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Business Etiquette/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| CFO company opening | 7/21/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: My company just fired the CFO for various reasons including embezzlement, fraud, never showing up to ... A: Heather, It is important to follow company protocol as this is sensitive and if you go directly to ... | ||
| business matters | 7/18/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: I need your advice regarding prospective employers I recently met with in Singapore. I was suppose ... A: You are running into cultural differences in doing business. I see aggressive behavior like you ... | ||
| showing degree on business cards | 7/16/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: I was going to ask this follow up question to another expert, but it says she's now maxed out... ... A: Tina, Under your husband's name he could state as Accredited Horticulturist and Landscape ... | ||
| adding degree to business cards? | 7/16/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: My husband has a bachelor's degree in horticulture. He's had his own small landscaping business for ... A: Setting ourselves apart from our competition is important whatever the economic climate so you are ... | ||
| Business Cards | 7/13/2009 | Jay Remer |
| Q: What is the proper format of edcation desigtnations on business cards? Should a comma be inserted ... A: Yes and yes. A comma goes after the person's name. Periods go after the post nominal abbreviations. ... | ||
| Unsigned Recommendation Letters | 7/13/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: Recently I asked for and received letters of recommendation from two former employers. Both are ... A: You should use the letters as they are. It would be insulting to the writers for you to make any ... | ||
| Shoe Etiquette | 7/10/2009 | Melisa Singh |
| Q: Singh In my line of work occasionally I visit clients at their home. A few clients ask that we ... A: If your client asks you to remove your shoes, it is fine to go barefoot in their home. Typically ... | ||
| emailing for work | 7/8/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: (companys and photographers contract me out for styling jobs) How do I write a letter to a company ... A: Christina, You may want to consider a combination of direct mail and e-mail. You may find a site ... | ||
| I shouldn't have waited so long. | 7/3/2009 | Luis |
| Q: I received a phone call from a prospect employer and they said they were just conducting a phone ... A: Vicki, Yes you shouldn't have waited so long, 3 business days is a good norm. But the fact is, ... | ||
| Retirement Dinner Invitations | 7/2/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: I have been requested to set up a dinner that excludes several of the guest of honors recently ... A: Since typical human behavior is to talk about what we are doing and where we are going, information ... | ||
| Sales Home Visit | 6/27/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: I work in sales and sometimes I am required to make home visits. In a few of the homes I visit my ... A: Sophia, You may request the use of the slippers, or invest in your own pair for such situations ... | ||
| Addressing Others as "Sweetie" | 6/26/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: How do you politely ask others from referring to you as sweetie or honey. Although I think it is ... A: Ms. Galbraith, The following formula may be useful: F-State only facts. Yesterday, Jane, you ... | ||
| Funeral plans. | 6/26/2009 | Amanda Gamble |
| Q: I am one of six children & have become a power of attorney for my incapacitated mother.Would it be ... A: Losing a parent is a terribly hard experience for anyone,no matter how old or infirm the person is ... | ||
| Should I call back the employer now? | 6/25/2009 | Luis |
| Q: I received a phone call from a prospect employer and they said they were just conducting a phone ... A: Phone interviews are used nowadays and especially in times of much more supply of work force than ... | ||
| Am I justified in asking for a bonus? | 6/24/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: As part of my job, I make collection calls. There is another girl who works for our company from ... A: As you presented it to me, I suggest you go to your boss and explain what you know, why you know it, ... | ||
| Sales Home Visit | 6/23/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: I work in sales and sometimes I am required to make home visits. In a few of the homes I visit my ... A: Sophia, When you enter into a home, on a sales call, you are committed to honoring the request of ... | ||
| Gift//Badge | 6/23/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: What is the best way to express thanks to someone giving a gift? Where should a badge be worn? A: Both very good questions. When you physically receive the gift, say thank you, gush a little, say ... | ||
| corporate titles on business cards | 6/19/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: Can you please tell me what the appropriate abbreviation to list on a business card would be for the ... A: There is no acceptable by protocol standards abbreviation for Managing Member. Since it is a formal ... | ||
| Job Acceptance Letter | 6/17/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: Taylor, I recently received a job offer by telephone, followed by a formal letter. I had direct ... A: Matt, When sending your letters, be sure to address to each separate individual, stating your ... | ||
| Question about an event hosted at someones house | 6/15/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: I am going to a talk hosted at someone house. This is supposed to be an important event and many ... A: Your ensemble sounds great for an evening event. If it is during the day I would opt for a solid ... | ||
| Using name of a deceased patron | 6/10/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: A deceased patrons wife wants to use the same acknowledgement ad from 08 in our charity program. I ... A: If the deceased person gave money to the cause prior to his death you would recognize his donation ... | ||
| Fundraising request and volunteer work | 6/8/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: If a person is volunteering their time, professional skills (with an estimated value of roughly – ... A: I am not surprised if a letter requesting a monetary donation was sent to a volunteer who has ... | ||
| Kind of t-shirt under a dress shirt | 5/30/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: I have a question on what t-shirt is appropriate to where under a white dress shirt & tie; solid ... A: Robert, A solid white T-shirt or tank style undershirt is acceptable and is about preference. The ... | ||
| Re: Business and Interview Luncheon | 5/27/2009 | Melisa Singh |
| Q: My husband works for a small government agency; he has been there 23 years. He has been offered, and ... A: If by "interview" you mean the interview dinner in which you are discussing the position then ... | ||
| Re: Business and Interview Luncheon | 5/27/2009 | Melisa Singh |
| Q: My husband works for a small government agency; he has been there 23 years. He has been offered, and ... A: Congratulations on your husband's promotion and your opportunity to fill his position. Although in ... | ||
| How to ask for Reemployment | 5/20/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: I was recently terminated (reason: failed to send FMLA papers on time which was required for my ... A: Srini, If the company suggested you may check back for opportunity; do so. Resubmit for employment ... | ||
| Wage Increase | 5/20/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: I am currently working part-time as a student in the accounting department of a large retail firm. I ... A: Greg, First you should consider doing some salary research online at a site like salary.com or ... | ||
| listing degrees | 5/18/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: On my letterhead for resumes and coverletters how am I to list my professional and business degrees? ... A: The rule for listing degrees is that they should be listed in the order of importance to your ... | ||
| terminated from a 4 month job | 4/29/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: I left a job of 10 years at another hospital to take a job that i did not have to commute 45 min two ... A: If you choose not list the job, which appears to have been a very short term postion of 2 months, ... | ||
| business and civic awards at the office | 4/28/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: Due to my work in the community and in business, I have a number of recognitions, trophies and ... A: Drew Lerdal: Congratulations on your accomplishments. The purpose of giving awards and recognitions ... | ||
| Business card credentialing (IP)? | 4/27/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: I have a co-worker who, on her business card, has recently listed her credentials as RN, MSN/ED, PhD ... A: The etiquette rule for credentials is that you list those that you have earned - not intend to earn ... | ||
| Re: Composing an Invitation | 4/16/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: One of our best clients, Jeanne, has volunteered her residence to invite her closest friends & ... A: You could write: Jeanne Last Name requests the pleasure of your company for an evening of fellowship ... | ||
| Business Letterhead | 4/16/2009 | Melisa Singh |
| Q: Should your second page be a blank piece of your letterhead stock or should you reuse your business ... A: Ideally the first page of a document should be printed on company letterhead and the remaining ... | ||
| business | 4/10/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: I am a partner in a business in colo and have been an officer and share holder since we started and ... A: When was the business started? Does the business have an annual report? What legal and signed ... | ||
| Toasting at a Birthday | 4/9/2009 | Melisa Singh |
| Q: I'm going to be the host at a birthday party for my girlfriend and I quickly googled how to toast ... A: I applaud your effort to learn proper toasting procedures. You are a gracious host to do so! Some ... | ||
| Boyfriend/Girlfriend Title | 4/6/2009 | Melisa Singh |
| Q: The girl I'm dating wants me to start referring to her as my girlfriend to colleagues and in mixed ... A: A very similar question was posted in an article called "Etiquette, Relationship Titles and ... | ||
| Body Language | 3/31/2009 | Melisa Singh |
| Q: I saw you also work with people on body language and I have a question maybe you can answer? My ... A: It seems you are both right. He is right that typically someone who crosses their arms is ... | ||
| business or personal email? | 3/31/2009 | Cynthia W. Lett |
| Q: My boss keeps copying my personal email whenever he sends out emails from the business. On my days ... A: It is definitely a good idea keeping your business and personal emails separated. You could change ... | ||
| Interview Follow Up | 3/26/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: I need some advice about an interview I had. When I initially submitted my resume for the position ... A: It is proper protocol after the interview to send a handwritten note of thanks for consideration. ... | ||
| Interview Follow Up | 3/26/2009 | Denise Anne Taylor |
| Q: I need some advice about an interview I had. When I initially submitted my resume for the position ... A: Nicole, Please be patient. You have provided outreach and at some point there will be additional ... | ||
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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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