Latest "Business Etiquette" Posts
September 23, 2019
We all know the old adage, “It’s not personal; it’s just business.”
But we also know that business is not just about numbers and transactions — it’s a highly personal space wherein relationships matter. Businesses rely on their customers to stay afloat. Employees need human connection at work for successful collaboration. They connect with their colleagues, their bosses, their clients, and vice versa, making the network for relationships within and around a single business an intricate one.
What cannot be denied, however, is that the rise of technology in the workplace has altered the way teams communicate. A survey shared by Entrepreneur details key facts on workplace communication: 73% of workers text on a daily basis; 82% make phone calls; 73% work with emails; and 55% use social media as communication tools. These channels have speeded up collaboration like never before, helping teams streamline ideas and organize projects.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Business Etiquette, Communication and tagged technology, business, communication
August 16, 2019
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The other day a friend was sharing a story with me about an issue she was having with a co-worker’s cubicle “manners.” My friend is highly sensitive to perfume and aerosols, and her co-worker, who works in the cubicle next to her, is very cautious about germs. The co-worker keeps a can of Lysol in her desk, and after each visitor leaves her cubicle she douses the area in her cubicle with the fragrant anti-bacterial spray.
The dilemma, as you can tell, is that the opposing fumes seep over the top of the cubicle wall, exposing my friend to the odor—causing her discomfort.
So, what is the etiquette in this situation? Use scent-free products. Emily Post said it best when she said, “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others.”
As we are often in situations where we have to work in close quarters, I thought it would be a good idea to share some more “cubicle etiquette” tips.
Here are the four “Ps” of cubicle etiquette.
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Posted by Margaret in Business Etiquette and tagged cubicle etiquette, workplace manners
June 5, 2019
In a world where we are communicating more and more through email, text and social media, the value of physical thank you cards is being lost. Yes, it is amazing how easy it is to stay in touch nowadays – a quick text to see how someone’s day is going– but with something as important as a thank you card, I still believe sending a physical version is far more valuable. The next time your firm receives a big order from an important client, consider sending them a thank you card instead. This is especially true in the USA during National Business Etiquette week 2019.
Physical cards still have a longer shelf life—and greater impact. Because we get so many emails and text messages throughout the day, it’s such a thrill to open our mailbox (our REAL mailbox) and find a physical card inside. After all, you can’t display an email on your desk or hang a text on your bulletin board!
But who has time for that, right? We have the best intentions – we really do want to send out more cards, but time gets away from us and it becomes just one more thing to add to our to-do list. Did you know that people intend to send out an average 70 cards a year for various occasions, but in the end only send out 10 because of the inconvenience? Unless you really plan ahead, when you think about sending out a card, you’re scrambling to find a stamp!
Well, that’s why I am such a huge fan of Send Out Cards. I love them.
Send Out Cards
SendOutCards, founded by CEO Kody Bateman in 2003 – has sent out over 100 million cards since its launch. The online service makes it so easy to send a personalized, printed greeting card to anyone. You choose a custom card, add your own personal photo and message – and then you just click SEND. They take care of all the rest – printing, stuffing, stamping and mailing the physical card for you.
Thoughtful Cards
A colleague of mine once gave me a box of Thoughtful Cards. Similar to a post card, Thoughtful Cards have a wonderful thank you note on one side along with the usual spot for an address and note on the flip side. All I need to do is “pick, personalize, and post”. Their motto is, “Go from gratitude inaction to gratitude in action! It was a lovely gift that I have used several times already.
My personal goal is to send out one card each day. And although I think email thank-yous are convenient and necessary, the arrival of a personal card is far more memorable. If you’re trying to stand out from the crowd, separate yourself from your competitors, sending a physical card will help you do that.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Uncategorized, Business Etiquette, Communication, Etiquette Edge and tagged business, Gain Confidence, Class and Communication Skills with Etiquette Products, thank you cards, customer appreciation
April 10, 2019
A Guide to Tricky Emoji
A colleague recently texted me with a wonderful idea. As someone who messages quite a bit, both personally and professionally, I’m pretty up-to-date on proper etiquette. But when I tried to choose an emoji heart to indicate that I loved my colleague’s idea I was stymied. There were so many choices! A yellow heart? A beating red heart? A large pink heart flanked by smaller hearts?
I’m not alone in my confusion. The misuse of emoji is fodder for Buzzfeed articles about the generation gap between parents and their children — they even show up as plot points in comedies. Here are some of the most commonly used emoji and what they really mean.
Hearts. We all know hearts represent love, but their colors add another layer of meaning. Bustle published a great guide to heart colors that I like to reference. If you’re familiar with the subtle language of giving flowers, you’ll notice a few similarities: Yellow for warmth, purple for drama and glamour, a cluster for over-the-top expression. Save a single red heart, like a single red rose, for a love interest.
Wink. A wink in real life might indicate a joke or a flirtation. In emoji, it is most definitely the latter. Not appropriate in professional texts or with someone other than a partner, spouse, or potential love interest.
Crying laughing. This emoji indicates that you’re laughing so hard that you’re crying — definitely different than the laughing emoji, for which it’s sometimes confused. Make sure you don’t choose the version with a drop of water coming from its forehead: that indicates a nervous, cold sweat.
Smiling face with hands. This face seems very happy, but the hands are an indication that something else is going on. This emoji is a virtual hug — not appropriate for your boss, for example.
Expressionless face. Don’t use this emoji unless you want to convey your displeasure or lack of enthusiasm for an idea, person, or project.
Smiling face with heart eyes. Be careful when using this emoji — it can be applied to an idea you love, but also indicate love or flirtation to the person on the other end of your text message.
There are hundreds of emoji. I’ve concentrated on the way these emoji are used in North America and Europe, but you may run into different interpretations in Asia, for example. When in doubt, type it out rather than use a symbol.
Do you have any emoji horror stories? Please share them in the comments below!
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Posted by Margaret Page in Valentines Day, Uncategorized, Business Etiquette, Communication, Everyday Etiquette, Just for Fun and tagged communication, Emoji, hearts
March 28, 2019
You’ve sent out the agenda, booked the boardroom, organized the AV equipment, and the lattes and muffins are waiting on the side counter. As Department Manager or Director, you’ve done all the pre-meeting preparation and are ready to chair your meeting! You’ve arrived 15 minutes early to ensure all is ready and the attendees are filing in.
Whether your meeting is formal or more informal, the following procedure is generally accepted meeting practice:
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Posted by Margaret Page in Uncategorized, Business Etiquette, Communication and tagged meeting, Boardroom, Chairperson, agenda
March 5, 2019
Organizing an upcoming meeting? In today’s busy world everyone is multi-tasking; juggling both personal and work-life. With more and more meetings on our agenda, sometimes its difficult to get anything accomplished!
It doesn’t have to be that way though. With a little preparation, meetings can be very useful and productive. Here are seven tips that not only help you take control, but make sure it’s productive and is a valuable use of your time and that of others.
- Get to the Point
Identify the reason for the meeting. Does your department need to be updated on a new company initiative? Is there a problem that needs solving? Is input necessary from various stakeholders to solve a recurring problem or issue? Most importantly, before you set up a meeting, make sure a meeting is required. Can it be resolved via email or a quick face to face with another staff member? Whatever the reason for the meeting, knowing ahead of time what the purpose is ensures a more productive meeting.
- Who needs to be there?
The outcome of Step 1 will determine who needs to attend the meeting. Identify any key decision-makers and staff members that need to be informed (as part of their role) and anybody that will be involved in implementing a deliverable. If you are new to the firm and have not yet met all the attendees face to face, get familiar with their position in the firm and with their background.
- Book it Danno!
Determine the size of the space required and book the room well in advance. Make sure it can accommodate the number of people attending and it has the necessary technology (could be you need a phone or just a mic) access to any AV equipment required. If the attendees will be participating in a virtual setting,test the equipment ahead of time so that everyone can see and hear properly.
- Let’s Talk about it
Draft a suggested agenda that outlines the time and place, purpose of the meeting, attendees, assigned roles and objectives. Determine if any supporting documentation is required and who needs to supply it.
- Presentation Templates
If there is a company presentation template available, provide it to any attendees that will be presenting. For some great resources, see my blog post from January 31, 2019, “Eight Helpful Resources to spark your creativity”.
- Get the word out
Email the agenda along with any supporting documentation to the key participants for comments or questions at least one week ahead. Post the meeting on any team-sharing digital calendar if one exists.
- Ready, Set Go!
On the day of the meeting, print agendas and documentation for all the participants. Sometimes this is digital for those wanting to save paper and be green. Take care of any last-minute details such as coffee and equipment, etc. Lastly, as meeting chair, arrive 15 minutes early to make sure the room is all set up and ready to go!Soon: How to run a meeting using Roberts Rules of Order.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Uncategorized, Business Etiquette, Communication and tagged meeting, meetings, office
January 31, 2019
In public speaking or business presentations, passive is passé — but it can be tough to break out of a creative rut and find just the right phrase or hook to keep your audience engaged. Fresh ideas can be a challenge!
That’s why I’m always looking for new presentation resources that will help get the creative juices flowing. Recently, these eight websites have been my go-to sites for extra inspiration and fun.
One Look: This is a one-stop shop for just about any word you can think of. Type in “bluebird,” for example, and you’ll get a list of definitions from 29 sources, plus a list of what the word means in various industries, professions, and casual situations (tech, medicine — even slang). You’ll also get synonyms, rhyming words, usage examples, and more.
The Noun Project: I think this website is so much fun! Type in any word and The Noun Project will match your word with an icon. I like to use them for PowerPoint presentations — much more useful and unexpected than standard clip art.
SlideBean: SlideBean is a godsend if you struggle to create professional presentations — and it’s a wonderfully intuitive alternative to struggling through PowerPoint. Choose a professionally designed template, create your slide deck, and then share it with your team. You can even ask one of SlideBean’s designers for feedback and assistance or to revamp an existing slide deck. The first presentation is free, but the pricing is reasonable after that.
Art Skills: This is a great resource if you’re creating posters or flip charts. You’ll find products like stickers, craft kits, even lights designed specifically for posters!
Rhymer.com: Rhymes are great for developing memorable turns of phrase. Rhymer.com offers ideas for any type of rhyme you might need: end rhymes like blue/shoe, last-syllable rhymes like timber/harbor, double rhymes like conviction/prediction, and more.
Title Generator and Portent’s Content Idea Generator: I like to use these sites when I’m stumped for ideas. You need only one keyword to produce hundreds of title options in seconds.
Trainers Warehouse: Even professional trainers can find it difficult to create tools and icebreakers that are fun and meaningful. Trainers Warehouse solves that problem with thousands of games, awards, toys, and other teamwork- and recognition-building supplies.
1,000 Best Clean Jokes from Reader’s Digest: This site is a great resource to stimulate humorous thinking, even if you’re not looking to add jokes to your speeches and presentations. You’ll discover riddles, one-liners, and many more.
What are your favorite presentation resources for spurring creativity? Let me know in the comments below.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Uncategorized, Newsletters, Business Etiquette, Communication and tagged Creativity, Resources, Presentations, Reports
January 24, 2019
Now that you have done all the preparation for your interview using the tips from our blog post on Preparation Is Key for Interviews, make sure you know how to make yourself stand out and shine during the actual interview.
Interview Tips:
- Stand when introduced to the #interviewer and do not sit down until invited to do so.
- Try to connect with the interviewer on a personal level at the beginning of the interview if the opportunity arises. “Is that your daughter’s university graduation photo? What school did she attend?” Establishing a personal connection right at the onset of the interview allows for some commonality and starts things off on a positive tone.
- Place your belongings on the floor, not the table or desk.
- Retrieve information quickly and easily in a well organized purse or portfolio. After all, spilling your private belongings across the desk is the antithesis of class. In case a 2nd staff member is asked to join the interview process, have a 2nd resume handy.
- During the interview, show interest, confidence and deference. Always have 2 to 3 questions prepared to ask your interviewer about the position or the firm. This ensures that you come across interested in the position you are being interviewed for and want to learn more.
- Anticipate the most common questions and have answers prepared. Practice them with a friend first.
- If you need a minute or two to compose and answer, it is perfectly acceptable to ask the interviewer for a couple of minutes to think about the question properly and formulate your answer.
- Stay focused. Don’t fidget, repeat yourself or move objects around.
- If you are in a panel interview, place full attention on the person speaking. When you answer, make sure you make eye contact with all the interviewers.
- If you find yourself in an online/virtual interview situation, test your background first using a variety of platforms to make sure your face is lit properly and there are no shadows. Wear contrasting clothing to your background and make sure the background ties in with who you are. Be cautious about what you are drinking.
- Follow your host’s lead if you are being interviewed over a meal. Don’t order any alcohol, unless you are interviewing with an alcohol-related company.
- Compensation package. Quite often, compensation is mentioned in the job description; especially if the job is in the public sector or appears on Indeed. If not, consensus indicates waiting until the end of the 2nd interview to ask. If another job offer is on the table and you need to make a decision, then don’t be afraid to ask. Just make sure you have done your research. If asked for a range, provide a realistic one and be prepared to explain why you should be at the higher end. Essentially, be realistic but confident in what it is you want.
- No matter what: never criticize a former employer.
- Lastly, be honest and sincere. Employers are generally more concerned with finding employees that are the right fit with the organization since training and education can always be provided while on the job.
Post Interview
When the interview comes to a close, be sure to request a card from your interviewer(s) so you can send a handwritten ‘thank you’ note within 48 hours. In the note, be positive and genuine, and if appropriate, refer to something that was discussed in the interview.
Social grace under pressure, specifically, the intense pressure of an interview, always makes a strong impression. It implies a certain degree of personal power, insight and self control, uncommon qualities that any employer would value.
It will give you the “etiquette edge” you need to ace your next job interview!
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Posted by Margaret Page in Interviews, Uncategorized, Business Etiquette, Communication and tagged interview etiquette, Employer, Job Search, job hunt, career, job offer
January 18, 2019
Competition is fierce in today’s job market. Quite often, job seekers find themselves competing with up to 100 other people, hoping to be short-listed for the interviews.
That’s why it takes more than just skills and education to land a great job. Qualifications can get you an interview – but class can get you the job. Get properly prepared for the interview using these important tips:
- Research your potential employer, the industry, and any recent developments or initiatives. Commit a few key facts to memory and mention them when the opportunity appears.
- Learn what you can about the interviewer(s). Study their social media profiles if you can to find out more about their background, interests and employment history. Find some commonality!
- Select your outfit the day before, making sure it is clean, pressed, fits well and flatters. Refrain from wearing anything low cut, short, tight. If you’re unsure about the dress code, dress “up” rather than “down” (i.e., dress a more formal way rather than a more casual way).
- Be freshly groomed, including nails, hair and face – and remember, no fragrances.
- Make sure the vehicle you drive to yours interviews is clean. Some employers view how you maintain your car as a reflection of how you’ll take care of their tools or equipment.
- Familiarize yourself with your destination so you are sure to arrive as scheduled.
- Arrive early enough to make a quick stop at the rest room to check your hair, teeth, and clothing.
- This is a given, but make sure you know your resume inside and out.
- Use the product/service ahead of time if this is appropriate.
Each step sets you up to feel relaxed and confident when the pressure is on. Interviews will be much easier to get through if you are prepared.
Next week: Sharpen Your Interview Skills
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Posted by Margaret Page in Interviews, Business Etiquette, Communication, Etiquette Tips and tagged Interview, Jobs, Employment, Employer, compensation, Job Search
May 26, 2018
Instant messaging has revolutionized the business world, with services like WhatsApp, LINE, and WeChat taking the place of phone calls and email. In fact, emails have become so outmoded — especially among younger generations — that some businesses have eliminated internal email altogether.
But if you’re new to this back-and-forth, rapid-fire style of communication, instant messaging can be a dizzying experience — and open you up to unexpected gaffes. Navigating the waters in tricky enough that some wealthy Chinese women take etiquette classesthat feature an entire module on WeChat, China’s most popular instant messaging service.
No matter the platform, there are a few basic rules that will keep you from annoying, insulting, or otherwise infuriating your instant messaging contacts.
Understand notification settings. Unlike email or voicemail, your recipients on instant messaging services can see whether you have received and read their messages — and if you let a long period of time go by without responding, it’s nearly as bad as not paying attention to someone who is speaking to you in person. Respond to direct messages promptly, even if it’s to say that you’ll follow up later.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Business Etiquette, Communication, Etiquette Tips, Everyday Etiquette, International Etiquette and tagged etiquette tips for communication
