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Protocol 411

Tools to help you avoid Social Faux Pas

In a world where image is everything, you must make your brand stand out in order to attain your goals.

Jules Hirst, Etiquette Expert

Category Archives: Business Etiquette

Business Introductions: Who You Know

Business IntroductionsSuccess often boils down to who you know instead of what you know.  In business, who you know are the contacts you make during your career and these contacts can be made in various ways.  Whether it is at an interview, a business meeting, a networking function or even the supermarket checkout lane, the introduction creates a lasting impression with the contact that can help open doors for you.

Proper business etiquette for an introduction is made up of four fundamental skills.

  • Standing Up
  • Smiling
  • Eye contact
  • Firm Handshake

When meeting someone it is important to stand up.  Rising from the conference table, your desk or the table at the restaurant shows that you respect the other person and puts you on “equal footing” for the beginning of your relationship.

Remember that the introduction is the first impression the other person has of you, so you should always be smiling.  Smiling presents a positive image and attitude and failing to smile can lead the other person to think you are uninterested in them.

Eye contact is another key component of the introduction.  By making eye contact, you are focused on the other person and show them that you are interested.

A firm handshake is essential to a positive introduction.  It shows you are professional and confident.  To perform a proper handshake, you should fit your hand into theirs to where the webbing between your thumb and forefinger meet.  Squeeze firmly and shake once or twice.  If you have clammy hands, it is ok to sneak in a quick wipe to dry your hand before the handshake  – no one likes shaking a moist hand.  You do not want your handshake to be too firm, demonstrates overconfidence, or too weak, demonstrates nervousness.

It is proper business etiquette to make your own introductions if no one is introducing you.  Do not be overly aggressive or too shy.  A good rule of thumb is to approach the person or group, hold out your hand, say hello and give your name, company and title.  This additional information will help break the ice and help jumpstart the conversation.

After being introduced, continue to use the person’s title (Mr., Dr., Professor, etc…) until that person says otherwise.  Most people struggle with remembering names, so by remembering it, you are showing that person how important they are.  Use whatever memory trick works for you to remember the person’s name and then, if necessary, write it down afterwards.  If you do forget a name, it is ok to ask them to repeat it, but be apologetic and make a better attempt to remember it the next time.

When you are making the introductions, business etiquette says

  • The most powerful person should be introduced first
  • Follow that with your clients, high level executives, or special guests
  • Always use the person’s title when introducing them

Following these steps will help all of your introductions turn out positively and as your business rolodex grows with contacts so will the opportunities for you to move up the corporate ladder or land your dream job.  Remember – it’s all about who you know.

 Jules Hirst is a sought after speaker and a recognized etiquette coach.
She conducts lectures, workshops, seminars and webinars in business, social & wedding etiquette.  Jules co-author Power of Civility where she shares strategies and tools for building an exceptional professional image.

Jules can be reached at: www.forajulproductions.com or 310-425-3160
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German Manners Watchdog Says Kissing at Work Is Form of ‘Terrorism’

Workplace RomanceA German manners watchdog was calling Thursday for a total ban on work colleagues kissing one another in the office, saying that the peck on the cheek is a form of “terrorism.”

The Knigge Society — Knigge translates as etiquette or correct behaviour — says the practice has flourished in offices around Germany in recent years, with women kissing women and men kissing women, sometimes even twice in the way of the French.

It says it has received worried calls from Berlin, Munich and Dusseldorf over recent months about what to do if someone should attempt to kiss them in greeting.

Hans-Michael Klein, the chairman of the group, said, “This is valid immediately. There should be no kissing, at least not in the office.”

Klein explained, “The suspicion for many remains that there is, or may be, an erotic component to the kissing. Kissing simply gets on the nerves of many at work. It is a form of terror. In business the handshake is considered the correct greeting ritual. Stand apart from one another approximately 60cm [24in] and shake.”

Any closer, he said, would be crossing over a “socially defined distance zone.”

Klein added that, while he had respect for the French habit, and the Russian one of men kissing men, this was not the German way. He added that it was an affectation of the so-called Schickimicki set — the in-crowd.

Source:
Published August 10, 2011| NewsCore
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WORK PLACE ETIQUETTE ~ CUBICLE WORLD

When giving a workshop on workplace politics I am always asked to speak on Cubicle Etiquette  So here is a list of things to keep in mind:

 Keep your private life private

  • If you are having a private conversation either on the phone or with a co-worker step into a conference room or go outside.  your cubicle neighbors don’t want or need to hear about your sensitive matters

Don’t soil the air

  • what smells good to you may not smell good to your cubicle neighbors.
  • avoid using too much cologne or perfume
  • certain foods give off unpleasurable aromas….  fish, hard broiled egg, certain ethnic foods use your break room

Decorate with taste

  • use good judgment and avoid things that are controversial….  this includes things that are political, spiritual, sensual or cultural

Respect thy co worker

  • try not listen in on other peoples conversations
  • when walking by another person’s cubicle try not to look in
  • avoid carrying on conversations outside of a co-workers cubicle
  • don’t chime in on other peoples conversations
  • give them the same respect as you would want

 

Jules Hirst is a sought after speaker and a recognized etiquette coach.  She conducts lectures, workshops, seminars and webinars  in business and social etiquette.  Jules co-author Power of Civility where she shares strategies and tools for building an exceptional professional image.

Jules can be reached at: www.forajulproductions.com or 310-425-3160

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Flip-Flops Number One Faux Pas in The Workplace

With summer upon us, a quick reminder about summer workplace attire.  According to a survey by Opinion Research Company, flip-flops are the biggest fashion faux pas for summer followed by miniskirts coming in second and strapless tops third.  Sure the weather is warmer and everyone wants to be relaxed, but you need to remember that your clothes and how they fit are a representation of you in the workplace.  A good rule of thumb is to dress for the job you want not the job you have.  This will help you stand out and get you recognized for your professionalism.  Other inappropriate articles of clothing include shorts, exercise attire, stretch pants, tennis shoes with holes and Crocs.

Here are a few options for business casual attire:

Men

  • Pleated khaki trouser with belt
  • Cotton twill or corduroy trousers with belt
  • Button-down shirt
  • Polo shirt or crewneck sweater
  • Suede or leather shoes

Women

  • Skirt no shorter than 2’ above the knee
  • Cotton or blend trousers
  • Light weight sweater or blouse
  • Low heeled shoes or flats

Jules Hirst is a sought after speaker and a recognized etiquette coach.  She conducts lectures, workshops, seminars and webinars  in business and social etiquette.  Jules is co-authored Power of Civility where she shares strategies and tools for building an exceptional professional image.

Jules can be reached at: www.forajulproductions.com or 310-425-3160

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THE HANDSHAKE – IT SPEAKS VOLUMES

Proper Handshake PictureDid you know that your handshake speaks for you?  It’s true.  Your handshake is part of the non-verbal communication that people use to form an opinion about you.  Your handshake is one part of the equation.  You are also being judged on your appearance, your posture, and even your facial expressions.  All of these help a person form an opinion about you and you want to make sure that opinion is a positive one.  The handshake is the easiest of these traits to master.

Unless you are in a foreign country, the accepted greeting when meeting someone is the handshake.    The handshake can be broken down into three parts — the initiation, the grasp and the motion.  The initiation is about timing.  Extending your hand too soon makes you look anxious; extending it too late makes you look indifferent.  The grasp is about strength.  Simply fit your hand into theirs and squeeze firmly.  Don’t break the other person’s hand with a crazy death grip.  You want to leave a positive impression not a painful memory.  The motion of the handshake is about control.  A couple of smooth ups and downs are all that is needed.  You are not trying to pump water from a well.  Follow these three easy steps and your handshake will leave a positive impression each time.

Remember not to squeeze the other person’s hand too hard.  You are aiming for firm because a firm handshake translates positively.  It tells the person that you are confident, focused and interested.  On the other hand, a weak or limp handshake tells the person that you are insecure, intimidated and uncertain.

In the real world, it is important to act like a grown up so you always want to use the Proper Handshakeclassic handshake described above.  Don’t high-five.  Don’t use some handshake you learned in your secret fraternal organization.  A simple, firm handshake will suffice every time.

In conjunction with your handshake, you want to make sure you make eye contact.  Making eye contact tells the person that they are important to you.  This is especially true when you are ending the meeting.  Even if the meeting did not go as planned, the handshake provides you an opportunity to leave the person with a good impression and making good eye contact reaffirms that person’s importance to you.  Perfect your handshake using the tips above so you can give off positive impressions each time you meet someone.

Jules Hirst is a sought after speaker and a recognized etiquette coach.  She conducts lectures, workshops, seminars and webinars  in business and social etiquette.  Jules co-authored Power of Civility where she shares strategies and tools for building an exceptional professional image.

Jules can be reached at: www.forajulproductions.com or 310-425-3160

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