FACT: People like to do business with people they like. And why not when research shows we form 90% of our opinion in the first 90 seconds of meeting someone. The goal is to let your first impression shine to get ahead, not be left behind.
With so much focus on technology, there is less in-person contact. So more than ever, it’s important to treat everyone with tact and consideration.
Etiquette is a set of rules that change as our culture evolves. Who would have thought that 20 years ago, email would have been an acceptable form of communication? The value of my service is to teach the “appropriate” rules and give the specific skills to make my clients more competitive in both business and social arenas. The display of increased bad manners is a sad commentary on today’s society.
Good manners are not just about which fork to use or where to place your napkin. We are all judged by our appearances and professional behavior. Professional faux pas is on the rise, and on more than one occasion, I have seen capable individuals eased out of key positions for this very reason.
Etiquette is a game: If you know the rules, anyone can be a player. Good manners don’t cost a dime, but bad ones can be very costly.
And there’s a reason I live by my tagline: “You can have everything in the world, but what matters most is your behavior and how you treat other people.”
I loved my job as Director of Protocol for former Mayor Willie Brown.