"The hatred of bourgeoisie is beginning of all virtue' - wrote Gustav Flaubert. He signed his letters 'Bourgeoisophobus' to show how much he despised 'stupid grocers and their ilk ... Through some screw-up in great scheme of universe, their narrow-minded greed had brought them vast wealth, unstoppable power and growing social prestige."

Reiland also quotes from Ludwig van Mises's "The Anti-Capitalist Mentality":

"Many people, and especially intellectuals, passionately loathe capitalism. In a society based on caste and status, individual can ascribe adverse fate to conditions beyond his control. In ... capitalism ... everybody's station in life depends on his doing ... (what makes a man rich is) not evaluation of his contribution from any 'absolute' principle of justice but evaluation on part of his fellow men who exclusively apply yardstick of their personal wants, desires and ends ... Everybody knows very well that there are people like himself who succeeded where he himself failed. Everybody knows that many of those he envies are self-made men who started from same point from which he himself started. Everybody is aware of his own defeat. In order to console himself and to restore his self- assertion, such a man is in search of a scapegoat. He tries to persuade himself that he failed through no fault of his own. He was too decent to resort to base tricks to which his successful rivals owe their ascendancy. The nefarious social order does not accord prizes to most meritorious men; it crowns dishonest, unscrupulous scoundrel, swindler, exploiter, 'rugged individualist'."

In "The Virtue of Prosperity", Dinesh D'Souza accuses prosperity and capitalism of inspiring vice and temptation. Inevitably, it provokes envy in poor and depravity in rich.

With only a modicum of overstatement, capitalism can be depicted as sublimation of jealousy. As opposed to destructive envy - jealousy induces emulation. Consumers - responsible for two thirds of America's GDP - ape role models and vie with neighbors, colleagues, and family members for possessions and social status they endow. Productive and constructive competition - among scientists, innovators, managers, actors, lawyers, politicians, and members of just about every other profession - is driven by jealousy.

The eminent Nobel prize winning British economist and philosopher of Austrian descent, Friedrich Hayek, suggested in "The Constitution of Liberty" that innovation and progress in living standards are outcomes of class envy. The wealthy are early adopters of expensive and unproven technologies. The rich finance with their conspicuous consumption research and development phase of new products. The poor, driven by jealousy, imitate them and thus create a mass market which allows manufacturers to lower prices.

But jealousy is premised on twin beliefs of equality and a level playing field. "I am as good, as skilled, and as talented as object of my jealousy." - goes subtext - "Given equal opportunities, equitable treatment, and a bit of luck, I can accomplish same or more."

Jealousy is easily transformed to outrage when its presumptions - equality, honesty, and fairness - prove wrong. In a paper recently published by Harvard University's John M. Olin Center for Law and titled "Executive Compensation in America: Optimal Contracting or Extraction of Rents?", authors argue that executive malfeasance is most effectively regulated by this "outrage constraint":

"Directors (and non-executive directors) would be reluctant to approve, and executives would be hesitant to seek, compensation arrangements that might be viewed by observers as outrageous."

Did she look like a competent and professional person? What first impression would she create?

How about manager who wears a cardigan, light grey suit and brown shoes. He also has a moustache. Would you feel confident using his services? Does he appear to be 'with it'? Would you think his organisation is up with times?

And personal assistant with low cut top and tight fitting pants? Is she being perceived as a competent person and someone you'd take seriously? She may suit image of a trendy organisation and yet what opinions would you form if she worked with you?

We've all seen or know of people like this. Perhaps it's you and you don't even know it!

Image in Workplace It's a serious business. Image Coaches are being hired by organisations to teach their people how to present themselves in best possible way. How are you and your people perceived by your clients, prospects and suppliers?

Your personal image can be either positive or negative. It can accelerate your success or hinder it.

How to Transform Your Image If you seriously want to enhance results in your life, consider seeing an image coach. In fact as part of services we offer, we've included image coaching as it has been so beneficial to many of our clients.

Some of results achieved have been astounding. An accountant who was considered a 'pushover' by her staff and business partner had a total transformation. Because of her quiet nature she wasn't taken seriously. She also dressed in a way that reinforced her lack of confidence.

Since having coaching around her image… looking how to dress in a more flattering way with credibility and power, she is far more confident and has become very assertive. It's also made her look 10 years younger!

The image coach you'll work with will show you how to present yourself in best possible way. When you look good, you feel good. When you feel good you attract people to you like a magnet!

So if you want to attract right type of people to you in business and in your personal life, then this is definitely one area you should invest in.

If this is of interest to you, email lorraine@office-organiser.com.au.

The Final Word Looking successful is just as important as being successful. Whether we like it or not, people judge us in a number of ways. To be credible we have to look like we know what we're talking about as well as having skills and abilities to deliver.

Don't forget… You are your most important asset and you are worth investing in.

Lorraine specialises in working with businesspeople showing them how to dramatically boost their productivity, reduce the stress and the mess in their lives and have more time for enjoying their life.