Leadership and Executive Development for women of all races, cultures and backgrounds
Issue link: https://diversitywoman.epubxp.com/i/385684
Upfront > d i v e r s i t y w o m a n . c o m Fa l l 2 0 1 4 D I V E R S I T Y W O M A N 15 THINKSTOCKPHOTOS The Holiday Party Dear DW, Is it okay to drink at our company holi- day party? Signed, Born to Boogie Dear Born to Boogie, Te key word here is sip. Drinking, in moderation, is acceptable. Tere's no worse feeling than slinking into the ofce the next day trying to remember what you said to your boss. While you're at it, here are some other holiday party etiquette tips. Make sure to gather intelligence ahead of time about the event. Tat way you will be dressed appropriately. You don't want to show up in a sexy, slinky, revealing dress at a sports bar when everybody else is in jeans. Also, double-check before assuming it's okay to bring your spouse or partner. Polish up on your small talk and ditch the shoptalk. Holiday par- ties are meant to be fun and light. Ask co-workers about their family, hobbies, or holiday plans. A bit of interest in your colleagues can go a long way toward burnishing your workplace relationships. At the same time, don't get too personal. Remember, the topics of religion, sex, and money are of-limits in an ofce—and a holiday party is still a workplace setting. Mingle. Don't spend all your time with the colleagues you know. Te company party may be one of the few opportunities you have to meet employees in other departments as well as the CEO and VPs. Introduce yourself. Don't be a diva and time your ar- rival for maximum exposure. Come near the beginning and stay to the end. It's best not to organize an after-party at a bar down the street that goes into the early- morning hours. The Office The Executive MBA Advantage O ver the last 30 years, executive MBA programs have proliferated around the country. Today, there are more than 200—70 percent of which were launched since 1990. EMBA programs are not inexpensive. Many of the top-ranked ones cost more than $150,000 (and most last just shy of two years). However, dozens of pro- grams offer tuition under $50,000. In addition, many companies pay all or part of the student's fee, often in exchange for a longer-term commitment to that company. The outcomes indicate that the cost is worth it. A recent study by the nonproft Executive MBA Council indicates that the salary and bonus package for the EMBA students surveyed rose by 14 percent from before they began the program to when they fnished. More than half of the participants noted that they received new responsibilities at work, and 38 percent got a promotion. "When participants gain skills and perspectives that make them better leaders and managers, the EMBA experience results in better outcomes," says Michael Desiderio, executive director of the Executive MBA Council. "These outcomes include tangible ones, such as salary, and intangible ones, such as greater know- ledge, improved leadership abilities, and a broader network, which stay with graduates throughout their career." U.S. News & World Report's 2014 rankings of top EMBA programs in the U.S.: • University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), Philadelphia • University of Chicago (Booth), Chicago • Northwestern University (Kellogg), Evanston • Duke University (Fuqua), Durham • Columbia University, New York For the full list, visit grad-schools.usnews. rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/ top-business-schools/executive-rankings U.S. News & World Report's 2014 rankings of top online MBA programs in the U.S.: • Indiana University (Kelley), Bloomington • Arizona State University (Carey), Tempe • University of Florida (Hough), Gainesville • University of Texas-Dallas, Richardson • University of West Georgia (Richards), Carrollton For the full list, visit usnews.com/education/ online-education/mba/rankings DW Hot List