CORPORATE CLASS INC.

A good leader can express his or her ideas, knowledge, opinions and strategies effectively. A good leader also does not work in isolation of others, but rather communicates and collaborates with fellow colleagues and employees.

Communication skills are an essential component of your leadership toolbox, as a leader not only needs to foster connections and value others who work toward the same organizational goals, but also needs to be convincing and clear about his or her unique contributions. Additionally, communication is one of the three core pillars of Executive Presence. According to the Executive Presence study published last year by the Center for Talent Innovation, there are “no small actions” when it comes to communication – meaning that everything you say and do will contribute to the overall message you send.

How can you communicate effectively, from the small-scale daily interactions to the large-scale messages? A few good communication practices can help you put your best ideas forward and foster constructive relationships with other professionals.

Presenting Your Best Self

Small Scale – Daily Interactions

• Most days, we compose dozens of emails. Each message will be most effective and memorable when the ideas are presented clearly and concisely, in well-organized sentences and paragraphs. Don’t disregard the “packaging” of a message as well: the use of proper titles, salutation, signatures and good grammar all contribute to the validity of your message and how convincing it can be.
• A one-on-one conversation may not be as decisive as a presentation or a speech, but the way you speak and carry yourself still matters before an audience of one. Clear speech, good posture and body language, and organized thoughts will make for a successful conversation.

Large Scale – Communicate to an Audience

• If you need to share your knowledge or thoughts with not one person but many others, you need to be well prepared to deliver a remarkable presentation or speech.Preparation is key – preparing slides and visuals, practicing not only what you say but how you say it, keeping watch on your tone of voice, body language and composure – will keep you relaxed and focused. When you are prepared and comfortable in your ideas, you will be able to “command a room,” an elemental quality of Executive Presence.

Collaboration through Communication

Small Scale – Working with Individuals

• When collaborating with employees, use your ears as much as your voice, if not more so. Those who work for you need to know that their input and contributions are valuable; otherwise they themselves may not feel like a valued employee.
• In giving and receiving feedback, always do so graciously. Providing criticism that is too harsh fails to be constructive, and accept any input on your own work with the objective to improve what you do.

Large Scale – Communicating to your Company

• If you don’t have the opportunity to interact on an individual basis with all of your employees, it does not mean that you should not communicate with them. Find ways to connect with your employees and keep them informed, such as company newsletters, networking opportunities or recognition events.
• It is important for the work of an organization’s employees to reflect the mission and vision of that company. As a leader, it is up to you to ensure the mission and vision are communicated effectively and that employees form a robust understanding of the objectives of the organization. Find creative ways to share the vision of your organization with employees, so they grasp and appreciate the “why” of your company.

Effective communication incorporates both the ability to present yourself and your knowledge well, and to collaborate professionally with those around you. Strong communication skills in both regard will make you a strong leader.

Posted on May 14th, 2013 by Jennifer
Filed under: Communication & Networking | No Comments »

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The transition between university life and a professional workplace isn’t always seamless. Adjusting to a major shift in workplace culture, protocol and dress takes time and effort. That said, with training, seminars and resources, recent graduates and new hires can be well equipped to jump right in to a professional environment –and your company can help them to do so.

Why do new hires need business etiquette?
For those who have been working professionally for years, many aspects of professional life come as second nature. But for those just entering the workforce, certain protocol can be new territory. Notable examples:

Dining Etiquette
When dining for business, there are many more guidelines to follow that simply dining with family or friends, at home or in a restaurant.

Business dining often takes place in a more formal setting, which requires know-how of more extensive table settings and flatware as well as behaviour.

Additionally, the question of alcohol may come up, in which case it is not always obvious to a new hire that alcoholic drinks should only be ordered if the host encourages the order, and if so, no more than one alcoholic drink should be consumed in a business context.

Finally, keeping good conversation going throughout the meal is an art in and of itself. The savvy diner will not engage in controversial discussion, and will discuss business matters only when it seems appropriate to do so.

Interview Etiquette
Before a young person is even a “new hire,” they’ve got to get the job first! No matter how impressive a resume may be, poor interview etiquette may detract from a candidate’s chances of landing a job.

Punctuality is absolutely essential for a job interview – even if a candidate is only 5 minutes late, many employers will simply write off that opportunity. That said, a fine balance is necessary; in other words, getting to an interview too early can be awkward, especially in small companies. Arriving approximately 10 minutes in advance is a safe bet.

A handwritten thank-you note after an interview is indispensible. Coming prepared with other hard-copy materials is also helpful as well; for example, a copy of a resume and cover letter for each staff member conducting the interview, and a business card or reference letter if applicable.

Professional Dress
The expectation for professional dress and image, even in business casual settings, can be vastly different than on a university campus. It can help new hires immensely to have the dress code outlined right at the start of employment and to have an idea of the differences between business formal, business and business casual dress codes.

How can new hires acquire business etiquette?

New hires can learn the basics of business etiquette and professional image right in your company.

By engaging new hires in etiquette training, ranging anywhere from a full-day seminar to a one-hour Lunch and Learn session, your company will help young professionals become accustomed to new protocol. Additionally, this can help your company is well – with etiquette training as soon as they begin their positions, your newest employees will be able to represent your company’s brand well and will be trusted to interface professionally with your company’s partners and clients.

Young professionals can also acquire business etiquette training during their degrees; undergraduate commerce degrees and MBA programs now often require an etiquette component before graduation. If you work in a university or career counseling setting, consider offering business protocol training to all undergraduate students – because good business etiquette is relevant for any professional!

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For those interested in our etiquette training services, here are two testimonials that may be of interest:

#1 “Dear Diane,

#2 “Hi Diane,
I love my new job. People are very nice here. I’m learning a lot from my new job.

Posted on May 6th, 2013 by Jennifer
Filed under: Business Etiquette | No Comments »

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Most days at the office, basic practice and common knowledge help us to navigate situations and keep our days running smoothly. In certain situations, however, there can be a fine line between “do” and “don’t” for best protocol. What can help in these moments? Reflection, perspective, patience – and the tips below for added insight!

Have you found yourself in any these situations? What are your tips for best protocol?

Phone calls in open offices

For those working in open concept environments or cubicles, taking phone calls in earshot of several colleagues is a daily occurrence. What is the best practice when you know that someone will hear your conversation?

• Do: Take normal calls with non-sensitive information at your desk. It is unreasonable to expect employees to find a private space every time they need to make a call.
• Do: Keep your voice down to a normal or low tone, so it is not too distracting for others around you.
• Don’t: Take any phone calls that will involve private information, such as salary rates or employee personnel. Find a quiet space, or book a private, closed-door office for the duration of the call.
• Don’t: Use speakerphone. This includes music playing while your call is on hold, or a conference call you would prefer to take hands-free.

Managing issues

Whether you have an issue with a co-worker, are over your workload capacity or simply need advice, effectively managing workplace issues is key to being a great professional and having a functional work environment.

• Don’t: Engage in workplace gossip. The friend or colleague you complain to won’t be able to provide guidance from an organizational perspective, and gossip always holds a high risk of backfiring. Not to mention, gossip breeds negativity.
• Do: Elevate the issue to your supervisor or manager. Have an upfront, rational and professional conversation about the issue at hand.

Wardrobe mishap

One wardrobe mishap can be a source of great frustration: spilling coffee on a blouse or suit jacket, say, or accidentally dressing down for casual Friday when an important client meeting looms that same afternoon. What to do in these situations?

• Don’t: Panic. If you’re down and out on the wardrobe front, a last resort could be to step out for an emergency dry clean or even a new shirt purchase, or to head home over lunch hour to change.
• Do: Be prepared. This means keeping an extra suit jacket hanging on your office door or in the coat closet for unexpected spills or formal occasions.
• Do: Keep tabs on your schedule with wardrobe concerns in mind. Make a mental note (or even a note on the appointment itself) when there is a critical meeting, presentation or formal event in the day’s activities, so you can remember to dress up a notch when need be.

Late to an important meeting

This is a situation to be avoided at all costs, but inevitably, tardiness happens. When it does:

• Do: Send a quick email or text to the meeting organizer that you are going to be late, so that the group can proceed without you.
• Do: Apologize profusely – to the meeting organizer and to the attendees, especially if others’ schedules will be impacted by your lateness.
• Do: Email any contributions to the attendees following the meeting that you would have shared during the duration of the meeting itself.
• Don’t: Make a habit out of being late! Punctuality is an essential characteristic in a successful professional.

Posted on April 25th, 2013 by Jennifer
Filed under: Business Etiquette | 1 Comment »

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What makes an excellent CEO? Standard leadership traits come to mind – initiative, skill, dedication – all of which are important in a CEO, but are not the only factors in a truly unique, admired and successful leader. What other values are important in a corporate leader, both for the employees of a CEO’s company and for the general public?

A great CEO is…

… Someone who sets an example

For a corporate leader, there are many ways to define “setting an example.” First, a CEO can set a personal example for his or her employees, setting the tone in the company for work ethic, good character, creativity and professionalism based on how he or she acts on a daily basis. Many employees look to their CEO for the gold standard.

A CEO also has the ability to set an example on behalf of the company. As a leader, especially for a well-known company, the CEO has the responsibility to act as a spokesperson for the company. Based on conduct, a CEO can influence – positively or negatively – the public image of the company.

Finally, a CEO can set an example by acknowledging and engaging in responsibilities outside of his or her own company, through corporate social responsibility or by encouraging employees to be involved in and give back to their communities.

… Someone who values his or her employees

No matter the size of the company, a good CEO must demonstrate that he or she values the employees and their contributions to the company. Based on the number of employees, there are various ways to show this appreciation:

If a CEO is leading a small company, does he or she interact regularly with all of the employees? Does he or she seek the opinions and advice of employees, and thoughtfully acknowledge the contributions of each employee, no matter their position? If so, these are signs of a good CEO.

If a CEO is leading a large company, does he or she effectively communicate to hundreds (and possibly thousands) of employees that they are all valued? Does he or she have an influence on how the various levels of management interact, so that guidance is distributed on a personalized and individual level? If so, these are signs of a good CEO.

… Someone who has gravitas

Gravitas is a foundational element of Executive Presence. Gravitas itself is a set of characteristics, which include confidence, decisiveness, integrity, emotional intelligence, reputation and vision. All of these traits are essential in a successful CEO.

Whether employees are on a first-name basis with their CEO or have never even met their CEO, they need to trust that their CEO can handle pressure from all sides and will steer the company with grace and foresight. Gravitas embodies the myriad components of a great leader.

Acknowledging Great CEOs

National and international accolades honour corporate leaders who demonstrate exemplary qualities. One such award is the Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year program, for executives in Canadian business who have led their companies to achieve global excellence while maintaining trust and integrity.

Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year selection criteria include Vision and Leadership, Corporate Performance, Global Competitiveness, Innovative Business Achievements and Social Responsibility. What are your criteria for an outstanding CEO? Have you worked for an excellent CEO, and what were his or her best qualities? Share your experience in the comments below!

Posted on April 1st, 2013 by Jennifer
Filed under: Executive Presence | No Comments »

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The handwritten thank-you note should not make an appearance only for Christmas presents and on wedding days. In fact, thank-you notes are an integral part of business protocol – and of standing out from the crowd when it comes to good business practice.

An expression of due gratitude is appreciated, whether it takes the form of an in-person thanks, a call on the phone or an email. However, even in the digital age, do not dismiss the classic handwritten note: this small gesture can go a long way in a business context.

When?

In which contexts should you write a thank-you note, and when should you do it?

After an interview

• Thank-you notes are a must after interviews. Though you will express thanks in person immediately following the interview, always follow up with a handwritten note to each member of the interview team – not simply a blanket thank-you note for the whole panel.
• A thank-you email shortly after the interview is acceptable, though it is still necessary to follow up with a handwritten note even after an email. Some choose to email thanks on the same day of the interview while your conversation is still present in the reviewers’ minds, and won’t be compromised because of the necessary delays with sending a note in the mail.
• Write and post the handwritten note on the same day of the interview, so that it arrives at the recipient’s office within 2-3 business days.

After a business lunch

• Write a thank-you note after a business associate takes you out for a nice lunch, whether the reason is for a meeting, networking or otherwise.
• Similar to the interview context, an in-person thanks after the meal is necessary but not enough. Or, as the Forbes Essential Guide to the Business Lunch advises, “A simple, ‘Thank you so much for a lovely lunch,’ will suffice, as you will be following up with a handwritten thank you note.”

Thanking clients for their business

• After a particular deal, exchange or milestone, thank clients through a handwritten note for their business. Clients will appreciate being recognized for their business, and a valued client will more often be a consistent client.
• Thank clients during the holiday season for their business throughout the year. This thank-you note may take the form of a holiday card and a gift as an extra thoughtful gesture.

What?

What does an ideal business thank-you note look like?

• In business, refrain from thank-you notes with comical designs or a lot of detail. Simple yet elegant cards made of white or ecru paper with no more than two to three colour variations are excellent standards. Professional thank-you cards can be either a flat card or a fold-over card.
• For classic examples, see Crane & Co.’s elegant bordered flat card  or traditional fold-over. The inner lining of the envelopes match the print of the “Thank You” and details on the card. Have a box of 8 – 10 business thank you cards like these on hand, plus a nice ink pen, to have at the ready when a situation calls for thanks.

How?

How do you write and address an effective thank-you note?

• For a thank-you note after an interview, mention a topic that you discussed and that particularly interested you during the interview, such as, “I enjoyed hearing about the social media duties of the Programmer position and I am excited to learn more.” Alternatively, if you cite a topic you and your interviewer connected on, they will remember you better personally.
• To address a thank-you note, on the outside of the card write the proper title of the recipient, e.g., Dr. Jane Smith or Ms. Roberta Jones. On the inside of the card, address the recipient how you would refer to him or her in person. If you are unsure, stay on the safe side and use a title and last name instead of a first name.

Thank You Note etiquette is an essential part of overall business etiquette. Click to learn more about how to develop business etiquette skills.

Posted on March 21st, 2013 by Tazneem
Filed under: Business Etiquette | No Comments »