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Etiquette

NATIONAL BUSINESS ETIQUETTE WEEK, JUNE 2 – 8, 2013

May 31, 2013 By Leah Hawthorn Leave a Comment

123rf-Etiquette-300x195Protocol and etiquette are no longer relegated to the international diplomatic community.  Knowledge of business protocol & etiquette is necessary for anyone engaged in local or global business and exchange.  We must be an enjoy for the firm we represent, equipped with knowledge and understanding of business and social customs of the person with whom we are negotiating.  It is this know-how that will bring success.

TOP TEN BUSINESS ETIQUETTE TIPS

1.  Enter a room with confidence and authority.  You are in the spotlight.  Use it to your advantage.  Entering a room and quickly heading for the food or drink station is counterproductive.  Never suh into a room.  This allows you to see key people that you would like to meet and network with.

2.  Stand tall and keep great posture while networking.  If you slouch, or have bad posture, you look like you don’t really want to be there and you also look tired.  The correct posture will give you one inch in height and will lose you 10 pounds.

3.  Smile.  The first thing you should do while you enter a room, shake someone’s hand and small talk, is smile.  No one wants to talk to someone that looks uninviting.

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4.  Know what appropriate and inappropriate eye contact is for business.  In the U.S., direct eye contact is a sign of trust and confidence, and is a must while networking.  If you are doing business with other countries and cultures, research the eye contact in that country.  Some countries expect more eye contact than we do in the U.S. and some expect much less.

5.  Always give a firm handshake.  Make sure you give a smile and great eye contact while shaking somneone’s hand.  If doing business in the international arena, it is said that the American handshake toned down just a bit is worldwide and acceptable.

6.  Properly introduce yourself.  “Hello, my name is Brian Smith.  I am the new Manager for Time Travel Agency”.  Always say your name and who you are representing.

7.  Know what is acceptable and unacceptable to talk about in the business arena.  Stay away from politics and religion.  Small talk is an art and it takes practice.  Remember, if you are meeting someone for the first time, and they are not your best friend, knowing who you voted for and what religion you are might change the way they think of you.  It’s only human.

8.  Accept someone’s business card with respect.  Make sure you look at it before putting it in a respectable place.  Hand the business card face forward so the person you’re networking with doesn’t have to turn it around.  Always carry a business card holder or keep your cards in the side pocket of your jacket, easy to access.

9.  Cell phone’s should be turned off or on vibrate.  If you need to take a call, excuse yourself and step outside.

10.  Last, but not least, focus on the other person you are networking with.  There is nothing worse than to network with someone you don’t know and they have told you their life story and don’t ask you who you are or who you are with.  Make sure you take the time to let the other person sepak.  Let them know you care about what they have to say as well.  Ask them what company they are with and how they got started in their business.

True succcess isn’t attained by only taking the easy path; it’s achieved by walking through rough and bumpy terrain, even it it gets a litt painful and scary.

Filed Under: Getting The Edge on Etiquette, The Featured Articles Tagged With: ABI, advanced business image & etiquette, Etiquette, Leah Hawthorn, Protocol

Business Casual or Casual — That — Is The Question!

April 2, 2013 By Leah Hawthorn 1 Comment

cartoon4620Last week my husband and I were in New York.  We were going to an incredible restaurant called “Del Frisco’s”.  This is a nice restaurant – white table clothes, great wines and a’la carte menu.  I wasn’t sure what the proper attire for this restaurant would be.  Yes, I know, I am an image coach and I should know these things, right?  But, what is proper attire in Dayton or California may not be acceptable in New York.

I called the restaurant and they said business casual.  When I heard my husband repeat it over the phone, I said, “Jeans”?  I said this because the difference between business casual, casual and weekend wear seem to be an issue everywhere.  My husband asked, “Jeans?”  They immediately said, “Of course.  A lot of people wear jeans in our establishment.”  I quickly realized that business casual in New York can mean jeans with a jacket, as I saw much of when I was there.

It seems there is always a question: What is the difference between casual and business casual for the workplace.  In the Midwest, if someone said business casual to me, I would immediately tell someone that khakis were appropriate with a shirt and no tie, or simply a shirt, jacket and khakis.  Women, well, we have a lot more options.

In California, you wouldn’t dress the same for business as you would in the Midwest or New York.  If someone said formal business attire in New York, you will probably find yourself walking into a sea of black suits.  Formal business attire in the Midwest may be a suit, but could be beige or neutral with some color mixed in.  Formal business attire in California – well, that’s another story.  It is extremely casual on the West Coast, so I would probably have to make that phone call before I showed up for an interview or meeting.  And remember, there is no shame in calling and asking.  Rule of thumb; Err on the side of formality and you will always be dressed properly.

Here are some guidelines for casual, business casual and formal business attire.  And I lean hard on the word “guideline.”   Proper business attire will vary depending on the business or your profession.  Proper business attire for an engineer may not be the same proper business attire for an attorney.  There is a protocol (rule) to everything, and this is a guideline for Business Attire — erring on the side of formality.

There is so much more that goes into proper dress.  Dressing for business internationally is an article all its own.  Accessories, makeup and hair are also another article.  There just isn’t enough room in one article for everything.  This may not be the answer for everyone, but it’s a place to start.  Let the comments begin.  Enjoy!

BUSINESS ATTIRE GUIDELINES:

CASUAL FOR MEN:  Open-collar shirt without a necktie or dress polo shirt with jacket – cotton trousers (khakis) with golf shirt – slip-on leather shoes (e.g., loafers) – jeans, sneakers and sporting attire, only if allowed by your dress code.

CASUAL FOR WOMEN:  Simple skirt, casual slacks, or khakis – pumps, low heels, or flats – sandals (only as appropriate) – blouse, knit top, or sweater, jeans, sneakers and sporting attire, only if allowed by your dress code.

BUSINESS CASUAL FOR MEN:  Sport coat with open-collar dress shirt or turtleneck – slacks with open-collar dress shirt – no necktie – slacks or cotton trousers such as khakis – dress shoes or loafers.

BUSINESS CASUAL FOR WOMEN:  Blouse, knit top, or sweater set – slacks or simple skirt – conservative dress – coordinating jacket (optional) – pumps, low heels, or flats – hose with skirts/dresses.

FORMAL BUSINESS ATTIRE FOR MEN:  Dark business suit – sport coat and slacks – crisply laundered shirt – necktie – dark socks – dark shoes.

FORMAL BUSINESS ATTIRE FOR WOMEN:  Jacket with matching skirt or slacks – jacket with coordinating skirt or slacks – conservative accessories – conservative jewelry – closed-toe-shoes – hose with skirts/dresses.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWJ_Sg92epA

 

Filed Under: Community, Getting The Edge on Etiquette Tagged With: attire, Business, business image, dress, Etiquette, Protocol, wardrobe

Social Media Protocol — The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

April 6, 2012 By Leah Hawthorn 1 Comment

I was on Facebook and LinkedIn several years ago after a long day at work and a big networking event afterward.  You have been there I’m sure; an evening event starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 7:00 p.m.— but not for you.  You stay an extra hour, leaving no stone unturned.

Even though I was exhausted when I got home, I wanted to connect through LinkedIn with the people I had just met before I forgot.  Of course it was late at night and I was tired. Here is what it looked like when I saw what I had written the next day:

“Hell John, It was gret meeting you tonight.  I look forward to meeting you for coffin.  Sincerely, Leah Hawthorn”.

I’m sure I made a great social media first impression!!  Never network in person or online if you are
too tired.  It WILL show.  Remember – we don’t drink and drive, so don’t drink and social media!  I’m sure a lot worse than “Hell John” could happen.

In today’s fiercely competitive business arena, etiquette and protocol intelligence will distinguish you from the crowd.  Having good social media etiquette can make the difference between you and another person who is just as smart.

People are connecting with, listening to, following and collaborating with each other at an amazing rate. Online networking is not new to most of us, and by now we have found that there is little difference in networking with people in social media and connecting with people offline.  The same protocol is recommended for both.  Project confidence, authority and trust for both social media and business networking.

Here are a few examples of how
Social Media Networking and In-Person Networking are the same.

First Impressions

Your Photo

Please DO NOT use the default graphic as your photo.  You know, that big white silhouette of no
one.  People want to see you.  LinkedIn – Professional photo.  Facebook – Social Photo is acceptable,
but be cautious.  A lot of people are using Facebook for business.  Any photo you post is forever.  You are branding yourself.

Eye Contact

Your Profile and Bio.

Let others know who you are.  Make sure your information is always up to date.  People are looking.  If you no longer work for a certain company or your position has changed, reflect that in your profile and bio.  Be Honest!  PYP = Proof Your Profile!!

Handshakes

The Limp Fish “Canned Invitations”

Avoid canned invitations as much as possible.  Set yourself apart from the crowd.  “It was great to meet you.  I would like to connect with you   through LinkedIn as well.

The Bone Crusher “People Collecting”

Some people like to collect people.  It’s not about how many business cards you collect; it’s about the relationships you create with other individuals.  You DO NOT have to friend people you do not know.  It is OKAY to de-friend someone who is posting things that show up on your page that you find offensive.  R-E-S-P-E-C-T, as Aretha would say!

TMI

I have a headache.  I am eating a Sardine sandwich.  I just woke up.  Really??!!  Too much is too much.  Excessive
game requests, gifts and” join my cause” on Facebook can get you into trouble. Some people don’t appreciate this part of social media.

Soft Skills Sell!!

Focus more on the other person.  It’s always a great idea to help someone out with an event or a request.  People are more likely to help
you if you help others.

Avoiding Certain Subjects

Religion and Politics.

Tread lightly.  Do you really want to brand yourself to the world with your political or religious views?  Once you put it out there, it is out there!
This goes for Facebook and LinkedIn.  You would NOT discuss politics or religion at an in-person networking event.  This is a simple Networking Protocol wherever you are.

Your Mother Was Right

Be kind.  Don’t personally attack other people.  Be professional.  Use appropriate language.  Do use proper spelling and grammar.  Be respectful of others, and be positive!

In the end, being a part of social media can be fun and is an incredible, effective business tool.  Don’t let it be a time sucker for you.  Tell yourself how much time you will give to social media every day and try to stick with it.  It will still be there tomorrow.  I promise.

I spoke with Tina Marker, social media guru and President and Founder of Windward Design Group LLC about the importance of etiquette in
the online networking realm. Here are four items she mentioned about social media protocol.

1) If you wouldn’t share something in a room full of casual strangers,
why would you do so on the Web?

2) “What happens in Vegas” . . . ends up on Facebook!
Need I say more?

3) TMI (too much information) “Status Update” does not
mean you should journal every detail of your day . . . and night!

4) Profanity has no place in public conversations . . .
keep it social.

In the end, being a part of social media can be fun and is an incredible, effective business tool.  Don’t let it be a time sucker for you.
Tell yourself how much time you will give to social media every day and try to stick with it.  It will still be there tomorrow.  I promise.

See you on Social Media!

 

 

Filed Under: Getting The Edge on Etiquette Tagged With: Dayton Most Metro, Etiquette, facebook, Leah Hawthorn, Linkedin, Protocol, social media, Tina Marker

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