It was one of those days!  Raining heavily and I had to travel.  I looked at the “blog” and at the clock and decided I’d better honor the clock instead.

There are so many different things I could chat about for today.  In fact, so many I don’t know where to start.  I think I’ll start with a subject that came up during our recent PREZ CHAT.  The subject of Business Etiquette!

What is that, you might ask?  Do we even hear the word “etiquette” much anymore.  When I was a little girl, my mother gave me elocution lessons (although I talked plain enough for all to understand) and etiquette lessons.  It was sort of like the “poor girls finishing school”.  Learn to talk properly and how to behave in public (and private as well I suspect).

Etiquette is knowing the usually acceptable norms for behavior.  Not that we should be robots, but that we are expected to behave in ways that enhance our prospects of building a successful business; advance our career; or grow long-lasting strong personal relationships.

In the past week, I’ve experienced a lack of understanding about what works in the business world and what doesn’t.  Today the young manager of a restaurant came to our table, knelt down and laid his hand on the table near my plate.  When he asked if everything was okay, I responded “yes, but please take your hand off the table!” (Said with a smile so as not to totally offend).  If that wasn’t enough, the waitress brought our drinks in her hands (instead of a tray) with one of them stuffed against her blouse in the crook of what I’m sure was a sweaty armpit - yuck!  Not sanitary in the least and certainly not good business strategy.

It must have been my day!  I then went to a meeting where the person demonstrating a product proceeded to royally offend and upset!  Push, pressure, shove!  Doesn’t play well with me at all - and I suspect not with any of you as well.

Most of us know by now that in the virtual world, we are expected NOT to write email in ALL CAPS or BOLD!  It’s considered shouting!!!  With the exception of the above, I’m very cautious about using caps and bold - even for emphasis. (Learned the hard way, of course).

It’s common courtesy and exceedingly good business strategy to respect the integrity, intelligence and personal choice of those with whom we seek to do business.  They will want to do business with us because we treat them the way we want to be treated.  This is especially a fact when it’s male to female.  The person who raised my blood pressure today was male and I had the distinct feeling he thought I was just a cut above an ape because I am a female!  Or perhaps it had to do with my being more ‘chronologically mature’ than he.

How do we handle these moments that transverse our path as we journey the 2nd half?  I’m not the resident expert (again) of course; but I was totally honest with the man that he had offended me and raised my blood pressure.  He was apologetic, but the damage had been done.  I would never do business with him and if it had not been that the person who brought us to the table is one of our members - I would walk from what may be an excellent product and service.

Pressure, push & shove in the business world is a matter of etiquette!  Failing to listen to the potential client or customer is equally a matter of etiquette and one that can cost us considerable if we fail to learn it.

Talking about matters that have the potential to be explosive because people hold strong opinions that may clash (i.e., religion & politics) have no place when marketing your product or services.  Some discussions ought be taboo when seeking to do business with each other.

The bottom line is that we are not marketing our product or services - we are marketing ourselves.  People do business with people and the quality of the product or services is a side benefit.  If I like the person with whom I’m discussing a potential business deal - I’m far more likely to “buy” than if I feel I’m being demeaned as a person in some way.  Regardless of my gender or age!

Well, I went on another ‘rant’.  But when our PREZ CHAT women talked about future cyber seminars - they mentioned business etiquette as something we ought to address.  It obviously is an important topic.  And I think it’s very important when women are starting out on a new venture and treding into new territory.

I know our members are well acquainted with how to conduct ourselves in the marketplace.  But how do we handle those who don’t.  And how do we help our new solo-entrepreneurs manuever through the pitfalls that lay on the path to success - out there in the tough world of business?

It’s a good question to ponder as we head into the weekend break!  It’s good to check ourselves from time to time as well.  Are we practicing graceful marketplace etiquette?  Or are their areas we can improve.

I know I sure can!

Have an awesome weekend with much love & great blessings.

Linda