I like the real-world feel of it. The stories range from short little “oops” ones to interview style. The points are all full of good humor and life lessons.

For example, in the chapter “Playing Goddess,” the authors talk about reviewing. How useful are reviews? Really? Is it the only time you get feedback? Is that the only time you hear that you missed too many deadlines? And it’s now in your permanent record and affecting your chance at a raise! Frustrating, right? So, their company, YC Media, has a review process they call Begin, End, Save, Track (BEST). They also do this not just once a year, but twice. One for the money and one for the feedback.

Begin

Three actions. What should the employee do now? Later? What makes the boss type happy? Hopefully this isn’t “fetch me coffee in the morning” but more like “give more web training sessions.”

End

Three actions. What should the employee stop? Stop it or get out type stuff. This is where the employee is given a chance to shape up. Things that would fit here are “coming in after 10:00 a.m. every day” but not “stop eating broccoli at work.”

Save

Three actions. What’s the employee doing right? These things you don’t want to stop. They say, “… we have hopefully been pointing out good work on a weekly if not daily basis.” Yes. But in case the supervisor forgets we like to hear random acts of praise (when we deserve it) this reminds them at least twice a year. Hopefully by doing these things, the employee gets some reward. One might say a save is “performs well under pressure” or “puts up with my crap.” Ok, maybe not the latter.

Track

Quantify what the employee has for “Begin.” For example, if the supervisor wants the employee to give more web tutorials to the general staff in “Begin,” then in “Track” the action might be to give two web tutorials to the staff. That way, the employee can say “done.”

They then go into some mistakes supervisors make when doing evaluations.

I liked this book so much that I added their other book to my “to read” list: The Girl’s Guide to Starting Your Own Business.

Again, I was amazed by his self-confidence. One thing the casual designer will get from reading this is her own self-confidence. If he thinks he has mad design skills, so do I.

A few interesting bits:

• value added reseller (VAR) of web hosting services. What value are you adding?
• charge by the site not by the page
• avoid speculative work — looks desperate; portfolio should sell for you
• if agree to do site for free so can add to portfolio (see if organization will tell people you’re doing it for free)
• This edition was published January 2004 but one of the interesting links I copied down (internet demographics/trends) hasn’t been updated since April 2003
• Business plan sketched out (has each section written out as if a web design company which is nice)
  • mission/vision statement
  • personal eval
  • services & products
  • business niche/image
  • type of business
  • location of business
  • employees and support staff
  • competitors
  • advertising and marketing plans
  • timelines
  • finances ($400 for small site; $45/hour; $1500 for db work) [seems outdated too]
  • start-up costs
  • operating profit and loss
  • profit and loss statement
  • insurance
  • accounting
  • banking

The author’s website

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On the cover it has a sticker. It says “POWER UP YOUR IMAGE WITH clothing & accessories from Casual Coer, Petite Sophisticate, August Max Woman.” Uh. Advertising on a book? Ah well. Checked out the websites anyway. Casual Coer I think is in one of the local malls. Don’t know the other. Well, that and at 5’6, I don’t look for petite stores, anyway.The book was good. Great for men and women. It seemed geared toward two types: pinstripe and jeans. I am the latter. Well, not jeans. I don’t wear jeans to work usually but I do dress way down. For example, khaki pants and polo are my normal attire with either birkenstocks or brown shoes. If I’m going to the gym that night, maybe sneakers.

Chapters:

The Casual Confusion Syndrome

• CSS: wearing casual attire inappropriately
• Jim’s story was dead on. He usually dress casually, and a surprise meeting with a VIP client happens. But Jim can’t do it cause he looks like crap. So another guy gets it.
• Shiela was pretty damn close to home too. She would wear the casual garments her company sold, even. But a sharply dressed guy got the promotion. Why? She was told, “While her work was excellent, the overall level of Shelia’s professionalism was not on par with what the company rewarded with high-level promotion.” So, even though I’m surrounded by scientists in shorts, sandals, t-shirts, that doesn’t mean I should dress like that. Though, wouldn’t I alienate my customer?
• “Your choices of dress-down attire reflect directly your respect for your workplace, your career goals, and your level of overall professionalism.”
• Six categories of casual dress: Active Casual, Rugged Casual, Sporty Casual, Smart Casual, Dressy Casual, and Business Casual.
• Examples of each category are fantastic. Sneaker + jeans, khaki, walking shorts, etc., and are not participating in a sport, that’s sporty casual. (Hmm…) Smart casual: jeans + sports jacket. Dressy Casual: Dressier shoe, fabrics are richer, dressier. Pant suit, dress, or coordinated separates in semi-dressy fabrics. Going to art gallery exhibit with invitation said “casual attire.”
• Business Casual: like smart casual and dressy casual.
• Casual no-nos I’m guilty of: t-shirt and jeans (together), sandals, no belt, shirttail out, poorly coordinated outfits, sleeveless attire, no hosiery or no socks, shorts.
• Dress down for the job you want, not for the one you have currently. Though, I’ve heard that before (minus ‘down’). But in my environment, I don’t think it matters. But maybe. Must research this.
• No-nos besides those above that I’d done or surprised me: crayon box or strong, loud prints, and gypsy styles; cutesy little girl and sweet prints (including floral dresses); poorly coordinated or incomplete outfits; failure to accessorize (no belt or no earrings); chewing gum; wet hair; naked feet. But the photo of the floral dress is so pretty. I would so wear that.

Communicating — Before You Say a Word?

• First 30 seconds, these factors are evaluated: socioeconomic status, educational level, desirability. Educational level? Hm.
• To communicate success, look of high quality. Success attracts more success. The world treats you as you treat yourself.
• I did ok on the quiz, even though I don’t dress like these people. I think it’s the confidence I exude. That and I smile. But if I dressed better, I bet I’d get more respect in the workplace. I already get great service outside the office.
• I love the Paula makeover after photo. Short hair. All over brown. Long flowing lines. Multi-colored tweed jacket, with base color of the same chocolate-brown as the rest of the outfit. Brown boots too. And looks like a shoulder strapped briefcase.
• Inspire Trust:
  • Good quality fabrics — simple, tailored lines best
  • Harmonious blend of colors and textures of fabrics
  • Blue tones (for women) — navy blue, dark blue, and royal blue (brown are for men)
  • High-quality, well-maintained shoes
  • Simple high-quality jewelry
  • Women: metal watches
  • eye contact — establish and maintain
  • erect posture — shoulders back
  • open body language — trustworthiness has nothing to hide
• dark colors. Black and navy are the best power neutral colors. Dark, rich shades of green, red, brown, and taupe also project a sense of power.
• Quality natural-fiber fabrics
• Harmonious color schemes — tone on tone, monochromatic dressing, or coordinated separates
• Long sleeves
• Straight-lined tailored garments
• Excellent-quality shoes and belts
• Simple, expensive-looking jewelry (metal watches only)
• Shoulder pads, small — important for women
• Jackets and sport coats always add distinction and power — must be of quality fabric and a superb fit
• Firm handshake
• Confident attitude
• Real power does not boast or throw weight around unnecessarily.

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