101 TIIPS - Transform Your Image, Increase Your Profits, Polish Your Etiquette...Succeed Read online

  Be aware of the differences in cultures; but do not be judgemental, rather try to learn and understand their customs.

  Show respect for you elders, property, both private and public along with places of worship.

  Respect comes in various forms, from your attire to your attitude; therefore be always mindful of the signals that you send.

  “Always treat people as

  ends in themselves,

  never as means to an end.” 

  ― Immanuel Kant

  ~~~~~

  79. Action Step

  You can elevate others by the way you treat them......

  “When we treat people merely as they are,

  they will remain as they are.

  When we treat them as if they were

  what they should be,

  they will become what they should be. ”

  ― Thomas S. Monson

  ~~~~~

  80. R.S.V.P.

  The origin of R.S.V.P is French and it means "répondez, s'il vous plaît," which when translated simply means ‘please reply.’

  When you receive an invitation common courtesy dictates that you respond.

  When that invitation carries an RSVP it is crucial that you do so. That will give your host(s) an indication of how many people to cater for.

  Some R.S.V.P’s come with ‘Regrets Only’ – in this instance the host is assuming that if you do not reply, saying that you are not coming, that you will be there.

  Even though you may think that R.S.V.P. is old fashioned and outdated, be assured that it is not. It is as fail safe a method as possible to know how to cater for any event.

  “Knowing is not enough;

  we must apply.

  Willing is not enough;

  we must do”

  Johann Wolfgang Von Geothe

  ~~~~~

  81. Action Steps

  Do what you know is right……

  “I am only one,

  but still I am one.

  I cannot do everything, but still

  I can do something;

  And because I cannot do everything

  I will not refuse to do the

  something that I can do.”

  Helen Keller

  ~~~~~

  82. Shaking Hands

  Shaking hands is a ritual we have used for hundreds of years when meeting a stranger, greeting acquaintances or family members.

  In business a firm handshake is the norm – although one must always be conscious of the customs of other cultures.

  To be successful in business one must brush up on the various forms of greetings other than the handshake – the bow, the nod and Namaste are a few. It would be prudent to learn the different customs.

  In some cultures a man is not allowed to shake a woman’s hand and vice versa. Also in today’s society there are many people who do not shake hands because of their fear of contracting germs.

  As with everything – there is a right and a wrong way to shake hands.

  Learn the correct way to shake hands - Be observant and be prepared.

  “I forgot to shake hands and be friendly.

  It was an important lesson about leadership!”

  Lee Iacocca

  ~~~~~

  83. Action Steps

  Your personality can be deciphered even by someone who is sightless…….

  “The hands of those I meet

  are dumbly eloquent to me.

  The touch of some hands is an impertinence.

  I have met people so empty of joy,

  that when I clasped their frosty finger-tips,

  it seemed as if I were shaking hands

  with a northeast storm.

  Others there are whose hands

  have sunbeams in them,

  so that their grasp warms my heart!”

  – Helen Keller

  ~~~~~

  84. Smile

  A smile – a genuine smile costs nothing, but it can brighten the day of someone who needs it.

  When you smile at someone, inevitably the smile comes back at you.

  Smiling is contagious.

  There is some discrepancy about the number of muscles it takes to smile vs. the number it takes to frown – but the bottom line is smiling is more infectious than frowning; and it makes you feel better.

  A smile can close the gap between strangers who may not speak the same language.

  Give a stranger the gift of your smile, but give your family the benefit of your joy-filled smiles.

  “I’ve had to learn to fight all my life –

  got to learn to keep smiling.

  If you smile, things work out.”

  Serena Williams

  ~~~~~

  85. Action Steps

  A warm smile should be second nature to you, because....

  “Everything happens for a reason,

  live it, love it, learn from it!

  Make your smile change the world,

  But don’t let the world change your smile!

  Nishan Panwar

  ~~~~~

  86. Success

  Success and Convenience do not hang out together. One always has to stretch one’s self to be successful.

  Success – has a different definition for everyone.

  Hold a vivid vision of your goal before you at all times; after achieving the first goal, set another and another because success does not stand still.  

  To be successful there must be a deep rooted desire to achieve and the ability to pay no attention to the naysayers, the challenges and obstacles that may be strewn on your path.

  Success is whatever you want it to be, the important thing is that you are happy an content with what you do....and that you always strive to do better, or accomplish more.

  “I have failed over and over again in my life

  and that is why I succeed.”

  Michael Jordan

  ~~~~~

  87. Action Steps

  Showing up and being present are important to success, because....

  “To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of

  intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the

  approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of

  false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in

  others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better,

  whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed

  social condition; to have played and laughed with

  enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life

  has breathed easier because you have lived,

  this is to have succeeded.”

  ― Bessie Anderson Stanley

  ~~~~~

  88. Substance

  Substance – that which is solid, practical and high in quality and character.

  Anyone who has substance is genuine, consistent and has a variety of interests along with a bona fide personality.

  A person of substance refers to a person who is knowledgeable and acts and conducts themselves that way, (without being a show off or know it all) because they continually educate themselves; and they have respect for the feelings of others.

  Substance – the intangible “it” factor that leads to success.

  “Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.”

  Aesop

  ~~~~~

  89. Action Steps

  We are responsible for our growth and development so.....

  “We must look for ways to be an active

  force in our own lives.

  We must take charge of our

  own destinies,

  design a life of substance

  and truly begin

  to live our dreams.

  Les Brown

  ~~~~~

  90. Style

  Style is knowing who you are as an individual and expressing yourself in that manner or fashion which enables you to carve out an identity.


  Style can be used as a vehicle to express your beliefs and integrity.

  Style is more than the clothing that you wear or whether you are fashionable or not – style is made up of who you are inside, the confidence you exude, the compassion you show for others.

  You are not born with style, but you can certainly cultivate it. First you have to know and understand what makes you unique, and love that part of you, then you work to develop a style that is truly yours.

  "The only real elegance is in the mind;

  if you’ve got that, the rest really comes from it."

  — Diana Vreeland

  ~~~~~

  91. Action Steps

  Know yourself, learn your style, then stick to it, for.......

  “Fashion changes,

  but style endures.”

  ― Coco Chanel

  ~~~~~

  92. Silence

  The old saying ‘Silence is golden’ should apply whenever you find yourself at a disadvantage and you know nothing you say will help the situation.

  Some people are afraid of silence, but you should embrace it as your friend; for it allows to you to ‘think’ before you speak and as a result possibly make more agreeable statements.

  When you find yourself in a sticky situation an easy way to lessen the tension and not disagree with those with whom you are speaking is to simply say - “I value your opinion.”

  “Silence is only frightening to people

  who are compulsively verbalizing.” 

  ― William S. Burroughs

  ~~~~~

  93. Action Steps

  It is important to know when to be silent, because...

  “Sometimes one creates a dynamic

  impression by saying something,

  and sometimes one creates

  as significant an impression

  by remaining silent.”

  Dalai Lama

  ~~~~~

  94. Transformation

  Alteration, Conversion, Revolution, Makeover, Change – these are words that aptly describe transformation.

  However, in order to change one must first be aware of the blemish that is retarding one’s growth and development.

  Then there must be a deep rooted desire to adapt the necessary steps that will allow change.

  One must be vigil so as not to slip back into the old habits; because change often comes with the parting of ways from those who do not share your vision.

  “First comes thought;

  then organization of that thought

  into ideas and plans;

  then transformation of those plans

  into reality.”

  - Napoleon Hill

  ~~~~~

  95. Action Steps

  Like the butterfly we all transform........

  “What transforms this world is — knowledge.

  Do you see what I mean?

  Nothing else can change anything in this world.

  Knowledge alone is capable of transforming the world,

  while at the same time leaving it exactly as it is.

  When you look at the world with knowledge,

  you realize that things are unchangeable and

  at the same time are constantly being transformed.”

  ― Yukio Mishima

  ~~~~~

  96. Wisdom

  Simplified ‘Wisdom’ can mean among other things – understanding, knowledge, insight, perception, good judgement, acumen, astuteness

  Many words have be spoken and written about wisdom, but these words by Eckhart Tolle may have summed it up best.

  “Wisdom comes with the ability to be still. Just look and just listen. No more is needed. Being still, looking, and listening activates the non-conceptual intelligence within you. Let stillness direct your words and actions.”

  “Knowledge is the process of piling up

  facts; wisdom lies in their simplification.”

  Martin Fischer

  ~~~~~

  97. Action Steps

  Learning from your mistakes is one way to gain wisdom.......

  “By three methods we may learn wisdom:

  First, by reflection, which is noblest;

  Second, by imitation, which is easiest;

  and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”

  ― Confucius

  ~~~~~

  98. Upshot

  Revisit the suggestions and tips laid out within this ebook to Sharpen your

  Image & Etiquette Skills, which will allow you to –

  Transform Your Image...Increase Your Profits...Succeed!

  “Great changes may not happen

  right away,

  but with effort even the difficult

  may become easy.”

  – Bill Blackman

  ~~~~~

  99. Action Steps

  Change happens one step at a time.....

  “If you have a great ambition,

  take as big a step as possible

  in the direction of fulfilling it.

  The Step may only be a tiny one,

  but trust that it may be the largest

  one possible right now.”

  Mildred McAfee

  ~~~~~

  100. Reaffirmation

  Position yourself for the success you wish to achieve by taking appropriate action to enhance your image, etiquette and communication skills and your professional presence.

  Make a list of the people you admire and respect and once a quarter or as often as you can afford to invite one of them for lunch, coffee or a phone conversation.

  Prepare for the meeting by making a list of appropriate questions about their success strategies.

  Be sure that you have something to offer in return such as a lead an article of interest (to them) or something similar (do your homework before you make the call).

  Follow up with a handwritten thank you note and if appropriate a small gift, something meaningful but not too expensive.

  “Affirmation without discipline

  Is the beginning of delusion.”

  - Jim Rohn

  ~~~~~

  101. Action Steps

  We stay in sync by reaffirming our vision......

  “If there are flaws, they are within ourselves,

  and our task therefore must be one

  not of redesign but of renewal

  of our reaffirmation especially of the

  standards in which all of us believe.”

  Elliott Richardson

  ~~~~~

  About the Author

  Joanna Parris works with business executives and entrepreneurs to help them understand the value of the professional presence (image) that they project; and the importance of (business & social) etiquette so they can enhance their everyday interactions; thereby improving their bottom line - cash flow and credibility.

  Joanna has worked with clients in Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and the U.S. She founded BOSS Image & Etiquette Management to help business people overcome challenges ranging from being appropriately dressed for the occasion to knowing which fork to use at a formal dinner.

  Joanna’s goal is to help you to:

  Transform Your Image…Increase Your Profits….Polish Your Image…Succeed!

  ~~~~~

  The Top 101 Image & Etiquette

  Tips Every Business Executive and

  Entrepreneur MUST Know & Use To Achieve Greater Success!