Latest "Etiquette Edge" Posts
June 25, 2012
I love reading motivational quotes. They elevate my mood and allow me to look at something from a new or fresh perspective. And sometimes they just make me smile. đ
This week we’re launching a brand new inspirational blog series we’re calling “Motivational Mondays.” We’re hoping to jump start your work week by sharing our favorite snippets of inspiration every Monday morning.
For our first week, we’re sharing some of our favorite inspirational quotes about success. Â I hope you enjoy them!
“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.” ~ George Sheehann
“To succeed in life we must stay within our strength zone but move out of our comfort zone.” ~John Maxwell
“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.” ~ Tommy Lasorda
“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” ~ Henry Ford
“Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success.” ~ Dr. Joyce Brothers
“Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” ~ Conrade Hilton
“The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt
Now it’s your turn! Is there one particular quote about success that resonates with you? Maybe you have it taped to your computer screen or stuck to your fridge as a reminder? Share it with us so we can add it to our list!
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Posted by Margaret in Just for Fun
June 15, 2012
When making introductions in business, the order of introduction is importantâthe easiest way to remember is whoever has the highest honor is mentioned first.
For example, when introducing the vice president of your company to a new marketing manager, you would say: “Bob Smith, I’d like to introduce to you Angela Morrison. Angela is our new marketing manager at the Tampa Bay office and is here for the business expo.â
In the social arena, however, gender and or age determine who is introduced to whom. If the individuals being introduced are of the same generation you would use the female gender first rule.” Sally Martin, may I introduce to you George Tilley. ” Â However, in the event you were introducing a young woman to gentleman who is much older use âGrandpa I would like to introduce to you my good friend Dawn.â
Examples introducing a man to a woman include:
Formal:
“Ms. Lawrence please let me introduce Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones is visiting the Sunshine Coast from Seattle, Washington.”
Informal:
“Jane please let me introduce Steven. Steven is visiting the Sunshine Coast from Seattle.”
Always add a piece of information that will easily spark conversation. And when introducing relatives, take a moment to clarify their relationship to you. For example, “Jane, I would like to introduce my sister Michelle to you. She has just moved to Vancouver from Ontario last week.”
In small-group gatherings, the host or hostess is expected to introduce guests to other guests. However, among large groups, if you are hosting a gathering you are off the hookâguests are responsible for introducing themselves to each other.
Be careful about introducing one guest to another and calling only one of them “my friend.” To single out a particular person as âmy friendâ implies that the other person is a stranger! You never want to leave anyone feeling slighted.
Take action on these introduction tips and you’ll feel confident at any gathering or business function this summer!
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Posted by Margaret in Business Etiquette
May 25, 2012
Mastering the art of conversation is an important factor in being successful at networking and relationship building; however, starting conversations with new people can be daunting.
Starting a conversation
As you start a conversation, make the initial greeting brief and friendly; and always incorporate inviting body language. Smile, itâs a powerful greeting in itself. A smile will not only make you more approachable, a happy person exudes confidence and leaves a great impression!
If youâre in a group setting, wait for an appropriate opportunity to jump into the conversation. Refrain from interrupting a conversation as the entire rhythm of it can be altered if your timing is off. Wait for a low point in the conversation, or when someone excuses himself, to add to the discussion.
When starting conversations, pose open-ended questions that elicit a response longer than one or two words. Opening with âHow are you?â is certain to prompt a familiar reflux response like âGoodâ or âFine, thanksâ âand then, youâre dead in the water! How many times have you actually asked that question and actually considered the answer? Next time explore using a question such as âWhat exciting project are you working on now?â
Exiting a conversation
Weâve all been in situations where the conversation becomes uncomfortable or tedious and you find your mind drifting to find ways to exit (quickly). First and foremost, always be gracious, even when youâre âstuckâ in a conversation with someone.
As with joining group conversations, in order to make a âgraciousâ break for it, wait for a pause in the discussion in order to make your move. Start with âThank you,â and extend your hand to offer a âgoodbyeâ handshake. Smile (always!) and then offer your exit (or polite excuse). Something like âIt was lovely meeting you. I have to run. Itâs been great chatting with you.â
If you would like to build on this new relationship, ask for their business card or offer your business card and invite the person to connect with you. Whether youâre off to another engagement or trying to escape a tedious conversation, always use common courtesy and common sense!
Not everyone is a natural born talker, but practice really does make it easier to tackle engaging in conversation with new people.
Are you nervous starting conversations with new people? We would love to hear your experiences!
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Posted by Margaret in Business Etiquette and tagged the art of conversation
May 17, 2012
Be prepared. Before you even pick up the phone to make a business call, be prepared for what it is you want to say. What is the purpose of your call? Summarize this, in your mind (or on paper if you must), in a few short sentences.- Introduce yourself. Begin every voicemail message with an introduction. Donât assume that the recipient will know who you are from your voice. Start with something like: âGood morning, this is Joan Smith, marketing director at ABC CompanyâŚâ
- Keep it short. With most answering systems you have a one minute time limit to leave a message so be sure to keep your message short, simple and concise. You donât have to divulge every detail in your voice message. Itâs completely acceptable to leave a short message that conveys the reason for your call, such as: âGood morning, Bob. Our monthly sales meeting has been moved to tomorrow at 10 a.m. I look forward to seeing you then.â If there is more information to share, simply end your message with something like: âPlease give me a call back to discuss the details.â
- Speak slowly and clearly. When the âBEEPâ alerts you to start your message, remember this: Itâs not a starter pistolâŚand youâre not off to the races! Even though there is a time limit for your message, speak slow enough that the recipient can understand what you are saying. Speak clearly, and with an adequate volume. If the recipient is jotting down notes or a callback number, you want to be certain that the message is understood. When listening to your voicemail, itâs really frustrating to have to replay the message three times just to get the info straight!
- Include your phone number. One of the things many people forget to do when leaving a voicemail message is to provide a callback number. When ending the call, leaving your number twice is a courtesy â as often people canât write down your number as fast as you say it. Something like: âThank you for your time. You can reach me at 888-555-4444 anytime. Thatâs 888-555-4444. I look forward to speaking with you.â
Are there any voicemail pet peeves youâd like to share with us? What about leaving a message? Do you feel at a complete loss for words when faced with the ââŚleave a message at the sound of the beepâ? Leave your comments below!
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Posted by Margaret in Business Etiquette
May 11, 2012
At a recent workshop I asked participants to share what they felt was positive, and negative, about social media.
Here are a few of the things that they found to be positive about social media:
 Positive:
- Immediate communication
- Far-reaching message
- Personal
- Fast, easy and trackable
- Ability to stay in touch and / or reconnect
And here are a few of the things the participants felt were negative attributes of social media:
- Time consuming
- Donât know results
- Eroding communication skills
- The etiquette of social media difficult to understand
While I was not surprised by the positive attributes of social media â the ease of communication and ability to connect being one of the most notable benefits â I was a little surprised at how many people wanted to know âhow to use social media.â The etiquette ârulesâ for using social media effectively, both for personal and for business communication, seems to be a common struggle for many who are navigating this new way of connecting.
Manners matter, online and offline
There is no lack of information on âhow to use social mediaâ online (just key that into the Google search bar!), so I thought I would just share a few tips to help you with some of the more âmannerlyâ things to think about when sharing on your social networks.
Say âhelloâ
If you are at a networking event and youâre face-to-face with someone, youâre going to introduce yourself before you launch into a conversation. On LinkedIn (or other networks where youâre âmeetingâ people), be sure to observe the same consideration. If youâre asking for a connection on LinkedIn, update the default message to a more personalized one before sending the request.
Think before you tweet (but be yourself!)
Thereâs a certain transparency that comes with communicating online. Once you hit that âsendâ button, you canât take it back. It can be very easy to fire off a tweet or update your page, without thinking about the repercussions. Iâm all for honesty, but be sure youâre sharing information you want the world to see! Read before you tweet is always a good practice to incorporate!Â
Show your gratitude
If someone shares your content, say âthank you.â This is a good way to show your gratitude, but itâs also a great way to connect with a fan or follower and engage in a further discussion on the topic.
Talk like a real person, but be professional
If youâre using social media to build your business, or your professional network, the most important thing you can do is be yourself. Know your goals (just as you would at a networking event) and get to know people through real conversations. Talk about the same things you would talk about if you were face-to-face. Be professional, but show your personality.
Although the world of online networking is new to many of us, there is little difference in connecting with people online and offline. The same basic tenets hold true: Trust and authenticity are at the top of the list.
What tips do you have to share? Your thoughts on the positive and negative aspects of social media? Weâd love to hear about it! Share with us in the comments below!
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Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette
April 30, 2012
Inc.com posted an article last week that shared the importance of courtesy and manners â especially in business. One of the â5 Rules that Matter Nowâ they referenced was elevator etiquette⌠and with good reason.
If you work in a tall building, itâs inevitable that youâll be sharing an elevator with clients, colleagues and business partners–but did you know that some of the most common etiquette faux pas occur in that tiny space?
Many people find the elevator to be an awkward place, and itâs often the etiquette of fellow passengers that really push peopleâs buttons!
Some simple etiquette elevator tips to ensure everyone enjoys a comfortable ride to the top include:
- When the door opens, wait for everyone to exit the elevator before stepping in.
- If youâre with a large group, wait for an empty elevator.
- If the elevator is crowded when you enter and you canât reach the button for your floor, ask someone near the buttons to push it for you. Refrain from stretching across someone to choose your floor.
- Once inside, stand as close to the wall or corner as possible to make room for additional passengers.
- Hold the door for people who are rushing to board the elevator. (Itâs really just common courtesy.)
- When sharing an elevator with a prospective client, refrain from sharing your âelevator pitchâ with him until youâve reached your destination.
- If youâre wearing a backpack, remove it and hold it in front of you.
- Refrain from using your cell phone while in the elevator.
- When sharing an elevator with clients or other guests, allow them to exit first. And it should go without saying gentlemen, always allow ladies to exit first unless you are blocking the elevator door.
What are some of the most annoying elevator etiquette habits youâve encountered?
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Posted by Margaret in Business Etiquette
April 22, 2012
Iâm sure that most of us have witnessed a driving etiquette faux pas at least once this week (if not every day!). The truth is, there are very few flawless, exemplary drivers on the road today. No matter how great we think our driving skills are, when sharing the road, we all commit the occasional driving gaffe from time to time.
Here are a few driving etiquette reminders to keep everyone safe â and happy â when behind the wheel.
- Four-Way Stop Rules
When there are four stops signs pointing in all four direction of traffic, you must come to a full stop before the STOP line. Look for oncoming traffic and proceed when safe. If you arrive at the same time as another driver, the driver on the farthest right has right of way.Where there are four vehicles waiting at a four-way stop, the alternating directions take turns. If making a left turn, remember to turn on your left indicator. Left turning drivers must yield to the vehicle coming in the opposite direction.Even with âright of way,â be alert! Other drivers donât always follow the rules of the road.
- Pedestrians in Crosswalks
Pedestrians in crosswalks ALWAYS have the right of way. ALWAYS!
- School Buses
Yellow flashing lights indicate the school bus is preparing to stop. This is your signal to prepare to stop, as well. If the red lights are flashing, traffic in both directions must stop at least 20 feet form the school bus.
- Keep the Traffic Flowing
To keep traffic flowing efficiently, a driver has to think before acting. Does it make sense for a driver to stop in the middle of the block to let a pedestrian cross, where this is no crosswalk? You might think youâre doing someone a good deed when in truth you are risking being rear-ended by another driver who isnât expecting traffic to stop in the middle of the street.Keep the flow of traffic going. The pedestrian, in this case, wasnât expecting the driver to stopâand is happy to wait until itâs safe to cross the road.
- Keep Moving When Merging onto the Highway
When you are merging onto a highway from an entrance ramp, please keep moving. Do not stop (unless directed to do so). It slows the flow of traffic and itâs downright dangerous. Again, the driver behind isnât expecting you to stop.If the traffic on the highway is moving at high rate of speed then itâs very difficult to move or merge into a gap between vehicles from a standing start. Accelerate to the speed of traffic to make it easier to slip or merge into the gap between vehicles.If youâre on the highway and a car is trying to merge from the right, make it easier for them to slip into the lane. Ease off the gas slightly to make roomâor move to the left lane if safely possible, then move back to the right lane. Being courteous will make everyone safer!
- Stay in the Right Lane, Passing Lanes are for Passing
I know this is a big pet peeve for many: If you arenât passing another vehicle, stay in the right lane. It doesnât matter how fast you are driving, most problems occur with drivers who feel itâs their right to travel in the left lane no matter how much traffic they are holding up behind them.
- Signal To Change Lanes
Always signal before changing lanes and remember: weaving is for rugs, not traffic.
- Tailgating is a Party
Leave at least one car length between you and the driver ahead of you. Driving too close is not only rude, but it can make the person in front of your anxious and/ or frustrated!
- Keep Your Horn Honking to a Minimum
Your car horn was created as a way to alert other cars in emergency situations, not as a tool to vent your frustrations.
- Night Driving Courtesy
Dim your high beam headlights when you are 150 meters from other cars. Keep your eyes moving and scan for pedestrians, animals, and cyclists. Glance to the right edge of the road to avoid glare from oncoming headlights.
It goes without saying that the number one thing to do when driving is BE ALERT. Make sure you make frequent stops to rest if youâre traveling a long distance, especially if youâre alone. And stay off the phone! Using a cell phone while driving â which is now illegal in many provinces and states â is just plain dangerous. Nothing is as important as your life or the life of others on the road.
Be a courteous and safe driver!
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Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette
April 16, 2012
Here is a list of the stories we shared that you read, re-tweeted, liked, favorited, and shared this week.
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Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette
April 8, 2012
Here is a list of the stories we shared that you read, re-tweeted, liked, favorited, and shared this week.
- An Offer You Canât Refuse: Leadership Lessons from âThe Godfatherâ
Five essential leadership lessons you can learn from âThe Godfatherâ
www.fastcompany.com/1826672/an-offer-you-cant-refuse-leadership-lessons-from-the-godfather
- Slow Down, You Move Too Fast
A great reminder to slow downâthat itâs okay to stroll, mosey and linger. http://blogs.hbr.org/schwartz/2012/04/slow-down-you-move-too-fast.html
- Giving a Presentation? Donât Tell âEm What Youâre Going to Say
Why telling your audience âwhy theyâre thereâ is a great way to grab their attention
www.forbes.com/sites/nickmorgan/2012/04/02/giving-a-presentation-dont-tell-em-what-youre-going-to-say/
- Cultivation Charisma: How Personal Magnetism Can Help (or Hurt) You at Work
Why charisma is so critical to businessâand how to master the art of magnetism
www.fastcompany.com/1826514/cultivating-charisma-how-personal-magnetism-can-help-or-hurt-you-at-work
- How to Share in a Religious Celebration â While Avoiding Awkward Moments.
Tips from good behavior experts on how to avoid awkwardness during gatherings where guests and hosts donât share the same faith.
www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/how-to-share-in-a-religious-celebration-while-avoiding-awkward-moments/article2393551/
- 6 Great Questions to Ask on a Job Interview
List of key questions to trot out on your next job interview.
www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-57386747/6-great-questions-to-ask-on-a-job-interview/
- 10 Communication Secrets of Great Leaders
How to be an excellent communicator.
www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2012/04/04/10-communication-secrets-of-great-leaders/
- 12 Golden Rules of Email Etiquette
Reminders of how to communicate effectively by email.
www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2012/04/04/10-communication-secrets-of-great-leaders/
- Are You an Oversharer Online? How to Tell.
A new tool that helps you determine if youâre in danger of tainting your reputation by sharing too much personal information online.
www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/are-you-an-online-over-sharer-secureme-will-tell-you.html
- Making Eye Contact: What You Are Saying in Various Cultures
A peek at what we are saying by our ânon-verbalâ communicate when we make eye contact in different cultures.
www.brighthubeducation.com/social-studies-help/9626-learning-about-eye-contact-in-other-cultures/
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Posted by Margaret in Business Etiquette
March 19, 2012
Your personal appearance is not only an important factor in how you present yourself others, the way you dress reflects the importance you attach to the situations and people around you. If your clothes are unclean or wrinkled, you may appear to be careless and uninterested in the business situation or people you are interacting with.
If youâre dressing for a job interview, be sure to choose attire that projects the image you want the employer to receive. If the company has a âbusiness casualâ dress policy, itâs still better to take a conservative approach for the initial introduction. Just because the receptionist told you it was Casual Friday, that doesnât give you the green light to wear your comfy jeans and your new âTGIFâ sweatshirt to the job interview.
Even after you get the job, consider your appearance. Someone once told me this, and it stuck, âI dress to the level I want to achieve.â So, if you want to be CEO, think about how you look when you leave the house in the morning. Do you carry yourself like an executive?
Here are some basic rules of thumb you can follow:
- When meeting with business associates or clients, whether in your office or theirs, you should dress appropriately — if they wear suits, you should wear one.
- If youâre interviewing for a job and donât have the inside scoop on their dress code, try to scope out the place before your interview to see how the employees are dressed. Itâs also perfectly acceptable to contact the receptionist and ask her about the company dress code policy. You can tell her youâre applying for a position at the company without having to introduce yourself.
All business attire, whether traditional or casual, should be reflective of a professional, dignified appearance.
Great men are seldom over-scrupulous in the arrangement of their attire ~Charles Dickens
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Posted by Margaret in Business Etiquette and tagged business etiquette, career etiquette, dress for success
I love reading motivational quotes. They elevate my mood and allow me to look at something from a new or fresh perspective. And sometimes they just make me smile. đ
