L.A. Burdick’s handmade chocolate turkeys are truely a unique gift. I have tasted their chocolates and they are oh so good! Below is a description of the chocolate turkeys from their website.

 ”These chocolate turkeys are hand-piped with flavored ganache, each boasting a tail of almond feathers. We have a choice of Dark Chocolate Turkeys piped with a clementine ganache, and a Milk Chocolate Turkey piped with pecan, bourbon and chestnut ganache.”

 A box of four chocolate turkeys is U.S. $15.00 plus shipping. Individual chocolate turkeys wrapped in a cello bag are also available at U.S. $3.50 each plus shipping.

Enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Note: This is not a sponsored post. I do not receive monetary compensation from L.A. Burdick.

Last Minute Thanksgiving Gift Idea is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

Image a highly visible executive at a large private firm announcing she will stop using irony and parody in her blog posts. Her intention was to use wit to further her point although some readers misunderstood her humor. As a gesture to her readers she writes that going forward she will focus her tone on clarity of message with the goal of forging a stronger connection with her readers.

Her action is commendable—why?—because she chose to pay attention to her readers comments with empathetic understanding. She chose to pay attention to her online readers over indifference. She chose to tell her readers that they are worthy of her attention, and will honor their worth. In essence, she told her readers she will show consideration for them even though she doesn’t personally know them.

Some view etiquette as an arbitrary set of “rules” for being nice in society. Yet when looking closely at etiquette, and the action of our executive, we see that etiquette includes an ethical component, a consideration beyond ourselves. Etiquette at its highest level, goes beyond the “rules” to pay attention to others, to acknowledge their needs, and to meet their needs in a considerate way. These actions demonstrate a transcending of Self by acknowledging the value of others and how your actions impact them. 

Now some will say that what I describe are nice social virtues but the actions require a denial of self-expression. That withholding true thoughts goes against being authentic and transparent. 

I ask you to look at it another way.

Think of paying attention to others, acknowledging their needs, and meeting their needs in a considerate way, as a choice to be sensitive on how your actions affect others. It is a decision of self-control over concealment, of self-restraint over self-indulgence, a choice to express one part of yourself over another.

We have a choice to treat people the best way we know how. What choice are you making?

Photo Credit: John Fletcher / USA Jump Rope

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Raising the Bar on Business Etiquette is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

I’ve listed the top three phrases below.

1. At the end of the day

2. Fairly unique

3. I personally

For the complete list, please visit Mary’s recent blog post.

Just as business etiquette evolves over time so does business writing. To stay current with the latest business writing trends be sure to visit Mary’s blog.

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Business Phrases That Convey You’re Out of Style is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

It may be summer yet it’s not too early to start thinking about preparing yourself for landing a fall internship program. Below are some business etiquette tips you can start doing now to stand out among the crowd.

1. Start a blog. Think of a blog as an extension of your resume. It is a great tool to set you apart from other applicants by providing your prospective employer insight into your ideas and opinions. Write about an area that interests you and provides value to your readers. Employers routinely look for people who demonstrate they provide solutions to customers. After posting an article, engage with your readers by responding to their comments. Building relationships both online and offline reflects your interpersonal skills and insight on how you may interact in a team. A side benefit of a blog is that it provides a window into your writing skills. Hiring managers consistently report they are looking for stronger business writing skill in candidates.

2. Set-up a LinkedIn account. LinkedIn is more than profiling your resume. It is a key business tool to gain market awareness and connect with others in the same field of interest. For example, join LinkedIn groups and participate in the discussion. Provide relevant and valuable information for the members. Answer questions on LinkedIn. Write trusted recommendations for fellow college students. These actions show recruiters your depth of knowledge, interest in the field, and willingness to promote others.

3. Develop a professional online presence. Start now to develop your online professional presence. Here are a few suggestions.

—Create an e-mail address that includes your name. For example, tyler.beaumont@ or tylerbeaumont@ or tyler-beaumont@.

—Go one step further and purchase a domain (url) in your name and establish an e-mail address such as tyler@tylerbeaumont.com.

—Verify privacy settings on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and all social media accounts reflect the image you want to portray to recruiters.

—“Friend” all business contacts on LinkedIn. If a recruiter or potential employer sends a friend request to your Facebook account, politely let then know you use LinkedIn for business connections and Facebook for personal relationships.

4. Turn off your cell phone during the interview. A hiring manager tells a story that while interviewing a college student for an internship program, the student pulled out his smartphone to search the Internet for a fact to make a point during the interview. Then discreetly, yet visible to the hiring manager, read a text message before raising his head to rejoin the interview. Don’t engage with your cell phone during the interview, engage with the hiring manager.

5. Follow-up with a thank-you note after the interview. In fact, send an e-mail immediately after the interview expressing your appreciation and, within 24 hours mail a handwritten thank-you note. If you really want to differentiate yourself from others, write the thank-you note on personalized stationery. Several online stores offer personalized stationery at a reasonable price.

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What are your business etiquette tips for scoring an internship program?

5 Business Etiquette Tips for Scoring an Internship is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

The New York Times article “Mind Your BlackBerry or Mind Your Manners” raises the question if mixing texting with meetings is acceptable business etiquette. For some,”to ignore real-time text messages in a need-it-yesterday world is to invite peril.” For others, tapping while talking can hinder a possible business deal.

My take on the debate is to reflect on your relational skills. Am I acknowledging the person in my presence? Am I responding to their needs in a considerate way? Am I building or enhancing our relationship?

For me, the BlackBerry is out of sight, out of mind, while in the presence of others. What’s your take?

UPDATE Need a laugh on BlackBerry etiquette? Read Katie Couric’s Notebook.

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My Take on the BlackBerry Debate is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

Do you have a virtual business card? I’m seeing the use of paperless business cards more often as social media networking increases.

I first became aware of the virtual business card after listening to attendees share their experience at the South by Southwest media technologies conference. Contxts was the predominant service used to exchange business contact information via a simple text message.

This week Mashable profiled several other services that also offer paperless business cards. One service that is gaining traction is MyNameIsE. Instead of a text message, MyNameIsE exchanges contact information over the Internet browser enabled on your mobile phone.

Another interesting service that recently came across my radar is twtBizCard by TwtApps. Now you can send your business card through a Twitter reply message. As more connections form on Twitter, this service may take off.

What I find so fascinating about social media is that business etiquette remains ‘in style’ even virtually.

When creating your virtual business card, below are a few etiquette tips to keep in mind.

1. Check for the correct spelling of your name. It is so easy for a thumb to slip and press the wrong key.
2. Carefully review to make sure telephone numbers are not accidently transposed. Between work, home, and cell numbers, a typo can easily occur.
3. Verify all the urls to social media sites are accurate. Make sure the “dot” “colon” and “backslash” are in the right sequence.
4. Create a relevant and professional email address or textid; one that is meaningful for your business.
5. Upload a professional picture. Try to use the same photo displayed on your social media sites so there is consistency.
6. Proofread, proofread, and once again proofread before hitting the done key and sending the contact information.
7. Keep your contact information current so the recipient’s address book has up-to-date information.
8. Add personal notes in your mobile phone’s address book after the event, when you have a moment in private.

So tell us, which service are you going to use for your virtual business card?

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Retro Etiquette In Style for Paperless Business Cards is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

Parts of her story will more than likely resonate with you.

To view the video go to Ms. Elliott’s website and click on the image located under the words “Digital Story.” Then share with us how you balance the immediacy of the cell phone ring with the here-and-now moment.

UPDATE Two days after publishing this post White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs seized a reporter’s cell phone after it wouldn’t stop ringing during a briefing. Watch the humorous yet poignant video.

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Are You Too Connected? is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

If I were to choose the single best business etiquette tip it would be to always do your best to save a person’s face—client or colleague. It comes from the premise to show benevolent regard for others.

My friend Dr. P.M. Forni, a professor and co-founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project once said, “To a large extent the quality of our lives depend on the quality of our relationships…the quality of our relationships depend on the quality of our relational skills.”

In business when many are focused on achieving, I suggest to take the time to slow down and be kind. Trusted relationships are usually built on positive encounters.

What is your best business etiquette tip?

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Business Etiquette: Is Civility Dead?

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The Best Business Etiquette Tip is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

After hearing Mr. Elton’s comment I wondered if managers actually wrote thank you notes. Then I came across an article in the New York Times that answered my question.

In an interview with Richard Anderson, chief executive of Delta Air Lines, Mr Anderson said, “You’ve got to be thankful to the people who get the work done, and you’ve got to be thankful to your customers. So, I find myself, more and more, writing hand-written notes to people. I must write a half a dozen a day.”

So if you are looking to thank a person for a thoughtful act or courtesy, take out the paper and pen write a short note. The receiver will more than likely appreciate the kind words.

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Britain Prefers a ‘Please’ or ‘Thank You’ Over Currency

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Business Etiquette: Managers Writing Thank You Notes is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

“The moment you open your mouth you either confirm or deny an initial impression. If you sound strong and confident, chances are you will be thought of that way.” – Janet G. Elsea, Ph.D.

As webinars and video become more popular forms of communication in business, below are three tips to enhance your voice impression.

1. Monitor the Tone of your Voice –Use a recorder to listen to the sound of your voice. Does it have a high pitch? Does it sound flat? A high-pitch or melody sounding voice may be viewed as less credible or immature. A flat voice, or one that does not have a pitch, will likely come across as monotonous. Also take note of your pitch in declarative sentences. A sentence ending with an upward inflection usually forms a judgment of tentativeness or powerlessness.
2. Sharpen the Articulation of Words – Pay attention to how individual sounds in your words are vocalized. For example of “yea” vs. “yes.” Avoid substituting one sound for another. Also avoid leaving a sound out of a word, for example “probbly” instead of “probably.” Lastly avoid adding syllables to words, for instance “ster-ong” instead of “strong.”
3. Time How Fast you Talk – The average rate of speech is 130 to 160 words per minute. Use a stop watch to estimate your rate of speech. Do you talk too fast? Too slow? If words are running together, the rate of speech may be too fast. If the rate of speech is the same throughout the presentation, add pauses to stress important points. Varying the rate of speech (as appropriate) is a great way to add interest and variety.

What are your tips for voice communication? Leave a comment below telling us about them.

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Business Etiquette: Proper Attire Impacts Promotion

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First Impressions: Three Tips To Enhance the Sound of Your Voice is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog