Image Courtesy of Shutterstock

Women in the U.S., Britain and elsewhere around the world tend to resist the idea that their physical appearance should matter to their professional advancement. In our age of meritocracy and equality, women who accentuate their looks are thought to be superficial. With feminists also expressing disdain for female sex appeal, the unavoidable result is that when professional women display their beauty, charm or sexuality they are oftentimes disparaged and accused of lacking in intellect.

But do we have this all wrong?

According to British sociologist, Catherine Hakim, we just may. It’s not about flaunting sexuality around the workplace, but rather something she calls “erotic capital” – an overlooked human asset all women should exploit more fully. Her latest book, Honey Money – The Power of Erotic Capital, is coming under fire from female columnists who have challenged her proposal that women should make the most of all their assets to level the playing field at work.

According to Hakim:

Erotic capital is not just about looks but a combination of beauty, social skills, dress sense, physical fitness, liveliness and sex appeal – qualities exploitable by both genders but potentially more effective for women because they are more willing to work hard to acquire them – and they can be used to gain advantage from sex-starved men in the workplace.

How much of this is supported by actual research? More than we may think.

• Erotic capital can lead to more favorable treatment. Researchers have consistently found that attractive people of both sexes are perceived to be more competent and intelligent. Attractive adults are noticed more and treated more favorably, and they are more often welcomed into social networks, where they receive more cooperation and help from others.

• Erotic capital can translate into income. A number of studies show that, in the U.S. and Britain, there is a 10% to 20% “beauty premium” in earnings across the workforce.

• Erotic capital actually has a stronger effect for men. It’s actually been found that men reap more benefits from their attractiveness, particularly in managerial and professional occupations. A study conducted in the mid-1990s on data from the U.S. and Canada found that attractive men earn 17% more than unattractive men, on average, but the “beauty premium” for women was just 12%.

Over the course of our working lives, we compete for jobs, title promotions, pay raises, contracts, etc. And according to Hakim, being attractive and likeable can be the small factor that helps to tip the balance in our favor.

And while the cumulative benefits can be large, is it worth it? In companies where collaboration, relationship-building and social grace are essential components of success, are even marginal advantages in erotic capital still worth cultivating?

Erotic Capital: Is this the New Untapped Power for Women? is a post from She Takes on the World

Image Courtesy of Shutterstock

In a future not so far away, we’ll wear clothes that change color on command, come equipped with its own battery-powered air conditioners, are fungus- and bacteria-resistant and can even power your electronic gadgets. That’s the future of nanotech clothing — clothing that has stain-resistant or anti-bacterial properties. Basically, if you spill something, even something as bad as red wine, down the front of your nano-enhanced jacket or dress, all you have to do is wipe it off and it looks like new. Even Eddie Bauer is jumping on the bandwagon: the company is currently using embedded nanoparticles to create stain-repellent khakis. (Plus, you can save some major dough on those dry cleaning bills!)

That’s the mission of Cornell University fiber science pioneer Juan Hinestroza, who’s leading the revolution to bring high-end function to high-end fashion in Manhattan.

According to Hinestroza, in less than a decade, he expects nanotechnology to be commonplace in the clothing industry.

Hinestroza said he hopes Cornell’s bid to build a new science campus in Manhattan would connect the work he’s doing with designers in the Garment District who might be able to incorporate his cutting-edge technology with their cutting-edge designs.

Scientists can already do some pretty incredible things using tiny layers of particles just 20 nanometers thick —or 2,500 times smaller than the width of a strand of human hair.

Hinestroza shared one prototype of a face mask and athletic hoodie designed by students in his Ithaca Textiles Nanotechnology lab that uses “smart cotton” technology to trap carbon dioxide and other greenhouses gases so runners can clean the air as they breathe it. The same technology can be used to protect emergency responders and soldiers from toxic chemicals. And one of Hinestroza’s students has even designed a futuristic dress made from conductive cotton that can charge cell phones and iPods using solar power without ever needing a plug. How great would that be?!

Other projects currently in the works include:

• Sweaters that can change color at the press of a button, by changing the molecular structure of the particles the sweater is made of.
• Uniforms that cannot get wet or stained.
• Thin, cotton T-shirts so insulating they can replace the most bulky winter coats.
• Clothing with antibacterial properties. While it is already being used by the US Army, it is expected to become common in surgical gowns soon.
• Invisible markers that can be used to identify counterfeit materials, such as a real Gucci purse, from a fake.
• And even a Harry Potter-esque real-life invisibility cloak — as long as those looking are doing so with night-vision goggles. The cloak scrambles infrared waves to appear invisible to those wearing the goggles.

While most of the applications are still far from being ready for widespread consumption, we will undoubtedly see many more futuristic fashionistas in the years to come.  Plus, the increased demand for textiles and fabrics that provide comfort with enhanced functionality and improved appearance will increasingly drive the demand for more nanotechnology in this sector. Get ready for it ladies!

Smarter Fashion: What Happens When Nanotech and Clothing Merge? is a post from She Takes on the World

I’ve teamed up with YFS Magazine for the inaugural 2011 Make Your Startup Fly with the Virgin America and Samonite Giveaway. One (1) savvy entrepreneur has the opportunity to win two (2) round trip flights to any round trip Virgin America Destination and one (1) stylish Samonite Luggage set.

Every entrepreneur and small business owner that enters our contest will also receive instant access to 8 exclusive gifts from leading small business brands.

Enter the contest here.

Make Your Small Business Fly With Virgin America and Samsonite is a post from She Takes on the World

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

My office is a zoo, and I don’t mean that in a “my phone is constantly ringing, I never know what’s going on” manner (although that often applies too). I mean my office is literally home to a handful of crazy animals. From Marg the Cat (my trusty personal assistant), to Pepper the Dog (she works security), and finally, Stevie the Lizard (he mostly acts as a paperweight), there are three times as many animals in my office then there are people. And honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Having pets in the office helps keep me sane – and I’m not the only one who thinks this way. More and more companies are embracing animal-friendly workplaces and enjoying the benefits of four-legged business companions.

Eliminate Stress with an Animal Assistant

Research studies by companies like Purina indicated that having a pet in the workplace is not only entertaining, but also beneficial both in terms of productivity and employee well-being. Not only will your employees be happier, but it’s believed that they’ll also work harder and stay on task longer when pets are a permanent part of the workplace. What’s more, pet’s are proven stress relievers. The American Centre for Disease Control has identified a long list of health benefits associated with owning a pet, including reduced heart rate and blood pressure, reduced heart attack rate, lowered cholesterol levels, and decreased anxiety. There’s just something about a wet nose pushing against your elbow, or a fuzzy tail flicking across your computer screen that makes you feel good.

Pet at Work Policies

Pet at work policies are becoming more and more common in forward-thinking workspaces across North America. Some pet-friendly workplaces include Google, Procter & Gamble’s Pet Care division, Wonderware Inc., and Diversified Technical Solutions. So how can you institute a pet at work policy in your workplace? It starts with rules. Ask your employer or employees about their thoughts on a pet-friendly office; check to make sure that everyone is comfortable with the idea, and discuss any possible issues right up front. Consider your workplace environment (if it’s an urban office, where will the dogs go for their bathroom breaks?), and industry (a restaurant really isn’t the place for Mr. Whiskers). Make sure that you:

• Allow only sociable and properly vaccinated pets into the office.
• Encourage employees to keep their pets on a lead to prevent them from wandering.
• Restrict areas where dogs can roam (bathrooms and kitchens should always be off-limits).
• Take the pet’s comfort into consideration. Make sure that your employees understand that they should bring toys and treats with them in order to keep their pet preoccupied and pleasant.

My pets are like my children, and I know that when the day comes for me to open an office outside of my home, it will be virtually impossible to leave them locked up in a kennel alone for an 8+ hour workday. Instituting a pet at work policy will help ensure that my four-legged friends (and my two-legged colleagues) are happy, healthy, and excited to come to work.

Would you take advantage of a pet at work policy and bring your dog or cat to the office? Share your thoughts below!
Did you enjoy this article? Subscribe to She Takes On The World and never miss a post!

The Pawsitive Effects of Animal-Friendly Workplaces is a post from She Takes on the World

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

The year is quickly coming to an end and what a year it has been for She Takes on the World! Over the past three years we have been on a mission to promote the amazing accomplishments of women and inspire others to create their own careers and set big, bold goals. One of the ways we’ve done this is through our annual Women of the Year. After three months of assembling this post and getting a record number of nominations this year for the women who inspired you in 2010, I’m pleased to present the Wonder Women, our Women of the Year:

Adriana Gardella

A former lawyer and senior editor for FORTUNE Small Business, Adriana is now a New York Times blogger. She helps women navigate the world of business and entrepreneurship and is a champion for women business owners.
On Twitter @adrianagardella

Ali Brown

When Ali left corporate America to start her own business, she struggled as so many entrepreneurs do. With less than $20 in her bank account, Ali didn’t give up and it paid off. She is now a highly successful entrepreneur with a growing empire. Best of all, she’s mentoring women and showing them how they can achieve success too.
On Twitter @alibrownLA

Angela Schaefers

Angela created the website, Your Story Matters, to tell her story about battling a terminal illness and to share the inspirational stories of others too. Your Story Matters has covered surviving cancer, overcoming the challenges of disabilities, surviving domestic violence, and freedom from addiction. Angela’s strength is changing lives and bringing hope to people who once felt insignificant.
On Twitter @whats_yourstory

She Takes on the World founder Natalie MacNeil with Arianna Huffington in New York City this year

Arianna Huffington

This mogul has become one of the most influential people in the world with her social news site, Huffington Post. We caught up with Arianna in New York City for an interview this year which can be viewed here.
On Twitter @ariannahuff

Christine Herron

Christine is an Investor and Director at Intel Capital. She advises early stage start-ups and is a sought after speaker at events. The male-dominated world of venture capital could use more women like Christine!.
On Twitter @christine

Donna Antoniadis

Donna is inspiring women everywhere as the CEO of ShesConnected, a dual profile networking site that helps women manage their busy lives. She is also a digital marketing maven and helps companies better target a female audience.
On Twitter @DonnaAntoniadis

Elizabeth Scharpf

Elizabeth is a social entrepreneur and the Founder of Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE). Millions of girls and women in developing countries miss up to 50 days of school/work per year because they do not have access to affordable sanitary pads when they menstruate. SHE is providing a solution by helping local women in developing countries start their own businesses to manufacture and distribute affordable, eco-friendly sanitary pads. Brilliant.
On Twitter @SHEnterprises

From left: Jenna Goudreau, Meghan Casserly, Natalie MacNeil and Caroline Howard at the Forbes headquarters in New York City

ForbesWoman (Caroline Howard, Jenna Goudreau, Meghan Casserly)

These ladies make up the entire ForbesWoman team which is a newer division of Forbes. They are on a mission to add more female voices to discussions on business and inspire up-and-coming women leaders.
On Twitter @ForbesWoman

Jenny Buccos

Jenny is the founder of ProjectExplorer.org, a non-profit organization that produces an online global travel series. The entire series is available free-of-charge to the learners of the world, so that we all might better understand one another. Jenny is a 2010 recipient of a National Award for Citizen Diplomacy; she is one of seven individuals honored by the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy for her exemplary work as a citizen diplomat.
On Twitter @goodglobalcitiz

Katia Millar

Katia founded Positive Fabulous Women after doing much self-reflection when her marriage ended in 2002. The mom of two young children describes herself as a “connector” and “master juggler,” the latter being something a lot of women can relate to. Katia is also passionate about giving back to organizations that support women which is something we love to see.
On Twitter @KatiaMillar

Kimberly Foster

Kimberly is the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of For Harriet, an online magazine for Black women of all ages to debate and discuss the challenges and triumphs of Black womanhood in the 21st century. She also publishes other online media properties for women of color.
On Twitter @ForHarriet

Leila C. Janah

Leila is the founder of Samasource, an award-winning social business that connects people living in poverty to microwork —small, computer-based tasks that build skills and generate life-changing income. She also serves on the board of TechSoup Global, an organization that helps not-for-profits access technology to grow.
On Twitter @leila_c

Lissa Duty

Lissa has had a challenging year, ending her marriage and starting a new life with her young daughter while growing her virtual assistant business. She is the kind of cheerleader that every person needs on their court and she is always willing to share and help others so selflessly. With her business growing very quickly we know 2011 will be a great year for Lissa.
On Twitter @LissaDuty

Manda Aufochs Gillespie

Manda founded The Green Mama LLC to help parents and businesses go green. The social enterprise now consults and delivers its workshops all over the United States and Canada. Manda is a perfect example of “doing well by doing good.”
On Twitter @thegreenmama

Maria Shriver

Through her conferences, causes she supports, and the groundbreaking Shriver Report on American women, Maria Shriver is making a huge impact on the lives of women. She also raises money and lends support to a number of organizations worldwide and encourages others to join her as an “Architect of Change.”
On Twitter @MariaShriver

Melinda Knight

Melinda is the Founder of Womentorz, a unique online marketplace of the latest inventions by women. Melinda and her team provide a ton of support for women taking a product to market, making it THE destination for women inventors.
On Twitter @womentorz

Dr. Michelle Callahan

Dr. Michelle is a psychologist, author, and relationship expert. She writes the “Sex and Relationships” advice column for Women’s Health Magazine and is also a syndicated media personality. Her first book, “Ms. Typed,” just came out and helps women find loving and fulfilling relationships.
On Twitter @Dr_Michelle

Natalie Sisson

Natalie left her position as Co-founder of a tech start-up to launch WomanzWorld, a website dedicated to supporting adventurous women entrepreneurs. She is also an athlete and Ultimate Frisbee Champion which is just plain awesome.
On Twitter @nataliesisson

From left: Yifan Zhang, Sarah Brown, and Natalie MacNeil in New York City

Sarah Brown

Many know Sarah Brown as the wife of former UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, but Sarah is highly accomplished in her own right. Sarah Brown is the Founder and President of PiggyBankKids, Global Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood and a former public relations executive with her own firm.
On Twitter @sarahbrownUK

Stephanie Quilao

Stephanie is a healthy living advocate and Founder of Noshtopia. She writes about living authentically and she walks the walk. I was struck when I saw that she posted a picture of herself crying in front of her mirror after a bad day to show people that it’s okay to be sad sometimes and express how you feel. Thanks Stephanie!
On Twitter @skinnyjeans

Tammy Tibbetts

I met Tammy this year at Women: Inspiration & Enterprise (WIE) where we were both recognized as part of America’s 50 Most Inspiring Young Women. I must say, Tammy stands out to me as one of the most beautiful women -inside and out -that I had the opportunity to meet this year. As the President of She’s the First, Tammy is leading an international campaign that promotes the importance of educating girls worldwide. Through She’s the First, women like you and I can sponsor a girl’s education in a developing country.
On Twitter @tammytibbetts

Tory Johnson

Tory is the CEO of Women for Hire and the workplace contributor for ABC’s Good Morning America. She hosts conferences across the country which draw crowds of women to hear her no-nonsense approach to career and business. She’s also a New York Times bestselling author and champion for women everywhere.
On Twitter @toryjohnson

I hope these women give you inspiration to dream big and take on the world in 2011. You can follow all of these women on our Twitter list here. In the spirit of spreading love and recognizing the women who inspire us, please share the women who inspire you the most by leaving a comment below. Happy New Year!

Did you enjoy this article? Subscribe to She Takes On The World and never miss a post!

WONDER WOMEN: She Takes on the World’s Women of the Year 2010 is a post from She Takes on the World

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Back in March I wrote a post that was pretty popular on Forbes Work in Progress blog called How to Catch a Time Thief and Get More Done. The essence of this post, as you can imagine was how to reclaim your time, and more importantly put it to better use.

As we know everyone has the same amount of time in a day, a week, a month and a year, yet some people are much more adept and effective at using it wisely. I’m talking about the amount they achieve both work wise and personally.

I recently read a statement that really resonated with me:

TIME doesn’t make you do something. YOU do.

People often say “Oh I don’t have time to do X, Y or Z by a certain date.” What they’re really saying is “I am not giving priority to this thing as I am not sure it’s really something I want to do, or that I am willing to what it takes to get it done.”

You see, your progress is a product of your actions and your attitude. I think I’ve always realized I feel on the top of the world when I’m taking positive action. Over the last few weeks I’ve been travelling and attempting to run my business at the same time.

When I was in Graz, Austria I managed to base myself in one place for just one day and as a result made a ton of progress. I cleared my entire inbox, set up new systems, got important client work done, wrote a blog post that went viral and made some “fantabulous” connections with women as a result.

Did I make progress on my eBook? No. Why not? I know it’s going to be a big piece of work that requires a lot of effort, time, creativity and dedication.

I will however MAKE time this week, otherwise I will be one of those people who say “I don’t have time to [insert excuse here].”
I also have learned to not underestimate how much time it takes to do the little things. I watched with disbelief as the clock kept on ticking ferociously during that day and that even after seven hours my focused to-do list was only 60% complete.

That said, I did beat the clock in the end and felt pretty damn proud. How?

Firstly by focusing on deliverables, not “nice to do” activities like being everyone’s best friend on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. I had my to do list right by me so I’d come back to what I intended to be doing and make it happen.

Secondly by having this great tip at my side:

Tell yourself you only have 30 minutes to get your task done. Once you do, your brain takes over and finds a way to get the job done!

Thirdly by giving myself a pat on the back at regular intervals when I did great stuff, and yes, reading blogs and commenting is actually a vital part of a bloggers strategy and anyone wanting to build a community. So acknowledge what’s useful and what’s not and you’ll know where you want to spend your time and how.

If you’ve found yourself overwhelmed with work recently and tight on time then please stop before you say, “I don’t have the time to…” and admit to yourself why you are the chief time thief right now, and what you’re going to do to stop stealing from yourself!

Did you enjoy this article? Subscribe to She Takes On The World and never miss a post! And don’t forget to subscribe to our awesome monthly newsletter in the right side bar too.

This guest post was written by Natalie Sisson. Natalie is a Kiwi Entrepreneur and Adventurer passionate about getting more women into business. Her blog WomanzWorld.com is the Ultimate Resource for Female Entrepreneurs. It’s almost as cool as She Takes on the World and aims to provide insight, intelligence and inspiration for women in business. She’s a contributor to Forbes Work In Progress blog, a mentor and featured blogger at the Visa Business Network and a social media addict. Come say hi.

[Editor's note by Natalie MacNeil: While we appreciate Natalie's cute quip about how cool She Takes on the World is, we think WomanzWorld is pretty cool too.]

Time Management: Why You Need To Stop Stealing is a post from She Takes on the World

“Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ~William Cullen Bryant

Hello readers,

I can’t believe September is here again. Summer has flown by as summers often do.

I have a confession to make. I have been ignoring some of my own business advice. Like to never get so caught up in working that you forget about your social life. Or my advice to business owners to take a vacation! Did you know 98% of small business owners work during nights, weekends, and vacations according to the Staples National Small Business Survey? I have been part of that 98% this summer except that I didn’t even take a vacation.

While I didn’t get a vacation, I did spend some time traveling to some amazing events for women as a special guest. One of those events was The Scoop in California, an event for CAbi consultants from all over the USA. If you’re not familiar with CAbi, it is a direct sales clothing company for women (check it out at CAbi Online). The clothes are fabulous but even more fabulous than the clothes are the women running their own CAbi businesses. To be around so many enthusiastic, entrepreneurial women who love what they do was an experience I won’t soon forget. From this picture you can probably feel the kind of energy that 4000 energetic women in a room create:

The fall always feels like the start of a new year for me; perhaps because we spend years starting a new school year each fall and it becomes habitual that fall is a time of new beginnings. New this fall for She Takes on the World is a newsletter that features great content for career-oriented women, exclusive offers, and more.

Just for signing up for the newsletter you will receive FREE access to the course, SocialMASTER: Social Media Strategy for Small Business, at The Women’s Business Academy. If you already subscribe to She Takes on the World via email, you will be sent an opt-in for the newsletter over the next few days. If you are subscribed through RSS or aren’t subscribed yet but would like to take advantage of this special offer, be sure to subscribe through the sign-up box in the right sidebar. She Takes on September will arrive in your inbox shortly!

If you haven’t already checked out The Women’s Business Academy, I recommend you take a look at some of our course offerings this fall. Certified Personal Brand Strategist, Lydia Fernandes, is offering her Practical Introduction to Personal Branding program to help you build a killer brand. Jacqueline Burgoa, an expert in building virtual organizations, shows you how to create a successful virtual business that works for you in Go Virtual! Creating a Virtual Business. And WordPress Queen, Amanda Aitken, will help you make yourself a website in The WordPress Course: Build Your Own Website in a Weekend.

How was your summer? What are you currently working on? What are you most looking forward to this fall? We would love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or feel free to write to us via our contact form. On behalf of all the editors and contributors at She Takes on the World, thank you so much for reading.

May the season ahead be filled with new opportunities, purpose, and prosperity,

[Full disclosure: I was invited to The Scoop as one of CAbi's special guest bloggers. She Takes on the World does not write paid posts and I was not paid to mention CAbi in this post.]

From Natalie With Love: She Takes on the World Update + Free Gift for Readers is a post from She Takes on the World

Twitter Updates for 2010-08-17 is a post from She Takes on the World

Great advice! RT @LissaDuty Ho… is a post from She Takes on the World

Powered by Twitter Tools

Twitter Updates for 2010-08-14 is a post from She Takes on the World