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Email Etiquette -by Joel Arnold, TTNLearning

With all the different kinds of electronic communications out there, it’s easy to fall in the trap of LOL-ing, OMG-ing, and ROFL-ing your way through the day. We’ve got texting, instant messaging, Twittering, all of which encourage a new shorthand for communicating. However, it’s important not to give into the temptation to use this shorthand in your business emails. Treat any email you send to your clients as if you were writing it on your company’s business letterhead, especially if this is one of your first contacts with that client. Keep what you write in the subject line of your email short and clear; you don’t want it ending up in the recipient’s spam folder. Type in full sentences and use proper punctuation. DON’T USE ALL CAPS and don’t type in all small case. Don’t use creative or fancy fonts or distracting backgrounds and font colors. Use the same type of introductions and sign-offs you would use on letterhead. On first communications, don’t assume your client wants to be referred to by his or her first name, or by ‘Hey, dude!’ A simple rule of thumb is to ask yourself, ‘Is this email the way my company would like to be represented?’ If the answer is OMG no!!1111eleventy, then try again.

Zig On Manners

As youngsters, my mother taught her children that while we might not be the smartest people around, we could be courteous, polite and considerate of others. We were taught to say "please," "thank you," "yes, Sir," "yes, Ma'am," not to talk with food in our mouths, and a few other little niceties of life.

Now there are some indications that manners are on the way back "in"--just in time! In 1996 a survey revealed that 78% of Americans believed incivility had gone from bad to worse in the preceding ten years, and many believed it had eroded values and contributed to violence in our society. Today many companies are sponsoring workshops to teach professional etiquette and protocol in the market place. Reports abound that job candidates are turned down if they begin eating before their host does, and salt food before tasting it, because it shows a tendency toward making hasty decisions. Those who order the most expensive items on the menu and conclude with an expensive dessert are generally not offered jobs for fear they will abuse an expense account.

Obviously, much of this involves common sense as much as manners, but it really boils down to thinking in terms of what's in the other person's best interests. When we think that way we act that way, and invariably what's in the other person's best interests from a business perspective turns out to be in our best interests as well.

Studies by Harvard, the Stanford Research Institute and the Carnegie Foundation suggest that success in a job depends 85% on people skills and only 15% on technical knowledge and skill. In the market place today people who have the right attitude and work with others effectively, are in the most demand and occupy the higher positions.






           

Leaving on a Jet Plane? Business Etiquette to Go - By: Lydia Ramsey

To Give or not to Give: Etiquette in Client Appreciation

Giving gifts to clients often originate as a sincere act of goodwill, but can quickly turn into a slippery slope of do's and don'ts of what is acceptable. The overwhelming questions of what to give, how much should be spent , or what would even be appreciated can often distract from the original intent. According to Nancy R. Mitchell an established protocol and etiquette consultant and advisor with more than 30 years experience in the field of manners “Your goals for giving in business must be either to cement an ongoing relationship, to create good will, or to thank somebody for something they have done for you throughout the year. Then go and choose a gift that fits one of those guidelines. It’s your reason for giving, it's your direction for giving, make sure you are not giving for the wrong reason; which would be to influence someone to like your company or to like you better. To make up for some past indiscretion or poor performance, that’s not why we give a gift in business. Think about the reason, and then make the decision if you are going to give a gift in business.”

With these helpful hints in mind, we at TTN gathered together some top gift ideas to help spark some creative and POLITE ways to show your clients you value their business.

 Top client gifts:

Gift Baskets:  A tried and true form of appreciation, gift baskets convey your appreciation and goodwill as well as providing a fun, and edible surprise for your client. Gift baskets come in a variety of budgets, and can also show in long standing relationships that you pay attention to their likes and dislikes.

Book:   Giving a general business book, or book of inspirational quotes can convey to the customer you care about their personal success.

USB Flash Drive:  Extremely useful gift that can be used every day. This gift can also be inscribed with your company's logo.

Gift Cards:  If you know your client has a favorite coffee shop or restaurant, a gift card can be a great gift idea. However be careful that it is done tastefully in both the dollar amount and is appropriateness to that particular business relationship.

Pen:  Another useful gift that your client can use everyday. Giving a pen, or pen set also allows you to personalize it to commemorate either a special occasion, or specific thank you.

Charitable donation:  Giving a donation in your client's name can be a good way to show your appreciation, as well as provide to a great cause.

Emergency Kits:  A thoughtful idea that can be put together on a low budget. Emergency kits can be customized to the client's occupation by including useful everday items that they may need in a pinch.

Personalized Card:  Above all in today's world of emails and voice mail the simplest gesture can often mean the most. Giving your client a hand written thank you shows your appreciation, and shows you took the time to personally think of them.

The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be 

                                                                 -by Jack Canfield

Get ready to transform yourself for success. Jack Canfield, co-creator of the phenomenal best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series, turns to the principles he's studied, taught, and lived for more than 30 years in this practical and inspiring guide that will help an aspiring person get from where they are to where they want to be. The Success Principles will teach you how to increase your confidence, tackle daily challenges, live with passion and purpose, and realize all your ambitions. Not merely a collection of good ideas, this book spells out the 64 timeless principles used by successful people throughout history.

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