How Not to Botch Your First Impression and Other Tips for Business Etiquette

Business Etiquette is making a strong comeback even in this day of business casual, text messaging "misspelling," and "crackberry" communications.

So says Lynne Breil, president of The Professional Edge, Inc., a company that focuses on Image, Etiquette and Communications in Business.

"We're finding that many businesses are very concerned about the professional , social skills that many employees are lacking in today's business environment," says Breil. "We've become a very casual culture, but in business there are still rules and protocol that make business transactions and relationships work better."

The cartoon strip Dilbert and the popular TV sitcom, The Office, are great examples of the changes in the business environment, notes Breil.

"And both of these examples are very humorous and very funny in showing our sometimes bizarre culture, but the sad truth is that anyone who is looking to advance in their career needs to increase their skill sets in business etiquette."

Breil's company, The Professional Edge, conducts workshops with companies that want to increase their employees' professionalism and help employees to showcase themselves and their companies in a positive manner.

"In our workshops we cover the key points of business etiquette; from 'The Art of the Start' to 'Getting the Ball Rolling' to a very fun, hands-on 'Dining for Fun and Profit.'

Everyone who participates always enjoys the session, but most importantly they get a new level of self-confidence and feel much more at ease in going into new business situations."

Breil notes that the Business Dining scenario is where most faux pas can occur. "These 'stumbles' are not just funny blunders to joke about at the water cooler the next day," she says. "Some of the horror stories we've heard have resulted in derailed careers and lots of heartaches and hard times due to inappropriate business dinner and social behavior."

In addition, Breil notes that young professionals who are used to a very casual, technology driven lifestyle often misunderstand the business world and its "rules" for communication, dress and behavior.

"The Millennials just coming out of college are a good example of where an etiquette lesson can help them get a jumpstart on their careers. They have no idea that you shouldn't be text messaging in a meeting with your boss!" Breil notes that many young professionals are taken aback when they realize that classroom behavior doesn't work any more.

Breil's workshops always receive rave reviews and "clients are relieved to have provided their employees with guidance and direction in this area. Everyone has a sense of empowerment and an increased skill in maneuvering through this tricky area of business."

The Professional Edge, Inc. provides workshops, consultation and coaching on Business Etiquette (including International Business Etiquette), Presentation Skills, Communication Mastery for Managers and Executives and Sales Communication Skills.

Lynne Breil is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), as designated by the National Speakers Association, and is a national keynote speaker. The company is located in York, PA and more information is available at The Professional Edge, Inc. (www.theprofessionaledgeinc.com) or at (717) 755-3333. Breil's blog can be found at http://botched.wordpress.com.

How Not to Botch Your First Impression and Other Tips for Business Etiquette

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How Not to Botch Your First Impression and Other Tips for Business Etiquette

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