Lay-offs, Cutbacks and Closing
Down:
What Are You Doing to
Make a Difference?
Presented by
Colleen A. Rickenbacher, CMP, CSEP, CPC
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How Etiquette and Protocol
Can Make the Difference
Changing Economy
What You Need to Be Doing
Are You Taking Advantage of
Every Opportunity
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Lay-offs, cutbacks, and closing down
How prepared are you?
What will separate you?
What are your next steps?
How can, believe it or not, etiquette and
protocol help?
Do You Have Any Back-Up Plans?
• What should you be doing in this
economy?
• How safe are our jobs?
• What are you plans if you lose your job or
as an independent your business
dwindles?
• Do you have a Plan B or C?
Possibilities
• Job eliminated
• Hours cut-back
• Transferred to a lesser
paying job
• Not receiving full fees or
even half
• Company shuts down
• No insurance
• No benefits
• No bonus and salary cut/freeze
Possible Options
How to Start Preparing
• Database updated
• Connect and reconnect with leaders, past
acquaintances and employers, peers
• Where are the jobs in our industry
• Who is hiring
• Read the papers, trade journals
• Attend meetings within budget and needs
If You Lose Your Job or
Worried You Will
• Be visible, be social and be out there
(three different things)
• Update your resume
• Be willing to change
• Partner/Share jobs
• Take classes
• Rebrand yourself
Thrive and Survive
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Rethink
Reskill
Rekindle
Redefine
Reestablish
Return
Reconnect
Retouch
Regroup
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Relearn
Reactivate
Review
Re-up
Redesign
Recreate
Reenhance
Revamp
Repeat is all again
Interviewing Again
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First time or first time after many years
Be prepared
Dress
Portfolio/briefcase
Have questions
Many resumes
Thank you note
Resume
“The Whole Truth and
Nothing But the Truth”
Resume
• The image you present to future
employers
• Make your resume fit the job you want and
the one you aspire to have
• Get their attention so grab them instantly
• Use statistics and numbers
• Power words and don’t constantly repeat
Resume
• Match the ad or job description
• Anticipate needs and be ready for
solutions
• The length…be concise
– Five years or less – one page
– More experience – two pages
– Extreme knowledge – three pages (I don’t
agree)
Resume
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Watch length of descriptions…condense
Watch an, a, the
Do not identify yourself with “I” or “My”
Eliminate unnecessary material
– Marital status, age, irrelevant awards, scholarships,
recreational activities, two mailing addresses,
references or “available upon request,” previous
supervisor names, middle name you never use
Resume
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Sell, sell, sell yourself
Do you match the salary you want?
Don’t save the best for last
Have a friend read again and again
Proofread many times
Use plain, white paper and look professional
Bring plenty
**Reference: Taos Mountain, Inc. and #1
Resume Writing Services
Transitioning to a New Job
Changing Positions
Getting Adjusted…
Or making your existing job better
Transition
• Know your employer and management
team
– Web sites and on-line references
– Listen more than you talk
– Observe and learn
– Decision makers and process
– Ask questions to gain information
– But pay attention and stay engaged
Transition
• Office staff
– Be careful of complainers and gossipers
– Don’t be sucked into their negative feelings
– Backstabbers
• Getting up to speed quickly
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Meet with the team leader
Schedule a lunch or coffee with team players
Find out what has been done, still needs to happen
How do you fit in?
Joining the Team
• Becoming a Team Player
– Join an organization/sports team
– Involvement in office activities/committees
– Offer assistance to co-workers
– Take an assignment no one wants
The Extra Touch
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Be early for work
Dress a notch above the norm
When you meet someone new, focus on them
Greet them with a good handshake and warm
smile
• Always come prepared with notepad and
pen…never ask them to repeat something to you
or to borrow a notepad or pen
Things to Remember
• You were the boss or owner and now you
are “an employee”
• Your decision might not be the final one
• You might have people that worked for
you in the past and now your supervisor
• Things change and how you handle it can
make the difference
• Get back on track
In the Meantime…
• Spend time with your family, friends
• Involve your family
– Chores for children, allowances
– Share cut-backs
• Go back to school to
learn new trades
• Partnerships
First Impressions
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Your look
Body language
Handshakes and introductions
Business card exchange
Meetings
Entrance and connecting
Dining etiquette
Your Dress
You are on 24/7
At First Glance
• Your style
• Proper image and perception
• Appropriate dress
– Business/business casual
• Trends (Hip and trendy)
• Update your wardrobe
– 18 months
• Plan in advance
• Quality over quantity
What Are You Saying
Without Ever Speaking a Word
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Body language
Non-verbal communication
Miscommunication
Your Attitude
Handshakes and
Introductions
Tells a Story
The Handshake
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Introduce yourself
Always be ready
Web to web
Eye to eye
Shoulder to shoulder
Clammy or dead fish shake
Rings and bringing me to my knees
The Handshake
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Remember their name. Help me!
Name badge
Shake from the elbow. Number of shakes
The double hand shake
The release
Gloves
Hugs and kisses?
Introductions “HOW”
• Introduce Higher rank
(higher person first)
• Introduce Older
person to younger
• Woman introduced to
a man
• Rank is # 1
Business Cards
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Present
Out of date
Always have them
Don’t pass out—they are not flyers
Read them
Writing on them
Sitting on them
Storing them during a meeting or interview
Thank You Notes “3-3-3”
• 3 Minutes
• 3 Lines
• 3 Days
– Handwritten
– Address
– Stamps
• Handwritten or e-mail
Connecting
Now Is The Time
• The basics
– Arrive on time
– Dress appropriately
– Do your homework
– Plenty of business cards
– Follow-up
– When to exit
Meeting Etiquette
Interview Tips
Look Ready
Meetings and Interviews
• Treat a meeting like an interview
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Arrive 5-10 minutes early (no more) and be ready
Remain standing while greeting and wait to sit
Always have your right hand free/firm handshake
Table shake
Use their name and
good eye contact
– Be prepared
Meetings
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Turn off cell phones
Coffee/refreshments
Check their Web site
No big chitchat (a little personal talk is ok)
Appropriate dress
Gum
Know when to leave
Follow-up (24 hours)
Advancing
Getting Noticed
My Suggestions
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Write articles
Be visible
Be socially there
Create a high profile
Serve on committees (not too many) or on
Boards in the industry
• Be solid and dependable
• Remember...surround yourself with leaders
Plans
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Plans for the next 12 months
Next 3 years
Next 5 years
Ultimate goals
Rich and famous
Essential Business
Communication
The Rules
Guidelines
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RSVPs
Telephone Etiquette
Electrical Devices
E-mails
– It is time to have some rules
Now Let’s Talk About
Your Dining Etiquette
Interviewing/Meeting Over a Meal
Dining Tips
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When to order
Where to sit
When to eat/drink
The spread out
Purses, glasses, junk,
briefcases
• Woman’s role
• Paying the bill
Dining Big No’s
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Don’t act staved
No doggie bags…ever
No lipstick or toothpicks
No gum
Small bites so you will never talk with your
mouth full
More No-No’s
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Difficult foods (what to order)
Cutting
Keep the pace
Desserts and coffee
Drinking
Be Prepared to
Make the Difference
Remember that etiquette
and protocol can make that
difference.
Be On Your Best Business Behavior
Be On Your Best Cultural Behavior
MPI Bookstore or www.colleenrickenbacher.com
Thank you!
Colleen A. Rickenbacher, CMP, CSEP, CPC
Colleen Rickenbacher, Inc.
10747 Rose Creek Court
Dallas, TX 75238 USA
214.341.1677
214.341.1676 (fax)
colleen@crspeaks.com
www.colleenrickenbacher.com
Author Be On Your Best Business Behavior
and Be On Your Best Cultural Behavior
Brought to you by MPI Foundation
Sponsored by Freeman AV