business

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

mandy — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 08:00:00 +0000

I knew when I bought my ticket that Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps would not be a feminist film. I had an idea of the storyline: Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) returns for Oliver Stone’s modern depiction of the beginnings of the current economic crisis, told through the eyes of Jake Moore (Shia LaBeouf), a young ambitious businessman, and his girlfriend Winnie (Carey Mulligan), Gekko’s daughter. I entered the theater prepared for a film starring and made for men.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a hyper-masculine telling of extremely wealthy business executives engaged in dangerous and unethical games with each other. Apart from the lack of strong female characters, which I would expect in a “business thriller” film, there are parts of the movie that betray a more pervasive and insidious destruction of women. The film’s treatment of Winnie made my jaw drop on several occasions—not only because of the harsh ways she was manipulated by other characters but also by the sheer banality of this kind of treatment. Little energy is spent questioning the ways Jake hurts her, and Winnie's routine mistreatment normalizes such behavior.

In a key moment, Jake deceives Winnie into handing over her hefty fortune to his pet project, all the while assuring her that this means she will be “doing something with her life." Jake implies that her actions are only worthwhile if done in support of his business goals, not her own passions. This felt hollow and manipulative to me, but not to Winnie; she signs away her millions with a smile. Jake’s dishonesty and colossal mistake with Winnie’s money is a blip in the film, and its effect on their relationship is shockingly negligible. Winnie is simply a piggy bank who doesn't complain about being the plaything of an ambitious businessman.

This isn't the end of Winnie's misuse, as Jake uses her as a bargaining chip for his own gain when he discovers she is pregnant, a development that brings the idea that a woman’s worth is in her womb to the fore. When the characters meet after a brief time apart, Jake clasps Winnie’s growing belly. What should have been a time to discuss the dishonesty that had driven them apart becomes a moment of instant reconciliation.

By juxtaposing male economic success with female pregnancy, the film compares traditional male and female creation. This dichotomy could make for an interesting discussion of gender role expectations. Unfortunately, Stone lets this point fall flat. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps doesn't discuss social attitudes nor does it adequately confront the issues it raises surrounding the male ownership of female bodies.

While Winnie's objectification stands out as the most problematic aspect of the film, if we take a distanced look we can make some larger conclusions about how women have been treated during the financial crisis. Women, on average, are more severely affected and are more likely to live in poverty than their male counterparts, and pop culture’s focus on the downfall of wealthy men narrows the film's narrative about those most vulnerable to the crisis. Like most of what is coming out of Hollywood, this film doesn’t focus on the real victims, but on a few stylized anti-heroes.

Even without a feminist lens, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps lacks intrigue and depth. It misses the mark by not telling an interesting story about the dangers of our economic habits nor about the personalities involved in our nation’s latest catastrophe. Stone merely captures a few fleeting moments in the lives of the country’s richest businessmen and throws in some objectification of women for good measure.

Written by: Andrea Gittleman, October 7th 2010

The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:00:00 +0000

By Ivanka Trump

Touchstone

I’ve always admired Ivanka Trump. As the Vice President of Real Estate and Acquisitions for the Trump Organization and owner of her own luxury jewelry line, I look to her as a role model. Her first foray into literature has been wildly successful, landing on the New York Times Bestseller List and garnering praise from the publishing community. Although the book starts out promising enough, with Trump refusing to apologize for the advantages she has enjoyed, her sage and learned advice begins to take a backdrop to anecdotes about her privilege.

Throughout the book, Trump attempts to prove that her success is not a product of her family name but of her hard work. This assertion, however, is undermined by constant references to her less-than-ordinary upbringing. Few if any people other than Ivanka Trump can boast that Michael Jackson attended their childhood ballet recital, nor could they brag about having a “part-time job” as a world-class fashion model while in school. Many of Trump’s youthful recollections involve some of the most influential people in the world and, while fascinating to read, discredit the notion that hard work will yield success similar to Trump’s.

Contrary to Trump’s belief, her career trajectory cannot be credited to hard work, at least not exclusively. Her refusal to acknowledge that high profile connections have played a role in her development is absurd. Prior to graduating from college, Trump was offered an internship at Vogue by Anna Wintour, the magazine’s editor-in-chief. I sincerely doubt that even the most brilliant fashion journalist with limited connections would be offered such a coveted position from the editor herself—and prior to graduation, no less.

It’s true that Trump’s successes are her own, but her book overlooks the fact that success comes from being in the right place at the right time, and is dependent upon having the opportunity to excel. Trump tries to downplay this notion, but I believe it is something that she understands intrinsically. Her book is called The Trump Card after all, undoubtedly a strategic decision to capitalize off of her family’s famous name. Branding the book as “Trump certified” probably didn’t hinder her chances of securing a publisher, either.

The Trump Card is an interesting read, but it is misleading to categorize it as “business and economics” literature. While the book offers generic career advice, it mainly serves to remind the reader that with hard work and persistence anyone can achieve extraordinary success, provided that they have a billionaire father.

Written by: Cheryl Santa Maria, August 11th 2010

The Next Generation of Women Leaders: What You Need to Lead but Won’t Learn in Business School

admin — Sat, 29 May 2010 16:02:00 +0000

By Selena Rezvani

Praeger

Has the glass ceiling been shattered? There is a widely accepted perception that it has. However, as author Selena Rezvani points out in chapter one of The Next Generation of Women Leaders, although women make up 46.5 percent of the U.S. workforce, they constitute only 15.7 percent of corporate officers. What you won’t learn in business school, which Rezvani discovered from interviewing top women executives, is that social, economic, psychological, and even generational barriers still prevent women from reaching the top. But don’t despair. This book is chock full of highly useful tips and information to help women of all ages creatively circumnavigate these roadblocks and negotiate their way to the top.

A John Hopkins University MBA graduate and successful consultant, Rezvani conducted thirty interviews with top women executives in the corporate, non-profit and government sectors. She then analyzed her data for trends. The overarching themes of her analysis are covered in chapters two through nine, and address everything from career orientation to maneuvering office politics, networking and negotiating. Although this may sound like any other book on how to succeed in business, it contains plenty of information that might otherwise take you your entire career to learn. In fact, The Next Generation of Women Leaders reads more like a handbook that you will go back to at different stages in your career.

There is an emphasis in this book on networking, which many of us are tired of hearing about. However, Rezvani’s presentation is empowering. She describes networking as a lifetime activity that helps women forge lasting relationships, learn more about their areas of business, discover other career paths and develop outside interests and skills. She also emphasizes the importance of women’s networks and having women as role models. The author includes some helpful tips on networking etiquette and where to focus your energy.

Given my own particular situation as a mother and professional, I was interested in the chapter on work-life integration. The author tackles the “You can have it all” message that women have bought into and addresses the underlying societal pressures on women to be the successful executive, the cookie-baking mother, the physically fit and attractive partner, the friend, the crafter, the daughter, etc. Rather than attempting to balance, or juggle work-life demands, we are instead to integrate a select few work-life priorities that give us the most satisfaction. In a nutshell, the “you can have it all” message does little more than hold us back.

The author originally wrote this book because of the dearth of business books targeting Gen X and Y women, but there’s something in this book for women of all ages, especially those trying to rejoin the labor force or attract talent to their companies. I usually give away the books I review, but this one is now on my bookshelf.

Written by: Heather Leighton, May 29th 2010

Uptown

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:00:00 +0000

By Virginia DeBerry, Donna Grant

Touchstone Books

The dark psyche of greed gone wild is at the heart of Uptown. In this energetic and sexy page turner of a story about the high stakes world of Manhattan real estate, winners take all—but the price turns out to be far more than they negotiated for... and this is before the real estate market bubble burst!

In a nutshell, Uptown tells the story of the Dixon family’s real estate empire and its controversial plan to develop the Dixon Plaza on Central Park North. The Plaza, a high-rise luxury building, is certain to change the face of Harlem forever.

Not everyone is happy with this idea, especially Avery Lyons, whose cousin, Dwight Dixon, has inherited his father’s share of the family empire. Dwight is eager to catapult the family’s Harlem-based real estate empire into the uber-luxury market, while Avery is concerned with preserving the close-knit feeling of the Harlem she knew as a child. Since Avery holds a significant share in the Plaza property, she is a potential obstacle in the path of Dwight’s greed, which is, as the reader soon learns, rapacious and reckless.

I liked Avery a lot; she comes across as a strong woman with a conscience without sounding like a naïvely provincial childish scold. At first willing to sell her share, Avery soon discovers that there are problems galore with the complex: backroom dealings, cheap fixtures, and flagrant disregard for sound structural building codes and more problems. Avery worries about what to do: let it go or blow the whistle?

The Plaza is a metaphor for the Dixon family, as secrets and lies threaten to shake the foundation of both structures. The story examines which is more important: Family loyalty or money? Politics or truth? Integrity or underhandedness?

This is whip smart writing that is fast-paced, emotionally deep, and timely in this modern era of the real estate hustle in all its bloated glory. Uptown is a good story, not your garden variety mass market, frothy paperback that is full of stereotypical characters. The dialogue is rich, real, and witty. This is one of those books that makes you want to keep reading even when you know you need to shut off the light and go to sleep. Instead you’ll be thinking, "just one more page!"

Written by: Cheryl Reeves, March 2nd 2010

The Female Brand: Using the Female Mindset to Succeed in Business

admin — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:05:00 +0000

By Catherine Kaputa

Davies-Black Publishing

Ask yourself this question: what is your unique quality or attribute that makes you an asset to a company? Can you answer that? Whether you are a recent graduate or have been laid off from your job, you need to know how to market yourself and create your own brand. That's where Catherine Kaputa comes in with The Female Brand: she teaches how to brand yourself and helps you stand out from the rest of the applicant pool.

Throughout the book, Kaputa recognizes the differences between the female and male gender, and how they work differently in the corporate world. However, Kaputa emphasizes to her readers NOT to act like men, but use their feminine qualities to their advantage. Examples include being a team person instead of the barking leader, using your intuition to understand people, and having an unique image. When Kaputa discusses image, it's not about being a beauty queen, but projecting your confidence. This could be a suit that makes you feel like a million bucks, or (for me) a pair of cool glasses that always get noticed.

The emphasis of the book is to catapult women to the CEO and other top corporate positions. Besides the branding lessons by Kaputa, every chapter ends with a story by a successful woman who tells her story and her rise on the corporate ladder. In addition, inspirational quotes appear before each story from other powerful women.

As a member of the Class of 2009, every single section of The Female Brand was essential. It has taught me to re-sculpt what my professional goals are, and how to get them. An additional tool that the book provides is worksheets to help you put your plans into action. Kaputa also encourages communication with other co-workers and senior administrators to help you improve. Whether you have a job, looking for one or want a change, this is the perfect book to plan your corporate image.

Written by: Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch, July 19th 2009

The Boss of You: Everything A Woman Needs to Know to Start, Run, and Maintain Her Own Business

admin — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:13:00 +0000

By Lauren Bacon, Emira Mears

Seal Press

Have you ever thought the world might be ready for your hand knit tea cozy business? The successful owners of Raised Eyebrow Web Studios, Lauren Bacon and Emira Mears, have written a business book for women entrepreneurs who want to define their own success: The Boss of You: Everything A Woman Needs to Know to Start, Run, and Maintain Her Own Business. According to the authors, this is the book they wish they'd had when starting their business. Bacon and Mears interviewed several successful businesswomen and used their own experience to write a book about starting and maintaining a viable, independent business.

The Boss of You is split up into three sections. The focus of first section is defining a vision for your business, developing a plan, and coming up with financial scenarios. Bacon and Mears encourage readers to figure out the goals for their business (e.g., serving locally grown vegetarian food or being at home when the kids come home from school) and coming up with personal measures of success. Bacon and Mears also discuss the pros and cons of developing a business plan and advise its development if one is seeking outside funding, whether from a financial institution or a rich aunt).

The second section deals primarily with marketing your new business and features helpful tips on addressing your potential audience, developing marketing materials (e.g., hiring a graphic designer to develop a logo and company identity), advertising and promoting your business, public relations, and networking. Bacon and Mears suggest enlisting the help of friends and family to be your first focus group and to honestly tell you what works and doesn’t work for your product or service. They also focus heavily on networking with other female entrepreneurs to discuss business strategies or just to unwind after a difficult week.

In the final section Bacon and Mears focus on growing and maintaining your business. There are tips on hiring employees, customer service, and expanding your business. There is an additional resource section at the end of the book that includes recommended websites and books on the topics of writing a business plan, setting up an online storefront, networking, and swapping services with other business owners.

Bacon and Mears have written an encouraging business book for the indie business owner and DIY crowd. Throughout the book, the authors offer opportunities to make useful lists and write down goals, budgets, and new ideas. If I were going to quit my day job and start a business, The Boss of You is the book I’d want on my shelf.

Written by: Rekesha Spellman, August 4th 2008

Fluffalicious! Craft Podcast

admin — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 02:44:00 +0000

Fluffalicious!

The Fluffalicious! podcast is a welcomed edition to the DIY and crafting podcast world. Barbe St. John and Natasha Fialkov are mixed media and fiber artists who have grown tired of podcasts that focus on one craft. On Fluffalicious!, Barbe and Natasha talk about their current projects and discuss craft and art books.

In Episode 1, Barbe and Natasha discuss an armwarmer and a paper bead tutorial that are available on their blogs. Additionally, they talk about making handmade gifts for friends and family. They also discuss wool allergies and spinning fiber from wool.

Episode 2 is about pricing craftwork. Barbe and Natasha discuss crafters and artists who do not charge enough for their work. They suggest crafters pay themselves a living wage. Barbe and Natasha also suggest comparing work to other crafters to get ideas for pricing work.

Overall, Fluffalicious! is a lively, conversational, and informative podcast. Hopefully, Barbe and Natasha will continue to share their love of crafting with their growing audience.

Written by: Rekesha Spellman, June 4th 2007

Lipstick Jungle

admin — Wed, 23 May 2007 14:35:00 +0000

By Candace Bushnell

Hyperion

Lipstick Jungle is the latest installment of literature from Candace Bushnell. Three very powerful women attempt to not only survive, but to succeed in the cut throat business world of New York City. Victory, Nico and Wendy are all at the top of the respective fields (fashion, media and movies). Though they may be at the top of their game, it doesn’t make life easier. Each must make difficult decisions to keep their families together, advance their careers and find their own independence.

The book is filled with Bushnell’s classic feminist perspective; that women can do the same things that men can do in both business and love. The theme throughout the book is that women can do whatever they put their minds to, no matter what they are doing with their life. Even though we are in a modern society, where everything is supposed to be better than how some of our ancestors had it, this is not necessarily the case. In many ways women have to work harder and prove themselves far more then men do. I highly recommend this book; it’s a light-hearted, guilty pleasure that is perfect for summer reading by the pool or the beach.

Written by: Diana Tierney, May 23rd 2007

Croq Zine (Issue #7)

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 02:15:00 +0000

Edited by Heather Mann

Remember reading or making your first zine? It was most likely folded in half, stapled and sold, given or traded to your friends. Staying up all night at your local Kinko’s, you felt inspired and part of a something bigger-something revolutionary. You went to your local bookstore and bought zines made by people you didn’t know personally, but felt connected to in a way that no magazine ever could? Croq is like that.

Edited by Heather Mann of Portland, OR, Croq Zine is focused on crafts and crafting culture. After the reclaiming and subsequent mainstream popularity of “craftiness”, it is refreshing to see something reminiscent of it’s DIY (and I don’t mean the cable channel) roots. It’s a quarter page-sized, paper zine - staples and all. Features include hand-drawn illustrations and some full color photos. A cute button, with the green crocodile logo was pinned on the cover. Croq Zine’s website, www.croqzine.com, says that it “came about due to a mutual frustration in regards to the current craft resurgence”; the political importance of maintaining authenticity in the craft world isn’t lost on these ladies.

Issue #7’s strongest pieces were "How To Make Maternity Jeans" and "How To Make a Little Red Riding Caplet." Both projects were easy-to-follow yet challenging enough for readers who have used a sewing machine in the past decade. Croq is about more than just ideas for crafts, but also about ideas for what to do with the art we create. An interview with Melissa Detloff, who raises money for various animal charities through a craft sales website called “Crafters For Critters”, was particularly inspiring.

Also notable was "How To Write A Press Release." Because many crafters are in the business of promoting their work, information like this can be empowering. However, the example of a press release, which accompanied the piece, contradicted its own rules of keeping it interesting and to-the-point.

Articles that were less about crafts and more about the writers’ personal experiences, childhoods, etc. were at worst- out of place and mediocre, and at best-mildly entertaining in a “reading someone’s live-journal” sort of way. Next time I find myself tempted by the glossy pages of Martha Stewart or zoned out watching Trading Spaces on TV, I’ll try to pick up Croq Zine and a sewing machine instead.

Written by: Amy Miller, April 27th 2007

Full-Time Woman, Part-Time Career: Launching a Flexible Business That Fits Your Life, Feeds Your Family, and Fuels Your Brain

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 12:04:00 +0000

By Karen Steede Terry

CMS Press

As an independent woman who has considered on more than one occasion the seemingly pie-in-the-sky idea of starting my own business, I tore through Karen Steede Terry’s Full Time Woman, Part Time Career with as much élan as I tear through anything chocolate. I hoped to uncover a treasure-trove of secrets that could set me on the path to a great new career beginning. I was not disappointed, but after reading, I am acutely aware of the energy and persistence necessary to start up a small business. So, although the book has not quite persuaded me fleet-footed toward self-employed stardom, it is most certainly a resource that any goal-oriented, dedicated woman can turn to for solid advice.

If any woman is capable of addressing the nuts and bolts of starting up and running a small-business whilst balancing family obligations, it is Terry. Her credentials boast her success in software instruction, as well as consultations to Fortune 500 companies and state agencies. But the real draw Terry offers is that any woman can be prosperous both professionally and personally if she is committed. Proof lies in the book’s interspersed profiles of several women who have achieved their career goals through self-employment. These mini-biographies provide the reader both like-minded role models and practical business counsel. Jenny Harrison, a part time software and programming languages instructor, contributes valuable advice regarding individual endeavors into launching a business: “Don’t work part time if you think it’s going to be easy or that you’re going to get rich. It’s the flexibility you are gaining that’s important.”

It is this flexibility that Terry emphasizes throughout her book. The advantages a part time home business yields range from an increase in professional development opportunities, to writing off taxes for an office located in the home, to customized vacation time. The drawbacks of self-employment are to be seriously considered but fortunately, they are few, and Terry gives the reader a great deal of support with ideas for part time businesses – professional coaching, freelance writing, and public speaking among them – tips on how best to market oneself and maintain a professional image, and myriad resources to set the enthusiastic career woman on her way. To that end, the investment of time and energy put into starting one’s own business is far outshined by the rewards of doing so. As Ms. Terry herself professes, “No guts, no glory!” No glory indeed.

Written by: Ixta J. Menchaca, April 12th 2007