Do you know the proper way to enter and leave a limousine? You will if you read Dana May Casperson's book.While including many of the basics you'd expect in an etiquette book, she also covers subjects such as:
* tea meetings * video conferencing * teleconferencing * chairing meetings * cultural courtesies * travel safety * physical disabilities * using a concierge
Interspersed throughout the text are Q & A's specific to the topic under discussion. One of the questions she deals with, often missing from books on manners, is tipping maids in hotels.
I have a special interest in this because I spent a year working as a hotel maid when I was in college. Sad to say that the majority of hotel guests do NOT leave tips. Casperson suggests $1 to $1.50 per person/day.
She also addresses those of us who work at home by suggesting we have a least 2 'knock 'em dead' outfits available at all times. Everyone will need to meet with a client or attend a lunch at some point, so this makes sense.
This suggestion is also good for anyone who has to travel for business. Having a few outfits you can pull together at a moment's notice and knowing that they fit properly and look good will make anything unexpected seem a breeze. This goes for men, too!
Another suggestion is to have an 'emergency kit' in your desk, briefcase, and/or car. This would consist of:
* extra socks or pantyhose * deodorant * toothbrush, toothpaste, & breath mints * a sewing kit/safety pins * makeup/shaving supplies/facial tissue * nail file/nail clippers/hand cream * hairbrush/comb * a small address book with phone numbers, email, etc. of clients, doctor & family member for emergencies
There's also an entire section about corporate gifting. Many companies do not allow employees to accept gifts or only allow gifts under a certain dollar amount.
This part of the book includes many suggestions for gifts as well as the proper use of your business name/logo on gifts.
There are a few places where I think she dropped the ball. I don't think it's a good idea to include your home address, phone and fax number in your email signature file. For those working at home, especially women, it could be dangerous.
I also disagree with her suggestion to take a hostess gift when you're staying at someone's home for a weekend. I think it's OK to bring something small like chocolates or a bottle of wine, just as you would when invited to dinner. But, it's always better to send a 'thank you' gift after you return home so you are able to select something appropriate to your host's home, interests, and tastes.
Is this the best book of business etiquette? Not in my opinion. But, I read & collect etiquette books so I'm biased.
Letitia Baldrige's New Complete Guide to Executive Manners is longer and more in-depth. As the social secretary for First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, she's also an in-demand speaker on subjects such as "Business Protocol" and "Executive Presence." Some find her old-fashioned, but she's my personal favorite.
If you want a good, quick, basic overview of what's-what for proper business manners, then Power Etiquette is a worthwhile book with over 180 pages of information.
A note: Casperson has absolutely no sense of humor. Both Letitia Baldrige and Miss Manner's have a breezy way of writing about etiquette that removes the stuffiness. Unfortunately, you couldn't find a spark of wit here it you had a map.
