Imagine my surprise when I arrived at work, started opening emails and the first thing that jumped off my screen was the subject line from the New York Times: When Passengers Spit, Bus Drivers Take Months Off
In the article, the journalist considers if passenger behaviour is the result of frustration with the system or reflects a general decline in urban civility. I guess after repeatedly hearing about transit drivers as targets, I tend to side with the “decline in urban civility” theory. Sad but true.
Posted on May 28th, 2010 by Diane
Filed under: Accessories, Business Etiquette, Communication, Social Etiquette, Workplace Etiquette | No Comments »
This taste of the industry has piqued my interest; so I’m now anticipating the next phase — as a guest speaker on an actual cruise. I think of it as a departure from my usual stomping grounds — from boardroom to on-board. The intention is to get both a better perspective of cruise staff training needs and passenger behaviour, to ultimately develop some timely protocols for both groups. Although a guest speaker’s responsibility is “to speak”, the social aspect is equally as important. Hosting a table at dinner, being available to discuss informally the finer points of your speech, and being sociable, friendly and approachable are all part of the job.
Posted on March 24th, 2010 by Diane
Filed under: Business Etiquette, Communication, Diane's Reflections, Special Events, Workplace Etiquette | 10 Comments »
Everyone’s an expert on etiquette. Especially when it comes to introductions. Yet many so-called published experts don’t get it right. They fail to explain the rules of introduction — how to introduce your boss, your colleagues, even your grandmother— succinctly and correctly.
Often, these experts’ published guides devote pages and pages to introductions — how to address royalty, or protocols for meeting a diplomat from a foreign land. Good and helpful information if you move in those circles, most of us don’t.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Body Language, Business Etiquette, Communication, Conferences, Etiquette, Social Etiquette, Workplace Etiquette | 2 Comments »
As an image and etiquette consultant, I am very conscious of how I present myself — my reputation depends on it. Although my client base is English, my first language is French. I mention this because a great deal of my work involves making presentations to large groups of people and I have a conspicuous French accent. Some people have suggested it enhances my image; others are less enthusiastic….
One of my personal standards is to speak as clearly as I can, particularly when addressing an audience. Several years ago, I decided to improve my pronunciation and contacted the University of Toronto; they recommended Gloria Pierre.
Posted on September 2nd, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Business Etiquette, Communication, Image, Workplace Etiquette | No Comments »
Managing your office environment Apple Stores across North America take pride in being paperless environments. They use technology to circumvent reams of paper, with only an occasional departure from their paperless guidelines. Apple may be the exception, rather than the rule. If memory serves, it wasn’t long ago when “experts” were forecasting that offices around [...]
Posted on August 7th, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Workplace Etiquette | 14 Comments »
Recently, it occurred to me that the sessions and workshops I deliver to corporations’ new recruits could be called Business Boot Camp. Fitness marketers have created a designation called “body boot camps” and I see an interesting parallel. My role, like that of the fitness instructors at all these body boot camps, is to encourage [...]
Posted on July 14th, 2009 by Diane
Filed under: Workplace Etiquette | 1 Comment »
