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Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire: Business Sense & Sensibility
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of French Women Don't Get Fat comes every woman's guide to navigating the world of work, living the good life, and savoring every minute of it.
When Mireille Guiliano became a senior executive and spokesperson for Veuve Clicquot, she took the Champagne to the top of the luxury market, using her distinctive French woman's philosophy and style. Now she uses those same talents and savoir faire to help readers pop their own corks and get the mostout of life. Drawing on her experiences at the front lines and highest echelons of the business world, she gives women (and a few men, peut-être) the practical advice they need to make the most of work without skimping on all the other good things in life.
With lively lessons, stories, and helpful hints, Mireille teaches every reader how to identify her own passions and talents, improve her communication skills, balance work and life, cope with everyday stress, turn herself into a winning brand, and so much more. From acing a job interview or performance review to hosting a simple but elegant dinner party, Mireille tells it like it is as she shares her secrets for achieving happiness and success at any stage in business and life.
Stylish, witty, and wise, Mireille segues easily from the small details to the big picture, never losing sight of what is most important: feeling good, facing challenges, getting ahead, and maximizing pleasure at every opportunity.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2009
168 people are currently reading
1615 people want to read
About the author
Mireille Guiliano
28 books295 followersInternationally best-selling author Mireille Guiliano was for over 20 years the spokesperson for Champagne Veuve Clicquot and a senior executive at LVMH as well as CEO of Clicquot, Inc., the US firm she helped found in 1984 and was its first employee. Her first book, French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure, became a runaway best seller around the globe in 2005. She followed up this book in fall 2006 with French Women for All Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes and Pleasure. In both, through her personal stories and illustrations, she espouses living life to the fullest by embracing quality, sensitivity, seasonality and pleasure while maintaining a healthy equilibrium.
In September 2008, Hilary Swank's production company bought the film rights to French Women Don't Get Fat; the plan is to make a romantic comedy with Mireille's famous French lifestyle message. The script is being adapted and should be ready soon. Stay tuned!
Please visit her book's website at:
http://www.frenchwomendontgetfat.com
In September 2008, Hilary Swank's production company bought the film rights to French Women Don't Get Fat; the plan is to make a romantic comedy with Mireille's famous French lifestyle message. The script is being adapted and should be ready soon. Stay tuned!
Please visit her book's website at:
http://www.frenchwomendontgetfat.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
April 8, 2018
This was a gift from a dear friend and although it wasn't revolutionary in its approach or content; still, it provides invaluable insight into Guilliano's leadership and mentorship footprints in the corporate landscape, which is both instructive and laudable. Enjoyable read.
August 12, 2013
I was not sure what to expect with this book, as I received it as a gift. It claims to offer practical advice, but what the author presents feels mostly irrelevant in the specifics to most working women. The author inhabits the world as a successful author and champagne executive. Also, she seemingly attributes all of her success to speaking English with a French accent.
February 10, 2010
I was excited to read "words of wisdom" from a successful businesswoman. I found the book to be trite and she seemed so full of herself I was unable to finish it. She also injects all these cutsie French phrases in that made me want to throw up.
June 9, 2011
Wanting to read yet another business book, I wanted to find something crisp, intelligent, sassy and a little focused on the ladies.
Then, I found this: Mireille Guiliano's "Women, Work and the Art of Savoir Faire." A witty, chic, stylistic tip-book of sorts on how to navigate the business world from stilettos.
Guiliano's style of writing is so sincere and so down to earth, you'd think you were best girlfriends for years. Her ideas of life happening in stages and taking calculated risks at the right times aren't groundbreaking, but they are put in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
She goes over everything from how to give a good presentation, to traveling alone as a woman, to what to make on your menu when entertaining business guests at home. There is something for everyone (and everything for anybody) in this book. I absolutely loved it!
Here's a small excerpt:
"What I have tried to write is the sort of book I wish I had been given when starting out in the working world and had a hand along the way. This isn't another business book that tells you how to 'succeed' or 'get the corner office.' Yes, of course, you'll find advice on getting ahead and getting promoted...but more than that, you'll find advice on being happy and living a good life, even while you are making the biggest contribution you can to the workplace. That's why I dare to talk about style and clothes and food and wine and entertaining and LIFE in a business book. We don't work in a vacuum. Our work is part of the rest of our lives."
Recommended for anyone woman, in the business arena or not, looking for just a little life-guidance. I know I learned so much from Guiliano. She's a treasure!
Then, I found this: Mireille Guiliano's "Women, Work and the Art of Savoir Faire." A witty, chic, stylistic tip-book of sorts on how to navigate the business world from stilettos.
Guiliano's style of writing is so sincere and so down to earth, you'd think you were best girlfriends for years. Her ideas of life happening in stages and taking calculated risks at the right times aren't groundbreaking, but they are put in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
She goes over everything from how to give a good presentation, to traveling alone as a woman, to what to make on your menu when entertaining business guests at home. There is something for everyone (and everything for anybody) in this book. I absolutely loved it!
Here's a small excerpt:
"What I have tried to write is the sort of book I wish I had been given when starting out in the working world and had a hand along the way. This isn't another business book that tells you how to 'succeed' or 'get the corner office.' Yes, of course, you'll find advice on getting ahead and getting promoted...but more than that, you'll find advice on being happy and living a good life, even while you are making the biggest contribution you can to the workplace. That's why I dare to talk about style and clothes and food and wine and entertaining and LIFE in a business book. We don't work in a vacuum. Our work is part of the rest of our lives."
Recommended for anyone woman, in the business arena or not, looking for just a little life-guidance. I know I learned so much from Guiliano. She's a treasure!
December 25, 2010
Not a book I would recommend. The author's self-centered, over developed sense of ego is overbearing to the message. She writes with a style that her way is the only way. Also, when giving examples she always says, "I", "I", "I". There are never positive team examples, only highlights things her team did wrong and how she saved the day. Also, the entire book reads like an endorsement for her champagne company. There are better books to gain the same message so steer clear of this one.
April 9, 2015
Maybe it's because I read the reviews before I actually read the book, but I started out feeling very skeptical about this title. As I finished reading it and was able to spend some time reflecting, I realized that I didn't dislike it as I thought I would. I'm also quite certain that if I were to meet the author she'd likely both terrify and completely captivate me.
I'm writing this review from the perspective of someone who operates in a world that is in many ways very different from Mireille Guiliano's. I shy away from the big-city lifestyle that the author appears to thrive in and my career most certainly won't be built on entertaining for a living. I can still find value in the author's tale of success as a career woman, but I wonder if some of the negative reviews this book gets is because Mireille Guiliano clearly lives--and thrives--in a different world than a lot of us, certainly those of us reading this type of book, do, and she's not trying to make us more comfortable with that fact.
Like the author, I also married for love and was "whisked away" from all that I knew at the time. My story, though, doesn't involve me falling into a great job because of my language skills and cultural differences, and I highly doubt I'd ever be able (or desire) to hack it in the industry the author works in. On the other hand, her reminders to us to be assertive, to truly be comfortable with ourselves, and to perhaps dig deeper into why we're not always okay with true competition with one another, are useful and applicable. Throughout this book, I identified parallels between her life and my own and then the two stories would veer away from one another again, perhaps to return later in some small way.
So the author appears to have walked into a few choice opportunities, but I find it difficult to justify the claim that her whole life has simply been charmed and she's not qualified to tell "the rest of us" how it's done because she has no idea how "the rest of us" have to make things happen. I think the author is a woman who has guts, a sharp mind, and the "savoir faire" to make things work her way. She knows what she does and does not like, and she knows what she's good at. These are certainly things I want to be able to definitively declare about myself as I'm digging deeper in my career to determine my own long-term goals, so I appreciate that about her writing, even as I'm certain I'll never run in the same type of circles she does.
At several points in this book I had to stop and think through some of what the author said specifically about men. Was it bashing, or merely comparing? The longer I thought about this, the more I wondered if perhaps her belief in women, and herself, as inherently better at many things, isn't a large part of her success. That "I'm better than you mentality" can easily rub a lot of us the wrong way at first glance or meeting, but I've come to respect it. Still, I think I'm leaning toward calling it man bashing in this book, and that's something I try to shy away from as I try to differentiate myself in a positive way as a woman working among men. (Can I not be excellent on my own, without comparison to someone else or advertising their shortcomings?) I had some difficulty getting past this as I read this text, so I did at several points imagine myself in conversation with the author, asking for clarification.
Certainly, don't expect this book to be a "how to" guide to success. (I believe the author even states this somewhere near the beginning.) Alternately, there are very literal guides dropped into this book, including recipes for entertaining business colleagues and superiors as well as a detailed list of wardrobe must-haves. In this way, I think this book is a "just enough to get you headed in the right direction" type of guide. The author won't tell you exactly what path you should take to get where you want to be, but she'll give you enough that if you're really interested in pursuing this, you might be inspired further to figure it out. Chances are, if you picked this title up in the first place you're already doing some self-exploration and you'll find the value in her story as an example of someone who has clearly done well.
If you're on a mission to become a more polished professional woman, you might find something of value here, certainly if you're not easily offended by someone who clearly has the guts to say things very bluntly. I did make a list of reminders and important excerpts as I read through this, so I certainly found some value in Mireille Guiliano's wisdom and her decision to share it with us.
I'm writing this review from the perspective of someone who operates in a world that is in many ways very different from Mireille Guiliano's. I shy away from the big-city lifestyle that the author appears to thrive in and my career most certainly won't be built on entertaining for a living. I can still find value in the author's tale of success as a career woman, but I wonder if some of the negative reviews this book gets is because Mireille Guiliano clearly lives--and thrives--in a different world than a lot of us, certainly those of us reading this type of book, do, and she's not trying to make us more comfortable with that fact.
Like the author, I also married for love and was "whisked away" from all that I knew at the time. My story, though, doesn't involve me falling into a great job because of my language skills and cultural differences, and I highly doubt I'd ever be able (or desire) to hack it in the industry the author works in. On the other hand, her reminders to us to be assertive, to truly be comfortable with ourselves, and to perhaps dig deeper into why we're not always okay with true competition with one another, are useful and applicable. Throughout this book, I identified parallels between her life and my own and then the two stories would veer away from one another again, perhaps to return later in some small way.
So the author appears to have walked into a few choice opportunities, but I find it difficult to justify the claim that her whole life has simply been charmed and she's not qualified to tell "the rest of us" how it's done because she has no idea how "the rest of us" have to make things happen. I think the author is a woman who has guts, a sharp mind, and the "savoir faire" to make things work her way. She knows what she does and does not like, and she knows what she's good at. These are certainly things I want to be able to definitively declare about myself as I'm digging deeper in my career to determine my own long-term goals, so I appreciate that about her writing, even as I'm certain I'll never run in the same type of circles she does.
At several points in this book I had to stop and think through some of what the author said specifically about men. Was it bashing, or merely comparing? The longer I thought about this, the more I wondered if perhaps her belief in women, and herself, as inherently better at many things, isn't a large part of her success. That "I'm better than you mentality" can easily rub a lot of us the wrong way at first glance or meeting, but I've come to respect it. Still, I think I'm leaning toward calling it man bashing in this book, and that's something I try to shy away from as I try to differentiate myself in a positive way as a woman working among men. (Can I not be excellent on my own, without comparison to someone else or advertising their shortcomings?) I had some difficulty getting past this as I read this text, so I did at several points imagine myself in conversation with the author, asking for clarification.
Certainly, don't expect this book to be a "how to" guide to success. (I believe the author even states this somewhere near the beginning.) Alternately, there are very literal guides dropped into this book, including recipes for entertaining business colleagues and superiors as well as a detailed list of wardrobe must-haves. In this way, I think this book is a "just enough to get you headed in the right direction" type of guide. The author won't tell you exactly what path you should take to get where you want to be, but she'll give you enough that if you're really interested in pursuing this, you might be inspired further to figure it out. Chances are, if you picked this title up in the first place you're already doing some self-exploration and you'll find the value in her story as an example of someone who has clearly done well.
If you're on a mission to become a more polished professional woman, you might find something of value here, certainly if you're not easily offended by someone who clearly has the guts to say things very bluntly. I did make a list of reminders and important excerpts as I read through this, so I certainly found some value in Mireille Guiliano's wisdom and her decision to share it with us.
February 10, 2014
This book begins well. Mireille Guiliano lets you know that she has the portfolio to be able to hand out advice. As a French woman in New York, her accent and obvious ability to speak French and English well, made her a desirable candidate for a terrific job, selling French champagne to the American public. And she excelled.
A lot of Guiliano's advice seems facile but in this day when some hopeful job applicants don't know to change out of their jeans and flip flops and strapless tops for an interview; it is time to go back to basics : "Don't overdo your eyes with make up." Or, "The quality that sets people apart in business is the ability to communicate orally, in large and small settings." Or, "Before going to bed, decide mentally or physically what you are going to wear in the morning."
This book would be a great boon for a young person without any experience in life or the job market, someone who needs to be told the obvious by a woman who was willing to write it all down in book form.
For the woman who has been in the work world for some time, this book will be clearly stating the obvious. And at the risk of getting nothing but negative feedback, I did tire of Mireille Guiliano tooting her own horn throughout the entire book. And goodness gracious, if you are not French, well then, just stand to the back, please, and make way for that marvelous lot of people, The French!
A lot of Guiliano's advice seems facile but in this day when some hopeful job applicants don't know to change out of their jeans and flip flops and strapless tops for an interview; it is time to go back to basics : "Don't overdo your eyes with make up." Or, "The quality that sets people apart in business is the ability to communicate orally, in large and small settings." Or, "Before going to bed, decide mentally or physically what you are going to wear in the morning."
This book would be a great boon for a young person without any experience in life or the job market, someone who needs to be told the obvious by a woman who was willing to write it all down in book form.
For the woman who has been in the work world for some time, this book will be clearly stating the obvious. And at the risk of getting nothing but negative feedback, I did tire of Mireille Guiliano tooting her own horn throughout the entire book. And goodness gracious, if you are not French, well then, just stand to the back, please, and make way for that marvelous lot of people, The French!
July 18, 2009
A wonderful book on all aspects of women in business. Mireille Guiliano acknowledges and addresses differences between men and women in work without any kind of political agenda - which I loved. I wanted to recommend this book to all the people I took a library management class with last semester - men and women.
March 27, 2016
Since I've just entered job hunting season (I even had an all-day event today), I thought this would be a good book to read (who am I kidding, I was reading job hunting books even before the season. Even before I entered university, probably). Plus, it actually kept my attention past the first chapter in a "my Scribd membership is expiring and I have too many books to read" sort of reading death match, where everything that did not catch my interest by the first chapter got filed for "when I'm back in Singapore".
Anyway, Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire is meant to be a handbook to women just starting out, to help them navigate the tightrope that is work and life. It's basically full of anecdotes from the author, about her career in the wine business, and what they can mean for the reader.
Personally, I liked the book. I found it engaging, and I liked the author's tone. A lot of what she says makes sense, especially about goal setting and priorities. In particular, the line
caught my attention, because a teacher once said something similar. Actually, what my teacher said was "your ideal industry is almost always different from what you think it is, so don't stick to it so closely". I think I like this way of putting it better than my teacher. I mean, I love reading, writing, piano, but I'm not at all of that (i.e. piano), and in fact, what I'm hoping to do in the future is something related to Industry 4.0/Industrial Internet. That's actually pretty broad, so I'm hoping I can find a job that interests me.
Towards the end, she talks about things like the differences between men and women in work, and well, I'm not so sure about that. Other parts of the book, like wining and dining in business, may not be as useful to me, since Japan has a fairly unique dining culture. Although I think with globalisation, what she says is probably going to make sense sooner or later.
Overall, I think this was a good book for me to read at the start of the job hunting season. It managed to calm me down, and remind me to be more selective when picking which events that I want to go to.
This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
Anyway, Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire is meant to be a handbook to women just starting out, to help them navigate the tightrope that is work and life. It's basically full of anecdotes from the author, about her career in the wine business, and what they can mean for the reader.
Personally, I liked the book. I found it engaging, and I liked the author's tone. A lot of what she says makes sense, especially about goal setting and priorities. In particular, the line
"Your heart should be in your work, but that doesn't mean your work has to be something you have always loved."
caught my attention, because a teacher once said something similar. Actually, what my teacher said was "your ideal industry is almost always different from what you think it is, so don't stick to it so closely". I think I like this way of putting it better than my teacher. I mean, I love reading, writing, piano, but I'm not at all of that (i.e. piano), and in fact, what I'm hoping to do in the future is something related to Industry 4.0/Industrial Internet. That's actually pretty broad, so I'm hoping I can find a job that interests me.
Towards the end, she talks about things like the differences between men and women in work, and well, I'm not so sure about that. Other parts of the book, like wining and dining in business, may not be as useful to me, since Japan has a fairly unique dining culture. Although I think with globalisation, what she says is probably going to make sense sooner or later.
Overall, I think this was a good book for me to read at the start of the job hunting season. It managed to calm me down, and remind me to be more selective when picking which events that I want to go to.
This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
June 6, 2011
I listened to the audiobook version, read by the author herself. Perhaps it is simply a matter of personal preference but I despised her voice and her inability to speak American English properly. She is french and had a strong stereotypical french accent. At first, unaccustomed to this accent I had to strain to figure out the pattern of her dropped consonants and mangled vowels. Still, even several chapters in I'd be left scratching my head over a word that even in context it took several seconds to figure out.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, if the readers voice detracts from the listeners ability to listen seamlessly and effortless to the story (i.e. they have to work hard just first to figure out what word you are saying) then they will not be able to completely understand, absorb or enjoy the work as the author has intended.
That said she brags constantly about how famous her voice is and how wonderful *everyone* thinks it is and how she was basically forced ("what moi? No... I couldn't...") to do voice overs and adds for her company because of how amazingly fantastic her voice is.
Excuse me while I gag myself.
Her "I'm so amazingly perfect" attitude is strung throughout the book. In fact it is a major theme of the book, as it is she, successful at all things, who has decided to impart upon us peons her amazing recipe for success.
Only I almost despised her so much with her voice, and cocky attitude, and antiquated ideas about women and society that I could barely pick out the good in the book. There is good in there. But for the love of God if you want to get at it easily do NOT get the audiobook.
Good luck. I would not recommend this book to anyone. It's mostly worthless fluff and you can pick up the important parts from other sources easily as she brings nothing new to the table.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, if the readers voice detracts from the listeners ability to listen seamlessly and effortless to the story (i.e. they have to work hard just first to figure out what word you are saying) then they will not be able to completely understand, absorb or enjoy the work as the author has intended.
That said she brags constantly about how famous her voice is and how wonderful *everyone* thinks it is and how she was basically forced ("what moi? No... I couldn't...") to do voice overs and adds for her company because of how amazingly fantastic her voice is.
Excuse me while I gag myself.
Her "I'm so amazingly perfect" attitude is strung throughout the book. In fact it is a major theme of the book, as it is she, successful at all things, who has decided to impart upon us peons her amazing recipe for success.
Only I almost despised her so much with her voice, and cocky attitude, and antiquated ideas about women and society that I could barely pick out the good in the book. There is good in there. But for the love of God if you want to get at it easily do NOT get the audiobook.
Good luck. I would not recommend this book to anyone. It's mostly worthless fluff and you can pick up the important parts from other sources easily as she brings nothing new to the table.
July 6, 2017
Just finished reading this one for the second time. I loved this book the first time I read it as a twenty-something who had recently graduated from college, and even now, as a more mature working mother, I find its advice timely and relevant, though less so than before. At this point, my family and work life differ more from Mireille's, but her overall principles are still good guideposts. I recommend this book to all women, but to women without children especially.
February 6, 2015
Let's say I read it so that you don't have to. It's a cut above reading career advice in Cosmo. It reads OK, but the content is a) really nothing you wouldn't find everywhere else (other than the writer's emphasis on the importance of good writing skills and good manners in the business environment), b) rather unrelatable in today's economy.
May 26, 2011
Sound advice - nothing earth-shattering, but I needed all the reminders. Mireille definitely has me daydreaming about all things French lately. I enjoyed this enough that I plan on reading her other books soon.
March 1, 2017
I really enjoyed her first book, but this one I didn't love so much. This is less prescriptive and it's too vague to really be very helpful. It is a quick read, though, and for women just starting out in their careers it may provide some help or clarity around business.
March 27, 2011
I did not enjoy reading this book and found the voice of this author to be annoying.
October 28, 2022
Книга без блискучих ідей та порад. Але в наш час хочеться тихого місця, де можна відпочити і подумати про буденні речі, які у воєнний період здаються розкішшю - думки про кар'єру, внутрішній дзен, модна зачіска і звана вечеря. Напевно, українцям треба випускати свої книги (які мають стати бестселерами!) про кар'єру і війну. Чи материнство і війну. Чи кар'єру, материнство і війну. Бо читати про розмірене богемне життя в Нью-Йорку зараз дуже смішно. Хоча і в Києві є ті, хто купує вино "Вдова Кліко" за 3000 грн.
Чи згадаю я про цю книгу через рік? Ні. Чи допомогла вона мені відволіктися від війни? Так. Ну і, напевно, все ж таки один рецепт з книги я приготую.
Чи згадаю я про цю книгу через рік? Ні. Чи допомогла вона мені відволіктися від війни? Так. Ну і, напевно, все ж таки один рецепт з книги я приготую.
July 8, 2023
Nice little book. Quite calming, unlike a lot of other business or leadership books. Some small and real truths in here. Some things I don’t quite agree with, which is also a good sign that the author is taking risks to speak her mind. Really enjoyed it.
March 11, 2023
I couldn't finish the book. I didn't find anything new or spectacular in business. It is more like praise of the writer to herself. Nothing about mistakes that we obviously must make when we start business or lead small or great company.
June 4, 2025
While there was a ton in here that may just be common sense I fear, I think I picked this up at the wrong time in my career. This would have been an excellent read right after college and during the transition phases of my career but, I think I was a bit too ahead of the target reader for this book as far as career advice goes.
however, she does have some wonderful anecdotes and great advice that I was able to take away re: health, mindset and wardrobe that I feel is timeless advice I would have gotten from my fabulous grandmother.
Great read, but I think I picked it up a little too late in my life to take everything away that I could have!
however, she does have some wonderful anecdotes and great advice that I was able to take away re: health, mindset and wardrobe that I feel is timeless advice I would have gotten from my fabulous grandmother.
Great read, but I think I picked it up a little too late in my life to take everything away that I could have!
December 1, 2009
We all (at times) wish we had that special flair, that look that entices or that throaty laugh. As well as that may turn a head or two, it does not always do well in the work place. No there we have to have something even better. Savoir Faire ! You know, the ability to say or do the right or graceful thing. Well it may be a french term but it is a southern lady tradition. And being a Texan I know that we may talk horse sense but we do use our southern charms.
You can also use that art to help you out at work. Or anywhere else. Dealing with the other car pool moms for bus duty, negotiating a good deal when we need the house re-roofed or at church while organizing that fifth Sunday luncheon. Our lives as wives and moms is a business. It is our most precious business, raising our family and caring for our homes. And this can all be accomplished with finesse. Then there are so many of us wearing duel hats (often with a feather or two in them) that also work outside of the home. Now these women really do have to make her very own Savoir Faire work for her.
If you also wish to have life run just a bit smoother then you may want to read Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire by Mireille Guiliano. Yes, you remember her from French Women Don't Get Fat. In Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire, Mireille draws on her experiences to give women the practical advice they need to make work part of a well-balanced life. Mireille gives us lively lessons, stories, and helpful hints. And she teaches us how to identify our own passions and talents, improve communication skills, balance work and life. I know that these are skills we can all use both in the workplace and at home too.
Here are some of my favorite notes from Mireille that we can use both in business and at home.
* Today if you want to stand out in business, write thank you notes. People remember.
* Know thyself. What ever it is, you need to recognize it and exploit it. Be the person you are. Work with what you have.
* The harsh reality is that women in the workplace are judged on their looks a lot more than men.
* Time priority management is a key to success and happiness.
* It's imperative to make time each day to let go of judgmental thinking and live in the moment.
* Sleep is the most neglected state of being in American life. We think we can cut corners, push ourselves to the limit, but we're only fooling ourselves.
* Being comfortable with ourselves is a better indicator of "success" than the handbag we carry, but that bag or our ability to own it is often tied to our self-actualization and identity.
* Life is not a rehearsal, so whatever you choose to do, it is good if your heart is in it. (My favorite quote.)
You can also use that art to help you out at work. Or anywhere else. Dealing with the other car pool moms for bus duty, negotiating a good deal when we need the house re-roofed or at church while organizing that fifth Sunday luncheon. Our lives as wives and moms is a business. It is our most precious business, raising our family and caring for our homes. And this can all be accomplished with finesse. Then there are so many of us wearing duel hats (often with a feather or two in them) that also work outside of the home. Now these women really do have to make her very own Savoir Faire work for her.
If you also wish to have life run just a bit smoother then you may want to read Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire by Mireille Guiliano. Yes, you remember her from French Women Don't Get Fat. In Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire, Mireille draws on her experiences to give women the practical advice they need to make work part of a well-balanced life. Mireille gives us lively lessons, stories, and helpful hints. And she teaches us how to identify our own passions and talents, improve communication skills, balance work and life. I know that these are skills we can all use both in the workplace and at home too.
Here are some of my favorite notes from Mireille that we can use both in business and at home.
* Today if you want to stand out in business, write thank you notes. People remember.
* Know thyself. What ever it is, you need to recognize it and exploit it. Be the person you are. Work with what you have.
* The harsh reality is that women in the workplace are judged on their looks a lot more than men.
* Time priority management is a key to success and happiness.
* It's imperative to make time each day to let go of judgmental thinking and live in the moment.
* Sleep is the most neglected state of being in American life. We think we can cut corners, push ourselves to the limit, but we're only fooling ourselves.
* Being comfortable with ourselves is a better indicator of "success" than the handbag we carry, but that bag or our ability to own it is often tied to our self-actualization and identity.
* Life is not a rehearsal, so whatever you choose to do, it is good if your heart is in it. (My favorite quote.)
September 8, 2019
Light hearten read
March 31, 2018
The only way I think I can accurately sum up "Women, Work, and the Art of Savoir Faire" is its a book written about by a chic grandma. Impossible chic, if that makes me sound like less of a curmudgeon. I've long been a fan of Mireille Guiliano's work, which had all previously asserted (in decent writing no less) that you could indeed, enjoy tasty ass buttery food and incorporate it into a healthful diet.
Here, MG takes what she's known from a long career in business as the former head of Vueve Clicquot in the US and puts it into advice for working women. The result? Some solid suggestions for overall themes to apply to your career. However, I don't think I'm the only one in the room that knows the rules of the game have changed thanks to the advancements of ye olde internet.
However, never under estimate the power of real talk: work hard, know your limits, but push to exceed them - like a little black dress (or other lame cliches) these nuggets of truth never go out of style.
Here, MG takes what she's known from a long career in business as the former head of Vueve Clicquot in the US and puts it into advice for working women. The result? Some solid suggestions for overall themes to apply to your career. However, I don't think I'm the only one in the room that knows the rules of the game have changed thanks to the advancements of ye olde internet.
However, never under estimate the power of real talk: work hard, know your limits, but push to exceed them - like a little black dress (or other lame cliches) these nuggets of truth never go out of style.
October 19, 2019
A super good reminder that suggests working females have so much to contribute to the industry in our own classy way.
Maybe the downside was how her French accent and identity have huge impact in her career, and that alone is unique to her, but there is no way I am denying that the rest is good.
She talks about the reality we are facing, the discrimination, and how we need to just work it out. Yes, the gender bias perception is starting to change, but it sure will take a lot of time, so in the mean time we just gotta hustle. Can't help it.
A good book for every female out there no matter which stage in life you are currently in.
and hey, that cover picture? Cute! I'm loving those little red graphics in the beginning of each chapter too.
Maybe the downside was how her French accent and identity have huge impact in her career, and that alone is unique to her, but there is no way I am denying that the rest is good.
She talks about the reality we are facing, the discrimination, and how we need to just work it out. Yes, the gender bias perception is starting to change, but it sure will take a lot of time, so in the mean time we just gotta hustle. Can't help it.
A good book for every female out there no matter which stage in life you are currently in.
and hey, that cover picture? Cute! I'm loving those little red graphics in the beginning of each chapter too.
January 4, 2012
This book was really fun and provided some good food for thought on how to be a successful business woman while also living a "balanced" life. The catch is that she doesn't have children, so if you are looking for how to integrate your career with a family, this book is not for you. However, if you are looking to read a book about how to stylishly move up the ranks and cook a great meal for your boss at your well-appointed, child-free apartment in a major city--this it.
November 10, 2012
I have heard so many good things about the author, Mireille Guiliano, so when I stumbled across this book in the library, I was excited to check it out. It was so hard to get through the book. Perhaps, it was a struggle for Guiliano to fill the pages, however, I found it interesting that this author would contradict herself from one chapter to the next. There was one gem of advice - build and be your own brand!
April 11, 2016
I really wanted to like this. I certainly liked the idea of a business book for women that felt a little more wholistic. However, the author came across as being extremely full of herself and not particularly likeable. Also, the advice was primarily business cliche (work hard and network), with a few tidbits about how to dress and some random recipes thrown in for color. This is my least favorite so far this year.
April 20, 2016
I listened to this as an audiobook, and it was well-read by the author. Her authentic French accent adds a great deal of enjoyment.
I wanted to like this much more than I did. I love Guiliano's other books. However, while a few turns of phrase and admonitions will stick with me, I found most of her work advice either too obvious or too accepting of gender bias, without enough concrete recommendations to make it feel fresh.
I wanted to like this much more than I did. I love Guiliano's other books. However, while a few turns of phrase and admonitions will stick with me, I found most of her work advice either too obvious or too accepting of gender bias, without enough concrete recommendations to make it feel fresh.
December 9, 2016
I found some things I knew to be true (women not mentoring one another); some things I didn't know (napkin in the plate for lunch). I especially liked her points on branding oneself and all references to wellness. Not many people (outside of the fitness & nutrition world) are wise to the connection between our food/activities/sleep to our ability to make it (according to our definitions) in life. I would recommend this read.
July 14, 2017
It was interesting reading a book about the business world, since I have spent my entire life and career in the education and non-profit world. While Guiliano's world is too elite to be relevant to most women, and she is definitely of the older, women-need-to-behave-differently-from-men era, I still found some useful pieces of advice. I also enjoyed hearing about her career and how she succeeded in it.
October 27, 2009
Adult nonfiction; self-help/advice. I skimmed most of this, as I didn't care for Guiliano's writing style (I'd never read any of her "French Women" books, so this is my first experience with her prose) and the frequent typos that accompany unedited advanced copies, but there is some good advice in here, I guess.
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