Paula Pace, M.S. – Professional trainer, speaker, consultant, and author

Improve company communication with the help of a professional trainer and author. Paula Pace, distinguished speaker and author, offers hands-on training workshops.

Business Protocol

Business Protocol

Protocol“It is a valuable skill to be able to move among people with an ease and self-confidence that makes others want to know you and do business with you.”

Whether fair or unfair, it is true that people judge you and your company not only by what you know but often by how you interact on a social level, thus stressing the need for effective business communication skills, specifically business etiquette. Progressive businesses recognize that employees are the touch points of their organization’s reputation and success. Those firms are finding ways to give employees answers to their business protocol and business etiquette questions. Consider:

  • At a critical business luncheon you are being watched and evaluated by your customer. Do you want to be concerned with the intricacies of navigating the lunch such as how to order, what to order and how to eat your food? And what about conversation? Just when do you talk business, if ever?
  • At an important reception where you must juggle your plate, napkin, drink and conversation, do you appear uncomfortable and anxious?
  • When the time comes to make introductions, do you know how to do it correctly?

On a daily basis, you will find yourself in situations where you must be familiar with the social skills and business networking skills necessary to interact with other professionals.

Classes:

Introductions and First Impression

Introductions are where first impressions take place. This class addresses the many different introduction situations in which you will find yourself during the business day and into the evening.  Introductions are an important part of business networking; they are integral to the business communication strategies needed in making a good impression and they are part of good etiquette. This business networking class is designed for everyone who interfaces with customers.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn when to make an introduction.
  • Learn how to make self-introductions.
  • Conduct an introduction between two people who do not know one another.
  • Conduct small group introductions.
  • Learn how to introduce his or her spouse.
  • Learn the appropriate way to shake hands.
  • Learn how to remember names.
  • Incorporate the subtleties of making a good first impression, including dress, stance and approach.
  • Recognize the importance of Business and Network Protocol in today’s workplace.

The All-Important Business Lunch

“Deal or No Deal” is often determined at the business lunch. If you know the intricacies of hosting the event, including ordering from the menu, driving the utensils and eating with grace, you can focus on engaging the customer in conversation and connection. This business communication class is designed for those who take clients to lunch.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Extend a professional invitation to lunch.
  • Chose the right restaurant to fit the agenda.
  • Assume the role of host.
  • Guide your guest(s) through ordering.
  • Use utensils appropriately.
  • Learn how to eat different types of food.
  • Finesse picking up the check.
  • Initiate engaging and appropriate conversation.
  • Know when and how to conduct business.
  • Recognize the importance of Business and Network Protocol in today’s workplace.

Cocktails and Dinner

Different rules may apply when you embark on an evening of engagement with customers, dignitaries and guests. Knowing which bread plate is yours, how to eat different foods and how to say “no” to wine or coffee will lead you through a smooth evening filled with conversation and connection. This class is designed for those who represent their company at social functions and business networking events.

Objectives: Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Prepare for the experience.
  • Learn the appropriate way to shake hands and make introductions.
  • Learn to enter and exit a group.
  • Initiate engaging and appropriate conversation.
  • Use utensils appropriately.
  • Learn how to eat different types of food.
  • Use good, appropriate humor.
  • Be a good and gracious host to your guests.
  • Be a good and gracious guest.

The Business Reception

Balancing the plate, napkin and glass (all in one hand) will free you to meet and shake hands with people who attend receptions for just that reason. You will need to be able to enter and leave a group, talk with many people about many different things, and make introductions, all crucial elements of effective business communication and business networking. Knowing these business etiquette skills will enable you to move through the group engaging in conversation and connection. This business training class is designed for those who represent their company at social functions.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Prepare for the experience.
  • Know when to arrive, how long to stay and how to leave.
  • Learn the appropriate way to shake hands and make introductions.
  • Learn to enter and exit a group.
  • Converse and mingle with ease in large or small groups.
  • Know when and how to exchange business cards.
  • Learn how to enter and exit a group.
  • Use good, appropriate humor.
  • Know where to place a name tag.
  • Manage alcohol consumption.

And finally,

  • Know how to hold food, napkin and drink in one hand while keeping the right hand free for introductions.

General Good Manners

This class catches questions people have about basic good manners. Do I stand when a woman enters the room and do I offer my hand to her? Who enters and leaves the elevator first? Who opens the door for whom? Can I remove my suit jacket when I’m in my customer’s office? This business networking class is designed for everyone who works in an office.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Understand general good manners in the office.
  • Understand general good manners when meeting with a client.
  • Know when to rise in greeting another person.
  • Know who opens the door for whom?
  • Understand the politics of getting on and off an elevator.
  • Understand seating arrangements in cars.
  • Know to whom you show deference.