Success Dress Etiquette
View Profile Page For Nancy Michaels
Monday Business Manners
It’s like John Malloy wrote about: “Dress for Success is all about dressing for the job you want — not the one you have!”
Rarely does it serve you to look less than appropriate when meeting a client or prospect. Depending on your field of expertise — certain standards probably do apply. Marketing and sales gives way to more flare and creativity in dressing (although always being appropriate) — more so than most conservative fields of finance and accounting. The devil is also in the details. Polished shoes, matching socks or hose, understated jewelry, ties and accessories that may make a bit of a statement — but only on one hand, etc.
Some of my clients have “casual day” every day, while others within the company wouldn’t dream of following that dress code and not coincidentally they’re usually senior management! Your goal is to emmulate those who are your direct clients at higher levels. As a consultant and valued advisor, it shows respect for your client and an ability to pay attention to the details.
It’s an unspoken or unconscious assumption that if you are paying attention to the details in the way you appear and conduct yourself — the same is true in the way you conduct your business.
Stomp Competition with Excellent Holiday Service
View Profile Page For Nancy Michaels
Well, it’s officially Black Friday. Some people love it. Some people hate it. Either way, everyone and their dog is looking for an excellent deal. Black Friday is the day I 
officially mark as a key time to prep your employees to provide excellent customer service for the holidays.
Here’s why it’s critical to crack the whip on red carpet service:
1. The Holiday season = the biggest buying season of the year, which can mean huge profit potential for your business.
2. Customers are stressed out. They want to find the perfect gift at the perfect price. Get a reputation for providing both of those AND a perfect buying experience and you won’t be hurting for more customers.
3. People will remember you for either the good or bad experience they just had. How would you like to be remembered?
If you’re a business owner or corporation, consider doing the following to stand apart from your competition this holiday season:
1. Provide every one who walks through the door a bottle of water or have free water on site.
2. Partner with a local restaurant or fast-food chain and provide 50% off lunch coupons.
3. Make sure you’ve got modern music playing. Music has been proven to affect moods. Just because it’s the season, doesn’t mean you have to play ONLY holiday music. Provide a variety and play music that caters to your market.
4. Turn on your air conditioner. Although the temperatures are dropping outside, when you cram several hundred people in one store, it gets hot. And when people get hot – they get mad.
Here are a few tips for online business owners:
1. Offer sales for the entire holiday season. Many e-commerce sites will compete for business – we have less loyalty to most sites and more loyalty to the best price.
2. Always offer free shipping on ALL ORDERS. Not everyone is offering this, but if you can, it will make you stand out. People LOVE getting something for free.
3. Offer customers a $5 off coupon for referring your site to friends.
No matter what kind of business you own – above all – make sure that who ever is at the front lines engaging with your customers is chipper, friendly, helpful, honest, and fast.
Big Thanks for You!
View Profile Page For Nancy Michaels
Mack the Knife
View Profile Page For Nancy Michaels
Working Jam of the Week
Last week I discussed fork etiquette. In the spirit of the holidays and properly using your utensils, I couldn’t help myself. Take a break and watch a Bobby Darin perform Mack the Knife. Turn it up loud and sing it proud!
What are the key components of writing a great press release?
View Profile Page For Nancy Michaels
In this episode of Tuesdays with Nancy, we learn the nuts and bolts of writing a great press release.
Family memories with Matt Lauer
View Profile Page For Nancy Michaels
Recently I was going through some boxes and came across an old photo with Matt Lauer and my little brother (second from the left). I was Matt’s publicist at the time (I always say that he had more hair and I had more curl) and my brother begged for me for a photograph with Matt. Big sis to the rescue!
Fork Etiquette
View Profile Page For Nancy Michaels
Monday Manners
Do you “properly” hold your fork?
Improper use of the fork is a major pet peave of mine and I can thank my grandmother for drilling it into me how to hold utensils when at a meal — whether formal or informal. There are few things that draw more negative attention to you than poor table manners when breaking bread with a valued prospect, client or referral source. So, please, no grabbing a fork and wrapping each and every finger around it — honestly, I continue to be amazed at near and dear friends of mine — as well as business associates — who may as well stab themselves with a knife — or could be reconsidered or kill a deal where dining with colleagues could be concerned — demo or visuals to be provided! Here’s a great video on proper table manners:
Free Hour of Power Call
View Profile Page For Nancy Michaels
How would you like the opportunity to get your one burning question answered on how to grow your business – at $0 to you?
Sign up for your Free “Hour of Business” call on December 8th at 8pm EST
Spend an hour with #1 Fortune 500 Consultant & Small Business Expert Nancy Michaels & Million Dollar Business Strategist Monaica Ledell drilling them with your most important question.
If you can’t make the live call don’t worry – it will be recorded!
During this call, you’ll be getting a sneak peak of what an hour of our consulting/coaching might do for your business and take care of answering the one burning question you have that will help you experience growth in 2010.
We have committed ourselves to answering EACH AND EVERY QUESTION, so seize your opportunity for free advice.
Nancy’s last free call had over 4,000 sign ups, so get your free seat reserved today!
For Big Mistakes
View Profile Page For Nancy Michaels
In this episode of Tuesdays with Nancy, we learn how to recover after making a BIG mistake.
Client Follow up Etiquette
View Profile Page For Nancy Michaels
Today’s Monday Manners Business Tip
Client Follow-Up – Are you minding your manners?
No one wan
ts to be a pest or be pestered — even by the best! The most effective way to follow-up with your customer base is to do the obvious.
Do what you say you will and under promise and over-deliver — each and every time. Surprise them with something they aren’t expecting that makes you more credible, trustworthy and ultimately irreplacable. Add something of equal or greater value that won’t cost them a cent, but would be of value to you and your business. Follow-up with an e-mail and voice mail letting them know you’ve reached out in an e-mail — as it may be easier for people to get back to you that way. On occasion, surprise them with snail mail in the form of a letter, personalized note, and when appropriate, a little gift.
Keep in mind I’ve learned proper business etiquette the hard way. Here’s a great video on what to do when you’ve been TOO diligent on following up. Click here to watch now.
