Manners That Sell: Adding the Polish That Builds ProfitsHow can you guarantee a well-run meeting? What are the biggest e-mail mistakes? How casual is "business casual"? When it comes to cellular phones, what is the difference between good business and bad manners? Questions like these persist because manners still matter. While technology is rapidly changing the way people conduct business, success in today's competitive business environment comes from attention to detail. Proper manners, etiquette, and interpersonal skills are as crucial to success as are innovative products and services. From making a winning first impression to the handshake that closes a deal, every aspect of working in the business world requires a deep knowledge of how to best and most appropriately deal with customers, coworkers, and clients. In this comprehensive guide to mastering everything from professional relationships and correspondence to business attire and luncheons, Lydia Ramsey, an authority on business protocol and propriety, provides hundreds of invaluable suggestions to master good manners in any business setting. Filled with updated, new information and covering topics such as business handshakes, meeting courtesy, electronic etiquette, gift giving in the office, and international business, the author offers hundreds of useful, practical suggestions for the veteran business professional and novice alike. ABOUT THE AUTHOR |
Contents
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MANAGING INTRODUCTIONS | 36 |
WHAT TO DO ABOUT NAMES | 38 |
EXCHANGING BUSINESS CARDS | 39 |
The Art of Conversation | 43 |
Pets in the Office | 111 |
Between Doors and Floors | 113 |
Disability Etiquette | 115 |
GiftGiving in Business | 119 |
The Relationship | 120 |
The Cost | 121 |
The Gift | 122 |
Accepting Gifts | 123 |
MOUTH TRAPS | 45 |
THE VALUE OF SMALL TALK | 46 |
WHEN TO BEGIN AND END SMALL TALK | 48 |
SMALL TALK AT THE BUSINESS MEAL | 49 |
Dressing for Business | 51 |
PROFESSIONAL DRESS FOR WOMEN | 52 |
PROFESSIONAL DRESS FOR MEN | 56 |
THE NEW BUSINESS CASUAL | 59 |
Telephone Courtesy | 65 |
Answering the Phone | 66 |
Giving Callers Your Full Attention | 67 |
Placing Callers on Hold | 68 |
Taking Messages | 69 |
Transferring Calls | 70 |
Leaving Messages | 71 |
Telephone Tag | 72 |
Screening Phone Calls | 73 |
Conference Calls | 74 |
Speakerphones | 75 |
Cell Phones | 76 |
Electronic Etiquette | 79 |
Fax Finesse | 80 |
Email Etiquette | 82 |
Correspondence In Business | 89 |
To Key or Write by Hand? | 91 |
Front Back or Sideways? | 92 |
Thank You Notes | 93 |
Sympathy Notes | 94 |
Addressing the Envelope | 96 |
Using Correct Titles | 97 |
Tips for Addressing Envelopes | 98 |
Your Stationery Wardrobe | 99 |
Etiquette in the Office | 103 |
Respecting Space in the Workplace | 105 |
The Office Kitchen | 106 |
Small Talk in the Office | 108 |
Romance in the Workplace | 109 |
Travel Etiquette | 125 |
Flying Etiquette | 126 |
Hotel Accommodations | 128 |
Meeting Manners | 131 |
The Effective Meeting Leader | 135 |
Following the Meeting | 136 |
Volunteer Etiquette | 139 |
Dining For Profit | 143 |
Afternoon Tea | 144 |
Seating Your Guests | 146 |
The Role of the Guest | 147 |
When to Start Eating | 148 |
The Place Setting | 149 |
American and Continental Styles of Eating | 152 |
Eating Soup | 154 |
Passing Foods | 155 |
Words of Caution | 156 |
Tips on Tipping | 158 |
Chapter Fourteen Overcoming Minglephobia | 161 |
Planning for the Event | 162 |
Preparing Your Exit | 163 |
The Etiquette of Sympathy | 165 |
Doing Business Internationally | 171 |
GREETINGS AND INTRODUCTIONS | 172 |
Hugging and Kissing | 174 |
THE EXCHANGE OF BUSINESS CARDS | 175 |
BUSINESS ATTIRE | 176 |
BUSINESS ENTERTAINING AND DINING | 177 |
GIFTGIVING | 180 |
APPROPRIATE CONVERSATION | 182 |
GESTURES AROUND THE WORLD | 183 |
PUNCTUALITY | 184 |
Conclusion | 187 |
About the Author | 189 |
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