SMART MONEY

ISSUE 15/SEPT 2010

Office Politics:

What to do and what not to do with your hair in the office

Qz & A:

Your questions answered

Interview with Kenyas prominent businessman on how he enjoys working with the wife

Working with you Spouse:

EDITORS NOTE

like learning something new everyday. I love the feeling I have when I have solved a problem in a new way, discovered a fact I can apply in my professional or personal life, or have a new insight into what makes the world go round. As a magazine editor, I like to know that what I put as content in the magazine goes a long way to helping another young person like me out there. Other than being original in my work, I also like copying ideas that have helped other people succeed in life. I like looking deeper into the ways that have made other people hold top levels, such as C.E.O s in leading organizations, investors and inventors. I have realized that creativity and believe in one self is what will get you where you want to be. A degree or a masters are good certificates to go along a creative mind and a strong personality. Legendary blues musician, BB King, aged 83, said if I dont learn something new everyday, its a day lost. I agree and dont let what ifs hold me back from making my dreams a reality. You shouldnt either. I want to leave a legacy of my experience, your impact.

ou can express your personality without going against office rules Should you step into the office with multi-colored dreadlocks, 1970s afro, greasy curly kit or long flowing braids? You will see all these hairstyles from the furthest corner of the elevator, the best and the worst hairstyles in the corporate world. Enter a lady in a fine suit spotting the Mohawk hairstyle, dyed red and everybody will stare. Some still have last decades hairstyles, others unkempt hair while some spot hair too good and shiny, obviously having spent all morning on it. With all the braids- weaves, dreadlocks, Mohawks, bald heads, bob cuts, cornrows- the question of whether there is a specific hairstyle for the corporate world may never be answered. One could express their personality with hair as long as you do not overstep the rules of conforming within industry and culture. The key is to keep the hairstyles simple, stylish and sophisticated without drawing attention. Inability to keep up with current hair trends may communicate a problem adapting to change and keeping up with the times. The unstyled, unkempt hair may show lack of new and fresh ideas or exhibit a dont care attitude.

THE POLITICS OF HAIR STYLES

Yet even the too good and ever in place may mean you have been devoting too much time on hair at the expense of the company time. But that does not mean you should join the clique of female manager and employees who spend on their hair on a quarterly basis.

Contents

Editors Note.........................1 The politics of hairstyles.......1 Life Coaching........................1 Husband cum officemate.......2

I am in an executive position at a local institution and being a woman, has brought some challenges-among them internal fears. I have a crippling belief that I am at a distinct disadvantage-which I cannot lay my hands on- and might not be able to break the glass ceiling. While I believe I have the leadership ability to steer this institution forward, I think it will soon be difficult for me to promoted and I need advice on how to conquer this fear Behind every successful man, there is a woman. If one examines it carefully, the success truly belongs to the woman in question, because in her absence, the man might never see success. Whichever way one looks at it, no man will see success without a woman. Any system of management that locks out women is doomed to fail. This situation can come about either because they feel inadequate as equals.

LIFE COACHING

The study titled Death From a Broken Heart confirmed what we all know; that men in general get lost when their spouses are no longer around. Another interesting fact relates to what is now biologically factual, that the female is stronger sex. With all this information, I am scandalized that you, a senior executive would have internalized fears about your career. For you to get there, given the disadvantages many girls have to go through, you must be much better than those men you fear.

HUSBAND CUM OFFICEMATE

consistently talk about the office when at home. He also cautions that spouses working together can create a conflict of interest especially if one spouse is superior to the other. Promotions can be perceived as based on favoritism rather than merit. Calling her babe Mike says, I sometimes get tempted to treat her like a wife rather than a colleague so I have to remind myself that she is a workmate. Perhaps the hardest switch is when I have to call her by her real name rather than babe. if a business has high stress levels or involves lots of travelling. Usually family and friends may consider you an easier target if you were running your own business and they can borrow money or have favors extended. They, especially in-laws, may not understand when you turn down their request and may think your business partner (your spouse) is influencing you to say no.

arried couples have been known to fight over the most trivial matters from finding directions to disagreements as to whether a color is blue or green. A little argument can be stretched for days, months and even years without getting resolved. If things can be so volatile at home, how then do married couples work in the same office or run a business together? Opportunity to bond Michael and Jacky have been colleagues in the same office where they dated and married while still serving in it. Jackie says: Working together enables me to understand my husbands world better than if I worked in a different office.

TIPS FOR WORKING TOGETHER Marriage comes before business. The business or workplace comes second to your marriage. Marriage must outlive the business. Honor and respect must be shown at all times. Dont disrespect each other in the presence of other employees. Use your workplace to praise your spouse in the sight of other workers and be their number one supporter. Money is not everything. Make a conscious effort to cultivate us time at work. Be careful how you act with colleagues of the opposite sex especially if your marriage is undergoing a strain. Marriage supreme

I understand the complexities and internal politics he has to put up with. Since we work 15 minutes away from home, the walk to and from the office becomes a good opportunity to chat with each other before getting to the office. I feel safer knowing that Mike is nearby and within the building. Her husband, who works in the Finance department, says that the downside of working together is that they can easily get consumed by office matters. They have to make a conscious effort not to

Nothing should be allowed to interfere with the marriage-not even business-because the marriage relationship is more important and will outlive any other. Constant Presence Distinguishing between home and business roles takes maturity on both partners and with time, the lines are drawn. On the downside, running a business together can be a risk as the family is dependent on one source for income. Couples working together need time alone because they tend to feel suffocated by the presence of the other spouse. This could be misconstrued by the other spouse if boundaries have not been set out from the beginning. On the home front, the family may be affected