By Maria Cucci
It can also be a powerful companion to the talents you’ve worked so hard to develop. All the more reason to create an image that can help you succeed in your professional and personal life.
That means the right wardrobe, mannerisms and communications skills.
Here are some business etiquette tips for you.
Navigating E-Etiquette: Don’t text or take a mobile call in a meeting, no matter how important. Keep PDAs on vibrate. E-mails are traditional memos gone digital — so do not use anger (e-mail lives forever in cyberspace and anger is bad for business, regardless). Keep your email short and factual. Don’t be a social spammer by always leading with your ‘sales pitch’ – social media is for building relationships and engaging with your community.
Dress: Let’s not forget when you’re meeting that new client, they are making a ‘judgment’ about you in the first moment of meeting. Make sure you have an ‘updated’ look and remember ladies, wear some make up for a polished professional look. Depending on what industry you are in, a simple idea is to keep outfits neutral (black, grey, navy, taupe).
Keep jewellery simple: Pearls – small and skinny for traditional; big and chunky for a trendy look. Nails short and clean, and ladies – light polish.
Shoes: closed-toe is the most professional.
Women: invest in a 3-piece suit (jacket, slacks, skirt) and two blouses. Men, invest also in a suit and one or two jackets with two tailored shirts.
Making Contact: Make eye contact 40-60% of the time, looking in-between the person’s eyes. The lower you gaze downward, the more it conveys a personal (not professional) relationship. When shaking hands remember a firm web-to-web manner. Avoid the ‘limp fish’ handshake (conveys weakness), ‘politicians gloved’ handshake (too personal), Queen’s handshake (offering just your fingertips rather than your palm notes superiority). Oh and if you can’t remember names, here’s a trick that will help: repeat the person’s name 3 times – when meeting, once in conversation, when saying goodbye.
Chemisty Test: Twitter rocks, but a lot of business still gets done in person at the office, a cafe and/or lunch meetings. Clients still love the face to face ‘chemistry’ test. So when meeting a client for the first time, be early. Don’t order the most expensive dish. Don’t order a cocktail. Don’t order ‘messy’ food like spaghetti. Remember to butter and eat bread one small piece at a time; work utensils from the outside-in; know your bread plate is on your left and if in doubt, follow the host’s lead.
Follow Up is Everything: Always respect the time and input of others. If following up after a meeting, send a hand-written note and hand-address the envelope to stand out in a digital world. If they expressed a specific problem, you could also follow up with an article that relates to this topic or suggestion of a book to read. What’s interesting is that so many miss this opportunity of following up, because they are ‘too busy’, again it’s a perfect way to stand out from the crowd.
For more information on all things Image, Personal Branding and business etiquette contact:
Maria Cucinotta – The Image CEO.
