Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire: Business Sense & Sensibility

Arrived on time Good book

Mireille writes concisely and amusingly about what works in business and life, how to balance them for optimum enjoyment, and how to create & cultivate the brand of the best You. I highly recommend all of her books! Enjoy, Christine Elisabeth Hueber

I admit the title "Women, Work, & The Art of Savoir Faire, Business Sense & Sensibility" caught my interest as much as the author, Mirelle Guiliano. She is also author of "French Women Don't Get Fat." Ms. Guiliano has many tips and "rules" on how to be a happy, successful, and balanced woman in the world of business. She has a very unique way of wording things that led me to quite a different way of looking at my role in the world as well as some of my behavior; not only in business but in my personal life as well. I must say, the change in the behavior, attitudes, feedback, and answers seems to be changing and I like it. Not having to put on the pseudo-macho woman persona when I want to get things accomplished is quite refreshing. This is a wonderful, must read for any woman no matter if they are an executive or a stay at home mom. No matter if you are heading a regional conference or meeting with your son's teacher we have business to take care of. Learn how to look great, enjoy being a woman, and still get the account for your company. The recipe; yes, recipes; for Mousse Au Chocolat with Ginger was devilishly delicous.

I've read all of Ms. Guiliano's books to date and this one is in line with all of her previous work. Her flair for conversational style writing is what keeps me engaged. It's much like sitting down with your mother or grandmother and gaining her time gained advice. In this 252 page novel she shares with us the little bits of information that can make or break us as women in the workplace. As someone who has a degree in management, I can tell you that this book fills in all the little gaps that are left after you've gained the concepts and facts about management. There are the other trickier things that come up in social situations, networking and simple graces like "the power of hello" and "thank you". I've read a lot of business books but not many of them come from the viewpoint of a woman and with grace at the forefront of how to handle tricky conversations and situations in the workplace. She discusses the stress involved in business travel, the need to be organized and the need to recognize the differences between men and women in the workplace. These are tidbits of information that many of us might have received from our mothers, but if you know a college age girl just graduating this is a time perfect gift for her. The book is chockfull of advice that may seem to be given's but not every girl has someone mentoring them. In this book Guiliano offers up her past experiences and becomes your mentor if you are lacking one. This is part business self help, part social graces, part handling business as a woman and it even has a chapter titled "Eating for Business and Pleasure" where she discusses the proper way to handle who pays the check, who picks the wine, and all of those other small details that most of us only learn with time or from our mothers input. She makes these things easy with straightforward information and entertaining antidotes along the way. The book includes 12 yummy sounding recipes as well. I've loved all of her former books and I loved this one as well.

Savoir Faire translates as "instinctively knowing what to do in any situation." In her latest book, Mirelle Guiliano uses stories and examples from her own life to help women learn to develop their own best instincts. In her own words, here is the essence of "Women, Work, and the Art of Savoir Faire": "This book is not a textbook--you will not learn the five keys to running a better meeting, or the six essentials for dealing with difficult colleagues. It contains strategic ideas, values, experiences, lessons learned, stories, essays, and morsels of advice. This book is about helping women (and a few men, peut-etre) to grow the knowledge, know-how, and tools for empowerment and balance in today's buisiness world." Exactly. What she does not mention (so I will), is that the book also includes some useful fashion tips, health advice (sleeping better, taking vacation time, etc.), and even complete menus for dinner parties. (What more could one ask from a mentor?) In the final chapter, she reminds readers of the major points of the book, which include: 1. Don't be afraid to take risks. 2. If necessary fire your boss and hook your star to a talented leader. 3. Find something you are passionate about. 4. Work harder and smarter than everyone else. 5. Timing is everything...make it work for you. 6. Work for a winning company. 7. Follow the money positions. 8. Being in the right place, right time, is part making your own luck. 9. Live a balanced life. 10. Cultivate your professional image. All in all, Mireille Guiliano has written a book that encourages women to create their own definition of success, and to create their OWN recipe for getting there.

What another self help book on following your bliss for the upper classes? Well yes and no. Mireille has the know how and wisdom to guide and inspire women from across a broad spectrum of ages and financial backgrounds. Just the chapter dealing with health and the reality that no-one stays in the 30's forever is worth the price of the book but it is the warmth and kindness that come to the forefront of how to deal with the 'All American problem of finding balance between home family and career that shine again and again in this lovely and deep work. In addition to that it is a lovely read like Colette for the driven and working woman and Zen for the older (crone) who just wants to nurture the roses in her garden while fielding the rest of the busy life. I was particularly impressed with the writing on health and its importance for both the younger and yes the more vintage woman reading the book. Though this might seemlike the worst economic time to send off a book about money success and balance it may actually be the best time afterall, as there will most likely be a lot of as of yet unbeknownest entreprenures in the forefront of the new Amercian economy who are just in the budding stage and can use this book as a wonderful guide. By the way Men can find a lot to glean from her wisdom as well.