Presented by Colleen A. Rickenbacher, CMP, CSEP, CPC Lay-offs, Cutbacks and Closing Down: What Are You Doing to Make a Difference?

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How Etiquette and Protocol Can Make the Difference Changing Economy What You Need to Be Doing

Are You Taking Advantage of Every Opportunity Lay-offs, cutbacks, and closing down How prepared are you? What will separate you? What are your next steps? How can, believe it or not, etiquette and protocol help?

Do You Have Any Back-Up Plans? What should you be doing in this economy? How safe are our jobs? What are you plans if you lose your job or as an independent your business dwindles? Do you have a Plan B or C?

Possibilities Job eliminated Hours cut-back Transferred to a lesser paying job Not receiving full fees or even half Company shuts down No insurance No benefits No bonus and salary cut/freeze

Possible Options How to Start Preparing Database updated Connect and reconnect with leaders, past acquaintances and employers, peers Where are the jobs in our industry Who is hiring Read the papers, trade journals Attend meetings within budget and needs

If You Lose Your Job or Worried You Will Be visible, be social and be out there (three different things) Update your resume Be willing to change Partner/Share jobs Take classes Rebrand yourself

Thrive and Survive Rethink Reskill Rekindle Redefine Reestablish Return Reconnect Retouch Regroup Relearn Reactivate Review Re-up Redesign Recreate Reenhance Revamp Repeat is all again

Interviewing Again First time or first time after many years Be prepared Dress Portfolio/briefcase Have questions Many resumes Thank you note

Resume “The Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth”

Resume The image you present to future employers Make your resume fit the job you want and the one you aspire to have Get their attention so grab them instantly Use statistics and numbers Power words and don’t constantly repeat

Resume Match the ad or job description Anticipate needs and be ready for solutions The length…be concise –Five years or less – one page –More experience – two pages –Extreme knowledge – three pages (I don’t agree)

Resume Watch length of descriptions…condense Watch an, a, the Do not identify yourself with “I” or “My” Eliminate unnecessary material –Marital status, age, irrelevant awards, scholarships, recreational activities, two mailing addresses, references or “available upon request,” previous supervisor names, middle name you never use

Resume Sell, sell, sell yourself Do you match the salary you want? Don’t save the best for last Have a friend read again and again Proofread many times Use plain, white paper and look professional Bring plenty **Reference: Taos Mountain, Inc. and #1 Resume Writing Services

Transitioning to a New Job Changing Positions Getting Adjusted… Or making your existing job better

Transition Know your employer and management team –Web sites and on-line references –Listen more than you talk –Observe and learn –Decision makers and process –Ask questions to gain information –But pay attention and stay engaged

Transition Office staff –Be careful of complainers and gossipers –Don’t be sucked into their negative feelings –Backstabbers Getting up to speed quickly –Meet with the team leader –Schedule a lunch or coffee with team players –Find out what has been done, still needs to happen –How do you fit in?

Joining the Team Becoming a Team Player –Join an organization/sports team –Involvement in office activities/committees –Offer assistance to co-workers –Take an assignment no one wants

The Extra Touch Be early for work Dress a notch above the norm When you meet someone new, focus on them Greet them with a good handshake and warm smile Always come prepared with notepad and pen…never ask them to repeat something to you or to borrow a notepad or pen

Things to Remember You were the boss or owner and now you are “an employee” Your decision might not be the final one You might have people that worked for you in the past and now your supervisor Things change and how you handle it can make the difference Get back on track

In the Meantime… Spend time with your family, friends Involve your family –Chores for children, allowances –Share cut-backs Go back to school to learn new trades Partnerships

First Impressions Your look Body language Handshakes and introductions Business card exchange Meetings Entrance and connecting Dining etiquette

Your Dress You are on 24/7

At First Glance Your style Proper image and perception Appropriate dress –Business/business casual Trends (Hip and trendy) Update your wardrobe –18 months Plan in advance Quality over quantity

What Are You Saying Without Ever Speaking a Word Body language Non-verbal communication Miscommunication Your Attitude

Handshakes and Introductions Tells a Story

The Handshake Introduce yourself Always be ready Web to web Eye to eye Shoulder to shoulder Clammy or dead fish shake Rings and bringing me to my knees

The Handshake Remember their name. Help me! Name badge Shake from the elbow. Number of shakes The double hand shake The release Gloves Hugs and kisses?

Introductions “HOW” Introduce Higher rank (higher person first) Introduce Older person to younger Woman introduced to a man Rank is # 1

Business Cards Present Out of date Always have them Don’t pass out—they are not flyers Read them Writing on them Sitting on them Storing them during a meeting or interview

Thank You Notes “3-3-3” 3 Minutes 3 Lines 3 Days –Handwritten –Address –Stamps Handwritten or

Connecting Now Is The Time The basics –Arrive on time –Dress appropriately –Do your homework –Plenty of business cards –Follow-up –When to exit

Meeting Etiquette Interview Tips Look Ready

Meetings and Interviews Treat a meeting like an interview –Arrive 5-10 minutes early (no more) and be ready –Remain standing while greeting and wait to sit –Always have your right hand free/firm handshake –Table shake –Use their name and good eye contact –Be prepared

Meetings Turn off cell phones Coffee/refreshments Check their Web site No big chitchat (a little personal talk is ok) Appropriate dress Gum Know when to leave Follow-up (24 hours)

Advancing Getting Noticed

My Suggestions Write articles Be visible Be socially there Create a high profile Serve on committees (not too many) or on Boards in the industry Be solid and dependable Remember...surround yourself with leaders

Plans Plans for the next 12 months Next 3 years Next 5 years Ultimate goals Rich and famous

Essential Business Communication The Rules

Guidelines RSVPs Telephone Etiquette Electrical Devices s –It is time to have some rules

Now Let’s Talk About Your Dining Etiquette Interviewing/Meeting Over a Meal

Dining Tips When to order Where to sit When to eat/drink The spread out Purses, glasses, junk, briefcases Woman’s role Paying the bill

Dining Big No’s Don’t act staved No doggie bags…ever No lipstick or toothpicks No gum Small bites so you will never talk with your mouth full

More No-No’s Difficult foods (what to order) Cutting Keep the pace Desserts and coffee Drinking

Be Prepared to Make the Difference Remember that etiquette and protocol can make that difference.

Be On Your Best Business Behavior Be On Your Best Cultural Behavior MPI Bookstore or

Thank you! Colleen A. Rickenbacher, CMP, CSEP, CPC Colleen Rickenbacher, Inc Rose Creek Court Dallas, TX USA (fax) Author Be On Your Best Business Behavior and Be On Your Best Cultural Behavior

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