Seven Meeting Etiquette Rules Not to forget

Business meetings are held for a number of reasons, but one common feature is the sharing of information with others. As in the dining room, there are rules of etiquette that go along with the meetings. I can not believe how many times I've been to meetings and some people in the showroom label unprofessional business.

Recently I was leading a meeting of entrepreneurs and managers who meet to generate ideas and resources for growing their businesses. a person's phone rang in the middle of a presentation and instead of silence you have answered the phone. Not only have the answer, led a conversation for a short period. I was appalled at the lack of courtesy.

I think it probably true that most people in business are aware of the etiquette rules for meetings but I thought I'd share my top seven:

~ ~ Do not put your Blackberry, Treo, organizer e-mail or other on the table. What to do? Every time a mail is received that causes a vibration which resonates across the table across the room to listen and causes so much a distraction, as if the phone rang. Off.

~ ~ Do not be late, apologies to all, while the presenter is talking, and then go in search of coffee. If you arrive late, step in quickly and quietly, taking his place. The less interruption the better.

~ ~ Do not leave your phone on. This goes hand in hand with # 1. We all know what this causes a break.

~ ~ Do not talk on the phone during the meeting. Just in case you forget to turn it off, not answering the phone in the middle of a meeting.

~ ~ Do not carry on a conversation while someone else is talking. I can not believe how many times I've seen someone trying to carry on a conversation with another in the middle of a presentation.

~ ~ Do not come unprepared to the meeting. Prepared as means to bring a pen, pencil, paper, notepads, and whatever it takes for you to be ready when information is shared.

~ ~ Do not make your presence known by noise. Noises be pen or pencil tapping, mixed paper, coughing constantly. If necessary, leave the room.

If you are a manager and are people who often display a lack of business etiquette, consider offering a mini-seminar for your department. Not only will it reinforce positive behavior, but is your message without you verbalization.

For these people hope to aspire to a degree in business, learn and practice etiquette for business. If interpreted correctly will help you launch your position in business and will always be a welcome presence with your peers.

Gift Basket Ideas Do's and Don'ts

Gift baskets have been around for a number of years. Although people mean well when they purchase a gift basket for someone else, most gift baskets are purchased pre-prepared lack in quality. These gift baskets are put together by a company that is more interested in making a profit, and the result is the quantity and not quality. If you want to give a gift basket, then consider creating your own from scratch. In this way, you can customize and make their own choices about the type of basketball, and contains the basic elements is the recipient likes and interests. When someone receives a basket that has a personal touch, the gift that will appreciate more as you realize that you put a lot of thought and effort into it.

Gift Basket Ideas Do's

A great gift basket idea is to add items to the cart, which have special meaning for the recipient. For example, you can add a frame of the basket that contains a photo of a person or persons, events, or anything that has special meaning for the recipient. Also, he likes to take the recipient and interests into account when creating the gift basket. If the gift is intended for a man who loves fishing, you can add fishing lures or hooks. You could also add other items related to fishing, like a cap with a clever sentence involving fisheries, or one of those popular "Gone Fishin '" signs. If the gift basket is for a woman who loves music, adds a CD with songs from one of his favorite artists. A t-shirt last concert tour of the artist would also be a great addition. You could also take a step further by adding tickets to the concert that shows one of the artist. Just put a bit 'of thought into it, and I'm sure you can come up with a lot of great ideas.

Gift Basket Ideas Don'ts

While adding a personal touch to a gift basket, try to make it unique. Unless the gift baskets are for kids, try to avoid adding the same items to more than one basket. This could lead to embarrassment if people who received the gifts they have received the items found exactly the same. Although this does not remove the personal contact with the gifts which have been prepared, made the gift a bit 'less personal and not as well thought out.

Another idea gift basket that should probably be avoided is adding elements that are related to religion or spirituality. Not all the practices of their faith the same way. Unless you are very confident that the gift is given will be received well, you should probably stay away from gift baskets with religious overtones. Exceptions to this would be if the gift basket is being prepared for a member of your church, or a friend or family member whose beliefs you are sure.

Another idea basket gift to be avoided is adding to the basket of food that might spoil if not consumed immediately. Unless certain your recipient enjoys the kind of food your adding to your cart, and eat it before spoils, to avoid the addition of perishable foodstuffs.

Taking into account the gift recipient likes and interests, you are sure to come with some gift ideas. In short, a bit 'of thought and effort into it and you're sure to create a gift that is very well received and much appreciated. The custom gift basket is always one that is sure to warm both heart and put a smile on the face of the recipient.

Would the world be a better place if there were no rules against cigarette lighters and Zippo?

We all know that smoking is a bad habit. Even smokers know that smoking is a bad habit. I am also aware of the harmful effects of cigarettes, not only themselves but also for people around them. However, most smokers are quite impervious to the feelings of others. You can see them light up their cigarettes with their Zippo lighters anywhere that would leave them with utter contempt for the people around them. In fact, there should be some sort of smoking etiquette 'to follow. After all, everyone's health and welfare is at stake.

Smokefree truly smoke-free?

For the past few years, the anti-smoking campaigns have been progressive - at least in some but not all public places. Most cities around the world have banned smoking in public transport, internal structures such as shopping centers, restaurants and museums and libraries. However, smokers are still lighting up with their Zippo lighters in parks, cafes, pubs and because these are places frequented by smokers. What more laws failed to consider is the fact that non-smokers also frequent these places, if only to breathe fresh air. This is rendered impossible by the number of Zippo lighters illuminating in all directions.

Indeed, the anti-smoking propaganda must be reinforced to force smokers to conform to good manners and not involve other people in their nasty habit. The outdoor areas should be declared smoke-free. There should be proper partition between smoking and non smoking sections in restaurants to avoid blowing the smoke toward the other side. There should be cafes, pubs and rooms dedicated to the smokers, where they and their Zippo lighters can come together and kill each other, and leave the healthy population outside of it.

In Good Company

Of course, being in the company of a smoker can never be avoided, especially if a family member, friend or colleague. Brief them quarantined, smokers should follow certain decorum in the presence of a non-smoker.

For example, accessories such as smoking cigarettes, Zippo lighters, cigarette cases and should be kept out of sight, while the smokers and nonsmokers are engaged in a meal. A smoker should not be allowed to light within six feet of a nonsmoker. A smoker should have the decency to leave the room and head for the nearest smoking area to use before enlighten with Zippo lighters. In this way, the smoker is endangering not only himself and the lives of people around him.

Non-smokers also have to do their parts. After all, smokers are not aware of your feelings or at least continue to ignore until something is done about it. Remember that your silence is an encouragement. Smokers who continue to smoke and be oblivious of your feelings, if not speak. Put your foot once and for all and you will find that most smokers are decent enough to put away the cigarettes and Zippo lighters for you, at least, until you are no longer in the immediate vicinity. And that should be good enough. After all, bad habits die hard.

What led to the invention of response cards?

Actually there are many reasons that led to the creation of response cards. One of them is degradation during food catering opportunities because most of the guests were unable to see. Or are there so many unwanted guests that were sent to the Prosecutor and persons invited to participate as a party are "alien that would bring the often time some of their friends. Another is for safety reasons, as to prevent single party and thieves posing as guests to participate only in the party.

Cards RSVP Cards vs response

You must be wondering what sets the card response to the RSVP invitation? The difference is in response to the formalities and RSVP cards are issued. RSVP cards are often times made in a less formal, the guests are usually asked to check the box that says either attending or not attending. Unlike others, response cards are more formal and more detailed Since ITS is not only the names of attending guests are required but also the number of people who are going to bring with them or not, if the number of individuals who Would poses for them.

Problems with answer sheets

But just as the use of cards RVSP there are also some problems with response cards that can be met along the road. One problem is when the customer forgets to write his name or who wrote unreadable. You can solve this problem by assigning each of your guests a corresponding number and then quietly writing the number on the back of the card response. In this way, even if your guests forget to write your name or had written illegible you can even know who the board's response came from.

Another thing, if you have created a type of fill-in-the-blank answer sheets to try to leave some space where your guests can write their messages for you. And of course you can take these cards to answer as part of your memorabilia. Also, if you want to know how many guests attend (most brought their own guests) can be expected for a slot in which they can enter the number.

And then your response card pre-addressed and stamped for return shipping or you can enter the phone number, mobile number and email address to which your guests may be able to reach you. For large families may include a slot where they can have as many of them are present at the ceremony and all those present at the reception, but be very careful with his words because there is the danger that may offend your guests.

E-mail Protocol 12 Simple Rules to keep in touch

Email is a fast, easy and convenient way to connect instantly with people around the world. To ensure our messages do not confuse or alienate the other, it is important to practice basic etiquette and email. Here are twelve simple rules and email to keep you informed and make sure all is clear, polished and professional.

Rule # 1 - Be concise. Follow the KISS rule (keep it short and sweet). Getting to the point clearly. Keep paragraphs short - three or four sentences maximum. If you find you need to send an e-mail that is longer than a couple of short paragraphs, edit the message or consider picking up the phone or a personal visit instead.

Rule # 2 - Watch your words. Before sending e-mails, check your message. Ask yourself: "What is my purpose for sending this e-mail?" Anger, excitement and anxiety are all emotions that can trigger an itch only an immediate heated can scratch. Always consciously choose your words so that every statement accurately and clearly conveys the message. Be careful what you say and how you say because your words may backfire on you. The words, especially the written word, can live and be remembered forever. Do not say something in the heat of the moment that you can not go back.

Rule # 3 - Follow a format. Any correspondence you send is a reflection of you and your organization. So, as a minimum, every e-mail must to have these elements - a greeting, a skipped line before and after each paragraph, a closing or call for action and a signature (which identifies and provides alternate ways in contact with you) .

Rule # 4 - Spell check. While the spelling accurate check for spelling errors, do not recognize all errors. Before pressing the submit button, check any e-mail for spelling, punctuation and grammar. An email full of repeated mistakes is not only difficult to read and understand, but tests the patience of the recipient, who may decide your message has no value and simply not worth reading.

Rule # 5 - Send e-mail released before. Disable the "auto" function to send in your email software and, instead, messages sent to "Outbox" first. This gives you a second chance to review your e-mail for content and intent. If your e-mail is an answer, will now be able to reread the original message to be sure not to misunderstand the message. If in doubt, seek clarification before responding.

As a general rule, always wait at least 24 hours before responding to a heated e-mail. This is often enough time to relax and think clearly. Reread the message and ask yourself if you have misinterpreted the e-mail. If so, at least now you can press "delete" instead of "send." Remember to always communicate with integrity and respect.

Rule # 6 - Avoid writing in capitals. Text written in capital letters is difficult for the eyes and is difficult to read. More importantly, all caps in an email to reader SCREAMS. Better to write uppercase and lowercase letters. If you need to draw attention to a word, consider using bold or italics for emphasis.

Rule # 7 - Reply to all sparingly. When responding to a mass e-mail (a message sent to multiple recipients) whether all contacts need to receive your answer. If a reply to the sender is sufficient and appropriate, hit the "response" against the "Reply All" to reduce emails multiple and unnecessary.

Rule # 8 - Stay current. Just as voice mail, be sure to keep your automatic reply message up-to-date. An old-fashioned auto-reply is as bad as dated voice mail - information that is not needed.

Rule # 9 - Office e-mail address is never personal. Unless you own the company, all e-mail sent through the office computer is owned by the employer and is subject to their jurisdiction. There is no such thing as personal e-mail at work. Be aware and watch what you say that is because each message and organization.

Rule # 10 - Stay organized. Trying to save every e-mail creates litter. Get used to save only need email and discarding the rest. Be sure to delete messages from your inbox, deleted and sent message boxes. In this way, reduce clutter and free space required computer. Periodically review so as not to feel overwhelmed at the sight of the month 'or goods years' messages. If your box is full at this time, undertake to review at least 15 messages from every window of every day until they are all involved. Also, be sure to make regular backups of all mailboxes, just in case.

Rule # 11 - Answer e-mails. I can not tell you how many times I sent an e-mail requesting specific information only to receive a reply by half, if necessary, of my questions. This now includes sending a second message to get the answers you need. When you reply to an e-mail with multiple choice questions, type the answer, right next to the questions with a character in a different color than the original message. This clearly demonstrates his response and allows the reader to easily match the answer to a question, and claims to have answered all the questions of the sender.

Rule # 12 - Be patient. With the proliferation of text messaging, PDAs and Blackberrys, many people send an e-mail and expect a response to the spot to the moments of a message. And 'reasonable to expect others to immediately drop everything to meet your every whim. When you send an e-mail, be patient and allow a reasonable amount of time to pass before you expect a response.

E-mail can open doors for you around the world. Applying these rules twelve simple e-mail messages will be clear, concise, and always connected.