a REFLECTIVE reflection

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The following blog was originally written and posted on my "A Commentary" blog (without the lead in image above, I added that now).  

I was reviewing what I had written and realized it is something that I usually cover in MEANDERINGSabout blog. 

Then I got to thinking, not unusual for me after the sun goes down, it is more reflective than reactive .... there are areas pertinent to The optioneerJM blog here.  

So, I decided to do it more like a social media experiment.  Is there any benefit to cross-linking internally.  Meaning, three blogs under the same umbrella with Google:  could they help increase the reaction or traction to the original blog, or is the reaction (meaning clicks) coming from mostly those who subscribe independently.  
Google's analytics for Blogs is superior to most.  As a blogger with Word Press I did forewarn that I was going to start comparing the values each bring.  

There is a lot of power behind Google, which settles my suspicion it would help when I launched this, my first blog, optioneerJM.  They toss scraps over my way when people are "googling" a topic within the topic of sales ... kinda like they have links or results swayed to the strong player and then the miscellaneous or "everything else" comes my way.  I'm not complaining, I'm sharing my findings as I go along.

The one thing that I can say that Word Press seems to have stronger than Google's blogspot and that is the blog community itself.  Word Press authors seek out to read and support others when they like the content.  Synopsis:  Word Press has a stronger community of Bloggers than Google.  However, Google's engines do try to chug away and make up the difference, they just haven't figured out a way to slip into the middle of those results ... searches within a platform like Word Press.  

I think that open source development is the way to go.  Why?  It is simple.  There was a really really BIG EXAMPLE on a business failure because of not having open sourcing:  think HP's Tablet.  They were ahead of the curve on the product development, but it came down to one corporate decision that wrote the failure on the wall:  deciding to keep the code private.

The race that ensued shortly around that time was Apple's heady emergence on the scene.  I continuously marvel how Steve Jobs could pick up pieces that were missing or underutilized and maximize that very thing and it appears that Apple was innovative and HP was risk averse.  The difference between being bold and being sold out.  

Sold out can mean that HP started to let its shareholders run their business.  I'm going to write more about that on a dedicated blog.  I've reflected, reviewed, and revisited with former colleagues at HP, and have started to develop some opinion.  It's an intriguing story really.  How could one of Collins "Good to Great" companies self-destruct so pitifully.  The straight answer:  they began to lose sight of its original vision and culture: "about solving problems by really smart people who cared about each other." ~Jeannette Marshall (quote)
READ MORE LINK WILL BE INSERTED WHEN POSTED.

Here you go loyal followers and subscribers .....

I tend to go on about stats and such on my optioneerJM blog since that is where the conversation about social media or soME seems to have some traction.  I really started out there writing about sales primarily, then shifted to include leadership and business with social media dialogue emerging frequently.

That's a tough position to be in because your golden followers, the ones who began the journey with you deserve and have earned your return loyalty and acknowledgement.  

The strange part of me is I constantly seek feedback online from trusted advisors, and I can take it.  However, if it is someone looking at me, with eye contact and giving me feedback, if it isn't filtered with empathy and professionalism, I can feel attacked.

Writing to the loyal followers is paramount to a business or a blog.  That's a mutual reward for sticking around together.  And as the object of that feedback, you take it more positively because they've grown to know you over a few years at least.  They aren't adding their own ingredients of bias into the equation.  People feel threatened if they recognize an element of your personality that they internally, personally feel that you lack.  That can make things get rubbed the wrong way.

To be told by a senior manager, that "people feel threatened by you" is something a person has to grapple with and grasp.  I don't think any one individual person consciously thinks they're a bad person.  The bad aren't even in your sphere because they know they're bad and proud of it.

Let's take how a woman dresses.  It shouldn't be a key factor in this day and age but it is.  You can be both the victim and the judge at the same time.  I am a clothes horse, even call myself a "fashionista" with the more humbling affiliation that I'm "fighting my 50s" so as to remove ego when is not there.

RELAXED to the MAX
No dress code does not mean you look like you will
 jump into bed when you get home

How a person dresses, in my opinion, reflects to the world a statement:  "this is how I feel about myself".  You can relate even better when you think about when you are sick with a cold, a nose so raw and red from blowing it.  You feel lousy and look it.  You underscore how you are feeling with a ballgown?  Hardly, more likely the biggest, loosest flannel PJ bottoms, fluffiest slippers or lumberjack grey socks and a rebel Tshirt you wouldn't be caught grocery shopping in!  That's my point.  I agree that Hollywood and movies often portray the really efficient, bitchy boss dressed in a suit with not a hair out of place, so polished and poised.

I don't intimidate people by how I act, it is their preconceived notions before I've even opened my mouth.  Which can be annoyingly long-winded.  You won't walk away without replaying it or thinking about it again.

DRESS YOUR AGE:
  This works well on the sprite that she is
 yet it would look dreadful on me:  5 ft and 55

My talkative, gregarious nature doesn't tee up with a suit.  It should be more Bohemian in style and mannerism shouldn't I?

My point today being that we should not evaluate and file anyone away or into a category based on a 5 second visual.  You are short changing yourself from what could be a great adventure, exchange of wits, a few laughs.  That is one of the main attractions of social media:  your voice is translated via keys communicating in such a way and in an acceptable manner that you listen to the person, you observe the message.  In its nakedness, you make your judgement, evaluation, and determination to join that person's ranks.  A photo or visual is after the fact.  What is appealing is that communications style that others gravitate towards while others with bias refuse to get to know them because of that first 5 seconds.  With social media, it may only be 1 or 2 seconds, but the benefits are far reaching, the risk obsolete, the ability to control (block, unfollow, ignore) your environment online is much more peaceful than anywhere else.

MY KIND OF FASHION Fall 2016

My kinda fashion for "Business Casual" or "Casual Friday" Looks.  Really comfortable with the jacket off, yet the jacket is there to ward off the chills OR attend that last minute meeting scheduled.

Although this was sourced as a PLUS fashion, the lines and curves packaged professionally is bang on with this look!  It compliments a figure with or without curves.  In either case, it is not bashful or hides the fact that you are a woman.  In fact, where it to the next All Boys meeting you attend to visually communicate that yes, you are a woman, and your ideas will add value.

Polished+Professional+Poised
Classic look, nice cut lines, tailored look.
A great look for a job interview or a performance review

If you want to add volume where others have curves
this would be a great look for someone slim or tall
I wouldn't recommend this if you're curvy
 or plus size as it will add weight where you don't want it.

BUSTED:
 The shoes say "I'm going clubbing at lunchtime"
 while the suit conveys professionalism
 They are in conflict with each other.

RESOURCES:

What to Wear to Work 2016 - Best Office Fashions, Outfits, and Clothes ...

www.harpersbazaar.com/what-to-wear-to-work/

Fashion Shoot: Fall's Best Workwear. Chic, paycheck-savvy work clothesequal smart business By Photographs by Terry Richardson; FashionEditor: Joanna ...

‎5 Chic Suit + Loafer Pairings · ‎10 Blazers to Keep Forever · ‎Office Elegant

Work Wear | InStyle.com

www.instyle.com/fashion/work-wear

You can stop wondering what to wear to work to look as stylish as you do ... Sep 22, 2016 @ 7:30 AM ... Amal Clooney Means Business in an Office-Ready Two-Piece in Germany ... This Perfect Transitional Look Will Help You Ease into Fall.

Best Work Clothes for Women 2016 - Fashionable Work Outfits - Elle

www.elle.com/fashion/g8134/work-clothes-for-women/

Jul 5, 2016 - We've covered the 30 items every woman should own by the time they're 30 years old, but this tight edit is all you need to look polished at the ...

1000+ ideas about Women Business Fashion on Pinterest | Business ...

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/women-business-fashion/

See more about Business Fashion, Business Outfits Women and Work Dresses. ... Fall Fashion 2016 Office, Fall 2016 Fashion Outfits Work,Fall 2016 Office ...

1000+ ideas about Stylish Work Outfits on Pinterest | Work Outfits ...

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/stylish-work-outfits/

Business Casual Womens Fashion Fall Work Outfits, Fall Buisness Casual, Outfits Sexy Casual, 2016 Office Fashion, Business Casual SkirtOutfits, Winter Chic .

BOHEMIAN

Boho Chic – Bohemian Style For Summer 2016 | FashionGum.com

fashiongum.com/womens-fashion/boho-chic-bohemian-style-for-summer-2015/

... time to speak about the overall boho chic bohemian style for this Summer 2016 season. ... Those of you who dislike maxi dresses will for sure like maxi skirts.

Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 Trend: Bohemian Dresses ...

en.vogue.fr/fashion/fashion-inspiration/...fashion...2016...bohemian-dresses/22801

Sep 28, 2015 - Discover the bohemian, earth-mother, celestial silhouettes as seen on the ... FWPE16 Tendance mode de la Fashion Week printemps-ete 2016 ...

40 Adorable Boho Casual Outfits To Look Cool - Stylishwife

www.stylishwife.com/2014/11/adorable-boho-casual-outfits-to-look-cool.html

Apr 27, 2016 - 40 Best Fall Sweater Outfits To Try This Year - September 13, 2016 ... If you look at Bohemian casual outfits, they do fit the bill. Boho chic is ...

1000+ ideas about Bohemian Fashion on Pinterest | Free People ...

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/bohemian-fashion/

Find and save ideas about Bohemian Fashion on Pinterest, the world's ...2016 Hot Summer/^_^ Get one Ray Bans Only $9.9,Take advantage of Ray 

A REWARD
for keeping your attention
and you reading to the end