Women in the workplace need to wise up. If you're polite and fair at playing business, afraid to change jobs or don't have assets in your own name, then chances are you're not rich, not happy, and not living the life you want. That's according to Dr Lois P Frankel, author of the bestselling novel Nice Girls Don't Get Rich.

This career expert claims that women who are too nice (i.e. not working with a playing-to-win attitude) will never achieve financial success like men do.

So is this a wake-up call to all Irish women who fail to be ruthless ball-breakers in the office? Do you really need to get dirty in the workplace to climb the rich list?

"To a certain extent this attitude that nice girls can't get rich is true," says Mary McGovern. Having run her own PR firm for 25 years, the Dublin businesswoman has encountered many women who have amassed great fortunes.

"From the people who have been successful, 80pc of the time they are pleasant, nice and calm; but get on their wrong side and they are ruthless. There is a ruthless streak in every woman that makes them succeed," she says.

Famous rich women, such as Naomi Campbell, Heather Mills and Sharon Osbourne, certainly know what lifestyle they want and how to get it.

In her bestselling book, Frankel lists a mind-boggling 75 ways that other women can achieve similar wealth.

The first step is to ditch the 'too nice' approach and instantly become more money-wise. "Being polite, quiet, and fair is playing the financial game like a girl. You don't need testosterone, but you do need to go after the life you want."

Mary McGovern agrees with the author's rationale as to why women are often not as successful as their male counterparts. Not taking a risk financially is one of them. "From experience I don't think women are high risk takers," she says. She also agrees that a woman's serious financial flaw is her tendency to spend emotionally, instead of making wise investments. "Women like shopping a lot. It's a sexist thing to say, but it's true."

Aside from sporadic spending and lack of solid investment, what exactly hinders a typically 'nice girl' from success? "Nice is a dreadful word," concedes Mary. "To some it can mean pleasant and respectful and to others it can mean soft and a complete pushover."

From experience, Mary cites a healthy balance as critical. "If you are too nice, people will take advantage of you. Nice can also provoke a wrong reaction from people. I know that if I was nice to a bully they would take advantage of me, whereas a like-minded person would gel well."

Mary does not agree with Frankel on all her claims. She dismisses the author's theory that young girls don't think about getting rich because they are raised to 'do good' instead of striving for wealth like their male siblings.

"That's old-fashioned thinking," says Mary. "Irish parents today are very ambitious and they push their daughters every bit as much as their sons."

Trainee accountant Laragh Haughton disputes the notion that women can't be nice and rich at the same time. "In finance, there are many friendly women who are doing well in top managerial positions," she says. The 26-year-old's interpretation of a 'nice girl' is someone who is respectful in terms of their team environment, sociable and able to juggle different roles. "But she also has to be strong and cultivate a certain respect," she says.

Aside from the beauty industry, which is largely dominated by females, Laragh also finds women are successful in many other sectors.

"You need to be friendly and good with people to get far, and women generally have those skills more so than men."

"The PR industry is the same," says Mary. "For some reason, there are considerably more women working in PR. You have to be a good communicator and therefore women tend to thrive in this business."

However, both women admit that a female has it tougher when it comes to attaining her financial goals.

"Women have to work a lot harder to get to the top, whereas a man in the workplace will often get that respect without as much effort," says Laragh.

It is not all about being a tough cookie, however, because Laragh believes getting the wealth you aspire to is largely down to having an upbeat attitude. "Positive thinking and a progressive mentality cannot be underestimated in attaining your financial goals."

While a pay rise is an obvious avenue to financial comfort, Laragh feels this is not something women need to wise up about. "I know many girls who would happily ask for a pay rise." Frankel, however, contests this in her book, citing an inability to ask for more money as one of the downfalls of a 'nice' female. She also heavily criticises women who depend on men for financial advice.

Nice or not, there is no doubt the envy that a rich woman inspires. "We are fascinated about rich women irrespective of how they generated their wealth," says Mary. "The richer they are, the more we idolise them."

Mary feels you have to be totally driven to achieve your financial goals, even when you have children. But then she also finds that success is not just down to monetary value.

"It's not about love of money, but a love of freedom. Having the freedom to spend your time wisely is the success I have always strived towards."

Coincidentally, it is this exact attitude that Frankel hails in her book. "If you think about it carefully, you will see it's not the amount of money you have that matters, it's the ability to act with independence that defines a rich life." But she warns: "You will never have it if you don't start thinking and acting like a rich person."

... and some who did!

Julia Roberts

The Pretty Woman star was the first actress in Hollywood to command a $20m per-film pay cheque. She is now worth an estimated $140m.

Gisele Bundchen

This supermodel is not just a pretty face. The leggy Brazilian earned part of her $70m fortune from modelling and the rest from a line of popular sandals.

Liliane Bettencourt

At 83, Ms Bettencourt is considered the wealthiest woman in the world. She inherited her $16bn fortune through family firm, L'Oreal. All because she's worth it!

- Karen Creed