| President's Message |  | 
I am very proud of this book. I was able to work on it with my longtime friend and editor, Denise Cowie. And I am grateful to my office manager, Joyce Hoff, and my husband, Martin Heiligman, who added their feedback. The book covers topics that I couldn't have imagined discussing 18 years ago when my first etiquette book was published. The "Tweet" section of The Essentials of Business Etiquette, for example, examines the ever-expanding influence of social media in the workplace. The book offers etiquette advice for all kinds of professional situations, of course (click here to see the 101 chapter titles). But it was through social media that we were able to let thousands of people know of the book's publication and availability. They responded positively! Amazon quickly had to replenish its supply. Consider the following: - We tweeted about the book on Twitter, which allowed us to reach people we know and people we do not know, through our followers and their re-tweets.
- My update on LinkedIn announced the new book to my contacts and my groups.
- Information about the book was posted on my personal and business Facebook pages, and many people shared the news with their contacts and friends.
- This week's blog, Pachter's Pointers, reviewed the history of business etiquette through my books on the topic.
Are you using social media to help launch or to enhance your career? Two of the people I coach initially missed opportunities to use social media to help them reach their goals. One woman was looking for a new position, yet hadn't joined LinkedIn. A young man wanted to establish a niche for his real estate business, yet he hadn't started to tweet about it. In my new book, the "Tweet" segment covers the etiquette of social media. In today's workplace, this is essential knowledge. Social media is here to stay. Make sure you use it to your advantage.
Barbara Pachter |
| | | Assertive Communication Skills for Women Do you: - Speak too softly?
- Giggle?
- Avoid speaking up?
- Stand passively?
- Use self-discounting language?
Many women do. Yet, responding to everyday work situations in a confident and composed manner--without being too aggressive or too passive--is essential in creating a positive impression on others.
During this interactive and eye-opening seminar women focus on verbal and nonverbal differences between assertive and non-assertive behaviors. They gain an understanding of gender differences, their communication styles, and how they present themselves to others.
To schedule a seminar or for more information, contact Joyce Hoff at 856-751-6141 or joyce@pachter.com.
 I'd Like You to Meet...Er...Um*
I was so embarrassed. I forgot my colleague's name when I went to introduce him to my boss. I just wasn't expecting to see him at the meeting. This kind of comment from a seminar participant is one I get a lot. What do you do if you start to introduce someone to another person but realize midintroduction that you've forgotten his or her name?
You admit it. Everyone forgets a name occasionally, and some of us, more often than that--which is why you should have some standard lines ready: - "I'm sorry, I've forgotten your name.
- "Your face is so familiar; I just can't recall your name."
- "My mental computer is down. I can't access your name."
- "My mind has gone blank. What is your name?"
Keep it short and sweet, and practice saying it until you feel you can deliver the line without excessive apology or embarrassment. That should get you through a difficult moment. This is a technique I call Know Your Line—knowing in advance
what you might say in an awkward situation instead of being at a
loss for words. If you have practiced what you want to say until you
are comfortable saying it, people are more likely to be comfortable
when hearing it. *Chapter 4 of The Essentials of Business Etiquette.
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Pachter & Associates is an international communications company providing group training and individual coaching in the areas of Business Etiquette, Assertive Communication, Presentation Skills, Women in Business, International Etiquette, Positive Confrontation and Business Writing.
For more information, visit us at pachter.com or call 856-751-6141.
Requests to reproduce our articles for commercial or other public use must be made in writing to Barbara Pachter at bpachter@pachter.com.
© Pachter & Associates 2013 | | |