BOOKS

What Jackie Taught Us:
Lessons from the Remarkable Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

“No one we knew ever had a better sense of self.”
Senator Ted Kennedy

She was a woman of confidence, focus, and passion, and it made her one of the world’s greatest sources of inspiration and influence. She drew on a remarkable wealth of self-knowledge and a sense of purpose to cope with extraordinary public demands and overwhelming private needs. How can anyone emulate Jackie?
What Jackie Taught Us offers Jackie’s own personal lessons about how best to live one’s life with poise, grace, and zest, including wisdom about image and style, courage and vision, men, marriage, motherhood, and motivation, and how best to apply those lessons to everyday life. With the shining example of this American icon, we can illuminate who we are, what we want—and what we truly need from ourselves and each other.

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The Savvy Woman’s Success Bible

Straight talk on getting to the top in work, love and life- From women who made it!

From managerial maneuvers to romance rules to wardrobe wisdom, The Savvy Woman’s Success Bible is packed with shortcuts to success that take most people a lifetime to learn!
“This book is for every woman, no matter what career she wants-an actor like me, or a business bigwig. The ‘Bible’ has it all-it tells you how to manage your career, your love life and your way of living, in an informative, easy-to-read, and humorous style”.
-Susan Lucci

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Talk Your Way to the Top

Any professional woman knows how terrifying it can be to pitch an idea or promote a new product to a room full of “skeptical” executives. Even if someone is a polished speaker, becoming a Master Communicator can make her career goals easy to reach. Talk Your Way to the Top tells women how to be commanding speakers every time they open their mouths. Successful businesswoman and sought after speaker Tina Santi Flaherty covers the make-or-break career benefits of effective communication, with tips on how to:
* Conquer your fears and overcome the jitters
* Make meetings work for you
* Talk like a man, but think like a woman
* Avoid the 10 most common speaking errors
* Use body language that gets your message across
* Employ the secrets of the master communicators
* Successfully socialize in business situations

Softcover. DLC: Success in business.
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ARTICLES

COSMOPOLITAN
60 Minutes That Can Make or Break Your Career

Do you maximize meetings or just muddle your way through? Tina Santi Flaherty, author of Talk Your Way to the Top, reveals how you can wow your boss with Class-A conference-table conduct.

You have a desk half-buried in work and deadlines only you and three clones could meet, and you still have to attend that pesky staff meeting tomorrow. Sometimes it seems like your department has more strategy sessions than Clinton’s defense time. Those weekly meetings never mean much, you think. It’s just the same old routine. But when you slip in to the conference room 10 minutes late and fumble your way through the meeting, your boss’s dark look is enough to turn your coffee cold.

Sure, some meetings are time killers _ but they still matter more than you think. Meetings give you the chance to show your executive abilities and leadership skills. So never take workplace powwows lightly. These eight great conference-table pro tips can help you polish your performance:

MEETING MAVEN MOVE 1
Wear something great.

If there’s an important meeting coming up, go ahead and pull out that new dress you’ve been saving for a big day and put in extra time on your hair and makeup.

MEETING MAVEN MOVE 2
Beat the clock.

Be there early and take a seat near the action, close to the person who’s leading the meeting. Those few minutes before the meeting starts are the prime time to do a little casual politicking. Jessica Mooney, a 29-year·-old producer for a weekly news show in Minneapolis, arrives early for every story meeting. “That way, I have a chance to pitch my ideas casually to my boss without all my colleagues jumping in,” Jessica explains. “By the time the meeting really starts and I make my pitch ‘officially,’ I already know my boss’s con- concerns and can address them up front. My colleagues think I’m a mind reader.”

MEETING MAVEN MOVE 3
Do some prep.

Before a meeting, review your notes from the last session. You’ll impress everyone when you say, “On April 13th (it’s important to the date], we discussed ways to cut shipping costs. Here are a few ideas.” You’d be surprised at how few people remember what happened three weeks ago.

MEETING-MAVEN MOVE 4
Talk the talk.

Make yourself heard at the beginning of the discussion. You’ll establish yourself as an active participant, not just an observer who only contributes after the real players have set the tone. When you do speak up, follow these talking points:

No apologies. Don’t doom your ideas with negative qualifications like ‘”I this may not work, but...” or “You’ve probably thought of this already yourself, but....

WHAT TO AVOID

Play your ace. State your point up front (“I have an idea that will save us $100,000 in the promotion budget”) and save the rest---how you came up with the idea, the alternatives you dismissed before finding the solution---for later (or never).

It’s the little things. Be sure to include as many pertinent details as you need to make your thought clear to everyone in the room. When you’re too brief other people can glom on to your idea, embellish it, and try to make it theirs. Say it loud... so that everyone can catch what you’re saying. You don’t have to shout, but pumping up the volume of your voice automatically ups your authority.

MEETING-MAVEN MOVE 5
Prop yourself up.

Whip out a toy, a drawing, or a magazine picture--anything to help you make your point. It doesn’t have to be 100 percent perfect to capture everyone’s attention; any visual aid will help your colleagues associate that idea with you from then on.

MEETING-MAVEN MOVE 6
Pinch hit.

Don’t be afraid to comment on an issue that’s not directly connected to your job. Let’s say you’re in accounting and have been asked to attend a general meeting on the company’s fourth-quarter earnings results. Mention is made of a product that’s bombing, and you have some suggestions that are outside your area of responsibility. Go ahead and speak up; just do it diplomatically. Acknowledge your inexperience, and link your suggestion directly to something that was already said so that your idea doesn’t seem to come out of left field. The worst that can happen is that your idea won’t be usable--but you’ll still come across as a multitasker and team player· who’s committed to the company’s overall success, not just your own turf.

MEETING-MAVEN MOVE 7
Praise your peers.

If you don’t have any ideas to contribute, you can still pitch in by complimenting someone else’s idea, simply and sincerely: “I like your plan, Bruce. It’s creative, and I think it will appeal to our client.” You can also make your presence known by asking a question: “Marie, I think you’re right about the expansion of our swimwear department. Are you concerned that the new designs might be too flashy for our regular customers?” Asking a pertinent question shows you’ve been listening.

MEETING-MAVEN MOVE 8
Close the deal.

When the meeting ends, don’t just split. Walk up to the chairperson and tell her that you think the discussion was a good one. It’s the polite, professional-and politically savvy--thing to do. Never lose sight of the fact that when you’re in a meeting, you’re on view. Think of every meeting--from your weekly department powwow to the annual company picnic pep talk from your CEO-as a job interview. After all, higher-ups often use meetings to suss out your success potential. It’s here that you’ll plant the seeds for those promotions that lie ahead.
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MARIE CLAIRE
Careers-How to Ace an Interview
Read these job-hunting tips guaranteed to get you hired

WHAT TO AVOID

Avoid using bad body language. If you slouch, shuffle or shift your eyes, you may seem insecure. Always try to sit up straight and maintain eye contact. Smile only when the conversation calls for it. A perma-grin often suggests insincerity.

Avoid telling lies. Prospective employers can easily check facts. So be sure to always tell the truth especially about things like your title, salary, education and current and past responsibilities.

Avoid putting yourself down. Don’t use disclaimers- for example, This may sound dumb, but. And don’t apologize for things like someone bumping into you in the hallway - that aren’t your fault. Also, don’t make self-deprecating remarks such as ‘I’m new in the industry, so I don’t know if my suggestions matter.’ It undermines your credibility and abilities.

Avoid bad-mouthing people. Gossiping about a boss or coworker can make you seem untrustworthy and disloyal. Plus, you just never know who your interviewer’s friends might be.

Avoid asking about money. An employer’s main concern is to make a profit for the company- not for your pocketbook. So let her bring up salary, benefits, vacation time and raises.

Avoid dragging out the interview. If you sense your interviewer wants to wrap up your meeting, let her. Thirty minutes is enough time for a good interview.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Prepare in advance. Call the firms public relations office before your interview. Ask for a copy of its annual report to review. Also, find out whether the firm has a website; if it does, go online. In addition, search the web for articles about the company.

Arrive early. Show up 15 minutes in advance to collect your thoughts. Also evaluate the company while you wait. Do employees seem friendly and happy? If not, this may be a red flag.

Ask questions. Good topics to inquire about are advancement possibilities and the firm’s corporate culture. Bad topics include things such as industry rumors, job perks and personal matters.

Talk about what you can offer. Bring at least four copies of your resume, and be sure that you emphasize your skills and accomplishments rather than what you want to gain if you’re hired.

Monitor your speech. Avoid talking to simply fill a silence. Also, eliminate teen speak - words such as like or awesome. Try to end statements on a low pitch. A high pitch conveys uncertainty.

Exit with a plan. Say something like: I’m very enthusiastic about this job. What do you suggest as the next step? Also, find out from the interviewer when she expects to make a hiring decision and ask whether you may call her at that time.

Send a thank you. Drop a note to your interviewer right after your meet. Say you’re interested in the job and look forward to hearing from her.
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FORTUNE
Jobs, Pregnancy, And Drinks With the Boss’ Wife

If you really have no choice but to job hunt while in a family way, Tina Santi Flaherty has a few tips for you. A former executive at Colgate- Palmolive and GTE, Flaherty has written two books, The Savvy Woman’s Success Bible and Talk Your Way to the Top (Perigee Books, each $13), that tackle tricky situations such as this. “Appearance and body language are always essentials in a job interview, but especially when you’re pregnant,” says Flaherty. “First, because pregnancy denotes sexuality, many women look down while they talk about it, out of modesty. Don’t. Sit up straight and look the interviewer right in the eye. You want to appear confident and unapologetic.” Second, Flaherty urges that you “Be proactive and suggest a specific game plan to address the employer’s uncertainties about you. For instance, if you are set up to work efficiently from home, say so. And have a detailed time line ready - that is, say how long you expect to be out, how reachable you will be during that time, when you’ll be back in the office full-time, and so on.” It couldn’t hurt to point out that this is your second child, so you’ve been down this road before and are prepared for the occasional pothole.

And last but not least, it does matter what you wear: “You need to come across as a totally professional person who just happens to be pregnant. Wear, for example, a black dress with a blazer over it, and avoid the kind of cutesy-poo maternity clothes that have little ducks embroidered on the collar.” Good luck.

GLAMOUR
Want a big fat raise?

STAND UP FOR YOUR SELF
Don’t let anyone take credit for your ideas. After months of working on a tough case with a partner and a few associates, Maureen Griffith, * a 34-year-old New York City lawyer, came across a case that was just what her team needed to tie together their argument. It worked, but her excitement turned to shock when a male associate told the partner that he’d been responsible for the key finding. Sure, Maureen could have just let the guy get away with it - instead she went for the brass Ling. “I waited until we had a group meeting, “ Maureen recalls. “At the end, the partner asked if anyone had anything to add. And I stood up and said, ‘I know Jim told you he found that case, and I wanted to let you and everyone else know it was me, just so we’re all clear.’”

If you’re going public with your gripe seems scary, “you could go directly to the boss and explain what happened, “ suggests Tina Santi Flaherty, author of Talk Your Way to the Top (Perigee). “Bring proof, like the clipping that sparked your idea - think Melanie Griffith in Working Girl - so that there’s no question you’re telling the truth.”

STRIKE BEFORE YOU’RE STRUCK
Instead of waiting to be punched, come out swinging. For example, say your office is in the downsizing doldrums and your boss asks you to write a detailed description of your job. Rather than fret about your future, Scott suggests, ask your boss what’s going on. “In this world of downsizing and outsourcing, you not only have every right to know any information that could affect your next move, but your professional survival depends on it.” Even if it’s bad news-you’re being replaced by a freelancer-at least you know to update your résumé. You might think question your employment status makes you look insecure. Not so, says Flaherty, who has worked as a vice president for several Fortune 500 companies. “As a manager, I had more respect for people who were up front in asking about their status. It proved that they knew there was more going on than met the eye.”

How to Make a Good Second Impression The first impression you made on someone critical was band as oatmeal. Can you bounce back? Here, Tina Santi Flaherty, author of Talk Your Way to the Top (Perigee), tells you five surefire ways to wow ‘em the second time around.

1. Bond with her. Before your next meeting, try to find out if there’s something you and the person have in common; then start a conversation about it. If you can’t dig up any such insider information, volunteer something unforgettable-an amazingly memorable dish at a new restaurant she should check out or a movie scene that’s worth the ticket price. People love getting new information gratis. Then ask for her favorite vacation spot, movie or book. People also adore talking about the things they like to do.
2. Listen up. Recall details from your first talk, and say the things you wish you’d thought of then. At the very least, it will show you’re attentive and have a memory; at best it may give you a chance to shine on a topic you fell flat on before.
3. Be body confident. Use your body to show your self-assurance. Stand up straight, smile (though don’t plaster one on, then you’ll come across as nervous or fake) and look her in the eye when you talk.
4. Dress up! No forgettable clothes this time around: Wear something statement-making, interesting or just plain pretty. Have your hair blown out by a pro (yep, it does make a difference).
5. Give a compliment. Or two. Don’t be insincere (it shows), but praise something you know she’s proud of.

NEW YORK POST
THE POWER LUNCH, FROM SOUP TO NUTS

In honor of tonight’s grand party marking the 40th anniversary of the Four Seasons, the birthplace of the term “power lunch,” The Post’s Laura Williams decided it was high time she joined the ranks of the rich and famous and took her own stab at this racial ritual.
Here’s what happened.

STEP FIVE: LEARN LUNCH ETIQUETTE

Since I’ve had maybe one power lunch in my entire life, I decide to seek out expert advice. I get in touch with marketing guru Tina Santi Flaherty. I’m delighted when Flaherty congratulates me on my choice of restaurant. “That’s one of the places I take women,” Flaherty says from Ireland, where she’s promoting her book Talk Your Way to the Top.

But much of her advice makes me more nervous than I already am.

“First thing,” Flaherty advises me,” Be on time. Not only be on time, but be seated. Talk to the maitre d’ beforehand and tell him who your guest is, and have him greet the guest warmly. I discreetly shake his hand, usually with a $20 bill in it.”

I don’t take this last piece of advice - it may be correct, but it just seems tacky - though I certainly get there five minutes early. When I’m seated, I make sure my soon-to-arrive guest gets the better view of the sunny, starkly elegant restaurant.

Flaherty also lectures me on the importance of good manners:

“Instead of eating a big gob of bread, tear off a small piece. Table manners will give you away in an instant,” she continues, sounding a bit like my mother.

“Have at least three things that you can bring up,” Flaherty advises.

At Michael’s, the white-clothed tables are full of well-groomed, important- looking people chowing down on free-range chicken and guzzling mineral water. The maitre d’ points to a constellation of power-lunchers in the front of the restaurant, but I am too embarrassed to admit that I have no clue who any of them are.

So, I sit there, eyeing the piece of bread the waiter placed with long silver tongs on my bread dish. I should wait, I think, that’s what Flaherty would do. But my hunger overcomes me, and I tear off a piece of the hard crusty bread. As soon as I shove in the second mouth- full, the maitre d’ leads Grubman to the table. I spring up and we shake hands as I struggle to chew quickly and introduce myself properly.

I feel more, at ease as we sit down and start making small talk Grubman, a slender bottle blonde, is a fast, energetic talker, so them are few lulls in the conversation. My three pre-picked subjects --- Hillary Clinton, Puff Daddy and the novel I’m currently reading -- go out the window.

Lizzie’s not much of an eater. She rarely eats lunch, she says, and barely touches her meal -- an appetizer serving of wild-mushroom ravioli and a Diet Coke. I eat every last bite of my salmon encrusted with sesame seeds. We talk about her business- She started it in her living room 2 and a half years ago and now has 25 employees in New York and Miami. She’s planning to open offices in Los Angeles and London. She even asks me for advice about whether she should branch out into courting high-tech businesses. She talks adoringly about her clients.

We talk a little about our childhoods. We decide to keep in touch. “If you ever need anything, please call me,” she says “I mean it.”

We air-kiss goodbye, and both rush back to work.

After all, what’s the final rule for having a proper power lunch? It can’t last much over an hour.