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| August 2006 Chapter Meeting |
| Date: Thursday, August 17 6:30 P.M. Networking Program presentation: Business Appropriate It is Time to Put the ‘Business” back into Business Casual Dress Codes. On September 23, 2002 , newspapers throughout the United States announced that both Bank One and The Bear Stearns Companies (a Wall Street brokerage and investment banking firm) were reversing their Casual Dress policy. Men now would be expected to come to the office dressed in suits and ties, and women would be required to wear suits or dresses with nylons. With the bursting of the “dot com bubble” and the tightening of the employment market, employers across the nation no longer were quite so concerned that their valuable staff members could be lured away by competitors offering Casual Dress as a benefit. Corporate managers now sought employees who would reflect the companys image in their personal appearance, just as it was reflected in the firms landscaping and physical property, its décor and furnishings, its printed materials, and its Web presense. Initially, the introduction of more casual attire in the corporate workplace was welcomed across the United States by managers as well as employees. Managers believed that work habits would improve if employees were permitted to dress more comfortably. Gradually, however, the trend got out of hand. Now that casual attire in the workplace has been an established policy for more than ten years in over 52% of US corporations, employees have begun to “push the envelope” ~ frequently arriving at the office dressed in clothing more appropriate for working on the lawn than on an important proposal or contract! One of the problems resulting from casual attire in the workplace has been the assumption by many employees that casual implies no rules. Outfits that could be considered Weekend Casual are being worn to work during the week. Studies have shown that the lax nature of workplace attire affects the atmosphere. Linda Thomas, AICI, CIP, established her image training consultancy in 1999 when The Associates and Sun Microsystems each asked her to assist them in initiating a new corporate dress code by providing instruction for the employees on the topic of Business Casual. As a Corporate Image advisor, Linda’s expertise now frequently is sought by companies throughout the United States, whether they are recovering from the effects of Casual casualties or simply wishing to instruct their workforce in the area of appropriate professional dress. Powerful Appearance seminars are designed to educate men and women in the area of personal appearance, empowering them with the ability to dress each day by choosing intelligently the attire that will enhance their personnal and professional lives. Go to www.powerfulappearance.com for more information. See you there!
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Location: Texans Credit Union Address: 777 E Campbell Road, Richardson TX 75081 (About 2 blocks east of Central Expressway.) Telephone: 972-348-2000
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