Presentation created for Marketing Extension Training February 28, 2008 March 6, 2008 “Your Professional Style”

What is Professionalism? “Professional status, methods, character or standards.” Webster’s II University Dictionary “Professional status, methods, character or standards.” Webster’s II University Dictionary

Points of Study How to Make a First Impression Count! Making Your Appearance Work for You. Simple Courtesies that Build Relationships with Clients and Co-Workers. Getting the Most Out of Appointments. How to Make a First Impression Count! Making Your Appearance Work for You. Simple Courtesies that Build Relationships with Clients and Co-Workers. Getting the Most Out of Appointments.

Points of Study (cont.) Facilitating Productive Meetings. Establishing Rapport and Respect through Communications. Exercising Diplomacy, Handling Conflict and Difficult Situations. Staying Focused on Results. Facilitating Productive Meetings. Establishing Rapport and Respect through Communications. Exercising Diplomacy, Handling Conflict and Difficult Situations. Staying Focused on Results.

How to Make a First Impression Count Making Introductions What to say How to respond Examples of what to say Examples of “how to respond” Using the Handshake as a Greeting Handling Business Card Exchange Making Introductions What to say How to respond Examples of what to say Examples of “how to respond” Using the Handshake as a Greeting Handling Business Card Exchange

Making Your Appearance Work for You Body Language Good Grooming Habits Clothing and Accessories Body Language Good Grooming Habits Clothing and Accessories

Making Your Appearance Work… Wear appropriate clothing for the situation. Clothing should be clean, free of lint, repaired, and well pressed. Clothing should not be too tight or too loose. Wear appropriate clothing for the situation. Clothing should be clean, free of lint, repaired, and well pressed. Clothing should not be too tight or too loose.

Limit the use of accessories, including jewelry. Hosiery should match and be in good shape. Shoes should be polished and well heeled. Classic colors, including darker shades and cool tones, project authority. Limit the use of accessories, including jewelry. Hosiery should match and be in good shape. Shoes should be polished and well heeled. Classic colors, including darker shades and cool tones, project authority. Making Your Appearance Work…

Buy the best quality clothing you can afford. Have the same standard for outerwear as you do other clothing. Buy the best quality clothing you can afford. Have the same standard for outerwear as you do other clothing. Making Your Appearance Work…

Simple Courtesies that Build Relationships with Clients and Co-Workers Always greet your co-workers and clients with a smile and greeting!! Always greet your co-workers and clients with a smile and greeting!!

“Life is choices: always choose to do what you will remember ten years from now.” Richard A. Moran

Simple Courtesies… Always ask permission. Know the protocol. Respect property. Be neat and clean. Share materials. Always ask permission. Know the protocol. Respect property. Be neat and clean. Share materials.

Being Responsible for Your Work: Follow Through and Timeliness “Here are two ways to put ourselves in control of our lives immediately. We can make a promise – and keep it. Or we can set a goal – and work to achieve it.” -Stephen Covey “Here are two ways to put ourselves in control of our lives immediately. We can make a promise – and keep it. Or we can set a goal – and work to achieve it.” -Stephen Covey Simple Courtesies…

Keeping Proper Hours and Letting the Secretary Know Your Schedule Simple Courtesies…

Planning programs together Communications Coordinating programs together Doing your best Planning programs together Communications Coordinating programs together Doing your best Providing information Assisting new agents and others Ask if you need help Providing information Assisting new agents and others Ask if you need help Simple Courtesies that Build the Team

Getting the Most Out of Appointments Keeping your appointments Making appointments with others Keeping your appointments Making appointments with others

Facilitating Productive Meetings Planning and Preparation Successful Meeting Room Set-Up After Meeting Follow-Up Planning and Preparation Successful Meeting Room Set-Up After Meeting Follow-Up

Establishing Rapport and Respect Through Communications “Leaders gain strength by sharing strength.” “Leadership” magazine “Leaders gain strength by sharing strength.” “Leadership” magazine

Be sure to respond to all requests for information within 24 hours! Establishing Rapport and Respect …

How to Present and Speak in Public Know your topic. Know the audience. Be familiar with the logistics. Practice your presentation. Use appropriate body language. Your voice should be well modulated and low-pitched. Know your topic. Know the audience. Be familiar with the logistics. Practice your presentation. Use appropriate body language. Your voice should be well modulated and low-pitched.

Working with the Media The first rule of thumb in working with the media is to be courteous and respectful!

Telephone, Voice Mail, , Cell Phone Courtesies

Written Communications Outline. Date correspondence. Always have a salutation and topic. Use appropriate letterhead. Be brief. Thank-you’s are important. Outline. Date correspondence. Always have a salutation and topic. Use appropriate letterhead. Be brief. Thank-you’s are important.

Written Communications (cont.) Using Good Grammar Proof Reading Accuracy of Information Using Good Grammar Proof Reading Accuracy of Information

Exercising Diplomacy, Handling Conflict and Difficult Situations Treat others as you would want to be treated.

Results and Relationships in Conflict Resolution (win / win) Consideration for results. Consideration for relationships. Equal consideration for results and relationships. Consideration for results. Consideration for relationships. Equal consideration for results and relationships.

Handling Difficult Situations Try to do privately. Be specific about the problem. Be willing to discuss the issue. Be flexible. Work to problem solve. Provide positive feedback. Try to do privately. Be specific about the problem. Be willing to discuss the issue. Be flexible. Work to problem solve. Provide positive feedback.

“If you have dreams, then you have a purpose.” Deanna Beisser Staying Focused on Results

Jeanne Davis Western Region Program and Development Coordinator Information Prepared by: