AboutCynthia Lett Expertise One of the few Certified Etiquette Professionals (CEP) and Certified Protocol Professionals(CPP) earned by examination through the International Society of Protocol & Etiquette Professionals (www.ispep.org).
I will be happy to answer your questions about business or social etiquette, international customs or protocol issues.
Experience Ms. Lett has been the principal of The Lett Group since 1983 when she was trained as a professional in Business & Social Etiquette, Business & Social Entertaining, International Protocol and Executive Communications Skills. She has been a program speaker and coach around the world - teaching and advising on these subjects. Currently she consults with companies including Saudi Aramco, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, United States Postal Service, the US Dept. of Defense, US Department of the Treasury, NASA, Smithsonian Institution, Exxon-Mobil, Hilton Hotels, Ritz Carlton Hotels, and government offices of protocol for the United States, South Africa, Columbia, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Denmark, Finland, Canada, The Russian Federation, Chevron Overseas Petroleum and J. P. Morgan on these subjects. Additionally for the past eight years she has been an adjunct professor at The Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University, teaching the course in Business Protocol. She also offers private and corporate consultation and programs on the power skills necessary to compete in the international business arena. Clients include major universities, Fortune 500 companies, international associations and savvy professionals from all levels of the corporate ladder. She is the editor of APROPOS! - a monthly newsletter on these subjects and is host of It’s APROPOS! an internet talk show on similar subjects. Her new book, Lett’s Talk – Etiquette Dilemmas and How to Handle Them is due out September, 2007. There are nine universities which currently use her curriculum and text for their course on Business Etiquette. Her other new book, Mission Possible with Brian Tracy and Stephen R. Covey has just been released.
Ms. Lett holds a Master of Legal Studies degree from Antioch School of Law, Washington, D.C. and undergraduate degrees in Restaurant, Hotel, & Institutional Management and Public Relations from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. She also earned a certificate in Adult Learning Techniques from The George Washington University. Professionally, Ms. Lett is the founder of and serves as Executive Director of the International Society of Protocol & Etiquette Professionals headquartered in Washington, DC. She is an active member of the National Speakers Association, American Society for Training and Development; Women Business Owners; Professional Convention Management Association; and past member of the American Society of Association Executives; Foundation for International Meetings (Board of Governors 1986-1987). She was elected into Who's Who of American Women; Who's Who of Advertising Executives; 2000 Notable American Women; Who's Who of the World's Women; Who's Who of U.S. Executives and Who's Who of the World.
She has been featured and quoted in publications such as Successful Meetings, Meetings and Conventions, Meeting News, Business Travel News, Washington Business Journal, Washington Post, New York Times, Regardies Magazine, Wall Street Journal, The Robb Report, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Harvard Business Review, Ohio Business Review, Training and Development Journal, CIO Magazine and others. During 1990, Ms. Lett planned a series of Business Exchange meetings in the Soviet Union for entrepreneurs from the United States who wished to learn about joint ventures with the Soviets in many different fields. Some of Creative Planning International's clients have included Wall Street Journal, A. T. & T., MCI Telecommunications Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, Department of State, McKinsey and Company, Duracell International, Security Pacific among others.
She is featured in the PBS special – Pioneer Living – as the protocol expert. Ms. Lett is also the etiquette expert for the Fine Living Channel and currently featured in Survival Guide – Office Etiquette. She is also a frequent expert on etiquette issues for Fox Cable News.
Expert: Cynthia Lett Date: 11/6/2007 Subject: Business cards designation and degrees
Question I have recently received a tax-related professional designation Registered Professional Appraiser (RPA). I also have a Masters degree in Public Administration. My current employment is with the appraisal district in my county and based upon some previous responses I read of yours because my Masters degree is related to public employment it would seem reasonable for me to include the designation on my business cards (for example John Doe, RPA, MPA. I however continue to be unsure if it is appropriate to include both on letterhead or business cards especially when there are other appraisal/tax related designations in this field of work (RTA, CTA, RTC) that might be confusing. Is it ever recommended to simply type out the designation or degree for clarification, such as under the name instead of using commas and putting it beside?
Answer Dear John:
First of all, congratulations on your achievement. Second, there are many times, especially when you don't have a descriptive title for the job that you do to use a spelled out version of your certification, under your name used as a title. It is reasonable for you to use the RPA after your name along with your MPA. Don't worry about the other designations which you don't have but which may confuse the other person.
Unless your degree or certification is important to your professional status in your field, don't use it. I have a Master's degree that I never put after my name because it is in Hotel Law, which I don't practice.
If you do want to use them, use them both on letterhead and business card. Those two items in your stationery wardrobe should be the same. Also, don't put commas after your name and the designations. List them as the most relevant to the least relevant to your current position.
