Tip of the Month

October 2002

Professional Polish

In This Issue

Message From Jeanette

Coming Up

Gift of the Month

Got A Pet Peeve?

Ask Jeanette

Test Your Etiquette Awareness

Your Computer Image

Fashion - Just For Men (Click here)

Article - "Changing Face of Menswear" (Click here)

Fashion - Just For Women (Click here)

Dressing For Success 2002-Style (Click here)

Some of Our Favorite Links

Thought For The Month

Coming Up

Wednesday, October 23, 2002

 Your Image: How It Impacts Your    Bottom Line

Houston Financial Council For Women

If you are interested in attending, please follow the link for more information.

Thought For The Month

A person too busy to take care of his co-workers is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.

Author unknown

Take a closer look at your image!

Published by Professional Polish

Copyright © 2002 Professional Polish. All rights reserved.

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Professional Polish

2600 S. Gessner, Suite 317

Houston, TX 77063

713-467-3988

Fax: 713-935-0303

www.professional-polish.com

[email protected]

Message From Jeanette

Welcome to our new subscribers. We hope you enjoy "Star Qualities". We always welcome your feedback and questions.

October is the month we all need to begin planning our business holiday gift giving. The gift you give is a reflection of you and your company and it can be a powerful tool when used properly. Do be careful that the gift is not seen as a manipulative gesture, and send only cards to former clients. Gifts will be seen as an attempt to win back business. Here are some tips that may be helpful to you:

• Within your company, establish a policy for gift giving, put it in writing, and follow it.

• Consistency is important.

• Food and beverage items are usually a good choice but you need to check out the cultural background or dietary preferences of the intended recipient.

• Avoid giving liquor unless you are absolutely sure that the recipient drinks.

• Avoid giving anything too personal or that could be misconstrued in any way.

• Do not give anything that has religious overtones.

• A good choice is usually a tasteful gift that in some way reflects your business.

• Considerations when deciding how much to spend: company policy, your salary, number of donors, relationship. It can be just as inappropriate to overspend as it is not to spend enough.

Remember! Plan ahead! Now is the time.

The next newsletter will be out sometime in November and it will be your holiday issue with lots of tips for holiday networking and much more. Be looking for it.

(Click here to leave your comments and suggestions)

FREE Gift of the Month

Congratulations to Anthony DeSouza with H R & P! He is the winner

of the round of golf for two at BlackHorse Golf Club. BlackHorse Golf Club was voted Houston's #1 Daily Fee Golf Club. It is a beautiful course so even if  you didn't win, you will want to pay them a visit. Click here to visit their web site.

Our gift this month is from a very special lady who now lives in Miami, Florida. Her name is Lynn Marks. She is a national leader in business, personal and spiritual coaching and I can personally recommend her, as I have known her for many years and have used her to coach me in my own business. She is offering the lucky winner a powerful one-hour coaching session with her. This is a $250 value. This gift must be claimed by December 1, 2002.

For those who are ready, Lynn Marks is the catalyst for unleashing their full potential. A pioneer in the business and spiritual coaching movement, she also speaks and writes nationally on performance, self-confidence and personal power.

Experienced in working with Fortune 100 corporate executives and established entrepreneurs, Lynn advises and coaches clients to rapidly breakthrough struggle and conflict and reach new levels of professional and personal success.

Lynn is the author of Messages from God® and Strategies for Your Personal Success.

To learn more about Lynn, contact her at 305-271-7551, visit her web site www.lynnmarks.com or email her at [email protected].

You may sign up to win this gift anytime between now and midnight October 31st. Good luck!

Sign Up for Gift of the Month

Got A Pet Peeve?

Why can't men learn to shake hands properly with women?  Men give men firm handshakes, but when it comes to women, they give us a very weak one.

I think men are afraid they are going to hurt women's hands. Some men still don't know whether to offer their hand to a women or not. The following are tips which should help:

• Handshakes should be the same for men and women.

• Men, don't wait for a woman to extend her hand first. (Times have changed.) Often the person who extends his hand first is considered to be taking the initiative and is in a position of control. It shows you are ready to do business.

• A weak handshake says you lack confidence, but a firm, one-handed clasp says you are friendly and confident.

• For women, it is important not to offer your hand palm down; it looks as though you expect it to be kissed rather than shaken.

• A flamboyant hug or other excessive demonstration of affection is not appropriate in a business setting.

• A two-handed clasp is all right between two persons who are well acquainted, but it is not professional looking.

The Correct Handshake: Extend your hand vertically, keeping your fingers together and your thumb up. Slide the web of your hand all the way to the web of the other person's hand. Hold you head up, have good eye contact and smile.

Do you have an etiquette pet peeve? Let us know about it and we'll discuss it.

 (Click here to write to us.)

Q I am a woman who travels quite a bit in my business. Any tips for a travel wardrobe?

A Sometimes it is difficult to find someone to help us with our luggage, so it is best to take only what we can comfortably manage ourselves. Keep your travel wardrobe to one basic color. This limits the number of accessories needed and expands your combination options. You also will want to match your traveling outfit to your packed wardrobe for added garment options. Color accents should be made with pieces that take up little space, e.g., scarves, belts, blouses. Keep jewelry to a minimum, and take only those clothes that you've worn before and you know look  good and fit well.

NOTE:  We have several questions pending, and we take them in the order they are received. Keep looking for yours.

Have a question for Jeanette? Just e-mail us, and she will answer your question.

(Click here to send email)

By popular request, the answers to the question will be in the same issue! Just don't look at the answer until you've thought about the question. We've made the answer smaller so it won't just pop out at you.

Q How should I handle drinking alcoholic beverages at a business lunch when I am the host? When is it OK to have a drink?

A  It is polite to ask a guest whether he or she would like a beverage before lunch. If they do not order an alcoholic beverage, neither should you. If they do, you could have one also - but limit yourself to just the one. If you do not drink alcohol, a good alternative is mineral water with a twist of lemon or lime.

Dick Myers, owner of Small Business Consultants, provided our Computer Tip for this month. He asks the question: "Are you getting all the speed you are paying for on your internet connection?" He goes on to talk about how a free web site being offered will provide tools for measuring your speed and making adjustments to your connection settings to improve your connection performance. Please click here to get more information on this free web site.

The timeless appeal of classic smoking pipes captivates enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Our online store offers a curated selection of exquisite bongs that blend tradition with modern design. Each piece not only enhances your smoking experience but also serves as a stunning centerpiece. Discover the perfect smoking pipes that reflect your style and elevate your sessions to a whole new level of enjoyment.