What's the secret to getting anyone on your side?

According to Gretchen Rubin, author of "The Happiness Project," the key to winning friends and making connections is actually quite simple: Help the people around you feel good about themselves.

When you make someone else feel smart, they'll feel good about you, too. In a recent post on LinkedIn, she suggests several ways you can go about this. Here are some of our favorites... READ MORE

The Hispanic market will represent $1.5 trillion in purchasing power by 2015 and 30% of the U.S. population by 2050. Business leaders who are contemplating how to reach such an enormous market segment, especially through their digital presence, often ask me the same question: “Do we really need Spanish, or can we get by with just English?”

A study from the Pew Hispanic Center shows that 82% of Latino adults in the U.S. speak Spanish, and 95% believe it’s important for future generations to continue to do so. Likewise, the National Hispanic Consumer Study found that advertising in Spanish can boost both advertising effectiveness and customer loyalty. READ MORE

The economy is now picking up, it’s official. So why is it that work is still grim? You are shouldering the burden of the last redundancy programme or the recruitment freeze, everything you do is scrutinised critically, and budgets are still tight.

Time to get a new job. Here aThe economy is now picking up, it’s official. So why is it that work is still grim? You are shouldering the burden of the last redundancy programme or the recruitment freeze, everything you do is scrutinised critically, and budgets are still tight.

Time to get a new job. Here are a few tips to help put a smile back on your face. READ MORE

Researchers at NYU’s College of Nursing recently released a study analyzing Latina women in America and their likelihood to develop prediabetes and diabetes.

Professors Shiela Strauss, Sherry Deren and Mary Rosedale conducted the study by analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The professors, with the help of others, examined the proportion of women from different racial groups who experienced high glucose levels that would make them susceptible to developing diabetes.

According to the study, around 5.5 million Latinas have developed elevated fasting plasma glucose levels, which leads to high blood glucose and consequently to diabetes, but several million of them are unaware that they may develop diabetes. This lack of awareness and lack of access to a healthcare provider has led to high rates of preventable morbidity. READ MORE

Negocios Now, a national award-winning publication focused on the Hispanic Business Community, announced that it will produce its first "Who's Who in Hispanic Chicago" special edition and a gala event to celebrate the Hispanic community's success in the Chicago area.

Candidates will come from a variety of industries including Business, Non-Profits, Media, Cultural & Education, Government and Corporate. Nominations will come from community members based on criteria that have been established for each category. Nominations can be made on the Negocios Now website at http://www.negociosnow.com/whoiswho . The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2014, when the selection committee will begin considering nominations. READ MORE

Don’t leave a job interview wondering where you stand with the hiring manager. There are techniques you can use to professionally close an interview so the hiring manager will know that you want the job, and, so you’ll be able to leave knowing the next steps in the hiring process.
After I videotaped “Rebecca” (name changed) during a practice interview, we sat down and watched how she had done. When it was over, I turned to her and asked, “Did you get the job?”

Rebecca raised one eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“You thanked the hiring manager at the end of the interview, shook hands, and then left. But did you get the job?” I asked. “What I mean by that is, do you know how the hiring manager felt about your qualifications for the job?”  READ MORE

“Remember that your legal status does not matter. If your children are citizens, they can use public services like MediCal without affecting your residency process.”

“Instead of junk food, choose a healthy meal from your country. Eat cactus, chia seed or verdolagas to take advantage of all their benefits.”

“Nobody wants to get involved in problems, but if a friend’s husband hits her, tell her there is a way out. Give her the Marjaree Mason Center number, 559-237-4706.”

Every few days, text messages like these pop up on the phones of more than 1,000 women in Fresno County, in California’s Central Valley. The messages come in Spanish, alternately offering referrals for affordable healthcare and domestic violence services, legal tips and affirmations. Any resource offered via text has been vetted by a team of women behind the project, called Únete Latina, to confirm that providers there speak Spanish and won’t ask for a Social Security number. READ MORE

At this point, it’s really not a question of whether or not Hispanic consumers utilize mobile technology more than their non-Hispanic counterparts. As recognized "trendsetters," Hispanic consumers are clearly outpacing non-Hispanics in their adoption of mobile, social and online sources for shopping, especially at the local level, according to a recent BIA/Kelsey study.

But, what is valuable to advertisers are these questions: To what degree? and For what purposes? Hispanic consumers use mobile technology and how that information can help advertisers create content that will capture their attention.

In a recent nationwide study of mobile phone use by Hispanics vs. non-Hispanics, we asked participants to shed a little light on how they used their mobile phones and the results were as expected: READ MORE

More women are job-hunting than ever. If you're one of them, you'll want to know these winning tactics!

Anyone out there interviewing for a job anytime soon—or hoping to? If so, consider this reassuring truth: As someone who's met with hundreds of applicants over the years, I can tell you that the person sitting across from you doesn't want to see you fail—she wants to see you succeed. (Then she can stop interviewing and get back to work!) So what shows me exactly how awesome you are? These six things:

You've done your homework.
Unless I call you out of the blue on a Tuesday afternoon and tell you I want to see you in 10 minutes (which I would never do—you need a half hour to find a dress!), there's no excuse, in this digital age, for not walking into my or any prospective boss's office well-versed in what the company's up to. Google, sniff around, call friends. Your interviewer lives and breathes her company; when you're in her office, you should too. READ MORE

Networking events are a common occurrence in today’s business regardless of industry. Some business professionals look forward to these events while others have great anxiety about being forced to talk to a room full of strangers. Here are a few tips to make it a good experience.

Know your purpose. Start by asking yourself a few questions. Why are you attending this event and what do you hope to gain? Do you have a specific goal for the type or number of people you plan to meet? How can this networking meeting help you in your business or career? It is important to remember that the primary purpose of networking should be to build relationships first and business sales second. Having this mindset will help you come across as helpful, friendly and resourceful rather than the pushy sales guy.

Know your audience. Make sure you know who is hosting and something about them (company or person) as well as the purpose of the event. Confirm the dress code – whether business attire or otherwise. READ MORE

These are troubling times for the worker. According to Gallup, only 42% of U.S. adults work full time, which the polling firm defines as Americans 18 or older working more than 30 hours per week.

If you've been laid off recently and want to get right back on the job track, you're going to need a plan.

We'll get to that job search blueprint in a moment. The first move to make, experts say, is to not blame your previous employer for your predicament, and to keep things positive.

"People lose their jobs for many reasons," says Kathy Harris, a managing partner at Harris Allied, a New York City executive recruiting firm. "Maybe their company has decided to outsource or sell a division; it's purely a financial decision; or the nature of the work or business has changed. Even in cases when you're fired for poor performance, it's important to leave that embarrassment at the door and put the past behind you so you can look forward." READ MORE

The Hispanic community is growing at a fast pace. Hispanics are getting embedded into mainstream culture and emerging as a powerhouse of economic influence.

Hispanics are playing an important role in U.S. business success. As of today, they are the second-largest consumer market, and it is estimated that their purchasing power will increase 50 percent by 2015 to $1.5 trillion.

Despite the misconception about this powerful group, Hispanics are the largest immigrant group that exhibits culture sustainability. They even have different product consumption patterns compared to mainstream culture. They are not buying in the same ways as the total market. As a matter of fact, their technology and media use do not mirror the general market due to culture, language, perceptions and ownership dynamics. READ MORE

How do you build genuine business relationships – the kind that will lead to long-term friendships, personal growth, and (just maybe) sales for your company? Mike Muhney, who co-invented ACT!, an early and prominent contact management software system, has thought a lot about that question, which he explored in his book Who’s In Your Orbit?: Beyond Facebook – Creating Relationships That Matter. Here are four tips he shared with me about building authentic business relationships that can pay dividends later.

Notice what’s on the walls. Muhney’s first relationship-building lesson came early in his career, when he was an IBM salesman in northern Indiana. One Friday afternoon, he dropped in on a CEO, who told him, “Mike, I’d like to talk with you, but I’m literally getting ready to... READ MORE

Angela Barba was the first in her immediate family to graduate from high school. And when the time came for her son Robert to follow in her footsteps, she says, she found herself overwhelmed.

"I had no idea how I was going to get him into college," she says.

Angela, who had completed a two-year degree herself, says she wanted her son to be the first in the family to complete a four-year program. But she couldn't really offer any advice or guidance as to what schools to attend or how to apply for scholarships.

"I wish I could say that I helped Robert along with this information," Angela says. "But I had no idea how to even go get it." READ MORE

Through a special arrangement, what follows is an excerpt of an article from WayfinD, a quarterly e-magazine filled with insights, trends and predictions from the retail and foodservice experts at WD Partners.

In the recent shopper study, "Amazon Can't Do That — Consumer Desire and the Store of the Future," a key finding was Hispanic consumers' strong preference for community-driven environments and emotionally satisfying in-store experiences.

As the Hispanic population expands from 17 percent of the country's total in 2012 to a projected 31 percent by 2060, such insights will be crucial for retailers to attract and gain the loyalty of Hispanic shoppers.

Four key ideas to consider... READ MORE

Hispanics are no longer a sub-segment of the economy. They played an important role during the last presidential election and are emerging as a powerhouse of economic influence. Hispanics now have the weight to significantly affect your company’s bottom line — today and well into the future.

With more than 55 million Hispanics living in the U.S., they are the second-largest consumer group in the U.S. So, one direction or another, this growing community will impact your company.
How can you implement the right strategy to connect with Hispanics? Establish a more effective level of investment, commitment and cultural engagement. READ MORE

MODERATOR

Alfonso Gutierrez, Lead Anchor, Telemundo Chicago

Alfonso Gutierrez is the lead anchor for the daily news broadcast at 5pm and 10pm on Telemundo Chicago.

Alfonso began his career in journalism as a producer for a radio station WHFR (89.3FM) in Detroit Mi. This show was the first of its kind as it was the only Spanish music variety show at the time in the surrounding area of Detroit, MI.

Alfonso graduated from Henry Ford University in Michigan. Upon graduation Alfonso moved to Chicago and continued his studies at Columbia College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Movie and Video Production. While at Colombia, he interned with the Creative Services Department at Telemundo Chicago. Upon graduation he joined Telemundo KDEN, Denver, Colorado, news team, as a news reporter and anchor of morning news breaks.

Alfonso has been nominated for numerous Emmys and in 2010 won an Emmy for exceptional accomplishments within the news,” a news special”. In 2012 Alfonso repeated his efforts and garnered a second Emmy for “Outstanding Achievement for News Specialty Report/Series”. Alfonso has also been the host for 2 years for the Hispanic College Quiz airing on NBC.

Alfonso is a native of Jalisco, Mexico, in his free time he enjoys black and white photography, bike riding and exercising.

Discussion Panelists

Arabel Alva Rosales, President, AAR & Associates LTD, Co-Founder & Principal, Latino Fashion Week

Arabel Alva Rosales is President and CEO of AAR & Assocs., Ltd., a corporation with more than a decade under its belt. We're a full technology firm specializing in developing technology infrastructure, proprietary software installation and management. Arabel is also Co-Founder and Principal of Latino Fashion Week, the only full week and tour dedicated to Latino Fashion in the country. “This endeavor has allowed me to use my business acumen, my wide variety of contacts, and my creative side to its fullest,” says Arabel. Currently, I hold the position as the Chairperson of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) and am a board member of Women's Business Development Center (WBDC).

Arabel Alva Rosales is an entrepreneur that has been described in Chicago Magazine as a “Renaissance Woman” because of her ability to discuss concerns on Wall Street, global issues and what is happening in our communities. She is also recognized for having a critical eye for art and fashion. Arabel has been honored with over 30 national and local awards and has appeared often in the media, including front cover of various Magazines. Some areas where she has been featured include Latina Style Magazine, Dinero Magazine, Hoy Newspaper, the August, 2004 issue of Chicago Magazine “Latina Style”, as well as Chicago Tribune’s “Handling the Summer with Poise”, and the front cover of Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine’s “Woman’s Hall of Fame” edition. She has also appeared on 60 minutes, CNN, and U.S.A. Today.

She holds an undergraduate degree from Mundelein at Loyola University in Liberal Arts with a major in Business Administration. In May of 2001, she obtained her J.D. from DePaul College of Law, where she has been a recipient of the law school's leadership scholarship award and Mayor Daley's Leadership scholarship. Additionally, she is alumni of Leadership Greater Chicago and completed an Executive Program at Tuck Business School at Dartmouth.

Lizette Arias, Senior Forensic Investigations Manager, Johnson Controls (JCI), Co-Chair, Mujeres de Hace Executive Board

Lizette specializes in financial fraud investigations, anti-corruption reviews and other compliance related matters at Johnson Controls (JCI). She manages the financial forensic program of JCI’s Building Efficiency business unit. Her work directly supports JCI’s Global Compliance function. Prior to joining JCI, Lizette was a Forensic Audit Manager at Emerson Electric and she also held the title of Advisory Investigations Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). She was an integral part in the development of the forensic compliance function in Latin America. While at PwC she served as a co-chair and advisor for PwC’s Network of Latino Professionals (NLP).

In her professional career she was awarded an HACE Star Award at HACE’s 25th Anniversary Gala for successfully achieving career milestones and contributing to the growth of the organization. Lizette is also a former recipient of HACE’S student scholarship award.

Lizette received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from DePaul University and she is a Certified Fraud Examiner and a Certified Public Accountant. She has served as guest speaker for forensic accounting courses at DePaul University and Marquette University.

She is excited about serving as co-chair of the Mujeres de HACE Advisory Board and is enthusiastic to be part of the creation of this forum by which Latinas in management can collectively mentor each other to achieve greatness.

Luz Canino-Baker, President, LNC Coaching, LLC

Luz Canino-Baker is a proven business leader with experiences in the corporate, non-profit, education, and small business sectors. After a successful twenty-eight year banking career. Ms. Canino-Baker took her innovative leadership skills to the non-profit sector. She is an Adjunct Professor at four Universities in Chicago teaching effective leadership, career management, diversity and cultural management for women, and management courses. In 2007, she launched her own business LNC Coaching,LLC a for profit with a social impact business, which offers four core services, Executive/Life/Group/Retreat Coaching, professional development workshops with assessments, consulting, and professional development conferences ( Latinas On The Plaza) that target Latina women. Luz is also the author of the newly released Designing Your Life Plan book, a book that takes the should have/could have life to a will have life.

Ms. Canino-Baker holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from DePaul University and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business. In 2014, she was awarded Diversity Ambassador of the Year by UCAN Chicago, in 2009 she was recognized as on the Top 100 Under 50 by Diversity MBA Magazine, and in 2007 she was one of the Chicago Business Leader of Color by Chicago United.

Tonantzin Carmona, Deputy Policy Director, City of Chicago, Office of the Mayor

Tonantzin Carmona has spent the last year and half in the Emanuel Administration working on a wide range of policy issues –including immigrant integration policies, as well as sustainability, housing, public health, and small business initiatives—and has played a leading role in the City-County Collaboration helping to streamline services, improve residents’ interactions with government, save taxpayer dollars and increase revenue.

Prior to her work at the Mayor’s Office, she worked with Crimson Leadership Group to create opportunities for underserved communities, and immigrant students and families in Illinois high schools to engage with the college admissions process and leadership development. She also worked at the NorthShore University HealthSystem Research Institute in a collaborative study between heath scientists and community partners to investigate disparities in maternal and child health among low-income, ethnic-minority and immigrant families.

Tonantzin earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Northwestern University, and she was born and raised in the Little Village/La Villita community.

Time is running out to secure your registration. Don't miss out!

As many job seekers have often heard, it's all about who you know. When it comes to finding a job, your industry connections can often prove to be as important as the practical skills and work experience you have, if not more so.

College students, career changers and other newcomers to their chosen field can and should use networking events and job fairs to meet key industry players who could put them on the path to employment. Kevin Roach, a recruiting expert and business professor at Texas A&M University, and Lisa Burton, a career coordinator at the Texas A&M Career Center, offered seven tips for job seekers to make the most of their time at these events. READ MORE

As the numbers clearly indicate, in states such as California, the Hispanic population indexes well above the national average, yet the percentage of Hispanic physicians is also only five percent – as it is across the Unites States as well. It’s because of this demographic shift that Center for Hispanic Leadership (CHL), the preeminent thought-leadership, human capital and business strategy consultancy to the healthcare industry has launched a new service offering to aid hospitals, research institutions, and professional associations connect with U.S. Hispanics. READ MORE

Over the last few years an unusual phenomenon has kept popping up in public opinion surveys: Blacks and Latinos have become much more sanguine about the country's prospects as white folks have become more pessimistic. It's a stark reversal of decades of data in which white folks were almost always more optimistic.

You'd think that the economic landscape — jobs, wages, financial security — might be the biggest indicators of whether people felt optimistic about their country's trajectory. And that stuff certainly plays a big role. For several years in the early aughts, more and more people across all groups were starting to express more worry. READ MORE