November 10th, 2008 | 6:00 am

In Case You Missed It: Weekend Round-up

istock_000005778419xsmall1.jpgContributed by Martin Mitchell of the Corporate Training Group

In case you were too busy enjoying your weekend to have kept up with the news, contributor Martin Mitchell has again been kind enough to gather some important market events from this past weekend (and week) so that you can start this week well informed:

Sunday, November 9th
 

  • China announced a $586 billion stimulus package Sunday in its biggest move to stop the global financial crisis from hitting the export-driven economy.  The money will be invested in infrastructure and social welfare - including low-cost housing, new railways, roads and airports, as well as health, education, high tech and environmental protection.

Keep reading »

November 7th, 2008 | 6:00 am

Hedge Funds Care: Fighting for Children

By Jessica Titlebaum (Chicago)

Hedge Funds Care has been funding programs for the intervention and prevention of child abuse for ten years,” said Executive Director of the non- profit organization, Katherine Conroy.  “In the future, I would like to see our portfolio expanded to help policy and advocacy as well as research programs.”

Conroy explained that she has been with Hedge Funds Care “since day 2” of the organization’s inception.  Rob Davis, Hedge Funds Care founder, was looking for someone knowledgeable in child welfare to assist in the launch of an organization that would help combat child abuse.  He found Conroy when she was working at Columbia University as an Assistant Dean.  Her experiences at Good Shepherd Services, Community Service Society and as Deputy Coordinator for Youth Services for the Mayor.

Keep reading »

November 6th, 2008 | 1:00 pm

35 Under 35: Erika Serow, Partner, Bain & Company, Global Retail Services

Serow_erika_print_color_1_.jpgby Pamela Weinsaft (New York City) 

Erika Serow joined Bain out of college, looking to consulting to help her figure out what she really wanted to do with her life. Bain sent her to work in London, Sydney, and then Milan, which ultimately allowed her to put her Italian major to good use. 

After several years, she left to get her MBA from Stanford Business School, fully expecting to do something other than consulting when she came out; however, it was during school that she realized that she could advance faster in consulting than in any other industry and thus decided to return to Bain after graduation.

Keep reading »

November 6th, 2008 | 6:00 am

Goldman Sachs Thinks Globally and Acts Locally

helpinghand.jpgby Zoe Cruz (New York City)

46 offices.  25,000 people.  146,800 hours.  780 nonprofit community partners.  1,761 projects.  In 2008, Goldman Sachs Community TeamWorks program marked its 11th year of doing well by doing good work.

Established in 1997, Goldman Sachs signature volunteer program, Community TeamWorks (CTW), follows in this mold.  CTW is a global initiative that allows top Goldman Sachs employees to take one day off each year to volunteer for a local charity as a member of the company’s team. “Our people bring to their volunteer service the same qualities that they bring to their work at the firm: excellence, dedication, teamwork and an appreciation of both the big picture and the importance of the individual.”

Keep reading »

November 5th, 2008 | 1:38 pm

Rexify Me: The Art of the Unforgettable Presentation

mircrophone.jpgby Heather Cassell (San Francisco) 

As a little girl, Carmen Taran, Ph.D. was already on her way to being an in demand global keynote speaker and teaching corporate executives how to communicate on multiple platforms. Taran’s first audience was 12 dolls, which were very hard to come by in communist Romania, where she grew up.

“I had these 12 participants daily,” said Taran, a former AT&T research and development manager. “They were very punctual and, unlike today’s groups, they didn’t talk back,” she laughed.

Taran is the co-founder of Rexi Media and author of Better Beginnings: How to Capture Your Audience in 30 Seconds, the first book out of the Rexify series released in October. She, along with her business partner, Danielle Daly, a former Adobe Systems Incorporated technology sales and business developer, recently sat down with The Glass Hammer in a coffee shop in San Francisco’s Ferry Building.

Keep reading »

November 5th, 2008 | 6:00 am

Ask-A-Recruiter: Career Transition Tips

istock_000005168521xsmall1.jpgContributed by Caroline Ceniza-Levine of SixFigureStart

I know I want a career change but I’m afraid to leave a job in this economy to try something new.  How can I move towards a transition without quitting?

If you are unhappy in your current job, check first if you really need a career change or just a job change.  If you like what you do in general, then you might just need a different work environment or employer.  However, if you don’t like what you do or aren’t interested in your industry, then you may need a different career.  Here are some career transition tips that don’t require a massive upheaval right now:

Keep reading »

November 4th, 2008 | 2:00 pm

Managing Career Lifechoices at KPMG

by Pamela Weinsaft (New York City)

Mentoring, flextime arrangements, networking, and opportunities for frank discussions about issues women face are all essential components in the programs KPMG has put in place to increase retention of women in their ranks.  Through its Women’s Advisory Board, KPMG has created and rolled out over 300 programs designed to increase diversity in the workforce and keep women engaged throughout their careers. 

Kathy Hannan, Midwest area managing partner for Tax Services, is the head of the KPMG Women’s Advisory Board.  Interviewed by The Glass Hammer, Ms. Hannan proudly stated, “from when KPMG first created an advisory board through last fiscal year, there has been a decrease in female turnover by 30.3 percent.  In particular, there’s been a reduction in turnover at the manager and senior associate levels.  We’ve seen an increase in the number of women overall and an increase in promotions overall.  This is a testament to building a pipeline.  And it shows in our work environment surveys which show that [approximately] 81 percent of our women say KPMG is a great place to work–as compared to 66 percent in 2004–so we know the programs are working.” 

Keep reading »

November 4th, 2008 | 7:00 am

MBA JumpStart

mba.JPGby Pamela Weinsaft (New York City)

MBA JumpStart was created to address the lack of diversity and under-representation of minorities in the consulting and financial services industries and to “bridge the gap between minority talent entering top business schools and firms actively seeking to increase minority representation.”  

Keep reading »

November 3rd, 2008 | 1:00 pm

Movers and Shakers: Entertainment

remote.jpgby Pamela Weinsaft (New York City)

In these tumultuous times, who could blame a gal who wants to escape for a little while into the nonsense that is “reality” television or to go a live concert to sing cheesy hair band songs of her youth at the top of her lungs?  Here are some of the top women in Entertainment who make these guilty pleasures possible:

Keep reading »

November 3rd, 2008 | 6:00 am

In Case You Missed It: Weekend Round-Up

Contributed by Martin Mitchell of the Corporate Training Group

In case you were too busy enjoying your weekend to have kept up with the news, contributor Martin Mitchell has been kind enough to gather some important market events from this past weekend (and week) so that you can start this week well informed:

Keep reading »

October 31st, 2008 | 6:00 am

Passions: Fighting Talk

karate.jpgby Elizabeth Harrin (London)

On Monday evenings I punch people.  Actually, mainly it’s bags or the air, but sometimes – in a restrained and respectful way – it’s people.

Keep reading »

October 30th, 2008 | 5:45 pm

Sustainable Success

grenworld.jpg by Zoe Cruz (New York City)      

Sustainability is the new buzzword in Corporate America - but what does it actually mean and why is it so important?  Corporate sustainability grew out of the concept of sustainable development, which means to “meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”  In terms of corporate goals, sustainability is the balancing of short-term financial gains with the “long-term goal of balance and survival”, as mentioned by Deutsche Bank CEO Seth Waugh during his opening words at this year’s Women on Wall Street conference, as reported on The Glass Hammer. 

Keep reading »

October 30th, 2008 | 6:00 am

Scenes from the 22nd Annual Women’s Conference in California

by Sima Matthes (New York City)

Corporate leaders shared the stage with big-name stars last week in Long Beach California, when approximately 14,000 women (and a few men, including California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris Matthews, Bono and Michael J. Fox) came together for the 22nd Annual First Lady’s Conference on WomenKeep reading »

October 29th, 2008 | 1:52 pm

Elevator Speeches: Not Just for Elevators

elevator.jpgContributed by Emily A. Donahoe of www.womenspeaktraining.com


An Elevator Speech is defined as a persuasive, “call-to-action” presentation that is 30-60 seconds in length and approximately 100-150 words.  The origin of its name is self-evident; it can be delivered, effectively, in the span of a typical elevator ride.

Elevator Speeches (also called Elevator Pitches) are all the rage these days in communications training and for good reason; these mini-presentations are fairly easy to construct and to deliver, and pack a powerful punch.  Not limited just to entrepreneurs pitching to potential investors, these speeches can serve as compelling and competitive means of self-advocacy across several channels of communication for a variety of agenda and target audiences.  Elevator Speeches can be used as a networking tool, a sales pitch, in a job interview or to promote a special event or project.

Keep reading »