The Protocol Post - September 2011

September 2011

Greetings, friends,

Since I returned from the Wet Mountain Valley Writers' Workshop in Colorado last month, I have been doing a lot of writing. I was recently asked to write a weekly newspaper column about executive etiquette for The Ledger in Lakeland, Florida. My column appears every Monday. I have included a sample Q&A in this month's e-newsletter.

I also published my first ebook last month titled, How To Mingle, Network, and Remember Names. For just $1.99 per download, it's extremely affordable. And speaking of affordable, on September 28, I'm coming out with my second ebook titled, The Do's and Don'ts of Holiday Parties. And guess what...it's absolutely free! To pre-order your copy, click here. It's available in Kindle and Nook versions.

In October, I'm hosting my third Etiquette & Image Consultants' Retreat at my home in Palm Beach, Florida. If you teach etiquette or image to children, teens, or adults, you won't want to miss this unique opportunity.

And finally, on November 8, my book, POISED FOR SUCCESS, will be published! Please know that you don't have to wait until then to purchase your copy. You can pre-order your book right now. And if you do, I will send you an autographed bookplate as a token of my appreciation. Just e-mail me and include in the subject line, "Bought your book."

Plus, I hope you'll enter my sweepstakes to win a review copy of the book before it hits the bookstores. The details are included in this e-newsletter.

Enjoy the waning days of summer and thank you for your continued interest in etiquette, protocol, and civility!

To your success,
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Ten Foods To Skip In Public

(Forbes.com) When dining with colleagues, clients or potential employers, some foods are better left in the kitchen. Dining out can be a social minefield, but when your career and financial future hangs in the balance over a single lunch meeting or interview, the ante gets upped considerably. According to Jacqueline Whitmore, etiquette expert and author of the forthcoming book, Poised for Success, getting acquainted with a client or colleague over a meal is a lot like a first date. Poppy seeds and parsley might be a given - no one wants to negotiate with their teeth full of garnish - but there are dozens of dining out dangers hiding on the menu. Read more.

Ask the Expert: Listening Will Make You a Better Worker

Q: Dear Jacqueline, I'm starting my first sales job out of college. I notice that a big part of succeeding in sales these days is being a good listener. I am very outgoing and love to talk, and my friends have told me there are times when it seems I'm not really hearing what other people are trying to say. I don't want this to become a problem with clients. Can you suggest ways to improve my listening skills?

A: There's an old saying, attributed to Frank Tyger: "Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble." You're smart to focus on listening as a vital skill -- not just in sales, but in any field. I suggest these five steps to better listening. Read more.

If you have a business etiquette question, please e-mail me. Your question may appear in a future issue of TheLedger.com.

Clothes the Deal: What You Wear To Work Really Does Matter

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. Read more.

Win An Advanced Reading Copy of POISED FOR SUCCESS

Poised for Success Cover Enter to win an advanced reading copy of my new book, POISED FOR SUCCESS, before it hits the bookshelves in November. I will autograph the book for one lucky winner who will be chosen at random. Hurry! This sweepstakes expires at midnight on Friday, September 23, 2011.

Click here to enter if you DO have a Facebook account.

Click here to enter if you DO NOT have a Facebook account.

Calling All Bloggers!

My publisher, St. Martin's Press, has agreed to send a limited supply of review copies of my book, POISED FOR SUCCESS, to bloggers. If you would like to blog about my book and would like a complimentary review copy, please e-mail me with the URL of your blog and your mailing address. Put in the subject line, "Review Copy of Your Book." You will be contacted immediately if your blog is chosen.

This offer expires October 15, 2011.

Inspiring Video of the Month

Derek Redmond, one of Britain's greatest athletes, competed in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, when his hamstring snapped in the four-hundred-meter semi-finals, knocking him to the ground. As all the other runners raced past him, Redmond saw his Olympic dream vanish before his eyes. Determined to finish the race, Redmond struggled to his feet, fighting through the pain, and started hobbling toward the finish line.

Suddenly an astonishing thing happened. Derek's father, who was sitting in the stands, bolted out of his seat, dodged the security guards, jumped onto the track, and rushed to his son's aid. He put his arm around his son's waist and encouraged him to keep going. And as the crowd rose to their feet in applause, father and son made their way around the track to the finish line together. Redmond didn't win an Olympic medal, but with his father's help he managed to finish the race.