HowToDoThings.com Business Etiquette

How To Stand Up for Yourself

Marilisa560 — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:13:37 -0600

"Standing up for yourself": kind of a dated term. It's what we now call assertiveness. But I still kind of like "standing up for yourself"; this phrase creates a clear directive for action. Research shows that people respond better to active vs. passive verbs. We also prefer to be told what to do, rather than what not to do. So I am going to give you a set of active verbs -- your 'to-do list' to stand up for yourself in any situation.

How To Give Gifts at Work

bronwyn — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:32:54 -0600

Buying gifts for coworkers can be a tricky business. When should you do it, and how much should you spend? Is it going to be awkward if a colleague buys you a Christmas present and you get him or her nothing in return? Should you buy gifts for your boss? Although each office is different, there are some tips that can apply universally.

How To Use Instant Messaging in the Workplace

christphe6 — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:32:02 -0600

The use of instant messaging in the workplace is on the rise. Many people, myself included, believe that IM will someday replace email as the main communication tool for companies -- large and small. Given my current occupation, I think IM is fantastic -- it allows me to quickly and easily share code snippets with other developers, easily communicate non-technical information with other members of my team, and keep in touch with a few friends that I don't have the luxury of working with.

Having said that, companies for the most part don't have any "formal" guidelines in place when it comes to the use of IM by employees. However, just because said guidelines may not be in place, there are some "best practices" that you should try and stick to when using IM at work:

How To Network at a Holiday Party

Margaret — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:37:59 -0600

It’s that time again, peace on earth and goodwill to all. Or at least it would be if you were not worried about those darned office parties. What are they anyway? Are they work or are they parties? Here are some tips to help you navigate the maze of professional pitfalls that lurk behind that innocent invitation to celebrate with your co-workers.

Keep these tips in mind and emerge with your reputation clearer and stronger than ever before.

How To Analyze Handwriting

David Block — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:47:44 -0500

Handwriting analysis, or 'graphology', is based on analyzing the way the writer creates words and sentences through the physical action used to do so. Here are a handful of simple and basic principles that can provide intriguing insights to those around you.

It can help you better understand your partner, business colleagues, competitors, celebrities, family members, friends, yourself, and everyone else.

It can reveal aspirations, creativity, energy, fears, inhibitions, potential, sexual stability, strengths, weaknesses and much more. But it cannot accurately reveal a person’s age, future (other than potential), gender, left- or right-handedness, race, religion or sexual orientation.

How To Plan a Meeting

Mattheller — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:45:57 -0500

Face-to-face meetings are the best way to reach a decision that requires discussion. Great meetings don't happen by accident. They are a result of advance planning that considers the desired outcome of the meeting and the needs of meeting participants. Here are some planning steps you can take to make your next meeting truly terrific.

How To Lead a Truly Terrific Meeting

Mattheller — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:35:27 -0500

Face-to-face meetings are the best way to reach a decision that requires discussion. A well-planned meeting can fail miserably if the person leading the meeting does not perform well. Great meetings don't happen by accident. They are a result of an effective leader who understands the purpose and desired outcome of the meeting and considers the needs of meeting participants. Here are some steps you can take to make your next meeting truly terrific:

How To Write a Business or Social Speech

David Block — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:59:50 -0500

Your audience first and foremost. Remember that speeches are not just about something, they're for something. So ask yourself what you want your speech to achieve. Then consider the nature of your audience and how best to approach them to achieve your aims. When deciding on the tone and content of your speech, answer the following:
- What is your relationship with the audience?
  
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How To Write an Effective Email

Mattheller — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:28:46 -0500

The internet is full of tips for creating professional and effective emails. Much of this practical to-the-point advice is aimed at young people trying to land their first job. Unfortunately, ineffective emails are very common among those already in the workforce. Some ineffective emails are written by people who are unused to computers and electronic communication. Others are written by folks who have poor overall communication skills. The vast majority are written by ordinary people. We are most likely to write ineffective emails when we are busy, feeling lazy, trying to avoid confrontation, or starting a new position. Here are steps we can take to write effective emails.

How To Improve Your Punctuality

Brian263 — Wed, 02 May 2007 20:03:00 -0500

Ever wonder how it is that people who seem perfectly reasonable, intelligent and otherwise considerate somehow never learn to be on time? It's as if they're in a state of perpetual bafflement when it comes to their tardiness. How is this possible, you wonder, when they're chronically late for every engagement in their lives? Well take it from me, a person for whom punctuality had always been an elusive beast - it is possible for lateness to be a constant, unpleasant surprise for someone, and there are ways to break the habit.