10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
10 Tips to Outclass the
Competition
Business Etiquette
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Welcome
Objective
This seminar will provide you with a few keypoints that will help you to build a reputation as
a savvy, polished, professional.
In a rapidly expanding global economy, brand recognition becomes vital in
order to maintain a competitive edge.
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Agenda
• Making an Entrance
• Handshaking 101
• Telephone Tact & Email Etiquette
• Dress for the Occasion
• Engaging Conversation
• Remembering Names
• The Perfect Host/Hostess
• Guest Duties
• Table Manners
• Social Graces
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Establishing your Reputation
You are the “Brand”
• Distinguish yourself
• Develop maintain business / relationships
• Project a positive image
• Project confidence and authority
• Build trust
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Are you noticed?
• Evaluate your entrance
• An effective entrance
• Your agenda
• Brief yourself
• Whom do you need to meet
• Who needs to meet you
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
How to Make an Entrance
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
The Universal Greeting:
• Right hand
• Left hand
• Name badge
• Thumb up and fingers out
• Avoid thumb down, fingers curled
• Web-to-web
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
Handshaking 101
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Handshaking 101
The bone crusher
The glove handshake
The fingertip holder
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Tips to remember:
• Shake from the elbow
• Two smooth pumps
• Shoulder-to-shoulder
• Make eye contact
• Avoid wearing fragrances
• Avoid wearing large rings
You are judged by your handshake~
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
Handshaking 101
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Handshaking 101
Ready to connect
Both hands are
connecting
A correct handshake
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Telephone Tact
and Email Etiquette
Practice these tips:
• Return Calls/Emails Timely
• Be Mindful of Time (Get to the point)
• Appropriate Time, Place, and Authority
• “Big Brother is Watching”
• Courtesy Copying and Speaker Phone
• Spell Ckech and Guesswork
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Dress for the Occasion
What to Wear…and Why
• Colors and Fabrics
• Dress-down Fridays
• International Clients/Meetings/Events
• Casual, Business Casual, Informal, Formal
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Think before you speak
Effective Listening:
• Be thoughtful, ask questions
• Listen attentively…what’s not being said
• More on the other person, less on self
• Exercise patience
• Tone of voice
• Talking too much
Sociability is the art of unlearning to be preoccupied
with yourself. - Oskar Blumenthal
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Remembering Names:
• Slow down-listen
• Repeat the name
• Focus more on the person
• Use it in conversation
• Name face association
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
…I Know the Face
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
The Perfect Host
Polish your Host Intelligence:
• Be Precise, Time, Date, Place & Attire
• Communicate Purpose
• Be Aware of others’ Agendas
• Take Care of Smallest Detail
• Confirm Meeting
It’s totally frustrating when you don’t know
what’s going on.
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Savvy Guest:
• WDTW
• WIIFM
• Accepting Invitations
• Cancelation
• Make Another Meeting
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
Guest Duties
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
It’s not ’only’ about the fork
• Napkin Placement
• Study Place Setting
• B-M-W … “b and d”
• “Please excuse me”
• 10:20
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
Table Manners
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Social Graces
Good Manners
• Thank you and Please
• Practice Civility
• Good Manners…Good Leadership
• Appropriate Conversation
• Being Attentive
Manners are more important than laws. Upon them, in
a great measure, the laws depend. –Edmund Burke
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®
10 Tips to Outclass the Competition
Why it all matters
First impressions are lasting…
5 Seconds to make an impression
21 Days to start a pattern
30 Days before a message is forgotten
100 Days for the pattern to become habit
…you never get another chance at making a first impression
Thank you.
Copyright © 2011 by The Protocol School of Washington ®