Half of all graduates are women, yet when it comes to senior management positions, men are leading the way. And that's despite the fact that female-led companies are less likely to fail and they make fewer redundancies when the going gets tough. Clearly, more of us should be climbing the ladder - and hopefully the following advice will give you a bit of a leg up. It certainly helped these women!

"Preparation is everything. Don't let other people put you off if you think you have a good idea, but make sure you research it as thoroughly as you can. Know your numbers and always go into meetings with all the information - particularly in this climate, you have to wow people."
Thea Green, 34, founder of Nails Inc, which operates in over 55 locations around the country.

"Model yourself on the person you aspire to be. I've always read a lot, attended talks and tried to learn from people who've gone before me, because all the challenges I've faced have been overcome by others. And don't be afraid of rejection. I was once listening to a talk by Simon Woodroffe, the founder of YO! Sushi, who said it takes ten 'nos' to get a 'yes'."
Jo Cameron, 40, founder of motivational coaching agency Jo Cameron's High Performance Academy.

"Always strive for more. Leonard Lauder [chairman of Estee Lauder] once told me: 'Just when you're fed up of hearing something, someone else is hearing it for the first time.' I took that to mean you should never rest on your laurels. Also, you have to learn the rules in order to challenge or break them. If you have an innovative idea, find a way to make it palatable to those in charge. That's the way to get noticed and progress."
Michelle Feeney, 46, CEO of St Tropez, has overseen a reported 33% increase in sales to £60million in 2009.

"Put your eggs in one basket - and guard it with your life. That advice came from a businessman friend of mine, at a time when my husband and I were deciding whether to sell our two homes so we could invest heavily in our company. He argued that if you're passionate and committed, you should back your dream. Now, people ask if I have a house and I say, 'No, but I have a factory!'"
Camilla Stephens, 40, co-founder of Higgidy, which makes handmade pies and quiches. Her company now employs 134 people and has annual sales of £10million.

"It's important to know how to initiate tough talks with your manager," says career coach Suzanne Doyle-Morris - a new study shows 61% of us delay that crucial moment for up to five days. "You have to stand-up for yourself in the workplace - and you could even bag yourself a promotion."


The chat "I'm overwhelmed"
The time to talk When you start to feel overstretched, but before you're found crying in the loos.
What to say "Do you have a few minutes to discuss my current workload and priorities?"
Your strategy "Show your boss a clear, printed (not scrawled) list of your current workload - and explain that you're keen to keep doing a good job and not let anybody down," says Doyle-Morris. "Ask for clear deadlines and help with prioritizing your tasks. Then say you've found this meeting helpful and ask what resources are available going forward. Don't assume your boss wants to make your life hell - she probably just hasn't realized how much you have on your plate."


The chat "I'm leaving"

The time to talk When you have another job offer in writing.

What to say "I've decided to leave the company"

Your strategy "Say it's been a hard decision - even if you're desperate to leave," says Clare Whitmell, founder of jobmarketsuccess.com. "Focus on the positive: detail what you've learned at the company and what you've added to the team. Be clear about when you are leaving and say you are committed to the company until that time. Bring a resignation letter, but don't hand it over until the end of the conversation, in case your employer counter-offers."


The chat "I want a promotion/pay rise"

The time to talk Following a dazzling appraisal or when a client compliments your work

What to say (smiling) I think now would be a good time to talk about my salary.

Your strategy "Don't use phrases like 'I want', 'I need' or 'I deserve'," says Doyle-Morris. "This is about presenting a business case. Quantify the results you have achieved: show how much your team has saved or earned the company, which projects went well - and how this was down to you. Tell your boss what salary you think is fair (suggest twice the increase you want) and thank them for considering your request."


The chat "I'm pregnant"

The time to talk When you're just beginning to show, but before people are gossiping.

What to say Just come straight out with it!

Your strategy "Remember, this isn't like telling the friends news," says Whitmell. "You're sharing it because you're boss needs to know so that she can make arrangements for your time off. Accept your manager's congratulations graciously, but tone down your excitement and be clear you remain committed to the company. For more information on your maternity rights in the workplace, visit direct.gov.uk

Is your boss still not listening to you? Check out adviceguide.org.uk/money/employment for more advice.

Smelling good is every human being’s vital need. Off course you don’t want to repel people away from you due to bad odor especially during the summer season. A good perfume adds to the self-confidence in ones personality. It is a matter of great confusion to find a good fragrance that suits our personality from a wide variety of branded perfumes for men. Therefore, we have come up with the most popular and best perfumes for men in summer 2011.
Davidoff Hot Water:
Davidoff has been a hot favorite in branded perfumes for men as well as women for more than five years through Davidoff Cool Water fragrance. But for summer 2011, the perfume that takes part in the list of best perfumes for men in summer 2011 is Davidoff Hot Water. This perfume has been made from a unique shrub that grown in the Indo Malayan region. The interesting fact about this perfume is that it regulates actively with the sweating process of a human body due to the unique features of the shrub. Moreover, this is one of those branded perfumes for men that have an extremely masculine feel to them with a crisp aroma.
Ferrari Black:
This is one of those branded perfumes for men which are ideal for those who are in immense love with Ferrari. Yes! It is a product from the Ferrari house and it falls in that category of best perfumes for men that have a cool and light fragrance. In branded perfumes for men, Ferrari Black is great for those who like fresh, fruity and mild scents rather than very crisp and strong ones for summer season. Amongst the branded perfumes for men, this one surely has a very soothing effect and it is highly recommended for day wear.
Obsession by Calvin Klein:
Calvin Klein has been a popular house of perfumes for women. Today, it has also become a hot favorite in branded perfumes for men. The unique features associated with Calvin Klein perfumes diversify them from other best perfumes for men available in the market. The must have for summer 2011 in branded perfumes for men from Calvin Klein is Obsession. It seems like this perfume has got some magical powers in itself that overpowers the senses of people with its diving fragrance. Amongst the branded perfumes for men, Obsession is highly recommended because its fragrance last for 24 hours and just after you have applied it, it starts to give out its fragrance after almost an hour as it gets penetrated into the body.
So try out these top three branded perfumes for men for summer 2011 really soon in order to mesmerize the people around you with these enchanting fragrances. Once you get hold of these, you will certainly say it yourself that they are the best perfumes for men in summer 2011. Also, these branded perfumes for men are an ideal gift for your dad, brother or a close friend. So spark up your masculinity with these latest fragrances of top three best perfumes for men.

Now choose your shoes, according to your personality and flaunt them freely in the perfect way!