The "Unwritten" Office Rules.

The “Unwritten” Office Rules There are many “unwritten” office rules. To make a great daily impression and build fantastic working relationships, you need to brush up on these. Here are the top Do’s and Don’ts of office etiquette so you know when you may be overstepping the line. Privacy Pointers Working in an open plan situation, requires discipline and respect for others privacy and personal space. If you have problems with a colleague or a manager discuss these in the privacy of a closed office-with the person concerned. Announce yourself Don’t assume that all staff have an “open door policy”. Don’t barge into someone’s office space without checking that you are not interrupting – a verbal “knock, knock” will be appreciated. Acknowledge Always acknowledge the person walking into your office by looking up and making eye contact – even if you are busy on the telephone. A nod and eye contact acknowledges the person and makes them feel welcome. Confidential Work If you are working on a project of a confidential nature-keep out of sight of curious eyes. When away from your desk, don’t leave an email or document open on the screen. Put away, confidential paperwork in a drawer. Private Life In most offices you are constantly in hearing distance of others. Leave your personal drama at home. The whole floor does not need to hear about your cheating boyfriend’s latest wrong doing or your child’s potty training saga. Tidiness Even if your company does not have a “clean desk policy” ensure your desk is neat and tidy at all times. Your tidiness forms part of the “halo effect” and your overall professionalism. If your office area always looks like a rubbish dump – people will start to think “Imagine what her/his house looks like?” Eating Avoid eating at your desk. There is nothing more unpleasant than having to endure various food smells at all times (slap chips, sushi and popcorn), in an open plan environment. There is no escape, except perhaps to flee outside and play in traffic….Even if they never mention their disgust to you, colleagues might start to resent you, and label you as inconsiderate. Make sure you clean away used mugs and plates promptly. Take Your Turn Whether it is making coffee, buying cake or showing the new person around, make sure you take your turn. These small tasks show you are a team player. Personal calls Personal calls are no longer personal , in open plan offices, your call is likely to be overheard, even when colleagues don’t want to. If you can, wait until lunch or tea time to make personal calls. If you are making long personal calls at work you are either lacking job motivation or are disrespectful of company time. The quickest way to irritate your colleagues is by walking around the office speaking loudly on a cell phone. Help Out Offer your help to colleagues when you can see they really need it eg making photocopies 5 minutes before that all important meeting. Make sure you use your common sense on this one, as you can easily be taken advantage of. Personal Boundaries When borrowing staplers, pens, telephone directories etc.-always ask for permission, make sure you return it promptly and in the same condition. Before you move anything that belongs to a colleague -ask permission “Do you mind if I move these 2 files to give us more space?” Messing with someone else’s territory and possessions can lead to a nasty snap. Different people have different personal space areas. So before you sit your behind on someone’s desk or look over their shoulder at their new screen saver, ascertain how comfortable they are with your proximity. It is easy to pick up unease in someone whose space has been invaded by watching their body language. They may lean back, away from you. Turn in their chair to face you, using their legs as a barrier. They might move things towards you-files, a mug, almost pushing you away extending their boundaries. Avoid inflicting these on your colleagues – chewing nails, picking your nose, burping etc. Absolute No-No’s Converse in front of others in a language not understood by them. Not only is this rude but shows no consideration for the person that cannot understand that language. Abuse of company resources Remember, only your personal belongings are yours - everything else- your files, notes, e-mails belong to the company. Taking home office stationary for your child’s school project or your husband's new business is called STEALING. Using company e-mail for private purposes Make sure, you keep these to a minimum: personal e-mails, personal instant messenger use, surfing the net on company time, personal blogging. Remember, your e-mail system is owned by your employer, so the company has the right to discipline you for abusing it. Read your company’s official internet policy. Being Late If your company has a security card access system- management knows what time you go in and out of work. When needed, they can use these reports to implicate tardy employees. Don’t expect co-workers to cover up for you when late. Being late does not show how busy you are but rather how disorganized you are. Don’t Gossip Everyone gossips a little, however constantly spreading rumours or hearsay is not going to win you friends. If you become known for being a gossip, people will distrust you. Also remember that your next “secret” will be just as appealing to be passed on by others. Don’t Offend Never make racist, religious or sexist comments. At the same time, be careful you are not being too sensitive and easily offended. You’ll be labeled as the over-sensitive one and people will feel they need to “tiptoe” around you. SMS’s I am sure you know someone at the office who is addicted to sms’ïng. Make sure this is not you-it's very annoying. If you have to text-make sure your phone does not beep with every letter pressed and keep it to a minimum. Review your company's policies Every company has a list of policies available to its employees. If you don't remember them, now's a good time to brush up on what's acceptable and not.

Enquire about the Power Etiquette Workshop At all times, let your colleagues view you as a person with immaculate etiquette, courtesy and consideration. Let us guide you through the fundamentals of Business Etiquette. This corporate workshop will equip you to better present yourself at work and project a professional impression relevant for today’s working world. For more information on our Power Etiquette corporate workshops, please contact us on: Tel: 011 467 5126 or email: haydee@profimp.co.za www.profimpressions.co.za

Dreading going into work everyday?

Dreading going into work?

Bored with the usual conference/meeting?

Want an entertaining yet educational way to uplift yourself, your team, colleagues to new heights?

Invest in making  your personal brand thr most successful one yet.

Choose from our menu of exciting presentations:

“Be the next Chief Breakthrough Executive”
Reignite your mindset, position & prepare yourself for boundless opportunities. If you have a burning need to change your life-
this is the best time to do it. 

“First Impressions for Lasting Opinions”
Are you packaged for success?

“Power Etiquette”
What you don’t know can destroy your career.

“A Work in Progress”
Going from being Ordinary to Extraordinary.

“The Superwoman Syndrome”
Don’t know if you are coming or going? Trying to be everything to everyone?

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A Brand called You!

A Brand Called YOU!

Successful Personal Branding entails managing and influencing how others perceive you. In today’s online, virtual age having a powerful personal brand is crucial.
Think of some of the world’s most commanding personal brands…. Oprah, Nelson Mandela, Tiger Woods, Donald Trump and Richard Branson. These individuals have worked long and hard to establish powerful personal brands.
How hard have you worked at managing the brand called YOU? I believe in today’s fast changing world this is the key to your success.
Now is the time control and manage your brand.  Here are some ways on how to achieve this:

Describe Your Brand Most people don’t know what their brand stands for. Do you? You can’t develop your brand until you know what the brand stands for.

“Customers must recognize that you stand for something”Howard Schultz-CEO of Starbucks

Go to Brand Tags, a website that 'crowdsources consumer insights'. You can view what others perceive certain brands as – examples:
Hugo Boss-arrogant, designer, elegant, European

Audi-awesome-chic-classy-comfort

Jack Daniels-good times, heritage, smooth

Write down 3 descriptive words you want people to instantly think of when they think of you.  Now, ask your friends and colleagues to describe you in 3 words. If their words match yours-you are displaying your brand authentically. Caution-if the words are negative-you have some work to do. If you work for someone else –you are a brand within a brand. You need to be clear about what both brands stand for. There has to be a congruency between both if you wish to keep your job!

Plan a Brand InterventionThe good news is…you have the power to influence others to see you the way you want to be perceived. Once you have a clear description of your brand, select the areas you feel need improvement and put in place a “brand intervention.” These are some areas that may need changing: your image, etiquette, confidence, voice, negotiation or communication skills.

Be the “Real Thing”People smell fake a mile away. Ensure your personal brand is authentic and it reflects your personality, values and vision.

Be Consistent 24/7Everything you do and say is linked directly to your personal brand. In order for others to “buy” into your brand message you need to be consistent in  your actions and words. If you are inconsistent in communicating your brand you will confuse your audience and they will leave you in no time. You need to be as consistent as the taste of Coca Cola.

Digital BrandingIn this digital age people interact with your brand instantly-therefore your message needs to be clear and powerful. Think of your website-the most popular websites are those which provide added value-eg click on latest free tips. The emails/newsletters people read are those where they believe the brand is worth reading. 

If you enjoy writing-use social media by blogging or “twittering”. It is a great way to increase your search rankings and grow brand awareness. If you are comfortable to be seen in public-try a podcast or video. To view examples click here.

Be PersistentBe patient with yourself-most great brands took years to become what they are today. Insist to persist.

Every few months give yourself a “brand performance review” to see if you are still on track to being the brand of choice.

Professional Impressions would like to credit:
Fast Track-The Brand Called You-Tom Peters
Branding in the Digital Age-Katharina Scholtz
Tips for Personal Branding-Lyndi Lawson
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