Leaders of Tomorrow Success Series – Business Etiquette
Date: November 3, 2015
Name: Leaders of Tomorrow Success Series – Business Etiquette
Presenter: Carey McBeth
Successful leaders have strong professional etiquette in their careers; moreover, professional etiquette is the fundamental key for successful leaders to drive their impression to excellence. Leaders of Tomorrow invites Carey McBeth to discuss the key elements of professional etiquette for young leaders. In addition, young leaders will learn the secrets behind etiquette to enhance their performance and confidence. Carey McBeth will share her business experience and strategies to help young leaders to be more effective on their own personal branding to their road of success.
Carey McBeth is an international etiquette expert and customer experience training consultant. McBeth is featured on many media coverage, including Global News, The Vancouver Sun, and Business in Vancouver. Her passion also includes communication and networking. As a professional speaker, McBeth has trained many professionals in different fields. Moreover, McBeth also contributes her time to help raise awareness and funds for non-profit organizations. Many leaders receive significant results from her training program.
The Power of People Skill
Carey McBeth believes excellent customer services comes from excellent people skills. Young leaders in this generation are required to enhance their professional brand, become digitally savvy and effectively network in a digital world.
First impression always last. McBeth indicates in any professional field, young leaders make the first impression in the first 5 seconds of any conversation. Young leaders must realize the way they present themselves in public describes the brand they want other to receive.
One of the secret rules of etiquette is dress to impress. McBeth explains many young leaders have the conception of matching the culture of business environment; however, they must understand the gatekeepers are the one who invite them to be in the business environment. In any business events, it is important for young leaders to dress for success, dress for industry, and dress for professionals.
Body language is another essential for business etiquette. Over 55% of communication comes from body language. Young leaders must show they are approachable. McBeth wants young leaders to use a simple smile to overcome their fear in business events. Smile can make other more comfortable. Direct eye contact should be 40-60% of the time. Less than that will show disrespect and more than that will take other people’s space. Eye contacts presents a signal for others that leaders are listening. McBeth mentions customs can be vary from different countries. The rule of thumb for young leaders is to follow the customs in the country where business is taken place.
Handshaking is the only form of touch in professional field. McBeth explains handshaking will show confidence. The proper way of handshaking is to use web to web connection. 2 to 3 pumps with shoulder to shoulder stand are enough to impress professionals.
“Start with handshake and end with handshake”
Spatial distance is important for business etiquette. Young leaders can use space to represent their confidence. Space can categorize in 4 different levels: intimate, personal, social and public space. Different professionals may need different level of space. Furthermore, McBeth wants young leaders to choose the right space at the right situation in business conversation.
Introduction is the power punch to professionals. It opens up the circle of influence. McBeth believes an effective introduction starts with other first name and last name. Then follow by what they do and what they can offer. Young leaders might be surprise that professionals often will help others when they ask. The best way to meet is in the elevator.
How to become digitally savvy
Technology can simplify many business procedures and communication, but there is a time to shut off the technology. McBeth wants young leaders to understand digital is here to enhance, not to replace. People want service and they pay for how they want to be treated it. Therefore, it is important to think about what other feels.
Young leaders should effectively manage their online reputation. Instead of just looking at the web, they should look at the image and videos. Professionals will google other professionals. LinkedIn ranks high in Google search, which means young leaders must have effective LinkedIn accounts. Everything they post will be live in the public and there is no way to delete it. Young leaders must be aware of what they post. This will influence they online brand reputation.
“If you are not comfortable of what you post to be on the front page of newsletter, do not do it”
Communication is the key. It is important to give people the time and respect. Young leaders must be mindful to others. Young leaders should keep their email professional. Email should respond within 24 hours, and subject line should be used with appropriate wording. It is important to avoid text talk because young leaders cannot guarantee other people will know the meaning behind the text abbreviation. Business card is personal brand. It reflects the company image. They should be given out in appropriate time. McBeth wants young leaders to know that giving business cards means to invite others to connect with them. Instead of putting other people’s card immediately, they should hold it until the end. Young leaders can write notes on the back of the card for memory.
“Always have the business cards in place because you will never know who you will meet”
Effective networking in a digital world
McBeth defines networking is to find ways to help other people. Young leaders can network anywhere as long it is appropriate. However, they need to pick and choose the right demographic to be effective. McBeth provides a networking strategy to use dogs as conversation openers. It will help young leaders to network with people they do not know. Young leaders should search for individuals who seem receptive. They should avoid groups of 2. McBeth suggests young leaders to use other people’s name in their conversation. Young leaders can master small talk to identify common interests and experience. This will engage other people in the conversation. Always focus on other people and less on themselves. In any conversation, it is important to make fewer statements and ask more questions. This is the opportunity for young leaders to get facts about others.
Young leaders should end conversations with an invitation to connect again. They need to figure out the best way to get a hold of others and always ask permission to connect. Small courtesies create a powerful response in others. It shows appreciation and thank you notes should be done separately. McBeth states a physical thank you note will stay on the table for 5-6 days.
McBeth believes online networking is mingling, not joining. Young leaders must have the mindset of contributing and helping others. In LinkedIn, young leaders should have professional photos online and they should become a LinkedIn powerhouse. This means they should utilize LinkedIn functions to analyze their connections, find out their activities, and learn from others. The quality of connections is more important than the quantity of connections. McBeth recommends young leaders not to use generic LinkedIn introduction; instead, they should personalize it.
Lastly, McBeth encourages young leaders to become a resource. People will work with people who they know and trust. It is all about relationship.
Questions and Answers
When young leaders want to reconnect their lost connections, McBeth suggests them to provide acknowledgement and accept the responsibility. It takes time to recover the connections, but be trustful and honest will eventually reconnect the conversation once again. Young leaders should not be afraid to help people who are above their level, and they should also not be afraid to get assistance from the top.
McBeth suggests young leaders to walk away with at least 2 new connections in any business events. Moreover, young leaders should give other people opportunity to step aside as well.
“You are there to network, not to drink or eat”