A while back I wrote an article called ‘What Not to Wear to the Company Picnic’. I received lots of great feedback on the article. However it is not just how you look at the company picnic that is important. How you behave at the company picnic counts just as much. Since picnic and barbeque season has finally arrived, here are a few tips:

• RSVP in a timely fashion and in the specified timeframe – Just because it is a casual gathering it doesn’t mean ‘just show up’.
• Confirm who is invited – Family and friend aren’t always on the guest list.
• Don’t barge in – Wait your turn in the food line-up
• Serving utensils are there for a reason – Use the serving utensils not your fingers
• No double dipping – veggies and dip; chips and dip; Veggies & dip-dip?? NEVER
• Leave some for the rest – take one burger not two. Go back for seconds only after everyone has been served.
• Play the game but play fair – this is no place for competitiveness
• Clean up after yourself – Don’t leave litter for others to clean up after you.
• Help the host – Hosting a picnic is a lot of work. Make it more enjoyable for your host by offering to help.

These are just a few tips to make your summer corporate activities more enjoyable for all. Click here for Additional Etiquette Tips on – How to be the Perfect Guest.

According a poll done on Workplace Attire by Reuters/Ipsos, dressing appropriately for work really can make the different between failure and success on the job. Here are a few of the statistics:

• 66% of employees say senior managers should always be more dressed up then their employees.
• 55% think someone prescribed attire is more productive.
• 37% think casually dressed workers will never make it to a senior management position.

The interesting thing about these findings is that I hear this all the time from my corporate clients. Employers really do care how their employees represent their company and feel it does impact their productivity and chances for advancement.  They feel that appropriate dress is important and they know their clients feel the same way.

To learn more about this poll and findings: http://www.ipsos-na.com/download/pr.aspx?id=9809

http://t.co/B95mXb2W Great article Mary! I agree good eye contact is crucial for a good first impression: at an interview, on the job,…