Business Etiquette and Networking

I attend a number of networking events because I enjoy meeting people; I always learn something....not just about how to grow my etiquette business. Last week I learned about Isagenix, an exciting way to change the way you can manage your health and weight. I learned about an interesting online business which allows users to send "handwritten" personal or business greeting cards with the click of a mouse. I also learn what works and does not work in networking. For example, some attendees take advantage of the opportunity to introduce themselves and their business by monopolizing others' time and some interrupt a conversation just to hand over their own business card. When you want to make the most of networking events, consider how you can help the others in attendance. Don't monopolize the conversation or interrupt with your business pitch; ask how you can help others reach their goals. You will be surprised at the rewards.

Tipping and Traveling Etiquette

If you are new to business travel, you may be surprised at what a significant expense tipping can be. Service people who transport you, carry your bags, greet you at the hotel door, take you to your room and others expect and, in most cases, deserve a tip. Here are some tipping etiquette guidelines:

Taxi/Limousine Driver – 15% - 20% of the total fare.

Doorman: $1-$2 for calling a cab or a bit more if he covers you with an umbrella in the rain or actually hails a cab for you. Tip at the end of your stay if it is more convenient.

Bellman: $1-$2 for each bag depending on the size of the bag and the quality of service. If he prepares your room and shows you around, $5-$10 should cover everything.

Room Service: A gratuity of 15% is usually included in the price of your order. If the person is especially attentive to setting up your meal, you can give him or her another couple of dollars.

Maids/Housekeeping Staff -- $1-$5 per night depending on the quality of the hotel and service. Tip daily since you might have different people cleaning your room. Whatever and whenever you decide to tip, put the money in a sealed marked envelope.

Valet Parking -- $1-$2 to the attendant retrieving your car.

Effective Email Communication

Email is a relatively new way of communicating. Make the most of it by following these few rules.:

Add your attachment before you write.
Include the topic in the subject line.
Proof your message twice before you send it.
Use capital letters only at the beginning of sentences and for proper names.
Add warmth by using the recipient's name in the first sentence.
Keep it short and simple; just enough to fill only one screen.
Think of email as a fax. Assume everyone will read it.
Write only with positive emotion. Use the telephone to resolve conflicts.
Read your mail at specific times of the day for better time management.

More Handwritten Notes
Received these today...again...a treat among the bills, catalogs and junk mail.

Dear Corby,
I would like to thank you for forwarding your business etiquette blog post about the attorney who mails two to three handwritten notes to his clients each day. The blog entry was informative as well as persuasive, as you can see. Rest assured I will keep this valuable lesson in mind.

Dear Corby,
It was great to meet and talk with you last week. I really enjoyed your business etiquette seminar and feel there were many meaningful ideas that I took with me. Thanks again for sharing your business etiquette knowledge and time. Hope to see you in the near future and best of luck.

The Perfect Thank You Note

Last week my family and I attended a 50th birthday party for one of my cousins. It was a blast...from the past with a 1950's theme. Appropriate attire was strongly encouraged. Saturday I received the perfect thank you note from Colleen, the birthday girl. It reads: "Thank you so much for the bag set. I am going to Egypt next month on vacation and know they will absolutely come in handy. I also want to say thank you for coming to my party. I hope you guys had a good time. I think Tim (my son) would have won for best costume had we had a contest. He looked amazing! Please take good care of yourselves and thank you so very much again."

Why it is perfect:

1. She mentions the gift and how she will use it. The giver knows it is appreciated.
2. She goes on to show appreciation for the guests' attendance...their time and expresses interest in whether they had a good time.
3. She mentions something personal and compliments the attendee.
4. She signs off with a warm close and says thank you again.

The note is warm, sincere and a pleasure to receive. Sure beats "Thank you for the gift and coming to my party."

The Jacket - The Most Important Item in Your Business Wardrobe

Yesterday, I had the privilege of addressing members of AMF, a Bedminster, NJ based management company which provides services and solutions to enhance golf professionals' careers and their facilities. The program at which I was the speaker was held at the prestigious Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, NJ. After being a bit overwhelmed by the beauty of the club, the first thing I noticed was the audience's appearance. The so called business casual look is sadly still in vogue. So, it was a sight for sore eyes to see the men...and they were all men...in suits, ties and sports jackets. What a treat. Amazing what clothes do to set the tone of an event. The jacket adds class. It is the most important item in your business wardrobe. It adds instant credibility and authority.

Wear a jacket to work. Put a blazer over a sweater and a polo shirt; wear it without a tie; wear one with jeans. One of my favorite retailers is Lands End. They offer the best customer service and quality, reasonably priced clothing. You'll find many blazers at Lands End. For those with a limited budget for dry cleaning and unfamiliar with an iron, they offer 100% cotton no iron shirts and pants.

Again, wear a jacket. You'll look like you mean business.

Opposites Attract

Here is an interesting revelation about those with whom you work. Tony Ammeter, Ph.D, a University of Missouri-Rolla engineering management professor, surveyed diverse teams of MBA students for four months as they worked together on class assignments. He found that students with similar job backgrounds were significantly less likely to trust each other than those with differing backgrounds. The theory is professional jealousy causes us to feel threatened. Ammeter suggests that during team-building, workers "exchange information about individuals' abilities and convey that their intentions are good for the team."