Since it is Memorial Day weekend and many of you will be spending time with family and friends, I thought you would enjoy a lesson that you can put into practice this weekend. For those of you who follow my daily lessons, some of these points will be timely reminders.

One of the themes I keep coming back to is how you can best stand out from the crowd. I just find that so few people make the extra effort to do so. In Stand Out From the Crowd I shared how people’s respect grows for those who return calls and emails in a timely manner and finish their responsibilities on time….read more

Everyday we meet with groups of people socially and professionally. How we interact plays a large role in the impressions we create. Are we taken seriously or do people discount what we say? Does people’s respect for us grow or would they prefer not to be around us any more? Once again, you are in control.

Following these tips will give you a leg up in your next group meeting or social event.

1.  Dress consistently with how you want to be viewed-—You may think that dressing for success is an overused phrase or your attire really doesn’t matter. But IT DOES. Remember you are marketing a product and that product is YOU…read more

On a recent Little Things Matter Facebook post I listed four questions you should never ask someone and encouraged readers to have some fun by adding theirs to my list. Well, fun we had. 128 comments later, I was laughing so hard that that I had tears in my eyes. Here are the top 70 things you should never say or ask. Hope they bring a smile to your face.

THINGS YOU NEVER SAY TO OR ASK A WOMAN:

1. Asking an overweight woman, when are you due?

2. When are you going to have that baby; seems like you’ve been pregnant forever (as she turns around with a baby in her arms!)

3. Are “those” real? – diamonds, hair color, nails and whatever else comes to your mind…read more

With the advancements in smart phone technology, text messaging is becoming a more popular way to communicate. Commonly referred to as “texting”, this method of communication is simple, efficient and effective. But what’s considered acceptable when texting friends is very different than what is acceptable when texting business contacts. Here are 20 short tips to help you make good decisions.

1. Don’t send a text, unless it’s urgent. When you send people a text, in most cases you will be interrupting them. The default settings on most mobile phones ring or vibrate when it receives a text message. So if you are going to interrupt someone, make sure you have a good reason….read more

This week I attended a black tie dinner in Bangkok, Thailand. Not only was it a great opportunity to spend time with a group of distinguished leaders from around the world, but it was also served as a reminder of the importance of proper dinner etiquette. I am far from being Mr. Manners, but I have learned a lot over my career about how to handle myself at important dinner engagements.

In this lesson I will highlight the top twenty things I’ve learned about being a dinner guest. By following these simple rules you will make a positive impression on everyone at the table.

1.Prepare in advance—Make sure you know what you are going to wear including all the accessories and give yourself plenty of time to get ready. I won’t tell you about the time I left my tuxedo shirt at home and didn’t realize it until I was getting dressed in my hotel room.

2.Look good—Discover what the dress code is in advance and make sure you look your best. If you are unsure, you are better off over dressing than under dressing. One of the last things you want to do for an important dinner is to feel under dressed…… read more

The impression you make on people through your handshake influences how they feel about you. A proper handshake is even more important when meeting people for the first time. First impressions are lasting impressions. The manner in which you extend your hand, the degree of firmness and the timing demonstrate your poise and confidence and will inevitably set the tone for your relationship. In this lesson we will explore the specifics of handshake etiquette and examine how a handshake can enhance your brand.

I know some of you are thinking, Come on Todd, I know how to shake someone’s hand. But realistically when was the last time you analyzed your handshake? Consider these questions:…read more