A Challenge From the Boss Man

Toward the later portion of last year I received a promotion at my job. The words "assistant" or "associate" may never be in my job title again and I'm OK with that. I am wo-man, feelin' all successful and shiznit.

So far my new gig has been going swimmingly. I couldn't be happier. I've completely redesigned our website, our "brand" and quite frankly, the way we're marketing (some things) altogether. It's been a really fun project. But, now the re-design is done. We're upgrading things here and there as budgeting will allow, but we're onto other challenges like growing our business...Which is where my focus is primarily.

I received a challenge from my boss last week to majorly test my ability to sell. Not just selling anything either. I have to sell my company, our services, our products and basically open the flood gate with everything we have to offer to one of our newer relationships/accounts to see if I can reel them in. At first I was all hot-headed about the situation challenge you say? I laugh in the face of challenge? Muahahahaha... ((Insert BIG HEAD here)) Why the smart-ass mentality? Because I had just met with the guy a couple weeks prior to this obstacle presented and he already (verbally) agreed to send all his business opportunities to our firm. This last phone call in my mind would simply seal the deal; sign contracts, negotiate comp, whatever, I was gonna git 'er done.

But, not so fast there, slick. There's been one minor issue.... "The" guy won't return my emails or my phonecalls. WTF? Nicole's confidence has gone from elephant to ant-sized and boy do I feel like an over-zealous, over-confident, narcissistic FOOL.

So what now, you ask? The waiting game. You want to know what sucks about the waiting game? The same thing that sucked when you were waiting for "that guy" to call you in high school, college or whenever "that guy" came into your life. My stomach is in knots. I'm nervous. My hands are sweating. I'm drinking too much coffee. I'm over dressing for work. Everytime the phone rings I'm freaking Oh. Em. Geezy. Is. It. HIM?!?!?! Thank the Lord for caller ID.

I know that if this deal doesn't go through that I have seriously done everything I can without appearing totally and completely desperate for this man's business... also know that my boss won't hold it against me. BUT, in the back of my mind I keep thinking if I can land this... It just creates more trust and opens the doors for even more opportunities.

The busy season of my business is starting to pick up. And hey, quite frankly, maybe the meeting that I thought went well about a month ago didn't go as well as I thought... Whatever is going on, I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.

More to come on this saga...

Gimme a Nice Firm One...

I knew that title would get your attention... And you're all a buncha perverts for thinkin' what you're thinkin'... But, I came here today to talk about hand shakes and hugs because it's come to my attention lately that some people seriously suck at hand shakes and hugs.

In case you're just stumbling across my blog for the first time today, I work in the business world. There is a lot of hand shaking that takes place in the business world from the initial meeting with someone, possibly in the middle of the meeting to seal agreement and then of course at the end of the meeting to conclude the events that transpired.

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I did receive a lesson on hand shaking when I was in college. Your hand shake can say a lot about you as a person. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about - we've all had the experience of the person that shakes our hand and we swear we're not sure if there are any fingers on our hand that were left unbroken... But, then there's the hand shake that I can't stand - The "finger tip" only hand shake or the hand shake that doesn't seem sincere - it's sort of weak and not really strong or sincere.

I was taught there are three things you should always do when you give a hand shake - male or female - I suggest practicing with a spouse or partner if you've got an interview coming up because as of late we've had some poor ones...

1. Straighten Up and Speak Up: Pull those shoulders back and life your eyes to look the world head on. CONFIDENCE IS KEY.
2. Extend Your Arm and Hand With Confidence and Meaning: Don't make people question what you're doing (is she trying to shake my hand right now, is she initiating something?). This goes back to Number 1 - be confident - put your hand out and...
3. Grab Hold of The Person's Hand Like You Mean It: ((Don't be creepy or anything, there is a time limit on this hand shake)) - But, look the person in the eye, speak up and introduce yourself (first and last name) and for pete's sake, BE CONFIDENT!

Seriously, I'm so sick of these petty hand shakes that I've been receiving as of late - If I can't even hear you introduce yourself and if you don't say something with conviction - sorry, but you just lost some credentials with me... I understand some people are nervous coming into the situtation, but this is the business world - better get used to it.

And the same goes with hugs - I really hate hugs that don't seem genuine or from the heart. Sometimes it's tough to give an all-out hug to someone, but if you're putting the effort into giving a hug to begin with, make it count!

I know this is a petty post, but seriously - one of my pet peeves! If you're going to hand shake in the business world, do so with some confidence and with conviction. Same goes for hugs!

Make it count people! There's only one you in this world, you've already got that going for you so don't be afraid to flaunt what you got!

((End Rant))

A Blast From the Past

I had lunch with an old friend last week.

Let me tell you, I was a bit nervous for this lunch. You see, I'm about 20 steps ahead of most others my age, especially from the area where I grew up and I know it sounds dumb, but I was just worried about what he was going to think of me... Not to mention, I'm pretty sure the last time I saw the guy was in a bar somewhere during the haze that was my college (partying) days.

So we get to the lunch and at first it was awkward as awkward can be. We hugged - talked about how long it had been since we'd actually had a conversation with each other, which we agreed must have been high school graduation (about 8 years ago now)... He was in utter shock that I was married and had two children. His response was that I had two kids and was still "tiny". I can't tell you how much I hate people that remark about this OR believe this stereotype about women - like automatically when you have children your looks have to go away? F that noise.

Anyway, the conversation about our lives went on and on and the more we talked, the more I realized that I missed hanging out with this guy. How did we grow apart? We used to be so close and it was sad to think that 8 years had come and gone and I didn't know anything about him anymore. What's even more sad is that he works within minutes of my office and we'd never known this...

I learned a few things after finishing:

1. I need to seriously see friends more. I feel like I do my best, but wow, no excuses anymore. I feel like I take people for granted sometimes and I need to remember that sometimes when you cut yourself off from people or don't give a little more effort, it hurts them.

2. I'm way ahead of most people my age with having kids and yes, some people think I'm crazy - this guy I went to lunch with was no exception - He asked why we have two kids and I told him that we didn't plan it, it just happened to us and sometimes life just happens and you roll with it. I wouldn't trade having my children for the world. Sometimes I feel like my friends are looking for me to say I would take back having kids or they try to fish and poke around for me to say something along those lines and sorry folks, I would never, ever say that. Having children is a blessing. I'm blessed to be a mother. One day, when you have your own children, you'll understand, but until then....

3. Sometimes in life you just have to A.S.K. to G.E.T. I never would have gotten this opportunity if I hadn't asked for it. And look all the good that came out of it? Reconnecting with an old friend and finding out things about each other in a personal and professional light...

I'm in the mood to vent so I may post yet again after this one - but I definitely had to share my experience with this lunch because it was just... Crazy, weird, good and fun.

Work Email Etiquette Rant

Mmmmmk, first day back after Christmas/Holiday vacations and I'm sorry, but I'm going on an email rant.

If email is not a part of your everyday work routine, I'm not sure how well you can relate to this post, but maybe you can pick up on these frustrations. I work in the financial planning/consultative sales world and I spend all day with my inbox open and I have email sent to my phone because when you work in this industry and people need answers after hours, you have to be able to give it to them. Sucks, but I guess that's just part of the gig and truthfully, it doesn't really bother me...

For those of you that do work in the email world, here's a list of rantings that you may be able to relate to:

1. For pete sake, start your email with a friggin' greeting. I have a name and it would be nice if you would say "Hi Nicole" or "Good morning Nicole" or even a simple hello! instead of just ranting on about what you need from me and you need it ASAP...
2. Which brings me to my second point - This is an email, an electronic business exchange that I will be recording in my system - idk about u but u should maybe actually spell out the words u r trying 2 say 2 me so u sound a bit more intelligent.
3. Use a font that I can actually read and furthermore, use a color that's more professional. Cursive fonts, CURLZ font, pink, light purple color fonts that scream princesses and butterflies or magical fairy land is not appropriate for the professional world. Personal email, do whatever you like, but seriously? There's a butterfly next to your signature and we work in the financial services industry. There is no relation whatsoever.
4. English lesson number 1 - There (location), Their (possessive), They're (They Are - Conjuction). Period. Enough said.
5. use a little punctuation in your email not everything needs to be in lower case letters and in a run on sentence that has no end because its really daunting to read and you seriously sound and look like you are not professional and have no idea what youre doing and i dont know or understand why a client would trust you with their financial well being if you cant even put a . at the end of a sentence
6. English lesson number 2 - it's stands for IT IS. NOTHING ELSE. #iamagrammarnazi.
7. If you're my co-worker and you're in my office and sending me a novel of an email, for goodness sake get your butt off your chair and come talk to me about it. If I have to scroll to read this email from you, I'm going to get mad and may not even read it at all.
8. I know getting emails sent to your phone is convenient, but PLEASE don't treat it like a text message. I think the point of having emails sent to your phone is to make your work seamless and so you can travel and others don't necessarily know you're out of the office. It seriously drives me bonkers when I get an email that says "K. Sent from myiPhone".
9. If you're going to be out of the office for more than 1 day, put your away message on with information on who to contact in your absence. When you come back, see my 10 emails and apologize for being out of the office for 2 weeks, this is just not good business etiquette and quite frankly, is UBER FRUSTRATING.
10. DON'T TYPE EVERYTHING IN CAPITAL LETTERS. EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT, IT MAKES YOU SEEM ANGRY AND MAD ABOUT SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!

That's enough for now. Looking forward to hearing your frustrations regarding email or any work etiquette for that matter....