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SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, INCLUDING SENSITIVE ASPECTS OF IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE CONSULTATION
1. A corporate manager writes: I think one of our employees could benefit from your services. What is the best approach?
If your company has a specific performance evaluation format, usually including written records, there will be a description of the employee’s contributions to ongoing projects, interaction with clients, and, often, some reference to interpersonal skills. In an appropriate setting, after going over the good things, you might share some of the negative points, such as complaints about grooming and decorum. You might broach the issues of decorum and grooming as an area which competent and competitive workers often overlook. You could note that as an organization everyone must strive to project the best image possible. You expect all of your employees to contribute to a high standard of professionalism and you have specific suggestions as to how he might benefit with professional help. Most employees respond positively to this type of kindly feedback.
2. A senior corporate executive writes: I want to promote one of our star performers to a key management position but he simply seems not sufficiently “polished” to deal with upscale major clients. How do we approach this?
This kind of client has established skills which have been recognized for years. He needs new skills to meet new challenges. You might state clearly you want to help him get to the top. Indeed, you have been thinking for some time how you can mentor him. You stress that a key managerial task is to develop and maintain relationships with clients. The way senior corporate workers present themselves and interact with prospects and established clients is essential to company success. Therefore, you would like to offer him the opportunity to work with an image consultant. The training would focus on helping him network with ease and comfort. He will learn how to dress for different situations, and how to be a gracious host when taking clients out to a luncheon or dinner meetings.
3. An assistant manager of a sales division writes: How can I tell whether I need to improve my image or business manners?
Observe those around your work environment, your level of confidence working a room, introducing yourself and others, making small talk, dressing for different occasions. Do you feel something is not working? Not sure if it is the hair or makeup or clothes?
Do you notice you can never find what you are looking for? Does it seem at first to be unavailable, and when you finally find it, it does not look the way you thought it would? You have tried several different styles of clothing, hairstyle and yet, nothing seems to bring out your best assets.
How comfortable are you taking clients out to lunch or dinner? Do you always know what fork to use and which glass is yours?
If the doubts and uncertainties described above seem familiar, you probably can benefit by contacting us for further discussion.
4. I am interested in becoming an image consultant. Do you offer training?
Corporate Class Inc.’s focus is on providing training to the corporate clients and does not offer image consulting career training. We advise you contact the Image Institute.
5. What are some examples of image and etiquette lapses?
1. Business Etiquette: Not knowing how or when to present a business card.
2. Executive Dining Etiquette: Eating your “neighbor's” bread or drinking his wine.
3. International Business Etiquette: Disregarding the importance of building a relationship
before doing business. This is required and expected in several countries.
4. Dress for women: Wearing sandals with a suit.
5. Dress for men: Wearing a button-down collar shirt with a suit.
6. Does our large email burden allow us to be casual? Is etiquette and image less important in the email arena?
There are several "netiquette" rules. Because the recipient does not have the benefit of seeing your body language or hearing your tone of voice, you must choose your words carefully. This written message becomes your image. Make sure your email starts with a salutation—that’s your handshake. It should have one thought per paragraph, there should be no typos, and it should include a signature with your contact information. |
