In Developing a Professional Presence, you'll learn...
- The standards of contemporary business behavior
- How to develop a professional phone presence in the office—whether on a cell phone or leaving a voice mail
- The principles and importance of “small talk”
- How to speak in a professional manner
- And much more!
Studies have shown that lasting impressions are made within 30 seconds of a first meeting and are changed slowly—if at all— after that. Since first impressions are often lasting impressions, be sure your first impression is the one you want to present to the world.
This class provides you with all the tips and tools you need to make a professional impression at a first meeting. You will learn how to develop your own unique professional presence when working with customers, managers, team members—everyone.
WORKSHOP AGENDA
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Business etiquette—professional polish that shows+
- The basic rules of business etiquette—ignore these at your peril!
- Recognizing and eliminating unconscious sexism from your speaking and writing
- Business introductions and greetings—what’s appropriate?
- Understanding the standards of contemporary business behavior
- How to handle the many etiquette questions that still arise about the sexes working together
- The 10 most common workplace etiquette errors
- Why your personal appearance plays an important role in whether you’re taken seriously at what you do
- Appropriate dress can make a critical difference
Project a communication image that commands respect+
- 10 essential communication skills for increasing your professionalism
- Cardinal sins of communication
- Have a professional presence
- Foundations that support all competent communications
- Find out how your voice can enhance—or undermine—your professional image and your career development
- Eliminating—forever—power-robbing speech habits, words and gestures that shout “I’m a lightweight”
Communicating with confidence+
- 3 ways you can demonstrate that you’re a positive and self-confident professional
- How to make a stellar first impression
- Breaking the ice—tips for getting a conversation rolling
- How to curb the use of worn-out business clichés and what to say instead
- How to control your body language—and how others perceive you
- 7 body language signs to watch for
- How to use “I language” to convey confidence and authority
- Understanding the major components of personal charisma—and what you can do to further develop these qualities in yourself
- Recognizing the single biggest factor that determines whether or not people take you seriously
- Learn how to correctly “set the stage” for every interaction
- The secret to projecting an aura of confidence and power
Conducting effective meetings+
- Why the time you spend planning and preparing for a meeting is as important as the meeting itself
- 5 key elements of an effective meeting agenda
- 10 tips for leading purposeful, professional team meetings
- Learn how to think on your feet when challenged with difficult or negative questions
- Team meeting effectiveness evaluation
Projecting credibility and professionalism in oral and written communication+
- Telephone usage for professionalism
- Business writing tips you can use now to make sure your memos and e-mail messages get your point across
- The 12 most damaging blunders in business e-mails—sidestep these at all costs
- How to make sure you’re presenting the proper tone in your e-mails
- 6 tips for getting the most out of e-mail
- When it’s important to use the phone instead of e-mail
- Making the right choice between confusing word pairs
- How to use abbreviations and acronyms in business writing
- How to recognize and eliminate common business writing mistakes that can make you look sloppy and unprofessional
Dealing professionally with difficult customers+
- 3 emotions that may be driving your customers’ behavior … and how best to respond
- How to take the bite out of necessary questions, especially when your customer is “on edge”
- Look at yourself when sorting the emotional fallout of difficult communication
- Repeat offenders: How to deal with the customer who’s never happy
- How to deal with feelings of helplessness and anger when faced with difficult people and situations
