The No-Cost Image Makeover
by Maureen Wild
This article is reprinted from the April 2007 issue of The Stepping Stone, newsletter of the SOA's Management and Personal Development Section.
Proper business etiquette never goes out of fashion.
There’s a lot of fuss about makeovers these days. We witness people making over their homes or their wardrobes or their teeth, eyes or noses. At church, my minister launched a sermon series about spiritual makeovers and the renovation of the heart and soul. It occurred to me that I may as well “catch the wave” with all the attention given to the makeover trend and make some suggestions about how to transform your professional demeanor.
These easy tips won’t empty out your wallet, cause you to spend weeks in bandages or create grit and rubbish in your home—they’re just some straightforward ways to improve your reputation and give you a competitive edge over your colleagues.
We’re talking here about good, old-fashioned business etiquette and its positive impact on your success. There are dozens of reasons why it makes good sense to be kind and courteous, and a few of them would be:
• You feel increased confidence when you know what to do and when to do it.
• You lend polish to the organization that employs you.
• You land the high visibility assignments.
• You become more marketable, receive better endorsements and get recommended for advanced training or promotions.
• You avoid the risk of becoming involved in ugly litigation because you know not to cross the boundaries in civilized interactions.
People are yearning to interact with civilized colleagues. Face the facts, the “F word” is offensive; it’s not nice to shove yourself into an already stuffed elevator; you shouldn’t treat anyone to a peak of your undergarments or cleavage; and we don’t want to hear about your significant others’ peccadilloes over your cell phone. Even if you don’t engage in these behaviors, surely you know at least one person who does. Crass comportment has become rampant in the last 10 years and, each year, we “ramp it up” a little more.
Let’s review a few ways you can turn the tide, set the right example and enhance your advancement.
Business dining
• Turn off your cell phone and never bring or wear a headset to the table.
• Arrive on time. It is not appropriate to be “fashionably late” to a business meal.
• Put your napkin in your lap the moment you are seated, but don’t begin eating until your host starts.
• Don’t order fewer or more courses than the people you are dining with; it will become awkward if you are not keeping pace with the rest of the table.
• Check your coat or briefcase in the cloakroom, so that the dining room doesn’t take on the appearance of a baggage claim.
Cell phones
• Avoid “cell yell.” Don’t shout into your cell to speak above the din of muzak or the clatter of a restaurant.
• Try to be at least two arm lengths from other people when making cell phone calls.
• Avoid discussing sensitive or confidential business or personal matters on a cell phone.
• Don’t ignore someone physically present to talk to someone who is miles away. Make your phone call when your companion is not with you.
E-mails
• Begin your e-mails with a rapport-building remark. Do not bark out orders or directives because of the convenience of this tool.
• Put in a new subject heading as often as you are able. “Re:” “Re:” “Re:” can become very confusing after a while, and people may not even open the e-mail, assuming they’ve already read it.
• Messages should be clear and concise and, if possible, try to fit the entire message on one screen, so that the recipient needn’t scroll down.
• Use spell check and grammar check. Always treat e-mail at work as a formal correspondence.
Business cards
• Carry clean, crisp business cards—no smudges or creases.
• Pause and really look at the business card that has been handed to you.
• Jot a short remark on the back of a newly acquired card to remind yourself of something distinctive about the person you have just met.
• Try to be organized. Don’t shove cards into one big jumble—devise a way to sort the cards you acquire.
Business attire
At the very least, ask yourself these questions:
• Is this a good, basic fashion look, or is it too trendy?
• Does this style flatter my body type?
• Do my clothes fit properly?
• Does my outfit require washing, ironing or dry cleaning?
• Is this outfit suitable for the season?
• Considering the image my company wishes to project, is this an appropriate choice?
Strategize a plan to implement a manners makeover. Others will sit up and take notice.
Maureen Wild is the president of High Road Solutions. She is a certified ethics and business etiquette trainer with credentials from the Josephson Institute of Ethics and The Protocol School of Washington. She can be reached at 908.625.8563 or via the Web at www.highroadsolutions.com. She also authors boorisbehaviors.blogspot.com.