How to Show Good Workplace Etiquette

If you want to be successful in the corporate world, business etiquette is key.  Dealing with others and getting along with them is exceedingly important in the workplace environment.  Learning business etiquette can go a long way.  It can help advance your career, make you day-to-day tasks easier and make work more thoroughly enjoyable.  Following proper business etiquette is essential if you want to get ahead in corporate America.

First off, try your best to be nice to all your colleagues even if you don’t like them or you find them unprofessional or they have other quirks that bother you.  Showing respect to your colleagues is essential if you want to get a good reputation at work and having a good reputation goes a long way.  It ensures that your boss sits up and takes notice and it allows co-workers to be more willing to lend a hand when you’re overwhelmed with projects.

Avoid office gossip.  While it’s easy to become embroiled in “water cooler” talk, try to steer clear of it.  Not everyone you confide in at the office is one hundred percent trustworthy and you never know who your outspoken opinions might get around to.  Don’t bad mouth co-workers or vent too much.  While it might be difficult, try keeping negative opinions about others to yourself.

While you don’t need to get overly friendly, engage your colleagues in casual conversation and try to get to know them better.  Getting insight into things that are going on in their lives beyond business might give you more insight into why they operate the way they do at work.  Invite a co-worker out for lunch or coffee or grab an after-work drink to get to know one another better.  Ask them what their day is like and how they cope with work-life balance.  Showing an interest in your colleagues goes a long way to getting ahead.

Be friendly and outgoing.  A little smile every once in a while can only help you.  Offer to help co-workers with tasks that might be overwhelming to them.  They will likely return the favor in kind.  Show your co-workers that you care about them and that you are a team.  While you always have to focus on your own tasks, going the extra mile every once in a while is a positive and you’ll see that you reap rewards from it.

Avoid bringing your personal problems into the office.  While you might have a stressful personal life, leave it at home; don’t bring it to work with you.  No one wants to hear constant complaints.  Bosses and co-workers expect you to focus on your job every day and act professional.  No one wants to hear complaints 24/7.

Try not to make mistakes.  While it’s bound to happen that you’ll make one on occasion, be cognizant of it and try not to repeat it.  No one wants to be seen as lazy or sloppy in the way they handle assigned tasks.  You can always learn from your mistakes but if you keep repeating them, you’ll soon find yourself in hot water.

Dress the part.  Always make sure you look professional on a day-to-day basis.  Don’t come into work too casual unless your office dress code is such.  The appearance you project is the way others view you and making a good impression is something that sticks with people.  If you dress for success, you’ll find yourself actually achieving that success.

Always appear busy even on your downtime.  Avoid checking personal emails and social media sites too often.  While it’s okay to take a breather every now and again, you need to project an image that you are always taking your job seriously and that between business hours, it comes first.  Look focused and pay attention.  Remember, at any job there are constantly eyes on you even if you don’t see them.

Be on time or in fact be early.  Never keep a business associate waiting.  Their time is valuable too and you have to be respectful of that.  Being late leaves a bad impression with people that they might not soon forget.  If you arrive to meetings and other events in a timely fashion, you’ll get a reputation for fierce professionalism which can only help you get ahead.

Offer a firm handshake.  It shows confidence and professionalism.  It’s a chance to make a good first impression and shows you are serious about your job.  Introductions are important as well as establishing relationship that are long-lasting.

Lastly and most importantly, always communicate effectively.  Be prompt in returning emails and phone calls.  Show other people that you value their time and opinions and that they’re a high priority on your radar.  If you’re slow to get back to people, you’ll find they’ll start to become slow to get back to you.  Quick and transparent open lines of communication are key to workplace etiquette.

So what have we learned here today?  Have you had trouble with workplace etiquette in the past?  Have you found these tips useful or have you used other methods you’ve found more effective?  Leave a comment and let me know.  Opinions are always welcome!

Here are some articles you might want to check out on having good workplace etiquette:

“Good Business Etiquette”: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/good-business-etiquette-2905.html

“Workplace Etiquette”: http://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/resources/tipsheets/skills-business-etiquette

“Business Etiquette”: http://themitchellorganization.com/signature-programs/business-etiquette/

For more information on the real estate services offered by Emerge212, check out our official website here: http://emerge212.com

Until next time…

Ten Reasons to Start Your Own Business Today!

Starting a small business is often a scary proposition.  Leaving the comforts of corporate America behind like benefits and job security scare most people away from becoming entrepreneurs.  That said, there has to be a reason why roughly 600,000 new business are started each year.  Even if you’ve pondered it for quite some time, it’s never too late.  Starting a business has long been considered a risky proposition.  Many people are discouraged simply by the fear of failure instead of embracing the challenge and looking at it as a chance for a fresh start and new life.  Don’t think about the worst aspects of starting a new business like incorporating, hiring or any other similar worries.  If you look at the positives instead of the negatives, starting your own business might seem like a pretty great idea.  And, of course, you’ll never know unless you try.  Here are ten reasons to start your own business.

Number one: You get to be your own boss and who wouldn’t love that?  No more reporting into people or working with difficult coworkers that you don’t like.  You don’t have to answer to anyone but yourself.  If you dread going to work every day, well then you don’t have to anymore.  If you start up your own business, the only one you have to answer to is yourself.  No more corporate policies and strict protocols to follow which can drive a sane person crazy.  Being your own boss gives you the freedom to do things your own way and implement your own ideas and goals.

Number two: You get to follow your passions and do what you’re interested in.  The best part about being an entrepreneur is that the business is your own idea; you can take a hobby and turn it into profit.  You choose the location and you make all the corporate policies and hiring decisions.  You can create a work environment that’s fun and that will inspire creativity in those that work for you.

Number three:  Your own business means your own deadlines.  Clocking in and out every day of your life can be a real drag.  Of course, you still must have self-discipline because if you slack off you’ll never get your business off the ground but you can finally make time for your personal life and family if you have one.  You can take a lunch or coffee break; go to the gym during the day.  You can still work hard while going at your own pace.

Number four:  You can get as creative as you like.  Being an entrepreneur gives you the freedom to express yourself and your identity.  You can develop your own concepts in any way you so choose.  You can finally flex a different brain muscle than you might have been in a typical nine to five job.  You can tap into your own unique thoughts and take your business wherever you want it to go.

Number five:  In truth, it’s not that hard to do even though most might think it is.  Over the past few years, several measures have been introduced that let you cut through the red tape and that make it easier to go it alone.  If you have an idea, go after it.  Rent small corporate office space with bigger amenities like the kind Emerge212, itself, offers.  For a small monthly fee, you can get a New York business address and 212 phone number, have a receptionist answer your line that makes you seem more legit, have access to shared conference room space to hold meetings with clients and investors alike and many more things you might not have imagined possible.

Number six:  It can be exceedingly profitable.  It’s not just large corporations that pull in big money annually.  In fact, that’s a complete misnomer.  If you come up with a really unique, bold idea and market and exploit it well, then you could be fast on your way to making a hefty sum of money even in your first year alone.  If you run your business well and with vision and foresight, the rewards and payoffs can, in fact, be rather huge.  And also, that means most of those profits go into your own pocket.

Number seven:  Put an end to the day-to-day monotony.  An entrepreneur’s work is exceedingly varied because you have your hands in all aspects of the business from running the finances to hiring to building a marketing plan to working with outside consultants if need be to of course, coming up with the idea in the first place.  Starting your own business keeps you on your toes and busy each day.  You get to do exciting and challenging things you often won’t get to do while working for others.  Going it alone is a chance to make a career for yourself where each day is different from the next and will excite and inspire you daily.

Number eight:  You can have a second career and a chance to start over and build something new from the ground up.  You can always start up your own business on the side while keeping your day job.  In fact, that’s exactly what I do.  I work a corporate job while consulting for others on the side and it allows you the chance for steady income and corporate benefits while still being able to follow your passions.  Obviously, mine is writing and getting the chance to do it each week excites and inspires me.  

Number nine:  This might be the best one – cut the commute.  If you choose to work from home, well then you can roll right out of bed and into your office.  Most people spend roughly two hours or more of their day getting to and from work which is draining and time-consuming.  Not having to commute gives you more hours to focus on your business and not spend those hours on the buses and subways which takes away time from growing your brand and coming up with novel ideas.  You can get more done in a day and that’s worth a lot.  And of course, commuting can be expensive as well.  A monthly Metrocard is roughly over $100 dollars which comes out to over $1,000 a year.  Cutting out the commute leads to vast financial savings.

Number 10:  Lastly and most importantly, your big dream can finally become a reality!  While every entrepreneur has challenges to face and overcome, you can in fact overcome them.  If you devote yourself one hundred percent to focusing on your vision and goals, then you can make a success of yourself all on your own and yes, your dream can in fact become reality.

So what have we learned here today?  Do you agree with what I’ve had to say about the benefits of starting your own business?  If you’re pondering going it alone, have you found my advice helpful?  Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.  Let’s start up a conversation!

Here are some articles you might want to check out about the reasons to start up your own business:

“9 Great Reasons Why You Should Start Your Own Business”: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/29/starting-your-own-busines_n_3837597.html

“5 Reasons to Start a Business”: http://www.forbes.com/sites/thebigenoughcompany/2011/11/03/5-reasons-to-start-a-business-even-in-this-economy/

“10 Reasons to Start a Business Right Now”: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-to-start-a-business-right-now-2010-9

“10 Reasons to Start a Business This Year”: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748704739504576068210683828524

For more information on the real estate services offered by Emerge212, check out our official website at: http://www.emerge212.com

Until next time…

How to Get Your Business Noticed

In today’s competitive business marketplace is hard to get your business noticed especially when you’re an entrepreneur just starting out.  If you want to make more money or get famous or become an expert in the field, the first thing you must do is get your company noticed.  It’s hard to get people to pay attention to new business ventures when there are already so many well-established companies already out there but if you’ve got a proven list of tactics readily at your disposal, then getting noticed might not be as difficult as you think.

First off, take a stand.  When you stand behind your message and the values and goals of your company, people take notice.  Sometimes standing behind something unconventional or controversial can get you noticed but only do it when you feel in your heart and gut that it’s right.  Be true to yourself and don’t be afraid to take a passionate stance on issues and speak up.  Make your voice heard.

Focus on a niche market.  You can’t be everything to every consumer so while down the road, you might want to grow and expand your brand, start small but that doesn’t mean you’re not thinking big.  Find out what’s missing in the marketplace and focus on that.  When consumers aren’t getting what they want elsewhere, they’re likely to come to you.  As they say it’s easier to become a big fish in a small pond.

Network and get involved with industry influencers.  Try helping them find valuable contacts and solutions to their problems and they might just reward you in kind by helping spread the word on your startup.  If you put yourself in touch with the “big” guys, you’ll be rewarded.

Make sure you’re always giving incredible customer service.  Nothing stands out to consumers more than making them feel that their needs have been met and that their voices have been heard.  Providing top-notch customer service leads to word-of-mouth free marketing.  If you go the extra mile for a customer, they’re likely to come back and refer your business to others.  Always make a good first impression and put your customers first and live by the motto that “they’re always right.”

Try sponsoring a contest or try creating your own.  When you find a larger business that’s running a contest, sponsoring it with either cash, products or services can help promote your name and brand.  If you choose to sponsor your own contest, you can offer prizes or seek out sponsors who will spread the word to their audience about your promotion.

Get involved in public speaking.  Find networks and associations where you can give presentations on your product offerings or general information and advice to like-minded businesses.  Find relevant groups and speak as often as you can.  Teach what you know and you’ll be able to position yourself as an expert in the field that will soon lead to buzz about your business knowledge and expertise.

Don’t just open your mouth but open your ears as well.  Turn the tables and invite interesting people to speak at your offices.  You can gain valuable tips and advice from them and also engage them in a dialogue about what your business is up to which can in turn lead to them to help spread the word.

Try hosting an event for other organizations or host your own event.  If you offer to host the event of another business, they are likely to return the favor in kind.  Find a group that you want to get noticed by and host their event to network with them.  If you want to host your own event, try industry-relevant workshops or even sponsor your own networking event.  Pick a location that’s fun and advertise that it will be a good time for all.  People often like to mingle even more than they like to listen.

Get interviewed.  By doing things such as writing articles for publications or starting a blog or even writing a book, this can attract press and a lot of it.  If you’re able to get interviewed by widely-read industry publications, you will have a better chance of getting noticed.  Find a media outlet that serves your target audience and do whatever you can to get an interview with them that will get you in front of qualified prospects.

Don’t just get interviewed; get reviewed.  People love to judge and that means judging brands not just people.  If you can get a positive review that is widely spread to a diversified audience, you’re well on your way to getting noticed.

Be a newsmaker.  Offer compelling and interesting content to local and national news outlets.  Find a way to showcase something your company is doing that is cutting edge and unique.  You don’t just have to talk about your own business; you can talk about your industry as well.  As many ways as you can make yourself noticed to the general public, the better.

Get behind a cause and make a difference in the community.  People love to partner up with businesses that seem to care about the greater public and not just their own bottom-line.  Become part of yearly fundraising events for worthy causes and you will get repeated exposure.  A little positive PR never hurt anyone.

Lastly and most importantly, start talking and loudly.  Try starting an interesting newsletter that’s worth reading and that others might pass along.  Write useful content that makes people want to spread your message.  Try doing podcasts or get on the radio.  Get on the major social media sites and spread your brand and message.  Always keep brainstorming about ways to get noticed and eventually you will.

So what have we learned here today?  Have you found these tips on getting your business noticed useful?  Have you found them unique or have you used them in the past?  Are there any tips you might offer an entrepreneur just starting out based on your experience and success?  Leave a comment and let’s start a conversation!

Here are some interesting articles you might want to check out about how to get noticed in business:

“Tips on Getting Your Business Noticed”: http://voices.yahoo.com/tips-getting-business-noticed-12487211.html?cat=3

“Six Tricks to Get Your Business Noticed”: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/smallbusiness/article-2349793/Charlie-Mullins-How-make-small-business-stand-success.html

“Get Your Business Noticed without Paying a Dime for it”: http://www.nextavenue.org/article/2012-02/get-your-new-business-noticed-without-paying-dime-it

“How to Get People to Notice Your Business”: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/people-notice-business-20535.html

For more information on the real estate services offered by Emerge212, check out our official website here: http://www.emerge212.com

Until next time…