Business Etiquette is a MUST

In my campaigns class yesterday, I was lucky enough to hear a guest lecture about Business Etiquette - the lecturer came from a background of event planning and hospitality, and she also mentioned reading many books about the subject, so her advice seemed more than reliable.

While I think having an interview or meeting over a meal is probably one of the most scariest environments (yes, despite my politeness there are some minor things that are not appropriate that I wouldn't even realize,) the lecturer stressed that the main purpose is NOT the meal - it is the CONVERSATION. However, after choking on a piece of sushi in the middle of dinner last night at a public restaurant with my boyfriend, I couldn't help but worry about other embarrassing things that might go on during dinner meetings (regardless of how great your conversation may be)!

I went home and looked at some different Websites about dining etiquette, not only because I worry about myself, but I think the topic is very interesting and is often not stressed enough to students looking for jobs. YOU are the center of attention, so dining with a potential employer can give you the opportunity to either make or break an opportunity.

Some very interesting things I learned from the lecture and from other etiquette sites:

1. NO ALCOHOL!!!!

2. Eat light - avoid messy foods, even if you have to go through the drive-thru on the way home

3. When eating soup, bring the spoon away and then towards you and sip from the side of the spoon

4. If someone asks for the salt, pass both the salt AND the pepper

5. Can I use my fingers?

Yes
Berries, if served with the stem
Caviar on toast
Cheese on crackers
Corn on the cob
Crisp bacon
French fries (informal situations only)
Hamburgers
Hors d’oeuvres

NO
Berries without stems
Cake
Clams
Fish
Fruit
Ice cream served on cake or pie
Large chicken pieces
Oysters
Pastry
Pizza
Shish kabob
Shrimp
Sushi (or use chopsticks, if provided)
Steak

6. Know which plates, utensils, and glasses are yours, and know what each of them are meant for.

7. Order something you are familiar with

8. Even if you are invited to a meal, bring money just in case.

9. Try your best to make the other person feel comfortable.

10. FOCUS ON THE CONVERSATION (as difficult as it may be)!

A MySpace for Basketball Fans?

The explosive social media networks like myspace and facebook might come to mind when looking at Fan Voice, the new NBA on-line network that allows you to add friends, create profiles and favorites, leave their favorite quotes, and add pictures.

Fan Voice's unique features dealing with the NBA are to discuss fantasy, create NBA video highlight mixes, writing game recaps, and finding player stats.

Good idea?

I think Fan Voice is a great PR move made by the National Basketball Association. Although finding people with the same niche can easily be done through Facebook (creating groups and associating with people who have the same interests), Fan Voice should be able to attract an older audience rather than the high school and college students who log on to facebook 5 times a day (I know, it's becoming a habit). Speaking of basketball, all I have seen lately on Facebook are NCAA March Madness Pools, where people can actually go on-line, fill out a bracket, and compete with other group members across the country.

I am actually surprised it has taken this long for particular groups to create their own on-line social networks after seeing the success of others like myspace and facebook.

Steve Rubel talks about Fan Voice in his blog, which specifically focuses on how technology is revolutionizing PR and marketing. I think the on-line sites help the public become more involved and interested. On-line Fantasy Football, for example, causes participants to log onto sites such as espn.com, yahoo.com, etc. several times per week to adjust their rosters, check injury lists, and so on.

I'm very interested to see how popular the new Fan Voice will become.