The Savvy Gal Blog

Would Jane Austen have been a "snarky" as well as savvy gal?

Totally savvy gal pal, Kirsten Osolind, over at the re:invention blog, gave a great shout-out to The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?).  But she raised a question as to whether Jane would have been "snarky" (a word that seems to have only come into existence in the last few years).  Snarky is defined as:  Irritable or short-tempered; irascible.  I guess my thoughts run to Emma, who given the anonymity of blogging, probably would be snarky like the rest of us!  What do you think?

Online Networking Tip: Make your name memorable

Savvy Gal Networking Tip:  Make your name memorable.  When meeting people for the first time, we find it easier to remember individuals who give us a first and last name.  This is why, even though it makes for a longer email address, we like email addresses that include both your name (first or first.last) and the company name.  It puts the two names—yours and the company’s—literally right in front of our faces.  The one exception is if you have a very difficult-to-spell name, then you might want to keep it simple.

This tip courtesy of The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?)

Savvy Gal Blog hits the bookstores (sort of!)

"In some ways, modern networking is no different than what took place in Jane Austen’s novels: it’s important to know many different people, attend a myriad of social events, and, above all else, have proper manners at all times."

At least that's what my pals, Diane Danielson and Lindsey Pollak, wrote in their new book, The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?). For which I would like to take a tiny bit of credit as they've included some of my "relevant" blog entries in their book. (And check me out on the cover!) In exchange, they're letting me post some of their Online Networking Tips. So, if you're here just for the tips, my apologies, but you'll have to put up with the rest of my ramblings.  In the meantime, I recommend you be a savvy gal yourself and check out the book, which can be ordered from:

1. Amazon or Barnes & Noble
2. Booklocker.com - direct from the publisher
3. The Downtown Women's Club - sign up and get one in your goodybag (save 20% off the $49.99/year registration by using discount code "SAVVYGAL"). Starting Oct. 1st!
4. If you're a blogger who wants to review the book on your site, or a company/event planner who wants to buy them in bulk or hire Diane or Lindsey to speak, contact them directly by clicking here.

Your savvy gal pal,

Wendy Darcy

Dear Mr. President

Pink sings a Dear George letter.  (I admit, I'm so old, I'm wasn't hip enough to hear about this song recorded last year until I caught it channel surfing the other day in my rental car.)

Click below to read the lyrics, my favorite is:

What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?

but I think if we would all be able to send a message to the White House if we all went to iTunes and bought this song.  Even if you don't have an iPod!

Update on BD guy

Went to a baseball game with BD ("Blind Date") guy tonight.  This make Date #3.  Sort of the fish or cut bait date.  But, I don't know ... He's so sweet.  Sort of the anti-Chris Martin (for those of you who missed that, he was the high school crush who I tracked down while looking for classmates for my class reunion who turned out to be a married lech.  ick. ick. ick.) 

He actually offered to let me take his iPod with me next week when I'm off to .... hmmm.  Have to check my itinerary (it's sad when you travel so much for business you don't even know where you're going next).  Note to self:  get new job that involves less travel. 

Back to BD guy.  He's not really my type.  Yet, we do have fun.  But, he's been such a gentlemen that I don't even know if he's a good kisser yet (2 goodnight pecks don't count)  Hmmm, perhaps keeping it slow and low-key might be nice for a change.   As well as dating against type.  Clearly my type has not exactly worked out too well so far.

Savvy Gal on Total Picture Radio

Hey - check this out.  My pal, Diane is on Total Picture radio explaining just what the connection is between Jane Austen and online networking in her new book, The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?).  Our theory (yes I like to take credit for this as she and Lindsey claimed I was their inspiration):  If Jane Austen was alive and well today, she'd be a blogger; and that networking (online or in person) is all about good manners. 

Hmmmm.  I wonder if I can download that to my ipod and listen while on the commute home.  Doh!  It would help if I hadn't dropped it in the loo last week.  Guess I'll stop by the Apple store tonight to get a new one.  May have to upgrade to video.  Hmmmm. Maybe BD ("blind date") guy might have some input.  He seems to be quite the gadget guy.  I'll shoot him an email.

W.

So when do we get Ocean's 14?

Normally I would complain when an airline shows the same movie both ways across the country. (I had a 36-hour last minute trip to LA to cover for my boss while he went on some duck-hunting thing with the other "partners."  Hope Dick Cheney wasn't invited). But, back to the movie rerun - the airline showed Ocean's Thirteen both ways. 

As I said, this would normally be a huge bummer (airlines are the only place I ever get to see movies these days).  However, even the second time without the headphones, it was lovely to watch George and the gang have fun.  Liked Ellen Barkin - she looks good for someone who supposedly shuns the plastic surgery!  You go girl!  And, I liked that Andy Garcia was the "13."  If they do 14 ... I vote for Clive Owen or Daniel Craig.  O.k. Here's today's gratuitous "Good George" picture.

Online Networking Tip: Do the 60-second search first

Savvy Gal Networking Tip: Do the one-minute search test before you hit the send button.  If you’re approaching a new contact via email, take one minute to search his or her name on the web.  If there’s a wealth of information out there, and it’s easily discoverable within 60 seconds, then it’s likely that person will assume you have, at a minimum, that base knowledge before you attempted to make contact. 

This tip courtesy of The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?)

Jane Austen readers love cats?

Or at least that's what Google Adsense thinks.  For those of you who aren't familiar with Google Adsense, it's a service that allows businesses to basically place classified ads on people's websites and blogs.  The only difference is that by using algorhythms (sp?), Google matches the ads to website content. 

Now, for a few days this week, 5 of my 10 viewable posts were about "Jane Austen."  And my google ads?  Two of the five ads were about cat-related services.

Now, I know I'm a mature singleton, but how does Google know that?  And, just because I like Jane Austen doesn't mean I'm destined to a life alone with cats, does it?  Humph.  Well, here's one thing Google doesn't know - I'm a dog person, trapped in a cat person's life.

But, in the meantime, don't let me stop you cat people from clicking on any cat-related ads.  If enough of you do it, then I'll have enough $$ for a nice lunch out.  O.k., maybe not, but I might be able to treat myself to a grande-frappe, double-decaf, venti whatever at Starbucks!

More than you want to know about iPods falling in toilets

What’s this? BD guy with a prompt response.   I like that.  His sister thought I was cute? Even if I am a klutz?  His sister?!  And, he Googled “iPod fell in toilet.”  OMG.   This is too funny—an entire message board dedicated to what to do when you drop your iPod in the crapper. I’m not sure I want to try microwaving it, though.  Perhaps I’ll register as "ipodlvr" and ask if anyone had success sending a “crappy” iPod back to Apple. 

Does BD guy have a girlfriend?

By the way, who was that tall glamazon at lunch with BD guy?  Must be a client.  Maybe a colleague? Perhaps it was a first date from an online dating site?  Or...his wife?  That cad!  No, wait.  Our first date was a set-up; my friends would know if he was married.  Hmmmmm.  Maybe I should drop him an email.  I could make a witty joke about “running into him” and the iPod incident.

When high school crushes go flat and iPod's fall in the crapper

Ugh. What a lunch.  Chris Martin, my high school crush, excuse me, FORMER high school crush, who I found on LinkedIn, was in town on business and asked me to lunch.  Then he turns out to be a total loser, whose only topic of conversation was some football game that took place 20 years ago.  And, maybe my taste has changed, or some of us don’t age quite as well, but the Chris Martin across the table from me was no “Chris Martin” that I remembered.  Or perhaps it was the “tan line” on his ring finger that was so completely revolting.  Ick. This is why when he suggested a drink at his hotel later, I bolted for the ladies room.

To make matters worse, I then literally run into BD (Blind Date) guy as I trip on the way to the bathroom.  Toss in the gorgeous blonde with the D&G suit and the Jimmy Choo shoes at his side and it was all I could do to slink off to the loo before my self-respect completely imploded.  Which, of course, happened about three minutes later, when my iPod fell out of my purse and into the toilet.  Ick. Ick. Ick. 

Which Jane Austen character are you?

Here's an oldie but goodie that I came across again - a quiz to see which Jane Austen character you are.  Click here to take the quiz.

Personally, this savvy gal ended up as Eliza Bennet.  Hmmm.  Works for me.  Who'd you get?

What Would Jane Do?

That seems to be the theme of the new Jane Austen-related movie "The Jane Austen Book Club."  I recalled liking the book, but with a caveat that it's a much better experience if one is a true JA fan. Click here to read an early review from the Hollywood Reporter, who states a similar feeling about the movie.

One part of the movie review caught my eye, and it's not just because it references the subtitle of my pals Diane & Lindsey's new book.

In the film's one moment of surreal whimsy, a traffic light flashes "What Would Jane Do" at a character. In the end, Austen controls things much too much. The modern world is much different than Regency England, a point made during the opening credits that portray modern life as nerve-racking and mean-spirited. The film needs to take into account those differences. Someone needs to violate the Jane Austen Code of Ethics and Behavior. No one does.

I suppose I tend to disagree with the reviewer's take that our world is much different than Regency England.  I seem to recall some nailbiting and mean-spiritedness in Jane Austen's world.  But, perhaps he's right.  However, then why would someone need to violate the JA code of Ethics and Behavior?  Rather wouldn't we all need to adhere to them and bring some decency back to our world?!

Online Networking Tip: If you wouldn't do it in person, don't do it online

Savvy Gal Networking Tip: If you wouldn’t do it in person, don’t do it online.  This means no skipping over polite chit-chat and heading right to a sales pitch on the first email, or failing to reply to personally addressed emails.  The former we call a “verbal brochure,” which comes off like an online telemarketer; the latter is an online version of walking away from someone right after she’s said hello, stuck out her hand for a shake, and introduced herself.  And finally, if you couldn’t say something negative while looking a person straight in the eye, then it’s not appropriate for email.

This tip courtesy of The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?)

Bad George - May suffer from NPD?

Can I go back to London?  My boss is nuts.  Although, in doing some quick research on Narcissistic Personality Disorder - in hopes of understanding how to possibly deal with him, I found this post about how George Bush may suffer from NPD.

In going with this theme, I then found some interesting articles on what's going on in George's mind from New York magazine on the issue (and the picture is courtesy of them!).

P.S., I can't even tell you the number of times on the trip that I had to pull a Dixie Chick and explain that I'm not a supporter of "W".  It didn't help that we killed some British troops with friendly fire.

Jane Austen makes the Wall Street Journal

I've decided to narrow down my Jane Austen postings to where I see her intersecting with the business world (since that was basically my blog beat anyhow).  There are so many scholars out there who follow the other stuff so well (which I'll feature on occasion), but for me, I like to imagine that she would be a Savvy Business Gal if she were alive today.

Very impressive "placement" for Jane this morning.

I laughed when I saw that she made the front page of the Marketplace section in The Wall Street Journal.  Their tech guy was testing an e-book reader by reading Pride and Prejudice.  How perfect!  Unfortunately, the WSJ doesn't put all their content online, AND even charges subscribers more $$ to read some of the print articles online, so I can't really link to it.  But, here are some good quotes from Lee Gomes:

"For the first few minutes, I was too aware of the new technology, and had trouble concentrating on the story.  But that didn't last long, and I soon settled in, laughing and worrying in all the right places.  At the end, I was just as happy for Elizabeth Bennet as I had been when I first read it in paperback.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that reading a book for pleasure involves a lot of hard work.  You have to fight to keep it open and pressed flat, and just when you've comfortably arranged everything, you have to turn the page and start all over again.  ..."

Now, re: the e-reader.  Not sure I'm there yet.  There's something about the disposability of a paperback that I like.  Especially in light of the fact that I lost my iPod charger on my London trip.  That makes me worried about toting even more technical equipment with parts that can be lost, much of which cost more than a hardcover book.  Also, if it's to save on costs or the environment, there is a way to do this already: try visiting one of my favorite places in the world called The Library (although they can be hard to get to during working hours - but most let you pre-order books online.  And, overdue charges are minimal!)

As for the WSJ charging additional fees to print subscribers. Not sure I like that.  But, I do realize they're reasons for it.  However, I feel the same way about airline food.  Why don't they just tack $5 or 10 more dollars per month onto my ticket/subscription fee and just give me the darn sandwich/online content for free instead of making me register and pay twice. But, then again, my company pays for flights and newspapers, so not coming out of my own pocket. 

Bad George - Maybe "W" should run for Miss Teen South Carolina?

Bill Maher is back and life is good.  He did a great bit the other night where he juxtaposed Miss South Carolina's inability to answer a geography question (if you've been under a rock and haven't seen Miss S.C. click here) with the following clip of our Yale-educated, Harvard MBA, president (oh, you fellow alumni must be soooo proud).

Good George - Even the gallant have their off days

My beloved George is being taken to task for snapping at reporters who asked how he could reconcile doing commercial work for multinational companies (with less than stellar consumer track records) and his beliefs.  Poor George.  Clearly he has to work to afford his lifestyle, but he should've pulled a Robin Hood, in that he was taking their money and putting it to better use.

Picture courtesy of the Austrailian Daily Telegraph.

Online Networking Tip: Know your audience

Savvy Gal Networking Tip: Know your audience.  Are they email or phone people?  You never want to force an email person into a phone relationship (or vice versa).  We all know that forced relationships never work (despite the fact that some of us like to test that theory every once in a while in our personal lives).  However, here are some reasons a person might prefer email to phone:

• A phone call is done at the caller’s convenience; an email can be responded to at the receiver’s convenience.
• It takes less time to scan an email subject line than it does to listen to voicemail.
• Email helps people keep track of communications (much better than Post-it® notes all over the office).

This tip courtesy of The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?)