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Does anyone remember the Harbrace Handbook...that handy little bible of a book required for English 101 in college? Well now there's just such a book for women in business -- it's Marjorie Brody's newest: Career Magic: A Woman's Guide to Reward & Recognition. Marjorie Brody shares her "M.A.G.I.C." formula for female professionals -- everything from "Manners" (including details on do's and don'ts in dress) to creating "Commentary" -- and pushes all of us to get outside our normal comfort levels to communicate, write and speak! Throughout the book, she draws on story examples from the lives of real women who have shared their experiences in these five areas of growth -- women in corporate life, government, not-for-profits and even entrepreneurs. While it is a primary that I will strongly urge my business-bound daughter and young women Interns to read (over and over), it is also a handy reminder for those of us who need a nudge from time to time. We encourage you to read it, and then by an extra couple of copies to give to other women professionals in your life. Women-Affinity groups inside corporations and most not-for-profit organizations could start a business book club with this one!

In reviewing her six all-time favorite business books, including "Career MAGIC," the reviewer said: "From the hundreds of books I have read and reviewed over the last two years, here are the must-haves for anyone starting a new chapter in life."

Here's her review:

"If you can afford a private career coach, get one. If not, do what I do: keep a few books on the bedside table for counseling any time (at a bargain price). Hoping for a simple spell to move me up the career ladder, I couldn't pass up Marjorie Brody's 'Career MAGIC: A Woman's Guide to Reward & Recognition' While no potion exists, Brody has created a formula (Manners, Advocates, Growth, Involvement and Commentary) to help women stop whining and start winning. For a female ready to make her mark, the advice and the wonderful profiles of women who have paved the way are a perfect guide for overcoming self-defeating actions and attitudes."

Marjorie Brody is a professional speaker, consultant and coach to Fortune 1,000 executives. In Career Magic: A Woman’s Guide to Reward & Recognition, Marjorie draws from her many years of experience and considerable expertise to provide the reader with a straightforward guide filled from cover to cover with practical career advice quite appropriate for both genders. Individual chapters concisely address the importance of adopting an effective professional manner; increasing personal involvement; creating articulate commentary, and so much more. Career Magic is an upbeat and practical collection of tips, tricks, and techniques ranging from the importance of everyday manners; to dedicating oneself to an attitude of lifelong learning; to encapsulating profiles of successful people. If you want to advance your career, then give a careful reading to what Marjorie Brody has to offer you in Career Magic.

Rating: 5 hearts

Marjorie Brody has done it again, crunched vitally helpful guidance into an easy to remember model to further one’s career. Although directed at women, it’s just as valuable for men. Using the mnemonic M-A-G-I-C, she explains how one should use good manners; advocates who will hire, recommend, and network you with others; grow along the way; get involved with organizations in leadership positions; and become recognized as an expert in your field by giving commentary through writing and speaking.

I have reviewed several of Ms Brody’s books now and have always found them to be helpful and spot on with good advice. This one is no exception. I plan on giving it to my youngest daughter who is finishing her third year in college, so she will have this excellent advice at hand when she begins her professional career. We rated this book a max five hearts.

“Career MAGIC: A Woman’s Guide to Reward & Recognition is the resource for tools and techniques to advance your career and, at the same time, gain self-awareness. It is designed as a comprehensive guide that will be useful to men as well as women at any career stage. The MAGIC formula is an easy-to-use ‘how-to guide to be successful.’

Brody suggests reading and taking action immediately, then ultimately integrating the entire MAGIC formula. The first part of the formula is M-Manner, which gives the basics for marketing yourself inside and out. It is the stage for increasing confidence and awareness.

The next step is G-Grow. Growing internally and externally is a great way to stay innovative. The book helps identify ways to move past the inhibitors of growth that many of us face, including shortage of time and busywork. The exercises can help you develop a growth action plan to bring you closer to your goals.

Next is I-Involvement, which combines all that you have developed thus far in the MAGIC formula, and encourages you to take an active, strategic role in your career.

The final element is C-Commentary. This is a way to increase your visibility by sharing your knowledge, skills and confidence. Brody advises readers to use a self-marketing approach, which includes speaking engagements and publishing articles.

In Chapter 7, she says, ‘My goal for this book was to give you a tool to help you discover the magic within.’ For those who want to take ownership of their careers and make the appropriate changes to stop limiting their self-marketing, Career MAGIC: A Woman’s Guide to Reward & Recognition is a must read.

Career MAGIC: A Woman’s Guide to Reward & Recognition

“Instructional Read. Recommended. 4 stars (out of 5).

Chapter 1: If It’s Meant to Be, It’s Up to Me, advocates taking a good look at what you really want to achieve. Brody says be preemptive in your thinking, don’t wait to be noticed, don’t enter or stay in a career that keeps you from what you really want in life.

Chapter 2: M - Your MAGIC Starts with Your Manner, states that appearance and body language are important. Little things are the ones that tend to stop careers. Express yourself, but keep in mind your role, the environment and the work you do.

Chapter 3: A - Advocates: Add Their Influence to your Marketing Plan, discusses that who knows you and knows your capabilities is what matters most. Cultivating advocates to plead your cause will hold you in good stead during your career.

Chapter 4: G - Never stop Growing, is all about how growth brings you closer to your goals, and that when you stop growing you begin rotting. Change is not a threat, complacency is.

Chapter 5: I - Increase Your Involvement, focuses on how involvement will bring results when you take an active role beyond your job responsibility — letting you grow personally and professionally.

Chapter 6: C - Create Commentary, analyzes how commentary creates visibility. Commentary is tangible evidence that you possess leadership abilities.

Chapter 7: Go Work Your MAGIC, tells readers to focus on what matters. Create choices; create maximum visibility.

Chapter 8: What Others Doing, is three pages detailing in a sentence or two each how women are furthering their careers.

Chapter 9: Women Who’ve Blazed The Way details 35 successful women; their education, family, and careers.

Writer Brody is a well-known speaker, consultant and executive coach. Career MAGIC: A Woman’s Guide to Reward & Recognition, with its collection of tips, tricks and techniques for furthering one’s career, is the result of Brody’s many years of experience and expertise in the field. While the title indicates the book is written particularly for women, the narrative will prove as valuable for men who also hope to enjoy long and successful careers based upon good manners, growth along the way, getting involved in leadership roles within their chosen organization, drawing upon advocates who will hire, recommend and network them to others, and guiding them toward becoming an expert in their field.

Career MAGIC: A Woman’s Guide to Reward & Recognition is not only for the new college grad just entering the workforce, but will prove as valuable to the old work horse who has been at it for awhile, and may have forgotten or set aside some of the basics for success.

The book is easily read, presented in straightforward language and filled with charts, areas for note taking, and individual success stories. A must have for the businessperson’s library. The work is meant to be read often, mulled over and used on a daily basis by those who wish to take control of their own future.

Enjoyed the informative read, happy to recommend.”