and you are sort of drained,” says therapist Andrea DeGeorgio of the Breakthrough Counseling Center in Saratoga Springs. “By exercising, you get your blood circulating, your endorphins going, and you are ready to go. It’s like having a cup of coffee without the caffeine.”

“Just when you feel like you may go into a slump, pow, hit it with a metabolism jolt,” says fitness guru Leslie Sansone of WalkAtHome.com. “You will regain energy, clear a foggy brain, reverse a blue mood. You will feel confident, alert and creative.”

Need more encouragement? Consider: • A study in Sweden found that when healthy men reduced the amount of daily steps they took — either by 4,000 or 8,000 steps — both groups had a 60 percent increase in the amount of insulin circulating in their blood, increased their risk of heart disease factors and increased abdominal fat by seven percent. And that study was conducted over two weeks.

• The Mayo Clinic cites another study that looked at adults who spend fewer than two hours a day in front of the TV and those who spend more than four hours a day — many fewer hours than many people sit at their desks. The latter group had almost a 50 percent increased risk of death from any cause and a 125 percent increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including chest pain or heart attack. continued on page 48

46 | women@work

November 13, 2013

5:30-7:00pm Desmond Hotel and Conference Center

Celebrate our region’s abundance of excellence as we bring together the business community along with years of distinguished “Women of Excellence” award recipients. A great opportunity to network with accomplished professionals and see where the journey has brought many of the women who have been honored over the past 22 years.

Join us for a cocktail reception and a brief program. All are welcome!

To register, visit acchamber.org or call 518.431.1400.

Major Sponsors:

Media Sponsor:

Patron Sponsor:

Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte CPA’s, P.C.

Photos taken at the Beahive [Albany], a shared co-working space where members work for the day, week or month. For more information, visit beahivebzzz.com or call (518) 426-5211 ext 103. continued from page 46

• Dr. Travis Stork, host of The Doctors, writes in his The Lean Belly Solution that a brisk 20-minute walk — compared with sitting your entire lunch hour — burns an extra 49 calories. Do the math: seven days a week, that totals 343 calories. In a month, that’s an extra 1,372 calories. It all adds up.

But where to start? With your mindset, which our experts say is the hardest part of getting started. “Just make the time to do it,” says personal trainer Debi Condon of Evolution Fitness in Clifton Park. “Ten, 15, 30 minutes, an hour, whatever time, you should make the time.” If you must, schedule it into your day planner. Sansone suggests dividing your lunch break: 50 percent to eating, 50 percent to exercising. “Even 10 short minutes of brisk exercise can be huge in health improvement and yes, even weight loss,” Sansone says.

And don’t worry about changing your clothes or sweating. Today’s recommendations will just raise your heart rate a tad and make you a bit warm, but not hot enough to warrant a change of clothes.

Condon suggests taking a walk outside, pumping your arms a bit to get the blood flowing. “You’ll also get the vitamin D we all need while burning some calories,” she says. Stretching is another favorite of hers, the first thing many people ignore usually because of time constraints. For example: • Squats (see example on right) • Stationary lunges, one leg forward, one leg back. Bend knees and lower body into a lunge.

Front knee does not go over the

What’s for lunch?

Eat before or after exercise? Walking expert Leslie Sansone says exercise first because if you ate a healthy breakfast — and we all know we should — you should have the energy from that food working for you. Once exercise is done, slow down and eat a healthy lunch.

Jim White, a spokesperson for the Academy

48 | women@work

toe, weight is on your heels. Don’t lock knees. Slowly come up.

• Wall push-ups (see example on right) • Front bends (see example on right) • Side stretches: Arms overhead, stretch to one side, bending from your waist. Slowly come up and bend to your other side.

Condon suggests doing these exercises five times each to start, working up to 15 to 20 repetitions.

Tenicia Trask of TNT Fitness in Albany once worked in an office and understands the challenges of what she calls “healthy me-time in the workplace.” She has several corporate clients and also knows the importance of non-sweating exercises. She favors yoga, pilates and deep stretching so people can focus on themselves and re-center, both physically and mentally. Her corporate fitness classes run from 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the company. Like Condon, she says squats and lunges work well for exercising at your desk. Trask also stresses the importance of taking mini breaks throughout the day — 15 to 30 seconds every 20 minutes would be ideal — to do some light stretching and deep breathing. Any of these mini-exercises could be added to a longer lunchtime workout: • Extending an arm in front of your chest, with other hand grasp extended hand and gently pull down on the fingers, releasing at the wrist.

Do the same with the other hand.

• Release head to chest, roll head gently to the side, then back to center,

of Nutrition and Dietetics, agrees with Sansone, but says that for some, a light snack 20 minutes before exercising will keep blood sugar levels even. “Exercising on an empty stomach can make some people feel weak,” he says.

His snacks of choice include a few wholegrain crackers spread with almond butter or hummus; Greek yogurt; a piece of fruit; string cheese with almonds; or a hard-boiled egg.

then to the other side. Do not roll the head backward (the time and place for this movement is in a more focused and warmed-up state).

• Sit tall, inhale to bring the shoulder blades together on the back. Exhale to slowly release the shoulder blades, keeping shoulders low.

• Roll shoulders backward and forward.

• Inhale to lift chest, exhale to round spine bringing chin to chest and belly button in and up through the core.

• Sitting tall, inhale. On exhale gently twist in chair and place both hands on arm rest on one side. Repeat other side.

It’s no surprise that Sansone feels midday is the perfect time to walk. “A brisk walk is medicine for life,” she says.

“It increases circulation, which sets off a whole host of reactions in the body that improve everything from blood pressure to blood sugar to stronger heart, lungs, bones — and it burns big calories.”

Her website always features a 1-mile walk workout (it changes monthly) that anyone can plug into for free.

“We’ve made it so there are no excuses now not to walk,” Sansone says. “You can always fit in 15 minutes. One day you might want to walk around the office parking lot. Another day do our one-mile walk.” She adds that what is most important is that you do it. “That’s the ultimate solution for seeing measurable results!”

Says Condon: “Your body deserves it.

You mind deserves it. You need to give yourself that time each day.” W

Within an hour after exercising bring on more substantial fare. He recommends a turkey sandwich with a piece of fruit; canned tuna mixed with low-fat mayonnaise with a few whole-grain crackers; a high-protein soup such as lentil or chicken noodle; a salad with a protein such as chicken or beans; or a protein shake.

And one more suggestion from White: Eat real food and skip the processed stuff.

RESISTANCE BAND BICEP CURLS

WALL PUSHUPS Place palms against the wall and feet together, as far away from the wall as is comfortable.

Slowly push back, then slowly come forward.

Buy a pair of resistance bands. Place them around your feet and in a seated position, do bicep curls.

FRONT BENDS

SQUATS

Raise arms overhead, bend from your waist trying to reach the floor with your hands. Keep knees slightly bent.

(can be done holding on to your desk). Feet hip-distance apart, slowly bend your knees as if you are going to sit in a chair. Slowly come up.

capregionwomenatwork.com | 49

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incorporate a pop of color

Power Up!

above all, confidence is key!

What the career woman will be wearing this fall

Photo: Getty Images/Hero Images.

C

By Kristi Barlette

lothes make the woman — especially at work.

So while jeans, knee-high boots and an over-sized top may be comfortable — even stylish — for a night out with friends, it doesn’t fit the bill when it comes to power dressing — an essential for success in corporate America.

“Everything in life is about presentation,” says Sandra Dollard, owner of Evoke Style Albany and Rhinebeck. “If a woman feels confident in a meeting and powerful in what she’s wearing, she will feel more confident at work and have more success.”

When many of us think of power dressing we think of a suit — black or navy — a white shirt and pumps. But that rather narrow view has changed.

Dollard says power dressing now means incorporating some color into your wardrobe — one pop of color among the neutrals. Orange, green and pink or raspberry work well and are onpoint and stylish, she says. You could do this with a scarf, blouse or even a skirt or jacket.

Remember, though, not every color

choose a base piece, such as a gray suit or skirt go with pumps, not stilettos

works on every woman. Navy is a good base — and the “new black” — and flatters every skin tone. But orange hues work best with warm tones, while pinks or greens flatter cool tones, says Dollard.

Once you’ve determined the best options for your coloring (most sales staff can help if you’re struggling), it’s time to choose a base piece, such as a gray suit, dress or skirt, says Bichi Fasso, assistant store manager at the Boscov’s in Clifton

Park. Warm textiles such as cable knits and tweeds are also on-trend for fall and can offer warmth and appropriate workplace style.

Keep the look professional but a little more interesting by incorporating tights, pumps (not stilettos) or a chunky piece of jewelry such as a necklace, Fasso adds.

Stilettos are just one of the “nos” when it comes to power dressing this fall (or any season, really), say experts. continued on page 53 capregionwomenatwork.com | 51

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Photos: Outfits provided by Boscov’s Clifton Park, photographed by Colleen Ingerto; Stilettos, Martin Carlsson/GettyImages.

Don’t be monochromatic.

Make a statement with a colorful scarf.

The right accessories can take an outfit from blah to beautiful. Chunky jewelry and colorful blouses are in this fall .

continued from page XX

While it may seem obvious, tight or skimpy are two looks to leave at home.

That look may work on TV, or among celebrities, but it’s not workplace-appropriate, says Rose Miller, president of Pinnacle Human Resources in Latham.

“I see no real advantage to communicate that you are ‘sexy’ or ‘hot’ in business, unless your business is in the entertainment industry,” says Miller. “Do you want them to listen to the words coming out of your mouth or [look at] your shape? What does your shape have to do with what you are saying?”

Women get a lot of mixed signals on this front, adds Miller. If you focus on dress as a form of communication, you will find that dressing provocatively is sending the wrong message most of the time.

That doesn’t mean, however, your wardrobe can’t include elements of femininity. In fact, says Dollard, women are — finally — realizing they don’t have to dress like men.

“The fashion for this fall is feminine tailoring — men’s clothing with a feminine twist,” Dollard says. So, for example, pair black, straight pants with a fun shoe (no embellishments, please) and a color-

ful blouse.

Be careful, though: Color and ruffles don’t mean evening wear-inspired. For the office, skip the sequins and beading in favor of a deep, boldly colored blouse.

One caveat: V-necks are OK and can look great, but a plunging neckline that flashes cleavage will take you from corporate fashionista to floozy faster that you can say “key performance indicator.”

One of the biggest debates when it comes to office fashion and power-dressing is hosiery. Dollard has seen tights surpass traditional stockings, although nylons have made a resurgence thanks to Kate Middleton favoring the look.

If you do opt for traditional stockings this fall, make sure to invest in a good pair (or two). The fake tan look you’ll find with some of the drugstore brand stockings doesn’t work, says Dollard, and can take the “chic” right out of an otherwise perfect outfit. A good stocking will cost more but will hold up bet-

ter, offer better support and complement your look rather than distract from it.

Of course, in some offices, bare legs are acceptable. And, for some women, preferred (you don’t have to worry about runs).

“The stocking issue is based on the company’s culture and dress rules,” says Miller. “A more formal company environment would require stockings at all times, while other company cultures are more relaxed. Stockings or no stockings always accompanies the larger necessity for being neat and clean.”

And, really, the whole idea of power dressing is balancing chic and tidy with professional. W

Workplace No-No’s What not to do if you want to make the right impression this fall.

• stilettos • sequins & beading • plunging neckline

capregionwomenatwork.com | 53

Getting Away:

Door County, Wisconsin

THE CANA ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE is one of Door County's “must-sees.”

By Stacey Morris | Photos courtesy Door County Visitor Bureau

N

o one could ever dispute the splendor of a foliage ride through the Adirondacks, Berkshires, or Hudson Valley, where backroads, mountain tops and valleys are scenic gems. This year, why not branch out and see how it’s done in the Midwest? You’ll get a slightly new spin on celebrating the harvest and taking in the flaming colors of Mother Nature. A fall visit to Door County in Wisconsin combines elements of the harvest, a scenic coastline, and culinary adventures.

Forty miles northeast of Green Bay, Door County is a 70-mile-long peninsula situated between the waters of Green Bay to the west and Lake Michigan to the east, giving visitors a variety of experiences on two distinctive coasts, more than 30 islands, and quaint towns and villages. Known as “The Cape Cod of the Midwest,” it features 300 miles of shoreline, 11 lighthouses, five state parks and 54 | women@work

19 county parks.

Named one of the best fall foliage destinations in the country by Travel + Leisure magazine, Door County’s foliage usually peaks early-to-mid-October. One of the best ways to see Mother Nature’s big show is to drive the Door County Coastal Byway, which runs along the peninsula’s Green Bay and Lake Michigan coastlines and includes the northernmost sections of state highways 42 and 57. The scenic 66-mile-long route loops around the northern two-thirds of Door County and follows two-lane roads connecting many of Door County’s waterfront towns, inland communities, lighthouses, three of the county’s five state parks and innumerable vistas atop the 150-foot limestone bluffs that overlook Lake Michigan.

The Door County Circle Tour is another self-guided drive that takes visitors up one side of the peninsula, over to

Washington Island via the Death’s Door water passage, and then down the other side of the peninsula. It’s possible to complete the tour in a day, but why not spread it out over two or three to take full advantage of area restaurants, B&Bs, fruit orchards, and harvest festivals?

Door County is also known as the Cherry Belt of Wisconsin, abounding with orchards, farm stands, and specialty gourmet shops that feature products from both the cherry and fall harvest crop.

Cherry season peaks in June, but thanks to the wonders of canning and preserving, markets offer everything from cherry jams and juice to cherry wine and barbecue sauce. There’s also no shortage of fresh apples and pumpkins this time of year, and Door County is home to more than a dozen orchards and farmers markets where visitors can pick fresh fruits or fill a shopping basket with apples, gourd vegetables, jams and pies.

Must-Sees Cana Island Lighthouse Bailey’s Harbor, Wisc.

(920) 743-5958 www.dcmm.org/cana-island-lighthouse Wear comfortable shoes for this scenic tour that begins with a half-mile walk across a rock causeway to the historic lighthouse. Built in 1869, it once protected sailors from the dangerous shoals extending from Cana Island onto Lake Michigan. Start by visiting the keeper’s house and later make the ascent up the 90-foot spiral lighthouse staircase for stunning views of the lake and coastline. Door County is home to 10 other lighthouses. Besides the Cana Island Lighthouse, the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park and Pottawatomie Lighthouse (the oldest lighthouse in Wisconsin) are open for tours May through October. For more information on Door County Lighthouses, visit doorcounty. com/what-to-do/lighthouses.

For Couples Savory Spoon Cooking School 12042 Highway 42 Ellison Bay, Wisc.

(920) 854-6600 savoryspoon.com This countryside cooking school has amplified charm. That’s because it’s headquartered in a fully restored 1879 two-room school house and historical landmark. Savory Spoon is the perfect place to while away an afternoon learning how to make chilled cherry and pinot noir soup, buttery croissants, or fresh-spinach fettuccine with local vegetables. Afterward, browse the school’s gourmet marketplace known for its 50-plus varieties of Wisconsin artisanal cheeses.

The MIller Art Museum 107 South 4th Ave. Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.

(920) 746-0707 millerartmuseum.org The museum features an impressive permanent collection of works by

Wisconsin artists from the past century in mediums that include painting, drawing, photography, and printmaking.

It also hosts several traveling exhibitions each year, including the current Craig Blietz: A 20-Year Survey, opening with a reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 and on view through Nov. 5.

Family Attractions Door County Trolley 9197 Highway 42 Fish Creek, Wisc.

(920) 868-1100 doorcountytrolley.com One of the most enjoyable ways to see the coastline and string of “seaside” towns that surround it is by way of scenic trolley tours. Featured themes include the Door County Lighthouse Tour, Narrated Scenic Tours, and Premier Wine Tour of Door County.

Door County Fish Boils doorcounty.com/whereto-dine/fish-boils Undoubtedly the most distinctive culinary event in the county, this simple, traditional meal is a historical homage to how the Scandinavian settlers of the region prepared dinner after a day fishing the waters of Lake Michigan.

Several restaurants throughout the county offer traditional fish boils, which begin outdoors over a massive iron cauldron where whitefish, potatoes, and onions are boiled over a roaring fire.

Dinner is served family-style indoors and is ceremoniously capped off with a slice of Door County cherry pie.

lighthouse, a sandy beach, and 8 miles of azure shoreline. Get your cardio the scenic way with the park’s 10-mile Sunset Bike Route, which starts near the Fish Creek entrance of the park. The relatively flat trail accommodates cyclists, hikers, and wheelchairs. Be sure to check out Hidden Bluff, a scenic nearly-milelong spur of the trail that gives access to the park’s nature center as well as a shortcut to and from Nicolet Bay. Door County Fireboat Cruises Sturgeon Bay City Dock (next to the Maritime Museum) Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.

(920) 495-6454 ridethefireboat.com Hop aboard a red fire boat, the nautical equivalent of a fire truck, for a 90-minute tour of Sturgeon Bay and its lighthouses.

Passengers will reach their destination of the Sturgeon Bay Coast Guard Station and Sherwood Point Lighthouse in style because these fire boats come equipped

 FISH BOILS are a big tourist attraction — and an integral part of Door County's history.

Outdoor Activities Peninsula State Park and Sunset Bike Trail 9462 Shore Road Fish Creek, Wisc.

(920) 868-3258 http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ parks/name/peninsula Considered one of the state’s most versatile parks, Peninsula features hundreds of campsites, a summer theater, an 18-hole golf course, bike trails, a capregionwomenatwork.com | 55

 GOATS GRAZE on the sod roof at Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant. Be sure to try the Swedish pancakes, too! with a refreshment counter and full bar. The experience even includes an appearance by the boat’s Dalmatian mascot. Tours leave daily at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. through October.

doesn’t hurt either. Vegan and glutenfree options are also available. Work off your lunch by crossing the street and renting a bike for an excursion through Peninsula State Park’s Sunset Bike Trail.

 For more information on dining,

Dining

Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant 10698 North Bay Shore Road Sister Bay, Wisc.

(920) 854-2626 aljohnsons.com

The Orchid Inn 3273 Mathey Road Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.

(920) 746-0196 theorchidinn.com

This eatery is as known for Swedish meatballs and paper-thin cherry pancakes with whipped cream as it is for its exterior.

Al Johnson’s has become a world-famous landmark thanks to the small herd of goats that graze atop the restaurant’s sod roof. Open every day but Christmas, the restaurant menu is filled with American comfort foods such as burgers and grilled ham and cheese, but be sure to try the items that set Al Johnson’s apart such as the pickled herring, the Scandinavian cheese platter, or basket of fried Walleye (a Lake Michigan white fish) and fries.

There’s a reason that you’ll probably feel as if you’re in the middle of a garden at this boutique B&B — owners Richard and Tammy Briggs own the adjacent Briggsville Gardens nursery, and have landscaped their property with waterfalls, flower beds, and garden pathways so guests are treated to a visual feast whether they’re on a private balcony or wandering the ground’s 42 acres. Breakfast trays laden with Texasstyle French toast or smoked sausage quiche are delivered to the door of each guest room with a vase of fresh flowers.

Wild Tomato Wood-Fired Pizza and Grille 4023 Highway 42 Fish Creek, Wisc.

(920) 868-3095 wildtomatopizza.com Don’t let the simple, mom-and-pop vibe fool you. Owners Sara and Britton Unkefer have turned what could have been an ordinary pizzeria into a destination with wood-fired delicacies such as their Green and Gold pie topped with roasted chicken, bacon, grilled broccoli and Wisconsin cheese curds. The fact that Britton is a New England Culinary Institute graduate and former head baker at Wolfgang Puck’s San Francisco restaurant, Postrio, 56 | women@work

visit doorcounty.com/where-todine/where-to-dine-home

Lodging

The White Gull Inn 4225 Main St. Fish Creek, Wisc.

(888) 364-9542 whitegullinn.com Accommodations range from rooms and suites to cottages and two-story houses with wrap-around porches. The award-winning restaurant features breakfast, lunch, and candlelit dinners of slow-roasted duck glazed in Door County cherry port, but tourists really line up for the inn’s cherry-stuffed French toast, named “Best Breakfast” by Good Morning America several years ago.

The Best Western Maritime Inn 1001 N. 14th Ave. Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.

(920) 743-7231 bestwesternwisconsin.com B&Bs aren’t for everyone and this smoke-free hotel features a business center, dry-cleaning service, indoor pool and barbecue grills for guests. It’s also minutes away from the Door County Maritime Museum, the Door Peninsula Winery, Bailey’s Harbor, and other attractions.

 For a list of lodging packages, visit: doorcounty.com/sodelicious-so-doorcounty/ lodging-packages

Best Time to Visit Seasonal businesses are typically open May through October, and those are the best months to enjoy not only what area shops and attractions have to offer, but outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, boating, biking and festivals.

Try to Avoid Winter months can bring harsh weather, especially with the winds blown in from Lake Michigan.

Upcoming Events So Delicious, So Door County Sept. 6-Oct. 27

Is your financial future healthy?

The whole county celebrates the harvest with farmers markets, celebrations, music, art and cooking events. doorcounty.com/ so-delicious-so-door-county.

Harvest Festival and Harvest Moon Celebration 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, citywide in Sturgeon Bay Featuring a craft and car shows, food vendors, live music, and children’s entertainment. sturgeonbay. net/experience/events/ harvest-festival Sister Bay Fall Festival Oct. 18-20 A tradition since 1945, the weekend event includes a Saturday parade, juried art show, craft fair, food vendors, live entertainment, and the famous ping-pong drop. cometosisterbay.com/ festivals-and-events/fall-fest.

If You Go The Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) in Green Bay offers daily service from American, Delta, and United airlines.

For general information on Door County, visit doorcounty.com, or call (800) 527-3529. W

Call for a free consultation.

No fees.

No obligations.

Just up-to-date information.

ROBERT J. MCNAMARA Financial Planning to Improve Families’ Futures.

Robert J. McNamara Financial Consultants 132 S. Swan Street, Albany, NY 12210

518.434.4383

Email: rjm8@ae.cadaretgrant.com Securities offered through Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. Member of FINRA/SIPC

THE LAST WORD

1. Find out first through your boss’ assistant when his/her schedule is a bit lighter. Ask assistant to put you down for 5-10 minutes preferably first thing on the work day schedule. This time slot allows for discussion before the work day gets out of control.

2. Write out your conversation in a straightforward honest manner. Then condense it to key words. Bring a small pad with key words on it.

3. Consider calling your HR dept. to speak with confidentiality to let them know about the mistake and that you are meeting with your boss to address same.

Question: Compiled by Janet Reynolds

Your boss has made a mistake. What’s the best way to let him or her know without hurting your relationship?

4. Let your boss know your concern and that you are available to help with the issue (I would not call it a mistake). You want to come across as someone willing to fix the problem not just point it out or make it worse.

Do NOT let drama takeover. Stay in control and say as little as possible.

5. Call your HR dept. afterwards to report outcome again in total confidence.

— Theresa Marangas attorney at law, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP

K

nowing what to do in sticky situations is one of the hardest part of being a manager. Each issue of W@W we’ll feature a tricky issue with answers from area HR professionals, managers and business owners. If you

have a question you’d like answered, drop us a line on Facebook, facebook.com/capregionwomen atwork, or send an e-mail to bsnyder@timesunion.com. Your question will be kept confidential.

“Ensure you maintain the dignity of your boss by speaking privately vs. using e-mail, checking the accuracy of your facts vs. stating opinions, and offering constructive solutions vs. complaining.”

— Dale Klein

“Talk to your boss privately, in person or by phone, NEVER in front of others.

Fame your discussion on why correcting the mistake is in the best interest of the company. Be supportive and ask your boss how you can help with any corrective action that may need to be taken.”

— Anne Saile president, The Saile Group

“First sit down with the person. Do it a one-on one — no phone, no e-mail.

Have the issue in front of you. You do it in a positive manner and then offer a solution or another strategy.”

— Patty Fusco president, Fusco Personnel Inc

“I try to show another way of looking at things, a different perspective, and in that may be the solution to the problem.“ — Elizabeth Miller executive director, Capital District Women’s Employment and Resource Center

58 | women@work

“I find the direct approach is most beneficial. I would first gather the facts and insure the ‘mistake’ is worth a discussion. ... the choice of words and tone of voice should be carefully chosen.

One should stick to the facts and focus on the behavior/incident rather than the individual. Again, meeting privately rather than e-mailing this concern would be more productive.”

— Suzanne O’Connor associate director, Siena College Career Center

Illustration: © iStockphoto.com/artvea.

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