Holiday Business Savvy

To celebrate this festive season, I wanted to share some etiquette strategies to ensure that you reinforce your personal brand and demonstrate business protocol savvy. Think of it as the “finishing school” that every professional needs. This will give you the assurance and knowledge of what to do when you attend a business function. It’s about ensuring that you are always showcasing the best of who you are. Whether you're dining with clients or attending your office Christmas party, making a good impression is a prerequisite for success. Knowing the basics of protocol will help you succeed in almost any environment, business or social. Given that you will probably never realize the opportunities you’ve missed due to negative perceptions, take full advantage of the following tips.

Enjoy this e-letter and feel free to pass it along to friends and family. I’ve also included tips for addressing holiday cards, so take advantage of them as well!

Wishing you and your family a festive holiday season and a joyful New Year.

Warmly,

Dining Etiquette Tips to Impress

• At a formal dinner table with no place cards, ask the host where you should be seated. As the guest of honor always sits to the right of the host, never take that seat unless you are specifically asked by the host.
• Your host or hostess will determine when dinner will be served. Refrain from eating upon sitting down. It’s polite to wait until everyone has been served.
• Further, don’t make the embarrassing mistake of beginning to eat before the host or hostess has had a chance to say grace or present a toast.
• Don’t place the napkin on your lap until your host (or guest of honor) does it first or signals you to start.
• Don’t use a napkin to cover your tie or substitute it for a tissue when sneezing. And never shake out your napkin. 
• Upon leaving the table for a few minutes, place your napkin on the armrest of your chair or (second choice) on its seat.
• At the end of the meal, place your napkin to your left after all food has been taken away (from all parties), never on your plate.
• It is polite to stand up when anyone approaches your table or new guests are seated.
• Don't be a food critic. This is especially true when you are a guest, as it can be insulting to your host or hostess.
• Don’t season your food before tasting it. This shows a lack of confidence in the chef and is a surefire way to insult your host.
• Don’t drink to a toast given to you lest it appear that you are patting yourself on the back. Instead, politely acknowledge the toast and thank the speaker once finished.
• Avoid slurping, smacking or otherwise eating food in a noticeably audible or visible manner. Avoid talking with food in your mouth or on your utensil.
• Turn your cell phone off before the meal. If you absolutely must take a call, politely excuse yourself from the table.
• Leave your Blackberry at home. Guaranteed, your emails will be waiting for you when you arrive home.
• If you have to dislodge stubborn food particles from your teeth, excuse yourself and leave the table. Never use a napkin, toothpick, finger or dental floss.
• Always remember to thank the host or hostess. This demonstrates gratitude and you will be seen as a gracious guest.
• To leave a positive, lasting impression, rely on your handshake and a few words to express how nice the event was.

Monitoring Your Alcohol Consumption

On the surface, your Christmas party seems to be a well-deserved opportunity to let your hair down with colleagues. However, careers have been irreparably damaged by drunken behavior. Excessive alcohol consumption can make you say things that you might regret or that might unintentionally embarrass others, leading to disaster in your future at the company. People have long memories.

• Make sure that you eat something before you begin drinking. There's nothing worse than drinking on an empty stomach.
• Fireproof your career. Ask a buddy to monitor your behavior, with instructions to send you home in a cab if your behavior starts to become inappropriate.
• Alcohol tends to loosen people up. Avoid being overly familiar with colleagues, flirting or speaking too loud.
• You are under no obligation to drink just because your guest or host does. If you wish, you may order sparkling water and drink it in a stemmed glass.
• At dinner, consume alcohol in moderation. One or two glasses of wine with a meal should be the maximum.

Christmas Party Do’s:

Parties provide an opportunity to connect with a broad range of people. However, know that you—like everyone else—will be “on display” in a very public setting with people you know and do not know. Your behavior will be observed and critiqued, even if you are not aware of it. Make the experience positive and memorable!

• When you arrive, don’t hit the bar or buffet table immediately. Take the time to socialize. Emulate your host and mingle with everyone first.
• Resist the urge to remain with your usual companions, to "put in an appearance" and leave. Your contribution to the overall success of the evening will be viewed in a positive light.
• Break into groups of three or more people rather than two when you socialize. Two people are more likely to be having a personal conversation.
• When you are “working a room,” you need to be standing. Others are far less apt to approach you if you are seated. As you circulate, look for opportunities to join in a bigger group discussion.
• Your invited clients are your responsibility. Introduce them to key people and try to build commonality between the parties so that they can enjoy engaging with one another. This frees you up to socialize with new guests. 
• Hold your glass in your left hand so that your right one isn’t cold and clammy when you shake hands with others.  
• The moment you shake hands with someone, the clock starts ticking on the first impression you are making. Always stand when shaking hands regardless of gender. Introduce yourself first. Hold the other person’s hand for a split second longer than duty requires.
• Make conversation with your boss' spouse. In fact, be friendly with everyone's significant other. They'll remember your kindness and courtesy, which may prove to be influential in the future.
• Leave business topics in the office. Rather, choose topics that engage each individual, such as entertainment, sports, travel, kids or hobbies.
• Be prepared to speak comfortably with senior people, doing your homework and deciding beforehand what topics to address.
• After spending 5-7 minutes with an individual, disengage tactfully and introduce him/her to another person before leaving, so as not to leave them feeling stranded.
• Don’t take on a Rodney Dangerfield persona. Limit jokes to people you already know. Test a few on your friends beforehand.
• Never be the last one to leave the party. You do not want to appear as if you have “closed down the bar.”
• Remember, the “condition” in which you leave says as much about you as the presence you established when you arrived.
• Be aware that the office holiday party is work-related, and should be treated, respected and appreciated as such. Remember to write follow-up thank you notes to your host and other appropriate individuals.

Christmas Party Don’ts:

• Don’t show up to your holiday party two hours late. “Fashionably late” is more applicable to social situations, not business. Thirty minutes late for the cocktail party is acceptable.
• Don’t complain about the food, location, people or service.
• Do not underestimate the importance of small talk. It is only superficial when you do not take time to get to know someone.
• Don’t turn hugs into long embraces. Remember that not everyone is comfortable with physical demonstrations.
• Parties are not the time to let your ambitions show. Enjoy the conversation and demonstrate sincere listening.
• Don’t disappoint yourself. If you are a young professional, introduce yourself to senior managers, briefly discussing your role in the company.

More Unwritten “Code of Conduct” Party Rules:

Dress to Impress
Be aware of the impression you wish to make, especially before senior managers, CEO and clients. Yes, it is a chance to wear your new outfit, but it’s neither the Academy Awards nor The Rocky Horror Picture Show. For women, avoid clothing that's too tight, daring, or revealing (especially plunging necklines). For men, wearing a casual look when you know that the men are wearing suits does not demonstrate respect. Invest in a new suit if your buttons can’t close or your pant length resembles high-waters.

Buffet Etiquette
Don’t transform into “the food monster” that lurks by the free buffet table, inhaling anything that is not moving. If your appetite is generally large, take average portions, then take a rest period before you return. Do not test the food directly from the trays and never double-dip your food.

Rules of Etiquette for Sending Business Christmas Cards

1. If uncertain whether the recipient celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah, or another religious faith or tradition, send a neutral card with a greeting of Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings, Warm Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season, or Peace on Earth.
2. Do not substitute an email greeting card for an actual holiday card if you can avoid it.
3. Any holiday business cards sent to a home address should be addressed to the whole family. A safe way of including everyone is to address the card as follows, i.e. The Smith Family.
4. To personalize the card, you can address couples as Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith and Family. However, do your homework to determine if they both use the same last name.   
5. When addressing your envelopes, use titles (Mr., Mrs., Dr.) but not designations like Ph.D, M.D., MBA or CPA.
6. If directing your card to the individual, use a business address. 
7. Always write the name of the recipient(s) inside the card. Include a short note, wishing them a festive holiday season. This personalizes any generic card. 
8. Even if you have had your holiday cards professionally personalized, you should take the time to hand sign them.
9. Personally, or by delegating to someone else, make sure addresses are handwritten. Using labels is too impersonal and looks too much like a mass mailing.
10. Allow time for recipients to receive your cards no later than the last week of December.
11. Sending a photo of the family is a nice gesture provided that you know the recipient well. Ditto for holiday newsletters, which should only be sent to close friends and family.  
12. Remember to include your return address on the envelope.