I Think I Need a Binder

Great, my pages are loose, I can't find my notes, my interview is in ten minutes! Sometimes I just wish I was able to prepare before cramming everything to the last minute. To hand in something don't last minute and feel you're just handing in a pile of chicken scratch.

Why is it Important?

Chicken scratch you've been handing in? Yeah, that's not going to cut it in the business world. Professors and teachers often stress about format format FORMAT! It's something we learn throughout our life and that when presenting something professional, there's usually a set of rules. 

Now why do we have these formats? It's simple, so that everyone is on the same page and can easily compare what is well done and what is not. Think about reading a text book now if all the words are backwards it would be extremely difficult to read and understand it because the format is incorrect. 

In a business environment, your boss is expected for you to format everything according to a set of rules. This establishes:

1. Clarity and flow
2. Comparability with other documents
3. Attractiveness (who would bother reading pages full of mess?)
4. Reliability as an employee

What to do?

• Check your work frequently 
• Do it ahead of time to leave you time to edit
• Ask others to read it over (more insight)
• Ask questions

Meagan Templeton , (2012), 5 Ways to Improve Your GPA This Semester [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.hercampus.com/life/academics/5-ways-improve-your-gpa-semester [Accessed 01 March 13].

Guffey, M. E., Rhodes, K., & Rogin, P. (2011). Business Communication process and product. Toronto: south-western.

SMILE!

Ever felt a service was ten times better with a smile than with a blank face? Facial expressions really tell us a lot about the impression you're trying to convey. The customers do not really care about your personal feelings but their own and how you are going to satisfy their needs!

Why is it important?

Facial expressions can really tell many things even if you haven't spoken yet. It is the body language that you're giving off to others. In a business scenario, your peers are most likely looking at you when they're talking to you and if there's any change of expression from what they said there may be some problems. A smile is usually better than a blank face! Obviously speaking, when it's not good news it's not wise to smile. The expression from your face and others, sets off the mood of the situation. Undesirable expressions from you may result in being treated differently in the future. Aside from knowing your own company's set of norms, there may be some cultural differences between yours and others. An example can be in China where they usually would show a poker face. Understand that this may not be to insult anyone but an etiquette of which to show respect to you.

I Can't Control Them!

It is understandable that sometimes your emotions gets the best of you. The best solution is :

1. to remain as calm as possible not letting emotions manifest
2. Be professional as you can 
3. Do not jump into conclusions ( their norms may be different)
4. Try to smile frequently when necessary 

Business Pundit, (2012), How to Read Body Language and Facial Expressions [ONLINE]. Available at:http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-read-body-language-and-facial-expressions [Accessed 01 March 13].
ThinkShock, (2011), Can't Control your Anger? [ONLINE]. Available at:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-07/holistic-living/28235458_1_anger-real-issue-personal-attacks [Accessed 01 March 13].
Guffey, M. E., Rhodes, K., & Rogin, P. (2011). Business Communication process and product. Toronto: south-western.

That's offensive

Like said on the previous post, gestures are actually really important. One slip of the hand and there goes your business. We are becoming more diverse in business and being able to contact one another in real time rather than just writing letters. When I travelled overseas, some people would point with their middle fingers not knowing it was offensive, luckily I was aware of this or else...

Real time
Few years back, we didn't have webcams to contact each other. We depended on writing letters, phone calls or emails. Now that we are able to actually see the people not only should we be careful how we word what we say but how we physically present ourselves. We've been dependent on calling, emailing or mailing few years back but now it's become more real time and personal where others can see and hear you from different parts of the world.

Remember...
An example can be the way you eat your food. Yes that's right how you eat your food can tell others how you think of it. In America, slurping your food is a rude gesture where as in Japan or China it's not. Slurping your food in Asia in general, shows that you're enjoying the food! Remember not to take offence if you hear it from people over seas. We are becoming more multi cultural and sometimes it would mean accepting new customs.




Matts class, (2010), Gesture and Body language [ONLINE]. Available at:http://th4englishb.blogspot.ca/2010/05/gestures-and-body-language.html [Accessed 02 March 13].
Guffey, M. E., Rhodes, K., & Rogin, P. (2011). Business Communication process and product. Toronto: south-western.

Need some space?

Ever felt like someone was a bit too close to your comfort zone? This is your territory and it plays a huge role in business. It can go both ways, either you're giving sufficient amount of space for the person to feel content or too little and they would like to step back a bit!

Territory can be ownership for a space, item or yourself and when someone violates that you would most likely take it the wrong way. In a business scenario, this can lead to arguments, decline of a job, or overall awkwardness between the team! Aside from actually coming up too close to the other person, taking possessions of the person can lead to uncomfortable behaviour. Don't you feel mad at times when someone takes something of your own and you just met this person?
So please be aware of these little things that can give off a bad impression.




Esther Lin, (2012), Stann and Bisbing get too close for comfort [ONLINE]. Available at:http://www.titocouture.com/stann-and-bisbing-get-too-close-for-comfort/stann-and-bisbing-get-too-close-for-comfort/ [Accessed 01 March 13].
Guffey, M. E., Rhodes, K., & Rogin, P. (2011). Business Communication process and product. Toronto: south-western.

I'm scared

Break out of that shell of yours! We all know how difficult it may be for some to feel confident of themselves. Talking in front of the many people who will be critiquing your performance is hectic! But this is a business environment and unless you show some confidence, it will be really difficult to show what you're made of.

Why is it important?
Your posture tells a lot about yourself to others. It shows how comfortable you are with the audience or listener. If you show little interest to include your audience in your presentation, it shows lack of interest. But big confident movements to include people and ask questions really shows how you may be able to connect with them. Actions do speak louder than words and if you are able to show self confidence, the audience will  know you stand out.


What to expect?
This skill does not come over night for those who are not at that stage yet. It takes a lot of practice and self motivation. Aside from this, there will be a lot of cultural differences. Be sure to research your gestures that will not offend anyone! Check your ego before you enter that door because a lack of knowledge is a bigger threat.







Time Management Ninja, (2012), 10 Reasons Why Confidence Leads to Success [ONLINE]. Available at:http://timemanagementninja.com/2012/07/10-reasons-why-confidence-leads-to-success/ [Accessed 01 March 13].
Guffey, M. E., Rhodes, K., & Rogin, P. (2011). Business Communication process and product. Toronto: south-western.
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