Category Archives: Etiquette

Email Signatures Add Credibility, by Kimberly Law, AICI CIP

As a business owner, everyday I receive unsolicited emails from companies promoting their products and services. Each of these business solicitors tell me their product can make my business more successful. They provide information about how they have researched my image & etiquette consulting business ‘Personal Impact Image Management International’. And why they feel I need their help.

Although I personally don’t like to receive unsolicited email, occasionally something will arrive in my outlook inbox that looks interesting and could potentially be of value to my business.

I read through the email with great interest and then arrive at the signature line. All too often they look like this:

emailThis email signature lacks credibility. Other then the person’s name, it does not tell me anything about the person or the company they work for.

  • It does not provide a company name,
  • It does not provide the company location,
  • It does not provide a contact telephone number,
  • This person is marketing website SEO –  however there is no indication they even have a website; and
  • The email address in the email signature is a gmail account which would lead the consumer to believe this is a personal email address rather than a business email address.

The signature below provides credibility to the company. There are no secrets.

email2A good email signature should include the following information:

  • Your name,
  • Your position (if applicable),
  • Company’s name,
  • Contact telephone number,
  • Company address (if applicable),
  • Company website; and
  • Contact email address.

Providing full information provides the potential client the opportunity to research your company before contacting you. This also provides reassurance to your potential client that you, your company and the product or service you are offering are credible.

Your personal image consultant,

Kimberly sig pic

Gift Giving at Work by Kimberly Law, Certified Image Consultant

During the Christmas season although it may be customary to give gifts to friends and family it can be a little confusing at work. Especially when you don’t know the etiquette for gift giving and there is no written company policy.

Here are three tips to make office gift giving less awkward:images

  1. If you are new to the job, check the company policy for gift giving. Some company’s allow it and others don’t.  If office policy permits or promotes gift giving to co-workers or you are expected to play the role of secret Santa at your holiday party, stick to the limits and guidelines that have been suggested.
  2. If you have developed a friendship with a co-worker and want to give a gift that is beyond the expected, it should be given outside the work environment.
  3. Gifts for the boss are not generally expected and may be considered brown-nosing when undertaken alone. If you wish to buy your boss a gift, ask staff members to chip in for a group gift instead.

Happy Holidays!

Kimberly sig pic

Airplane Boarding Etiquette

Over the past few years I have travelled by airplane for both business and pleasure and must say I have seen some of the best and worst behavior amongst the passengers. Before boarding or off-boarding your next flight use the following tips to show your consideration.

  • Boarding and off-boarding the airplane is no different than lining up for anything else. Wait your turn.
  • If you don’t have priority boarding, respect those who do. Wait for your seat row to be called for boarding and don’t push in front of others.
  • The same thing goes when leaving the airplane, Leave the plane in order of seating front to back. Allow those in front of you to exit first. Don’t shove and push your way to the front.
  • If you know it will take you longer to off-board due to carry-on luggage, small children or health issues. Wait in your seat to let others who are in a hurry leave the airplane first.

By waiting your turn and considering others, getting on and off the airplane will be more efficient and less frustrating for everyone. For more on travel etiquette see – How to Make Airplane Odors More Bearable

How To Make Airplane Odors More Bearable

Unless you are traveling first class, the term personal space unfortunately does not apply on an airplane. Being in close contact with others over a long period of time can be unbearable, especially when unsatisfactory odors accompany them.  Here are three odors to consider before boarding an airplane:

  • With many airlines opting out of providing a meal for their passengers many of us bring food onto the plane to eat during our flight. When deciding what to bring consider your neighbours. While strong smelling foods may be appealing to you, they may not be appealing to the person sitting next to you. Whenever possible, choose food items with more subtle odors or odors that don’t linger.
  • Body odor is not only social killer; it can make the person sitting next to you on the airplane feel ill. Although it can be caused by lack of hygiene or dental care it is often as result of diet, health issues, smoking, or just too many hours cooped up on an airplane. Before leaving for the airport, take the time to take a shower. Brush your teeth before boarding the airplane and don’t forget to floss and gargle.
  • It may be your favourite fragrance, but it doesn’t mean those around you will appreciate it like you do. Many people are allergic to fragrance; many people are sensitive to fragrance; and many people just don’t like the smell of additional fragrance. Before you leave for the airport consider those who will be near you and apply your fragrance subtly or not at all.  Check out my blog post on Travel Packing Made Easy for more tips.

What Not to Do at the Company Picnic

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.

Would You Hire Me as Your Attorney?

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As an Image Consultant, occasionally when I am conducting a corporate workshop or seminar on the topic of ‘Business Attire’, I will have someone in the audience who just can’t understand why professional looking business attire might be important.

And I tell them, it is all about being appropriate and fitting the expectations of your clients. So my question to you is, “Would you hire this man as your Attorney”?

Whether you like it or not you will be judged on your personal appearance, inside or outside the law court.

What is Personal Image?

I have found many dictionary definitions for the word ‘image’. But in regards to’personal image’ it really boils down to this: “Your personal image is how you are perceived by others”. Many different things go into your image such as: ‘non-verbal communication’which is your body language and the way you carry yourself and ‘visual communication’which is your personal appearance, your grooming, what you wear and how you wear it; and ‘verbal communication’ which are the words you use and how you use them;

Although the spoken word does carry weight as we develop rapport. Initially we are judged by what people see. Each time you meet someone new, they will evaluate you either consciously or subconsciously. They will notice your clothing, your hairstyle, and your accessories. They will notice how you are groomed and how you carry yourself.  Every aspect of how you appear is pieced together forming a picture or an interpretation of your image. This interpretation will lead to their comfort level about you and help them determine whether they will listen to you.

Given the choice, most of us would rather do business with someone we are comfortable with and fit’s our definition of a ‘Professional Business Image’.

Is it Really a Bargain?

If you’re like me and most women I know, it is really hard to resist a sale. But how many times have you purchased a garment or accessory on sale thinking you got a great deal; brought it home; hung it in your closet; and realized a year later that it was still in your closet, on the same hanger, with the tags still attached and never worn? Sound familiar?

As a certified image consultant for more than 12 years, I see this time-and-time again.

My message to you today is… if you don’t wear it, it is actually costing you money, not saving you money. And that’s money you could have used to purchase something you love and would wear.

In other words – it’s only a bargain if you wear it and love it. Don’t be seduced by the price-tag.

Why Use Shiny or Frosted Make-up Finishes?

Shiny and frosted cosmetics have a similar affect to light coloured make-up. They enhance or bring out the area on which they are applied. To maximize this effect, combine the two qualities – light and shine. Light make-up colours that are frosted or shiny will make an area appear even more pronounced.  The facial feature where it is applied will appear larger and visually push out more than when applying a light matte cosmetic colour. This maximum effect will also cause the area around it to appear flat or sunken in comparison. This can work wonders to enhance the lips, cheek bones, eye lids or brow bones.

Highlight Your Facial Features

Make-up application relates to the actual structure of the head and face.

The natural hills and valleys of the face can be recreated or enhanced with optical illusions created by using light and dark cosmetics.

Highlighting is the application of a make-up colour that is lighter than the surrounding area. This area will appear more pronounced than the area next to it.