Professional Etiquette Coach

Dallas Business Development Coach provides notes about Professional Polish

Keys to successfully managing behavioral change:

• Don’t say things you don’t mean. When you say things you don’t mean the first person that you hurt is yourself. Lying to yourself is the worst kind of lie because they cause you to doubt your abilities
• Awareness is key. Closely relate the purpose and benefit in bringing about behavior change
• Ask several people who know you well if whatever you want is a good thing. Having people agree with you creates energy
• Be kind to yourself. You are indeed making a real effort

Regarding Change

• What looks like a people problem is most often a situation problem
• For people to change you have to influence not only their environment but their hearts and minds
• Change will wear people out, so pace yourself
• What looks like resistance is often a lack of clarity of a goal
• If you want people to change you must be shockingly clear in your direction
• Everyone gets a vote.

Dallas Business Development Coach Ashley Forbes Kellogg and her team offer Business Development Management, Executive Recruitment and Retention Support, Smart Meetings and Event Driven Marketing, along with Training and Executive Coaching. For more information about these services please contact Brooke Baker, at bbaker@forbesrobinson.com or by calling 214-528-0839.

A Note from Dallas Business Development Consultant Ashley Forbes Kellogg with ForbesRobinson on the subject of change management.

You’ve probably already heard the saying, “the only thing that is constant is change.” That quote, often attributed to Albert Einstein, makes an important point that we constantly need to change how we behave in our lives.

That said, why do most of us fight change?

Have you ever sat down to a meal with someone who announced while eating a cheeseburger that they wanted to lose weight? Or had friends that want to be married and they have already been married four times?  Or heard a CEO say he wanted transparency but would not release a strategic plan beyond a small inner circle?  The only response to any of these statements is- no, you don’t.  If you TRULY wanted to you would change your behavior.

The status quo is pretty comfortable. People only change when the pain of staying in the same situation is greater than facing an internal change of behavior. Think growing pains.

Human behavior is complex because we want things to be different but we don’t want to be uncomfortable. Which is all but impossible!

Keys to successfully managing behavioral change:

• Don’t say things you don’t mean. When you say things you don’t mean the first person that you hurt is yourself. Lying to yourself is the worst kind of lie because they cause you to doubt your abilities
• Awareness is key. Closely relate the purpose and benefit in bringing about behavior change
• Ask several people who know you well if whatever you want is a good thing. Having people agree with you creates energy
• Be kind to yourself. You are indeed making a real effort

Remember, the kinds of change we typically want involve short-term sacrifices for long-term payoffs. Dare to be uncomfortable. -AFK

Dallas Business Development Consultant Ashley Forbes Kellogg and her team offer Business Development Management, Executive Recruitment and Retention Support, Smart Meetings and Event Driven Marketing, along with Training and Executive Coaching. For more information about these services please contact Brooke Baker, at bbaker@forbesrobinson.com or by calling 214-528-0839.

Dallas Business Development Coach Ashley Forbes Kellogg with ForbesRobinson on Dressing for Corporate Success.

The Message Your Clothes Convey

Spring has sprung and we are all anxious to crawl out from under our winter clothes but may I remind you that your professional image is not seasonal. There isn’t much in life that you have control over. But how you are known to others is completely under your control. Every behavior you choose tells people who are watching who you really are.

Are you sending an accurate message?

It only make sense that how you present yourself to the world has everything to do with how the world responds to you. Decide the look that you feel will support how you want to be known and dress this way everyday. Even when given permission to be casual, make your version of casual a little more polished.

“A good suit is the foundation of a woman’s wardrobe.” Genevieve Antoine Dariaux

Professional dressing tips for women (Ladies first)

• The three piece rule: you need three pieces of clothing for an outfit to look professional
• Lean more towards traditional than trendy (if you enjoy trends, try them discreetly in your accessories)
• Avoid anything with cleavage (toes as well)
• No visible signs of underwear (watch for panty lines)
• Shoes need to be in good repair- polished (no sandals, flats are fine and avoid overly high heels)
• If you wear makeup, wear it everyday (I recommend every woman wear a bit of makeup. It conveys a message of caring about oneself and this the job at hand)
• Hair needs to be clean, dry and neat (there’s a place for the “bedhead” hair look and it’s not at work)
• Avoid excessive and loud jewelry
• Neat manicured hands, avoid darker polishes
• Buy the best handbag you can afford

Hot weather is no excuse for us to look like we blew in from the beach. Ladies, please say no to: excessive cleavage, exposed midriffs, super short shorts and skirts, flip flops, tube tops, straw totes, fabrics that easily wrinkle (rayon and linen) and visible lingerie under sheer clothing.

“The finest clothing made is a person’s skin, but, of course, society demands more than this.” Mark Twain

Professional dressing tips for men (I didn’t forget about you)

• Shave as often as needed to appear clean and neat (GQ look only works for movie stars and bad boys. Again, how do you want to be known?)
• A short-sleeve shirt is, by definition, casual
• Plain long-sleeve shirts in white, solid colors or a subtle plaid, opened at the collar with flat-front slacks is a good casual look for business (keep a dark blazer close)
• Khaki pants are casual but appropriate in most corporate settings
• How a suit fits is the most important element and second is the fabric (never shiny or iridescent)
• Ties should be silk, understated and end at the top of your belt
• Shoes need to be dark, polished and in good repair (wear black shoes with navy)
• Hair needs to be clean, dry and neat (wet hair looks greasy)
• Buy the best briefcase you can afford

Remember to stand tall, sit up straight and be careful how you cross your legs because you never know who is looking and what specific body part might be in full view.

Dallas Business Development Coach Ashley Forbes Kellogg and her team offer Business Development Management, Executive Recruitment and Retention Support, Smart Meetings and Event Driven Marketing, along with Training and Executive Coaching. For more information about these services please contact Brooke Baker, at bbaker@forbesrobinson.com or by calling 214-528-0839.

Dallas Business Development Consultant Ashley Forbes Kellogg with ForbesRobinson offers some sage advice.

The Business Meal

The business meal is more than a straightforward dining experience because food is not the only item on the menu. Here are some tips on how to make this meal mean business:

1. Control the environment- be conscious of your guest’s comfort
2. Be familiar with the restaurant
3. Remember that food is the centerpiece and your business agenda the main course
4. Resist touching your glass if you are toasted. You never drink to yourself
5. He who makes the reservation, pays the bill
6. Do not order food that is difficult to eat. Think of your last lunch date and the hamburger they ordered- distracting to say the least

Effectively Networking

Networking takes a huge amount of time and effort if done properly. The truth is few people are great networkers.Start by developing the correct mindset:

1. Make a thoughtful connection- pick groups with members that can hire you or use your service
2. Don’t keep score- actively look for ways to help get others in front of the right people
3. Develop relationships before you need them
4. Don’t be a networking jerk- expect to give more than you get

Dallas Business Development Consultant Ashley Forbes Kellogg and her team offer Business Development Management, Executive Recruitment and Retention Support, Smart Meetings and Event Driven Marketing, along with Training and Executive Coaching. For more information about these services please contact Brooke Baker, at bbaker@forbesrobinson.com or by calling 214-528-0839.

Business Development Coach Ashley Forbes Kellogg with ForbesRobinson on the subject of Cell Phone etiquette.

Cell Phones

We all think people who talk on their cell phones in restaurants or take calls during meetings are obnoxious. Trouble is, we all do it. Here are tips on how to be more professional:

Whenever possible leave your cell phone in the car. This time in history has provided us a lot of lessons- hopefully one is a reality check. With the exception of surgeons, no one is that important that they have to be reached 24/7. At the very least, turn it off- not vibrate.Off!

How to properly take a call during a meeting. If you are expecting a call during a meeting, simply ask permission to take the call at the beginning of the meeting. Example: “I’m sorry to ask but, would it be alright with you if I take a call during our meeting? My child is in the hospital and I am waiting on an update from the doctor.”

Cover your mouth when you speak into the phone. When we must take a call in a common area try and get to a spot where your conversation cannot be overheard. If that’s not possible, then cover your mouth as you speak into the phone. This habit will help you to not appear to be a total jerk and your conversations will remain private. I once learned of a very private matter of public interest while seated at a nearby restaurant table.

Dallas Business Development Coach Ashley Forbes Kellogg and her team offer Business Development Management, Executive Recruitment and Retention Support, Smart Meetings and Event Driven Marketing, along with Training and Executive Coaching. For more information about these services please contact Brooke Baker, at bbaker@forbesrobinson.com or by calling 214-528-0839.