Review: Skirts in the Boardroom; A woman's survival guide to success in business and life

Aimed at working women, "SKIRTS" is an advice-laden guide that provides strategies for moving up the corporate ladder in a male dominated business world. LifeTwo recommends that members read at least three (and preferably four to five) business books each year. Why so many? Because our business lives are simply too complex to get all of the answers we need out of a single book written from a single point of view. However by making it a habit to regularly read business books one can draw out those lessons and examples that relate to their unique situations. Even more important by being exposed to the viewpoints of many authors, readers are in a better position to discriminate what will likely work for them. But finding so many business books to read can be a challenge particularly for women. And it is this market that "SKIRTS" is aimed.

"SKIRTS" was authored by Marshawn Evans, who many will recognize as a participant on Donald Trump's "Apprentice" show. She is also an entertainment attorney and a former Miss America contestant. Her beauty pageant background is evident in many of her suggested tactics--make sure to stand out, the need for confidence, the importance of smiling, etc.--but these are coupled with lessons presumably learned in the "take no prisoners" world of being a practicing attorney. Overall Evans does a very good job of balancing and packaging this into common sense and easy-to-understand lessons.

What I liked best about the book is that it makes it clear that there are no short cuts to success. Her tactics include commitment and integrity--two attributes that can only be learned over the long run. That said, Evans also makes it clear that moving up the ladder is achievable and has enough concrete steps as to not leave the reader wanting to improve themselves but having no idea where to start.

Amazon link: S.K.I.R.T.S in the Boardroom: A Woman's Survival Guide to Success in Business & Life