Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work
The technology boom has made us all pressed for time
in our lives. Etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore comes to our
rescue with the complete handbook for helping us all recognize what
is acceptable in today’s high speed world. Constantly
evolving ways for people to connect has left everyone from the
business beginner to CEO’s wondering about the proper way to behave.
Is there actually a proper way to execute a handshake? Do technology
advances make it easier or more complicated to communicate? What are
the nuances of etiquette in the international arena? Jacqueline
Whitmore, etiquette expert and founder of The Protocol School of
Palm Beach, Florida, says, “The line between the business and social
arenas is obscure. It pays to know what to do in all circumstances,
so the focus can be on the business at hand.” If the studies by
Harvard, The Carnegie Foundation and Stanford Research Institute are
true, only 15% of the reason you land a job is based on technical
skills and knowledge and the other whopping total of 85% are due to
people skills. People skills better be your strength…or make
them so and fast. But these types of “people” skills aren’t taught
in schools or at work. Where can one find the polish needed to
succeed in today’s competitive business world? Whitmore has coached
thousands in the art of treating colleagues and customers alike with
the utmost courtesy and respect. Now she puts all her expertise in
one handy volume for the first time in her new book, BUSINESS CLASS:
Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work (St. Martin’s Press, July
2005, $19.95). Covering a wide range of business and
social situations, Whitmore shows how good manners are actually an
essential skill necessary to thrive in corporate America. Business
is extremely socially oriented today and top companies and
associations are looking to hire men and women who know what to do
and how to act in myriad situations. BUSINESS CLASS is designed
to guide executives in the art of business entertaining, networking,
and dining skills as well as differentiating between “host” and
“guest” duties, body language at the dining table, handling
accidents, eating various types of food, how to work the room, and
how to remember names. What about when you’re traveling and you are
in the position of tipping? “Tip” is the acronym for “To Insure
Promptness.” Designed for rewarding excellent service, it is both at
the person’s discretion as well as being an obligation, and quite
often turns into an awkward and embarrassing exchange. Although it
is not mandatory in the U.S. it is, nonetheless, expected so you’d
better know how much to tip to make sure your service remains
excellent. BUSINESS CLASS will also instruct the
reader on how to avoid a global incident when traveling abroad. Do
research on where you’re going and get into a global mind-set by
being observant and asking questions, thinking before you speak,
keeping an open mind, and one of the best bits of advice, appreciate
the differences of the land and people you are visiting. If
technology worries you more than traveling abroad, Whitmore tackles
questions about “Netiquette” for emails, cell phone conduct,
avoiding tapping on your BlackBerry when you’re speaking with
others, and avoid unnecessary use of speaker phones so the rest of
the world does not have to listen to your conversation. Other topics
Whitmore covers thoroughly include:
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First, and lasting, impressions
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Speak more professionally with a lower tone
and no filler words
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Find out what you can about someone before
the meeting
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Build a friendship and the sale will follow
-
Refrain from using first names without
permission
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Send a late thank-you note rather than no
note at all
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Don’t wait until you’re down and out or need
a favor to get in touch with someone
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Be extra nice to the executive assistant
-
Speak favorably of past employers and
clients
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Keep your elbows off the boardroom table
For entry-level employees to on-the-rise executives,
Jacqueline Whitmore’s BUSINESS CLASS is the perfect guide for the
modern workplace and the one volume for proper etiquette in or out
of the office. |
