The Three E’s Might Outweigh the Three R’s

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A Degree Is Not Enough

A study conducted by the Carnegie Institute of Technology has prompted a recent flurry of articles in Forbes and other news sources, websites and blogs. According to the study, 85% of a person’s financial success is due to his or her “personality and ability to communicate, negotiate, and lead,” and only 15% is due to “technical knowledge.” Although the study was apparently published in the 1970s, I’m happy to see it being discussed because these findings reinforce the need for business etiquette training to enable people to network effectively and build relationships. In other words, it supports the premise that the Three E’s – Etiquette, Ethics and Empathy in the Workplace – and Life – are just as important as, and might even outweigh, the Three R’s - Reading, writing and arithmetic. 

Prom Planning & Protocol – Part 3: Guys’ Guide

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Planning For a Night to Remember with Class and Style

The BOYS’ Guide 

For a guy on the brink of adulthood, prom can be an excellent showcase for your adult behavior.  It’s a time to demonstrate your sophistication, savvy and character, and an opportunity to impress your parents, teachers, classmates and especially that special person in your life with your social skills. 

Prom Planning & Protocol – Part 2: Gals’ Guide

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Planning For a Night to Remember with Class and Style

The GIRLS’ Guide

When shaping your image – or brand – everything you do, say, write and wear will affect how you appear to people and how they feel about you.  Prom is a major event in your life, and should be seen as an opportunity to make your debut as an adult rather than as your swan song as a wild and crazy kid.   For example, will you focus on the trendy, or will you zero in on style and class?  If the latter, read on!

Prom Planning & Protocol – Part 1: The Basics

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Planning For a Night to Remember with Class and Style

Proms are tricky.  On the one hand, you want to be a part of one of the milestones of your high school career; on the other, for your own reasons, maybe not.  One thing is certain: proms have changed over the years, and each generation will celebrate in its own way.  So, while it’s still the most popular choice to attend with a date, in many high schools across the country it’s also perfectly acceptable, and in some cases preferable, to attend prom with a group of friends rather than with a single date or – as a sign of our times – with a same-sex date or simply with a friend of either gender.  If you have decided that you don’t want to miss one of the time-honored experiences of a student’s life – your junior or senior prom – then there are some decisions and preparations to be made and some important points of protocol and etiquette of which to be aware.

Dress to Impress – Men

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The Professional Man’s Capsule Wardrobe Collection

"Clothes make the man,” said Mark Twain.  That saying has never been truer today, with a competitive job market and the importance of looking professional.  It cannot be stated too often that your wardrobe is essential to your professional appearance and career success.  Your professional wardrobe can be daunting to put together.  Thus, a “capsule” wardrobe, a set of clothing items and accessories that work together and can be mixed and matched, is the way to go for men, as well, and will provide variety and sophistication.  When your paychecks start rolling in, you should add pieces to complete or expand your collection. 

Dress to Impress – Women

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The Professional Woman’s Capsule Wardrobe Collection

Your wardrobe is essential to your professional appearance and career success.  For the young woman starting a new job, however, compiling a professional wardrobe can be daunting.  Thus, a “capsule” wardrobe, a set of clothing items and accessories that work together and can be mixed and matched, can be cost effective while providing variety, flexibility and sophistication.  Once you start receiving those paychecks, you can add pieces here and there to complete or expand your collection.

Introductions Deconstructed (Rules and Exceptions) – Part 3: Awkward and Special Situations

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The Rules
(And their Exceptions)
Part Three of Three Entries


This three-part series winds up by focusing on those awkward, unusual, new and special situations.

Who’s that lady?

You’re on vacation with your parents and you see your basketball coach and his wife in your hotel courtyard.  Oh, how cute, they’re holding hands!  Your parents want to meet them, so you walk over only to discover that the woman with your coach is not his wife, to whom you were introduced at your school’s sports banquet last year. 

You say:

Introductions Deconstructed (Rules and Exceptions) – Part 2: Names

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The Rules
(And their Exceptions)
Part Two of Three Entries

    

 

Welcome back!  In Part Two of "Introductions Deconstructed," we'll focus on the importance of names in making introductions.

Saying and Remembering Names

Everyone enjoys hearing her name.  Thus, it’s important to pronounce names clearly when making introductions.  Don’t hesitate to ask someone to pronounce his name again; people are happy to ensure that their names will be pronounced correctly and don’t mind repeating their names or hearing their names repeated by someone else.  Westerners frequently experience difficulty in pronouncing Asian, African and Middle Eastern names and vice versa.  As a result, people whose names are difficult to pronounce in the country in which they live often adopt a nickname that people in their adopted country can understand.  It is in line with the tenants of etiquette to make every effort to pronounce one’s native name, but if a person is comfortable with his nickname, it is acceptable to use it in everyday, informal, language.  I’ll address this topic with respect to correspondence and formal invitations in a future entry. 

The College Career Center

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The Jewel in the Campus Crown

I was once again reminded of the value of the college career center last Wednesday evening when I presented the topic of business dining etiquette at the annual student and alumni Power Dinner, which was co-sponsored by the Manhattanville College Center for Career Development (CCD), the Junior Class and Residence Life.  Although the Power Dinner is not new, it speaks volumes about how its importance has grown that it is now co-sponsored by other areas and fully supported by Manhattanville’s president, who attended along with students and alumni.  My co-presenter for the evening, a wealth management portfolio officer for a major financial institution, guided the students through an engaging interactive hour of networking techniques to be used at various business occasions.  The planning, creativity and sophistication that are the hallmarks of this and other CCD events attest to the top-notch career training that is provided.