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The Protocol Post
Tips, Tools and Resources for Polished Professionals
August 2009
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Greetings! The other day I was going through a restaurant drive-thru to pick up a quick bite to eat. (I know what you're thinking and yes, even etiquette experts eat fast food on occasion!) After I paid for my food as was pulling out, an older man who appeared to be homeless stood at the end of the drive waving his hand for me to stop. I rolled down my window and he asked me for a hamburger. Knowing that I had one hamburger in my bag, I reached in and handed it to him. He smiled and thanked me. He then unwrapped the burger and began to eat it as he walked away. As I was driving home I thought to myself how this hamburger cost me less than a dollar yet was priceless to someone who was hungry and didn't know where he would get his next meal.
Think back to a time when someone did something especially nice for you. Has someone ever held a door open for you while you carried an armful of packages or pushed a baby stroller? Has someone in line at a grocery store ever noticed that you had just one or two items and allowed you to go ahead of them? Or, has someone stopped their car and allowed you to pull out in front of them onto a crowded highway?
In these challenging times, it's the little acts of kindness that can bring a smile to our face and to the face of others. I encourage you to do something kind for someone this week and see how much pleasure it brings to you and to the other person. You'll be amazed that it takes so little to give so much!
Kind regards,
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7 Things You Should Never Wear to the Office
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 What you wear to work is a reflection of your professionalism, your work ethic and your demeanor. When it comes to your professional image, what you wear can project your confidence, trustworthiness and dependability. As companies cut back it's even more important than ever to dress for success. Don't let your talent be overshadowed by your wardrobe. Below are some workplace fashion disasters to avoid:
1. Flip-flops: They look too casual, are too loud when you walk and may pose safety risks for companies. Besides, flip flops don't look appropriate with suit pants or a nice skirt.
2. Sequins: They are more appropriate for a night out with friends or at a party. Try not to mix your personal wardrobe with your professional wardrobe when it comes to fashion.
3. Too-tight trousers: They are usually unflattering (see photo above) or can be overtly sexy. It's more important that you emphasize your skills and abilities rather than your curvaceous figure.
4. Crocs: Unless you are a nurse or gardener, these shoes are overly casual and send a message that you are too relaxed to do your job well. Even though ballerina-inspired Crocs (pictured right) are trendy at the moment, they should be avoided in a professional environment.
5. Miniskirts: Just like your school days, your skirt length should not be higher than two inches above the knee.
6. Cleavage: Studies show that if you show too much cleavage, people will not take you seriously. You'll want others to focus on your eyes and what you are saying. Save the cleavage bearing blouses for night clubbing.
7. Leggings: If you're one of the few people still wearing leggings to the office please be advised that they lack the polish and professionalism of a standard trouser. Leggings can also be unflattering for certain figures and/or they make you appear as if you are going to the gym. |
For Men Only - Rules on the Proper Wearing of Socks
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If you want to impress clients and coworkers, you have to pay attention to the details. It doesn't matter if you've put together an awesome outfit; if you don't have the right socks, you spoil your whole look. To prevent you from sabotaging your image or credibility, The Art of Manliness offers these simple rules when selecting which kind of sock to wear with your ensembles. Rules on the proper wearing of socks.
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Jacqueline In the News~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Politico.com "Town hallers scream their way to therapy," by Erika Lovley, August 12, 2009
Sun-Sentinel"Creating a professional image a key for job hunters: How to land that job," by Marcia Heroux Pounds, August 12, 2009Reader's Digest"10 Dos and Don'ts of Corporate Culture," by Erin Semple, August 10, 2009NorwichBulletin - Norwich, CT"Don't forget to practice cell phone courtesy this month," by Kristi Hodson, July 29, 2009BusinessStreetOnline.com"Cell phone habits to pick up to avoid being rude to others" by Tiffany Nielsen, July 22, 2009CNET.com"A month for cell phone courtesy" by Kent German, July 8, 2009Christian Science Monitor"It's National Cellphone Courtesy Month: Please silence your ringtone" by Amy Farnsworth, July 7, 2009 | |
5 Facebook Etiquette Tips
By: Jorie Scholnik
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The days of Facebook just being a college networking site are long gone. Now, Facebook has more than 250 million active users, with more than two-thirds of these users being outside of the college age group. According to Facebook, the fastest growing demographic are people 35 years old and older, which means that there is a large chance that your boss and co-workers are active users as well. What if your co-worker adds you as a friend? Should you mix your professional life with your personal life? With Facebook having such a large role in the business arena these days, there comes a whole new set of social networking dos and don'ts:
Don't be offended if someone does not respond to a friend request. It is acceptable for people to limit their Facebook friend to only those in their personal life. Also, some people may only use Facebook for specific purposes like finding local events in the area or speaking to long distance friends and relatives.
Customize your privacy settings. As a Facebook user, you can tailor your privacy settings for persons on your friend list. Therefore, if you don't want your boss to see pictures of you outside of the work setting or you don't want an old flame to see who you are dating, you can block that information from them.
Be careful what you post on Facebook. You should only include information on your profile that you wouldn't mind seeing on the front page of a newspaper. Once something is posted and written in words, people can save it or send it to others over the Internet. Therefore, try to avoid posting rants about your boss or racy photos of yourself.
Remove a friend as a last resort. People can get offended and/or hurt when they notice that they're missing from their friend list. Try to increase your privacy settings before eliminating them completely, especially if you share common friends or you could run into each other in public.
People will form their opinions and judgments about you from the information on your profile. While everyone understands that you have a personal life, what was funny on a Saturday night may not be appropriate to display to your co-workers who have a different perception of you at work.
Jorie Scholnik is currently pursuing her masters degree at the University of Florida. She has interned seasonally at The Protocol School of Palm Beach since June 2006. She is one of the 130 million active users of Facebook and has encountered multiple examples of employers and universities checking students' profiles.
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Building Buzz: The Art of Promoting Your Etiquette & Image Business
An interactive tele-seminar and webinar series to help you grow your business and expand your income potential
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Fall is right around the corner and school is now in session. If
you're an etiquette or image consultant and would like to earn more
money this fall and would like to take your business to a higher level, I invite you to
join me as I present, "Building Buzz: The Art of Promoting Your Etiquette &
Image Business," a live, six-week tele-seminar and webinar series.
Each week I will share my tips, tools and secrets that will help you earn more money, garner more media exposure and position you as a local and national etiquette and image expert.
All
classes are one hour in length. Can't attend all six sessions? No
problem. All sessions will be recorded and will be available to
download and replay at your convenience. During this fun and
interactive series, you will learn:
Course 1: You: Managing Your Personal Brand
· What is branding and why is it so important?
· How to design a 12-month marketing plan.
· What's in a name? Do you need a logo?
· What marketing materials you REALLY need and what you can live without.
· Why collateral consistency is key.
· How to develop your niche and separate yourself from your competitors.
· Timely topics to talk about and how to connect with an audience.
· When to speak in your community and how often.
· How to identify your customers and potential customers.
· Why paid advertising hardly works and drains your wallet.
· Why you are your own best business card.
Course 2: Print & E-Marketing Strategies
· Writing a winning news release and when and where to post it for maximum exposure.
· Seven deadly sins of a news release.
· When and where to send a photo opportunity release form.
· How to establish a web presence.
· The truth about online advertising.
· Why your website is your most indispensable marketing tool.
· Top five website mistakes.
· The benefits of a blog.
· Low cost or no cost publicity ideas.
· How to capitalize on your personal accomplishments.
· How to tie your area of expertise into the holidays.
Course 3: Essential Elements for Radio & Television Publicity
· What reporters look for in an expert.
· How to increase your chances of getting interviewed.
· How to pitch editors, reporters and producers.
· What to say and do if a producer calls you.
· How to thank a reporter without looking like you're trying to win favor.
· How to develop your media kit.
Course 4: How to Make a Profit in the Etiquette & Image Industry
· Making a profit. What to charge and how to get paid what you're worth.
· When to charge an honorarium versus a fee.
· How to determine how much revenue you need to make on a monthly basis.
· Fee alternative ideas -- what to request when a speaking fee is not offered.
· How to write professional business proposals that get you booked.
· Essential elements of a contract.
· How to avoid the "what do you charge?" trap.
· How to avoid the "hourly wage" syndrome.
· How to design and promote a profitable public seminar.
· How to avoid paying unnecessary public seminar expenses.
Course 5: Social Media Strategies to Grow Your Business and Build Your Brand
· Use social media like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube to grow your business and build your brand.
· Discuss the etiquette dos and don'ts of using social networking tools.
· Learn when and what to post that will establish you as an expert in your industry.
Course 6: Taking Your Business to the Next Level
· Garner exposure through speaking at conferences and seminars.
· How to get hired by universities, spas, tea rooms and department stores.
· Why cold calling and mass mailings never work.
· How to create spin-off products that will supplement your income.
· How to become a corporate spokesperson.
Class Dates: August 26, September 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2009 Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Eastern, 12pm - 1pm Central, 11am - 12pm Mountain, 10am - 11am Pacific Investment: $299.00 includes all six classes and the downloadable recording of each class. Class size is limited to the first 20 people who register. Note: If you're a member of my mastermind group, The Consultants' Connection, you will receive a 50 percent discount off of the tuition price. 
Tax Deductible:
You can't afford not to invest in yourself and your business. Tuition is tax deductible. All expenses of continuing education taken
to maintain and improve professional skills are tax deductible
according to Treasury Regulation 1.162-5 Coughlin vs. Commissioner, 203
F2d 307. Please contact your accountant for details.
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Recommended Reading...
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For anyone who is interested in starting an etiquette business, this book is a must!
By the way, blogger and international jet setter, Ava Pierce, interviewed me recently on how I started my etiquette business and what I love about it. Click here to read the full article.
FabJob Guide to Become an Etiquette Consultant
 $29.97
Click here to order.
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Ask the Expert - Vegetarian Dining
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Q: Dear Jacqueline, I am a vegetarian and it seems that I can't eat what the host serves when I am invited to a dinner party. How does a vegan, vegetarian, or someone who only eats organic food handle these situations?
A: This is a question that I'm often asked each time I teach my seminar, Finessing the Business Meal. However, this time, I consulted with my friend Victoria Moran, author of the new book, The Love-Powered Diet: Eating for Freedom, Health, and Joy. She had this to say:
If you're vegetarian or vegan you should let your host know as there will most likely be one or two courses you'll probably refrain from eating. You might offer to bring food to share. If you only eat organic it's much more difficult because you are saying you can't eat anything the host is serving and you don't want the host to needlessly spend more money on the food. You would have to decide if this is an all or nothing choice -- can you eat at home and at restaurants and eat non-organic when invited to friends homes?
If you decide to truly only eat organic foods you are making the decision that you won't accept offers to eat at friends' homes who aren't of the same mind. If you go to dinner at a large venue like a hotel or private club, the staff is accustomed to accommodating every kind of diet, so you can be quite specific-- in fact you have to be. (Don't say you are vegetarian if you are vegan or you'll end up with a cheese omelet!) I would advise you to give the venue a few days notice if possible.
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