Here are some tips:

Do for Women
• Your hairstyle must look current and be your every day style.
• Wear makeup that looks natural.
• If you wear glasses all the time wear them in the picture (be sure they are non-reflective).
• Wear appropriate clothing familiar to the audience.
• Go on the web to see how others in your industry look.

Do for Men
• Wear a touch of cover-stick to mask skin discoloration.
• If you have a mustache or beard make sure it is trimmed neatly.
• Chose clothing that creates the image your audience understands.
• Always wear either a jacket or collared shirt.
• If you wear glasses all the time, wear them in the picture (be sure they are non-reflective).

Don’t
• Choose a new style hairdo for the picture.
• Do a glamour photo.
• Overdo accessories (for example, dangling earrings).
• Wear patterns.

If you can follow these guidelines, the picture will connect you to your audience before you have even met them.

The dialog continues about the five generations in the work place and how each group possesses certain tendencies that set them apart. At times, the differences can cause unrest and friction in the office or factory. However, I believe the generations can learn from each other.

The one trait I admire the most is how the Millennials view camaraderie and collaboration as being critical to their success. They also value:

• Friendship
• Idea Sharing
• Trust
• A non-judgmental approach

Recently, I watched a group of Millennials work together for a week serving three meals a day and cleaning up for a group of 50. My observations suggested that they were happy to share responsibility and operate as a cohesive work group.

I also experienced this last year when I was interviewed for an article for a major university. The writer had several of her writer-friends review and edit the piece. I wondered if members of another generation would have done taken that approach.

Today, we have an extraordinary opportunity to learn from each other. And while each generation might view the world differently, we can all still join together to create a harmonious work and social environment.

Skirts are back this year in a very big way. Colors and patterns are more fashionable than ever. The question that comes up on a regular basis is how short and how long are considered acceptable?

These are the simple guidelines:

• A short skirt is never more than three inches above the knee. This is the acceptable rule of thumb for business.
• Straight skirts worn for business look best slightly above the knee.
• Use your judgment with straight skirts worn for casual use. Don’t allow your short skirt to be the first thing that is noticed.
• Long skirts for business can cause you to appear matronly unless you look like Catherine Zeta-Jones
• Long skirts are best worn with boots for a smart look.
• Long skirts worn for casual use, especially the flowing ones, look best with sandals.

You will always look smart and fashionable when you wear a skirt according to these guidelines.

Recently, Sara Lee’s CEO disclosed she had a stroke. The controversy is whether Brenda Barnes should have released this information sooner rather than later. We understand she has a commitment to the board of directors, her employees and stock holders because of her high profile status, but what should the average employee disclose?

It is important to be upfront if you have a long term illness especially if you know it will affect your ability to do the required work. But to be on the safe side, you might want to check with your HR department for guidance.

When disclosing personal health issues stick with the facts. Be careful not to put too much of an emotional burden on the person with whom you are sharing the information. Always thank them for their support. When you do this they will usually be more than willing to support you through a difficult time.

Civility is sometimes neglected due to the stress of work and life responsibilities. Sometimes we make comments that were never meant to be heard. We throw off looks that project dark thoughts.

I am always impressed when folks take the time to be sensitive to those around them. Here are some examples:

• Allowing someone with only a few items who is behind you at a checkout line, to go ahead of you.
• Letting a car in front of you who missed a parking spot, back up and try again.
• Working for a boss who takes over when you are on deadline but need to go home early because of a sick child.
• Smiling when someone gives you a stern look.
• Being offered money to make up the difference when you are at the checkout and discover you don’t have enough cash.
• Calling someone by an incorrect name and the way you are corrected is to be gently reminded of the actual name.

The reason I recognize sensitivity is because these experiences have happened to me.

What does it take to be a member of the C Suite?

This is a question that comes up quite often. There are number of best sellers on the market that claim they have the secrets. I should know because I probably own most of them!

Here are my top six critical attributes if you aspire to the C Suite:

1. Work smart and hard
2. Know you belong as a member of the C Suite
3. Speak in headlines
4. Look the part (body language, facial expressions and clothing)
5. Understand the audience
6. Manage up
7. Have a good sense of humor
8. Always be ethical
9. Treat famous people like they’re not
10. Treat not famous people like they are

Most importantly, possess the drive and passion for what you do. That element almost alone, will propel you into the C Suite.

Google search came up with About 11,900,000 results to the question: Can you wear white before Memorial Day?

Traditional guidelines suggest one does not wear white before Memorial Day. This means white shoes (exception white gym shoes) slacks, coats, handbags, etc. Tell this to the folks under 40 and the fashion designers.

Today you can wear white before Memorial Day but it really depends where you live and what you’re wearing. White leather shoes designed to look like an athletic shoe but worn as a casual shoe, are being worn year round in warm climates. Other fashion hits this year have been white trench coats, ski jackets and jean jackets

So, now if you want to wear white before Memorial Day, pick a clothing item that makes sense. You never want to be the Fashion victim.

There is one rule, though— never wear white hose unless you are a nurse!

Hearing loss is not only for the older person. Because of ear phones, cell phones and loud music, many folks are having difficulty hearing. So, here are some things to remember to make sure you can be heard when you are having a conversation with someone who may have a hearing problem:

Do:

• Chose quiet area to sit in
• Make sure you are facing the person you are speaking to
• Maintain eye contact
• Speak slowly and pause after each sentence
• Ask questions twice
• Let them know when you are going to change the subject

Don’t:

• Sit near a door or near an entrance
• Shout at the person
• Turn your head away before you finish your sentence
• Change the subject without warning
• Be impatient when they cannot hear you
• Speak while they are speaking

If you follow these guidelines, communication problems will be minimized and conversations will flow easier.

Recently, it seems we have gone from casual clothing that’s too tight to clothing that appears too baggy. Casual clothing tends to be on the relaxed side. However, there is a significant difference between relaxed and baggy.

You know your clothing is too baggy when:

• Your jacket, shirt or sweater is falling off your shoulder by an inch or more
• The seat of your pants has an air pocket coming out of it
• You can grab an inch to an inch and half of material on the sides of your pants

Natural fabrics tend to lose shape, causing them to look baggy, if they’re not occasionally cleaned.

We never ever want to our clothing to look baggy. It is definitely not an in or a smart look.

It has been determined the growth of business in the U.S. will come from small businesses. As an owner of a small business one of the challenges I face is rejection. This is especially acute when I’ve worked hard to put together a proposal or responded to a casual inquiry from the internet.

No matter how long I’m at this, it is still hard when I don’t hear from people after they have promised a call. We take it harder because our reach for clients is not the same as a large corporation.

However, when we are the person doing the rejecting –do we make that call? If so, how do we to tell them we have hired another person? More often than not, we do the same to these folks that we don’t like being done to us.

So, I have made it a practice that once I realize that I will not be hiring a person I call them immediately. I thank them for the time they have spent learning about my needs.

I also mention that in the future if I know of someone who might use their services, I will mention their name. It has happened that I have given a vendor’s name that I didn’t use but that was a potential fit for another.

It is much more professional to be up front than not to call or e-mail at all.