Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire: Business Sense & Sensibility,   ISBN:9781416589198

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I liked this different POV of women in business. The author makes it clear that women can succeed in business and in life with grace and style. One should not be tossed to the side in favor of the other.

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Mirielle Guiliano was the CEO of Veuve Clicquot Champagne. I am interesed in successsful, powerful business women who manage to retain their female side. Ms. Guiliano clearly understands the importance of innovation, branding and quality control for managing a company. Yet, she never feels like she has to be "one of the boys" in order to be successful. All of the ideas in the book clearly support this concept.

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While many may brush of Ms. Guiliano's advice (see previous reviews), there are a shocking number of American women who need to hear what she has to say. We need her advice about manners, poise, and financial independence (how many times have you heard a married employee mention that she needs her partner's "permission" to purchase a professional suit, haircut, or lipstick? It's ridiculous!)

Mireille Guiliano brings a different flavor to the workplace, and it's sorely needed from what I can see. Her stylish perspective is refreshing and freeing. It gives us a glimpse of how we might work with more assurance and strength, even with more style.

I appreciated her European perspective, and her perspective as a more mature woman.

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I have never read any of Mirielle's previous books, but this one has piqued my curiousity for the others. Her writing style is conversational and engaging, and she intermingles anecdotes from her own life with solid advice. While I work in the semiconductor industry and that's a far cry from the Luxury Goods segment, her advice to women workers is sound. I enjoyed reading about her career path. You know what I thought was inspirational? She advises you to follow your passion, noting that passions change, and in addition, live your life in balance - work alongside play. Refreshing viewpoint from a business book, that one. If only we could all vacation like the French! Also, I like the emphasis on being who you are and comfortable in your own skin.

I was actually inspired by the wardrobe section to go through my closet, to remove anything that didn't make me look and feel great. I am inspired, when I go back to work next week after some time off, to follow her advice on dressing better for your job. And while I never appreciated the sentiment when it came from my mom, I believe the author when she says that seductive clothing has no place in the workplace.

One of my favorite chapters was on etiquette. I would love this author to write an entire book on etiquette. She confirmed something I knew to be true - the handwritten note or thank you card is really important. She also confirmed where your napkin should be when you get up, and how you should arrange your fork & knife. I did these things myself but saw so much variation in others that I wasn't sure if it was all in my own head.

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Let me just say that I tried....really tried to like this book. I ran out and bought it owning the first two that were both so charming. This, well....this is....I will just say nicely, for the most part, is a lesson in snobbery. Her world of champagne promotion is so NOT the norm that I cannot even believe that she thought her "worldly" experience would have great mass appeal. (Notice NOT on the bestseller list here on Amazon. Why didn't she just write a bio?) I speak from experience in the restaurant/event planning/wine world and I know a little of which she speaks. The advice in this book, works from the corporate experience only. You can't help sensing her smuggness. She has worked hard. (which she reminds you over and over again and seems in its self poor taste.) No one is taking that away from her, but who here really appreciated her story for example about "thank you" notes? She mentions how important they are, which I agree with, only to then at the end of the lesson...also say...oh, by the way, if she wanted the note to make an impact she matter-of-factly states, that she would include and send a bottle of Champagne?!?! Oh really? Well that pops a whole new cork with the thank you...does it not? The whole book is riddled with these hidden tips and tricks. As if she doesn't really want to share her secrets. Why didn't she just say that corporate gifts help? This is irritating because you are suppose to believe her charm and french accent along made her way in the world. Really she rode a nice economic ride in that sliver of a niche which is the luxury market. It is a wave she was fortunately able to ride in the 80's,90's and beyond. Now this market is so...shall we say with the "worldly" recession, passe? The champagne business probably has taken a nose dive right along with the Learjet segment of the market...please. (Maybe this is why she resorted to book writing?!?) And what of all of the women forging different paths as entreprenuers, curing cancer and devoting their time to world peace? Where is their savoir faire? You can't help when reading that the advice given is already outdated and belongs in a past and battered corporate culture that is no longer relevant.