Etiquette Now! Insights

  With leisure travel, you are representing only yourself.  However, with business travel, you are representing your company. The impressions you impart may determine your future business relationship with those you are visiting. Attire Your attire choices will play a major part in how you are viewed.  However, if time allows, dress in comfortable clothes to reduce stress and help you keep focused on your objectives.  These should still appear conservative, like slacks, a neat shirt/blouse, and a jacket/blazer.  Avoid clothing that wrinkles or clings. Track the weather and dress accordingly. Dress slightly more formal than your counterparts do. Pack an extra outfit just in case: unexpected meeting, unplanned trip extension, and mishaps.  Transportation & Technology Expect delays: pack makeup, backup battery charger (if allowed), antibacterial gel/sheets, noise-canceling headphones, pen and paper, business cards, and brea...

Typically, people dread holiday business events because it is not business as usual and definitely not social.  The rules, so clear to us when we are in our cubicles, become a blur.  During these events, there is often alcohol flowing liberally and staff appears to be enjoying themselves, even freely talking to the boss.  Yet, deep inside we know this is not an outing with our friends.  This is just another way for people to judge how well we perform.  Perform well, and we will receive some sort of recognition; perform badly and it is back to square one.  Plus-Ones? It is no less tricky for the tag-a-long date .  The date knows he/she needs to look sharp, be a good conversationalist, and make a good impression.  And we all know how difficult this is to accomplish when we don’t know these people well and the stakes are high.  How do you compliment people, listen intently, and smile as if your face will break and not seem condesce...

Many times, organizations survive on fundraising and requesting donations.  This is not only stressful but can be less than successful.  Requesting donations is more than just writing a proposal.  It is a combination of tried-and-true measures.  Please read on.  Create Interest Create a mission statement or media kit with stated goals to present to prospective contributors.  Try creating a one-minute 'commercial' to introduce your organization , its mission statement, and goals to sell yourself to prospective contributors.  Action Try inviting prospective donors to one of your meetings to introduce your organization—an excellent personal method to ask for funds. Create Lasting Relationships Send reports to sponsors letting them know how their money is being spent including pictures.  Send thank you notes out often and promptly. Help the representative feel as if he/she is part of your organization and is spending money wis...

Dear Rebecca I'm not sure how to dress for an upcoming work retreat cruise.   Uneasy Cruiser Dear Uneasy Cruiser, Since this is work-related, I'd skip the flip-flops and bikini.   Resort -casual should be fine for daytime attire.  Think lightweight slacks, skirts, polo shirts, or sporty dresses (think golf course).   Now for the evening, wear a nice pantsuit, or a cocktail dress—no glitter.  If the night is formal, you may have to beef up the outfit with an up-do hairstyle and top-notch accessories.   Sincerely, Rebecca More by Rebecca When is it Appropriate to Give Gifts to Supervisors How Our Actions Can Affect Our Professional Image      How to Eat Difficult Foods at a Business or Social Function

  Network & Become THE Expert Running a small business can be a challenge in any kind of market.  This is especially true today with so many potential customers looking for the next big thing: the newest flavor of the month.  Consequently, it is particularly important to stand out above competitors. With my 20+ years as a small business owner, I've learned how to do this on an extremely small advertising budget.   Follow along for my favorite tips.     Establish Yourself as the Expert and Interview Frequently. My face is on your television, in print media, and on podcasts.  My voice is on your radio.  Why?  It's because the need for content is great. Quite often local networks require an expert in my field, so they typically call me for interviews .  The same is true for all other content-driven media outlets, like newspapers and magazines.  As an etiquette expert, I...

  Stealing Lunches, Burning Microwave Popcorn, Hogging the Fridge...Oh My! At work, the lunch or breakroom is often a place to mingle or hide out during breaks.   Sometimes, though, it can be a place of crime.   Crime in the workplace?   Oh yes.   As an etiquette consultant, one of the most common workplace complaints I hear concerns the lunch thief.   Thievery isn't the only breakroom complaint, however.   Therefore, I've developed a few tools to deal with this diverse group of breakroom irritants and offenders.   What causes some employees to exhibit such poor behavior? When frustrated with coworkers, many will come to me with their workplace stories and questions.   The first question is usually about why their coworkers would steal their lunch or warm smelly fish in the microwave.   The answer is simple: Most forget that the workplace is a shared space, so they become too comfortable and forget to use their best manners. ...

Tools for Sharing Office Space With Those Who Don't Share Well Coworkers can drive a person crazy.   No doubt.   Still, there are ways to deal with this behavior in a civilized manner.   What follows are the most common issues, tools to deal with issues, and some dos and don'ts for those sharing personal space in the workplace. How do I deal with the loud, irritating, and annoying workmate? Everyone who works in a cubical jungle knows this person.   He is the one who does everything loudly.   All hear his telephone conversations.   He often stands in the aisle telling jokes and laughs loudly.   His noisy demeanor makes it difficult to concentrate on work, resulting in a severe drop in productivity.   Professionalism is at stake as well, with a laugh track playing in the background of coworkers' phone conversations.     Noisy as well, she is equally familiar with office slaves.   She is the habitual fiddler.   She t...

Office Etiquette and Then Some Television Interview by  Mellisa Paul of Sac&Co with Etiquette expert, Rebecca Black of Etiquette Now.   Basic Manners Rule! Respect Kindness Consideration Courtesy Q: The word etiquette gets thrown around a lot, but what does the term encompass? A: Etiquette is basically the "rules" society creates and expects as proper behavior . Q: As an etiquette consultant, what do you find is the most frequent etiquette problem that people have? A:  The most frequent problem people tend to have is the "me" factor. They tend to forget that everything they do affects others. They want, they do, and they feel outraged when others are offended. What should I wear? Is the most asked etiquette question. Q: Why do you think people are so concerned with having the right etiquette? A:  Basically, people don't want to be embarrassed by being ignorant of the "rules". The French call this déclassé, which means th...

  Job Loss Etiquette At a time when unemployment is measured daily and many are either experiencing a furlough, lay-off, or knows someone who is, we need to consider how we interact with those who have been asked to leave their jobs.  This is a difficult situation for all of us, but even worse for those who are walking out the door.  So, it is especially important to be gracious and considerate of their feelings.  Put Your Listening Ears On Listen to your friend.  Listening skills are always important, but even more so now. Remembering that your friend doesn’t need you to “fix” the problem, allow her to talk.   Display Just the Right Amount of Empathy Your friend isn’t dying, so it is best not to behave as if she is.  Empathize and offer to do whatever you can, even directly asking what you can do. Then back up and allow her some space.   Who’s to Blame? Convey that none of this is her fault and there are countless who are sharing ...