Business holiday etiquette | Manners That Sell

If Santa is making his list and checking it twice, I thought it might be a good idea to do the same. The list I have in mind is about holiday etiquette reminders. I’ll keep it brief and to the point since I suspect that you, like me, are short on time trying to get everything done. In the rush of the season, you don’t want to have an etiquette relapse.This is the perfect to time to impress your clients, colleagues, family and friends with your polish and good manners.

Holiday Cards: Did you get them out on time? Did you personally sign each one and hand write the address on the envelope?

The Office Party: Did you go? Did you remember to dress conservatively/ Did you make an effort to circulate and speak to everyone there?

Dining Etiquette: Did you wait for your host to begin eating before you did? Did you keep your napkin in your lap until the meal was over? Did you avoid talking about business?

Business entertaining: When you took your client out to dinner, did you make sure that the server knew to bring you the check when the meal was over? Did you give your guest the seat with the view?

Corporate gifts: Did you check to be sure your client could accept a gift? Did you come up with something more creative than a mug with your company logo?

Thank you notes: Did you write your thank you notes by hand or are you planning to as soon as you can after the holidays?

Did you remember to tip all those who ave provided service to you throughout the year?

There is still one week until Christmas so you have a few more days to impress.

This will be my last newsletter to you until after Christmas Day. I somehow assume that Christmas morning you will not run to your computer first thing to check your email. Look for my newsletter on Wednesday.

Photo from Savannah magazine

Hire Lydia to work with your staff to improve customer service and employee relations through the use of those priceless and often over-looked soft skills called manners. Lydia is the “unstuffy” business etiquette expert who helps individuals and organizations add the polish that builds profits. We’re talking about your bottom line here.

Since 1996, countless people have benefited from her wisdom through keynotes, seminars and conference breakout sessions. Her Southern charm and sense of humor have made her a sought-after speaker and consultant.

Based in Savannah, Georgia, Lydia is available for national, regional and local speaking and training engagements. She has suitcase; will travel.

Contact her via email at lydia@lydiaramsey.com or call 912-604-0080. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter and visit her website, lydiaramsey.com.

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The pumpkins are gone, and the goblins and ghosts have all disappeared. With Halloween behind us, we know what lies ahead—the joyful but often frenetic holiday season. It is a time of celebration for many religions. It is a time to share our joy and generosity with family and friends. But it is a complex season filled with traditions.

For business people it can be particularly challenging knowing appropriate ways to recognize colleagues and co-workers and where to draw the line between business and personal.

For that reason I have spent the last few weeks revising my eBook on business etiquette and protocol for the holiday season. I tried to anticipate as many of the situations that business people find confusing and challenging when I wrote Business Etiquette For The Holidays.

Have you ever asked yourself any of the following holiday business etiquette questions?

Is it necessary to sign your holiday cards when your name is already printed on them?
Is it acceptable to email your holiday greetings?
Is the holiday office party mandatory?
What are some of the most common mistakes people make at the office party?
How can you tell which fork to use at the business dinner?
How do you remove unwanted food from your mouth?
Do you have to write thank notes by hand or can you simply send an email?
How can you decide whom to tip and how much, especially in tough times?

Photo from Savannah magazine

Based in Savannah, Georgia, Lydia is available for national, regional and local speaking and training engagements. She has suitcase; will travel.

Contact her via email at lydia@lydiaramsey.com or call 912-604-0080. Sign up for her free monthly newsletter and visit her website, lydiaramsey.com.