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Business Etiquette/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Designation of master's degree | 8/31/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: I recently received a dual-focus Master's degree in Organizational Leadership and Project Management ... A: The MA or MS goes after your name. You leave off what your degree focused on. That information ... | ||
| List of Board of Directors on Non-Profit Letterhead | 8/11/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: Cynthia, We are in the process of updating our non-profit organization's letterhead. How should we ... A: You are correct to list by title/position at the top of the list. For other Board members you would ... | ||
| Proper Etiquette to Ask for a Job Back Post-Resignation | 7/11/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: Ms. Lett, Approximately 5 years ago, the summer following my junior year of high school, I was ... A: You are very lucky that you have a history (and I am assuming a good history) with someone who is in ... | ||
| 6/28/2011 | Denise Anne Taylor | |
| Q: I would like your opinion on something I did. My job situation as a city transit driver is very ... A: Bud, You may consider owning your input, don't shy away, you could consider approaching your ... | ||
| Asking for a voluntary position for research assistant | 6/12/2011 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: I want to progress my career in agricultural research. As I dont have any experience in the field I ... A: Please forgive my tardy reply. Write a letter to the professor and tell him what interests you about ... | ||
| Order and Form of Address for Listing of Dignitaries | 6/1/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: An organization with an honorary board of three members wants to list these individuals on its ... A: You are correct: the Ambassador of Nicaragua. To the United States is not listed. I am sorry but I ... | ||
| Order and Form of Address for Listing of Dignitaries | 6/1/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: An organization with an honorary board of three members wants to list these individuals on its ... A: The proper order would be: The Honorable _______________ Representative from ___________(state) ... | ||
| Letterhead Protocol | 5/31/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: In including a list of the board of directors (15) and a list of the honorary board of directors (3) ... A: Separating the acting Board and the Honorary Board is correct but the nice thing about protocol is ... | ||
| Letterhead Protocol | 5/31/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: In including a list of the board of directors (15) and a list of the honorary board of directors (3) ... A: On the left side of your letterhead are the most important and current leaders who in your case are ... | ||
| Recognizing Volunteers | 5/20/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: I am an officer for a local chapter of a not-for-profit organization and I am currently planning an ... A: How an organization recognizes their volunteer workers is entirely up to the organization. There is ... | ||
| Business Letter | 4/26/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: When addressing a business letter to dual recipients with an enclosure, how do I indicate the ... A: I am not entirely clear about what you are asking but I will give my answer a try. When you are ... | ||
| Lunch Invite to my Boss | 4/25/2011 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: I would like to take my boss out for a lunch for all the favours she had done to me during the 5 ... A: I hope this reply reaches you in time. It is simple enough say or write a date specific invitation. ... | ||
| Why no commas between the name and designation | 4/6/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: Just read one of your posts and saw that you noted no commas between the name and designation. Can ... A: The reason that there are no commas between the last name and professional designation is that the ... | ||
| Retaining U.S. gov't cabinet titles | 3/27/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: What's the correct protocol in referring to previous holders of sub-cabinet positions in the U.S. ... A: : After the person no longer holds the position the only officials who retain their title in ... | ||
| How to write a letter to re-hire? | 3/25/2011 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: I was working at a hospital for 2 years when I started having family problems. I missed a couple of ... A: Please do go ahead and try to get the job back. Summarize briefly the past events (Even if you are ... | ||
| Professional Signature Block | 3/22/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: I have seen so many different signature blocks on emails (mainly) that I am now confused as to what ... A: The nice thing about signature blocks is that they can be whatever you believe your audience needs ... | ||
| business attire | 2/25/2011 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: I applied for a job recently, the requisition for which states: "...Assists customers and ... A: Gi, It would depend on the weight of the sheath dress as to whether a blazer/jacket would be too ... | ||
| Business Card Etiquette | 2/9/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: For medical certifications on business cards is it appropriate to list a medical assistant as M.A. ... A: The proper way to list certifications on a business card is to list the most relevant right after ... | ||
| hosting a benefit fundraiser | 2/8/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: My husband died 2 months ago, leaving me with a $6300 funeral bill and no life insurance. Would it ... A: While it is never really in good taste to ask for money from others, there is an exception to the ... | ||
| Wanted: Invite to Annual Dinner | 2/4/2011 | Jay Remer |
| Q: My boss has requested I ask for an invitation to an annual dinner hosted by an organization via a ... A: First of all, you are not responsible for anyone's embarrassment other than your own. I can ... | ||
| Is This Selfish | 2/4/2011 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: I have a co-worker who once said to me "you make me look bad." Why should I adjust my performance ... A: Jean, Your co-worker statement is quite general. To avoid future conflict in the place of work ... | ||
| How to get re-employed from a Company | 2/1/2011 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: I worked for a transportation company for 17yrs as a school bus aide for special needs children. ... A: Peterson, There is no harm in asking for your old job back. The worst that they can do is say 'no ... | ||
| NURSING CREDENTIALS | 1/31/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: My boss is an RN and earned a Masters in Health Administration. Would the MHA come before the RN ... A: Your boss's signature block should look like this if she earned her RN before her Master's degree: ... | ||
| Showing floral gifts | 1/20/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: We are a law firm having an open house today and tomorrow. We have received many floral ... A: If you leave the cards with the arrangements, the givers of the flowers who will be attending will ... | ||
| BS Interior Design, working in sales | 1/2/2011 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: and am currently working as a sales consultant / designer at a furniture store. Some of my ... A: It is not appropriate to put a BS degree designation after your name. What would be appropriate is ... | ||
| Gift-giving etiquette | 12/27/2010 | Constance Hoffman |
| Q: I am a graphic designer who "partners" with an internet marketing firm to be their virtual designer. ... A: You are never obligated to give when you receive. You can always make a donation to a charity within ... | ||
| Entertaining | 12/27/2010 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: Gamble, I would greatly appreciate your assistance as I am doing historical research with reference ... A: LeRoy, Unfortunately,I was not able to find the answer to this question. I have many etiquette ... | ||
| Leave job with unfinished business? | 12/21/2010 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: Taylor, I began working for this (small, family-owned) company part-time with the mutual ... A: K. First, you may want to pursue other opportunities as the cycle time in landing a new position is ... | ||
| COOKIE EXCHANGE | 12/16/2010 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO HAVE YOUR COOKIES ? ON A PLATE, OR IN A BUCKET FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE OUT OR ... A: Pearson: If you are going to someone's house for a party and the cookie exchange is part of the ... | ||
| How to address an individual in the body of an letter to multiple people | 12/15/2010 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: I am writing a letter to multiple recipients, and I have specific questions to ask two individuals ... A: To address only two of a group of recipients of the same letter, in the body you could write:"In ... | ||
| about previous answer | 12/8/2010 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: I decided to take your advice and do nothing about the professor I wrote about until after the last ... A: It would be far better to go to the head of the department with your concerns. Your professor,going ... | ||
| confronting or dealing with inappropriate behavior | 12/5/2010 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: I am a student at a community college and am dealing with a very disrespectful/rude professor ... A: Please do nothing until the end of the semester. This woman sounds a bit deranged and there is no ... | ||
| Do we introduce a past governor and US Congressman at a fund-raising gala? | 11/18/2010 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: Our non-profit agency is having a fund-raising gala. We just found out a past Governor and US ... A: I would ask the guest whether he would like to be recognized before you do so. If he says yes, you ... | ||
| Employee hospitalization | 11/15/2010 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: An employee at my husband's office is having open heart surgery today. I would like to know the ... A: A card with a plant would be appropriate to know that this employee is being thought of is always ... | ||
| Spouse traveling with husband on business trip | 11/10/2010 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: I will be accompanying my husband on a business trip to China. I am not going to be assisting him ... A: There is a lot to learn about dealing with the Chinese culture as a westerner. When you greet your ... | ||
| Spouse traveling with husband on business trip | 11/10/2010 | Constance Hoffman |
| Q: I will be joining my husband on a business trip to China (in March). I will be travelling strictly ... A: Linda: You have a wonderful experience ahead of you. China is a fabulous country with amazing ... | ||
| Invitations | 11/3/2010 | Jay Remer |
| Q: We have employees in differnt cities acreoss the country and we are having a awards dinner and would ... A: You are on dangerous ground here. I advise that you reconsider the arrangements. Either everyone can ... | ||
| Unwanted Facebook contact | 11/3/2010 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: I recently joined a firm where many staff members are Facebook friends. Soon after I 'friend'ed a ... A: What a great question! Thank you. My suggestion is to "unfriend" everyone at the office (actually ... | ||
| Potential Employers | 10/22/2010 | Constance Hoffman |
| Q: After submitting my resume to a firm that I know may not be hiring for my position at the present ... A: Christopher: Sending blind resumes is a dead end street. Companies are overwhelmed with attempting ... | ||
| Elected Official Protocol | 10/15/2010 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: We have an upcoming event in which there will be a few elected officials in attendance. How do we ... A: Based upon the list of officials that you mention they would be listed based upon their position on ... | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Cynthia W. Lett
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Author of "That's So Annoying - An Etiquette Expert On The World's Most Irritating Habits And What To Do About Them" . 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 trained over 100 etiquette professionals worldwide to teach the subject to professionals and children. She has worked in 102 countries and is expert in doing business in unfamiliar cultures. Ms. Lett is principal of The Lett Group since 1983. Professionally, Ms. Lett is the founder of and serves as Executive Director of the International Society of Protocol & Etiquette Professionals headquartered in Washington, DC.
Organizations
University Club of 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.
Publications
Ms.Lett is the author of "That's So Annoying: An Etiquette Expert On The World's Most Irritating Habits And What To Do About Them" available wherever books are sold and at www.thatssoannoyingbook.com.
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
Education/Credentials
Certified Protocol Professional
Certified Etiquette Professional
Certificate: Adult Learning Techniques - George Washington University
Master-Legal Studies - Antioch School of Law
BS - Restaurant, Hotel & Institutional Management - Purdue University
BA - Public Relations / Interpersonal Communications - Purdue University
Awards and Honors
Distinguished Darden Professor - Purdue University
Past/Present Clients
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.
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.
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