07 Dec
SHOEtiquette: What Kind of Shoes Does A Very Hip Etiquette Expert Wear
What kind of shoes does a very hip etiquette expert (a.k.a. VHEE) wear? Should I wear shoes that are ultra professional or can I venture outside of the etiquette box every now and then and wear shoes that are cute, fun, and stylish?
I recently posed this question to my Twitter friend, Meg Gomez @prettypinkpro and she offered these excellent suggestions (and pictures) on her blog.
Meg and I have never met in person, yet I think she captured my style perfectly! Let me know what you think.
Clothes the Deal: What You Wear to Work Really Does Matter
Business women spend countless hours on their education, networking, writing papers, getting credentials, taking workshops and classes — anything to stay competitive and get ahead, but a majority of them overlook their own visual résumé as part of the package.
Never underestimate the power of your own image. When you dress in a way that lets people know you have a sense of security, and present yourself in a professional manner, it makes a huge difference.
Call it “dress for success” or “dress for the job you want” — it’s more than an adage for women. Style and image have played and continue to play a crucial role in the career strategies and trajectories of many high-powered execs. How you look says a lot about you — whether you’re organized, lazy, fashion-forward, creative, or serious.
When you make an effort to present your best self, it shows respect for your employer, your job, and the career strata in which you aspire. When you dress sloppy, you send the message that your comfort and the way you like to dress are more important than your potential audience. When you dress well, you command the respect of your peers, and communicate what kinds of business opportunities you’d like to have. Read more
My POISED FOR SUCCESS Business Cards Arrived!

My latest marketing tool just arrived — POISED FOR SUCCESS business cards! A photo of the book is on the front and these business card etiquette tips are on the back:
- Don’t offer your card early in conversation; establish a rapport first.
- Always present your card with the print facing the recipient, and when you’re presented with a card, take a moment to acknowledge it before putting it away.
- Present your business card to the receptionist when you visit a company so that he/she can announce your name and company properly.
Let me know what you think!
New eBook: HOW TO MINGLE, NETWORK, AND REMEMBER NAMES Available August 30
Are you uncomfortable making small talk with strangers? Do you have a difficult time remembering someone’s name several minutes after you’ve been introduced? Would you rather stay home and clean your closet or do laundry rather than attend a dinner party or networking event? If so, you’re not alone.
Most people feel anxious just thinking about meeting and making conversation with new acquaintances. One of the reasons may be lack of preparation. Networking is like an exam. If you’ve studied for the exam, you’ll be less nervous and will show more confidence, authority, and poise.
Networking is not a numbers game; it’s not about how many business cards you pass out or collect. It’s not about how many products you can sell or whom you can instantly impress, exploit, or schmooze to get what you want. Proper networking is a gradual process of making genuine connections with people and cultivating those relationships for the long term.
In my new eBook, HOW TO MINGLE, NETWORK, AND REMEMBER NAMES (available August 30, 2011 by St. Martin’s Press), I will give you the tools to master your mingle-ability so that you will be able to get a job, keep a job, and succeed on the job. You will also learn what it takes to make your professional relationships more harmonious, productive, manageable, and meaningful.
In this 32-page eBook, you’ll learn:
- Five tips for the perfect handshake
- How to remember names
- What to do before you network
- The seven networking pitfalls and how to avoid them
- The three tips for feeling included, not excluded
- How to stay in touch and cultivate meaningful relationships
- How to get your foot in the door and befriend the gatekeeper
- Ten ways to become a more effective listener
- How to make small talk and why it’s important
- How to deal with difficult people and uncomfortable situations
- How to polish your dinner party protocol
- Dining strategies that will make you look like a pro
- And more!
HOW TO MINGLE, NETWORK, AND REMEMBER NAMES is just $1.99 and can be purchased here:
To preview excerpts of this eBook, click here.
Five Ways To Make Yourself More Memorable
After the handshakes and business cards have been exchanged, here are some surefire ways to make yourself stand apart from your competitors and become more memorable to others after a networking event.
- Remember That Follow-Up is Most Effective (and Impressive) If You Contact a Person Within Twenty-Four Hours of Your Meeting: If you meet someone at a business luncheon, send an e-mail later that day. If you meet a client or colleague for dinner, send a thank-you note or e-mail the next morning. Out of sight leads to being out of mind, so if you don’t stay in contact with or make it a practice of supplying prospects and clients with helpful, useable information, you may quickly become a distant memory. By regularly staying in touch with your prospects and clients, you’ll ensure they’ll be far more likely to refer you to their friends, family, or associates rather than recommending your competitors. Read more
Five Office Etiquette Rules You Need to Know
In its mildest form, bad office etiquette makes a workplace an uncomfortable and unproductive place. At its worst, it’s a grown-up version of bullying and can leave a company at risk for lawsuits. On the other hand, minding your manners makes good business sense, according to experts.
Good business behavior will set you apart from the competition. When you are mindful of your behavior and the feelings of others, you will be more likable and promotable. Here are five rules for exemplary office etiquette. Read more.
Five Reasons Calling Cards Are Making a Comeback
You don’t have to be part of the social élite to have your own calling card. This old-fashioned social networking tool is making a comeback and here are my top five reasons why you should have one:
1. They can be more fun, stylish, artistic and elegant than a traditional business card.
2. They come in bright colors and designs that seem anything but stodgy.
3. They make an impression without saying a word.
4. They’re a great tool to showcase your personality or hobby.
5. They’re perfect for:
• Playdate-seeking parents
• Playdate-seeking singles
• Retirees who love to network
• Itinerant job seeking professionals
• College students
• Creative expressive types and more!
Business Cards Are Serious Business
How I Met My Husband: A Valentine’s Day Love Story
I’m
often asked how I met my husband, Brian. Believe it or not, I met my Prince Charming at the dump! Yes, the Palm Beach County dump!
Several years ago when I was still working at The Breakers, my manager called me into her office one morning. She said that she wanted me to accompany 15 other employees on an “educational” field trip to the Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority.
“What is the Solid Waste Authority?” I asked.
“It’s the county dump,” Dale replied.
Needless to say, I didn’t jump for joy about this assignment. Instead, I tried to resist.
“Do I have to go?” I asked.
“Yes, you do,” she said sternly. “As you know, our hotel has started a new recycling program and I’d like for you to take pictures of our employees as they learn how glass, tires and paper get recycled. Then I want you to put some of the photographs in our employee newsletter,” she added.
Frankly, I had no interest in learning about rubbish. I already had a full schedule and I thought it would be a complete waste of time (no pun intended). But despite my reservations, I reluctantly agreed to board the bus with the other hotel staff members and go on the trip. Read more
How not to say thank you after an interview
In the job search, there’s nothing like performing well at the interview. And after researching the company, practicing your presentation and answering the interview questions with confidence, you want to follow up with something impressive. You want to thank the employer with a gesture that makes the company want to hire you — or at least bring you back for another round of interviews.
This is the point when some people come up with what they believe are clever ways to thank people for the interview. Sadly, these attempts at being memorable can leave the wrong impression with the interviewer.
According to Gladys Stone and Fred Whelan, Monster Contributing Writers, you should avoid these unconventional post-interview thank-you strategies in your job search: Read more


















