Working in corporate finance, but taking mental notes on staff behavior, Laura Katen took stock of business etiquette.
“There was a huge gap between individuals who had technical skills, but couldn”™t move ahead because they lacked social skills. When I moved into training, it became more obvious to me there was a need,” Katen said.
Katen started her own consulting firm in 2001. By 2003, she gained two partners to help grow the business. Since one of its two components deals with moving forward academically, Katen added a tagline for the program ”“ “Enhance Your Chance.”
Schools, businesses and individuals learn to attain their goals, “whether it is to have a great first interview at a college or a new job, or to sit down with the manager and negotiate a new staff position,” she said. And mindful of today”™s economic climate, Katen”™s fees are sliding scale.
“The business program works for all levels, from new hires to executives. We don”™t deal with human resources issues, diversity in workplace or sexual harassment. We want to help employees deal with perception and impressions … to help employees polish their skills,” said Katen, “whether it is to properly dress for the corporate climate, how to communicate with staff and peers, present yourself and your company to others as a place other will want to do business with or to teach team building.”
Enhance Your Chance, Katen”™s educational program, focuses on helping today”™s young generation become tomorrow”™s work force.
“Today”™s young people are more challenged to make a good impression. Texting has replaced good grammar and communication skills. It”™s also made face-to-face relationships rarer ”“ many of today”™s students rely on ”˜HAGD”™ (have a good day) to relay their feelings,” Katen said. “What works outside the office doesn”™t translate well in the business world.”
Katen recently joined the Rockland Business Association and is branching out to the Hudson Valley. “Writing skills, speaking in public and learning to dress for success; so many young adults use slang instead of proper English.  A miniskirt or low-cut T-shirt is not proper business attire. When you are going into the workplace, there is a different set of expectations than when you are with your friends. And yes, thank-you notes, whether for a gift or a follow-up after an interview, are not passé.”
Robert Maher, executive director of St. Christopher”™s Inc. in Dobbs Ferry, gives high marks to Enhance Your Chance.
“Laura”™s program is tailored for grades 7 through 12,” Maher said. “Because our students have learning disabilities or emotional challenges, they need to develop a sense of self-worth. She”™s done a phenomenal job in helping our children get ready for a challenging world.”
Maher hopes to bring Katen”™s program to McQuade Children”™s Services in New Windsor by 2011. The school serves 18 districts within Orange County and the immediate area.
“Governor Paterson has signed legislation allowing us to extend our district. Now, we are waiting for the attorney general to approve the transfer of McQuade”™s assets ”“ the school and 20 acres ”“ which takes about six months. We are hopeful to open The Kaplan School as soon as that happens. Eventually, we”™ll be able to serve 160 special education students and bring in a new staff of teachers and social workers under the banner of St. Christopher”™s. And we hope to incorporate Laura Katen”™s Enhance Your Chance program into the school”™s offerings. It”™s great for students and is such a positive self-esteem builder. It”™s been a pleasure to see her interact with students and to see them come away feeling positive about themselves.”
