Category: Corporate

3 forks, 2 knives, 4 glasses, 3 spoons….What a confusion!!!!!!!!

2/16/2014

For many of you a typical formal table setting is a big confusion and could embarrass you in formal setups. Formal table setting etiquette could be a little tricky but here we have a solution to your big time problem. Today I will introduce you to each utensil, its proper use and look classy when you eat. So are you ready to dine like a diplomat?

Description
A- Appetizer / Salad fork: Placed far left is used for salads and appetizers
B- Dinner Fork: This fork is the largest and is placed left and near to the service plate.
C- Service plate: It is where the courses are served.
D- Dinner Knife- Placed next to service plate on right.
E- Dinner spoon: Is long and narrow placed on right side of the service plate next to the dinner knife.
F- Soup spoon: Is placed next to dinner spoon. It is round , small than dinner spoon and deep.
G- Butter plate and butter knife: It is place above far left to the service plate. After use place the butter knife diagonally on the right side of the butter plate with the blade pointing away from you.
H- Dessert spoon and fork: These are placed just above the service plate. Desert spoon is the smallest.
I- Glasses: Glasses are arranged as such- Water glass- champagne flute -Red wine goblet- white wine goblet.

Now how to use them properly and not to look like a starter here are few tips:

Rule of thumb is to work outside in or use silverware outside to inside
For glasses always start to the left and move towards right.
Another tip to remember is BMW (Bread, meal and water)
Napkin is placed folded on the service plate. Unfold it & place it on the lap before you start the meal.
It is impolite to season your food before tasting
Always pass the salt and pepper together

Some dinner Taboos:

Elbows on table
Salt / Pepper on food before tasting
Talking with mouth full
Drinking with food in mouth
Gesturing with silverware
Pushing back or stacking plates at end of meal
Answering or placing cell phone calls at table
Dunking anything into coffee or water
Making a fuss over incorrect orders
Arranging hair or applying makeup at table
Picking your teeth at the table
Asking for a doggy bag

Learn the art of dining

Right method to use the napkins?
American and European/Continental style of dining?
How to hold the glasses and raise a toast
Different positions of placing forks and knives
Who should pay the bill
How to select the order
Who and when to decide the menu?
How to address the waiter?
What to do if silverware falls down?
How to excuse in the middle of the dinner?
What should be the conversation topics at formal dining?
Playing a perfect host
How to compliment?
Different international and cross cultural dining etiquette

Great style of eating is an art which you can learn and make great positive impressions either it is a formal business dinner or family dinners. Above mentioned are few dining tips and if you really want to learn the art of dining you can reach us.

my Áura provides customized programs & workshops which are comprehensive & well-structured with “real life applications” for individuals, corporate and educational institutions. We help in strategic planning to form the foundation of your powerful image.

For further details mail us at info@myauraimageconsultant.com

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Handshakes: "Speak a lot about you"

9/11/2011

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Handshakes are used in greetings, meetings, introductions and day to day life situations. The way you shake hands speaks a lot about you as a person, your self Image you want to project, your authority, position and how friendly you are to bond with others confidently.

Few hand shakes which reveals what kind of a person you are:

Cold clammy hand You are showing your nerves i.e you are nervous and this could be a let down to others. Make sure your hands are dry and clean.
Bone Crusher Are you a breaking bone kind? making people wince when you shake hands shows that probably you are insecure..thus you try to overcompensate it by trying to one up the person.
Finger Hook You reach for someone's fingers instead of palm, shows you are indecisive and in a rush.
Limp Fish Giving your hand partially like a dead fish shows lack of interest and shows insecurity and fear. You are not allowing him to know that you exist.
Two handed Grip It is a sign of friendship and informality . Men need to be careful about using this style with women, unless they are too familiar.
Fist Bump Save it for your buddies outside your office.

Perfect Hand shake
Best hand shake is when you stand up as the person approaches you or extending your hand when you are about two to three feet away. Extend your arm angled across your chest with your thumb side up and make a confident eye contact with a smile. Shake hands two to three times before letting go.
Give a firm hand shake and show your warmth and confidence. Hand shakes lead to the perceptions made about you by others and are also responsible in creating everlasting ' First Impressions'. It also helps in building a rapport between the individuals so next time while shaking hands remember these simple pointers.

Rise if seated ( both for men and women)
Walk up to the person confidently.
Keep your hands out of your pockets and keep your right hand free.
Smile briefly but don't overdo it.
Make eye contact but don't stare or look at your shoes.
Face the person heart to heart.
If your hands are clammy or wet, wipe them first with a handkerchief or tissue.
Reach out your right hand with confidence and smile.
Hand should be straight with thumb on top.
Make palm to palm contact.

Hand shake is a very important element in communicating your personal image and intent. It speaks a lot about you as a person and what you think, so next time get ready to make an everlasting first impressions and reach the success in life.....

To know more about hand shakes like:
When and when not to extend hand ? or
What to do when the other person is eating or his/ her hands are full? or
When you meet some one of higher ranking? or
What to do when you leave the house or the meeting gets over? or
Probably when you travel how about the international protocols? or
When you face a female client /boss?

For a detailed description contact 'my Aura' Image, Etiquette and Business Consultants.

my Aura is always there in case you need any further information.
Please feel free to visit www.myauraimageconsultant.com or
contact us at: info@myAuraImageConsultant.com

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Exchanging Business Cards

9/9/2011

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Business card is an identity of the individual and about the work with which he or she is associated. It is an extension of introducing yourself to others on paper.

Your Business Card not just shows your Name, designation and contact details but also exposes your personality and the Image you want to portray.

Here are ten "my Áura" rules of etiquette for business cards:

Always use a neat, crisp, clean and pristine card when offering to someone.
Always offer card either with right or both the hands. Never offer card with your left hand.
While offering the card always look towards the face of the person and keep the front printed side of the card upwards and facing the receiving person.
Always receive a card with your right or both the hands. Give it a look for few seconds and try to compliment about it like' how beautiful the color of the card is 'or' you really appreciate the design of the card'.
Do not scribble or write on the card in front of the person who is offering you. In Japan it is considered to be writing on the face of the person.
Never put the business card in the back pocket of your trouser and sit on it. Always keep the card either in the front pocket of your shirt or in the card case.
Always present only one card to one person. Never distribute your business card like you are playing poker cards.
Never offer business card during meals.
If presenting business card to more than one person start from the highest ranking and move down according to the position and authority.
Always offer your business card with a smile and see the difference.

my Aura is always there in case you need any further information.
Please feel free to visit www.myauraimageconsultant.com or
contact us at: info@myAuraImageConsultant.com

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Campus To Corporate - 'Facing Interview'

7/1/2011

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You are a new graduate with an admirable degree and you have set your heart on life as a corporate employee.. Unhappily, large obstacles lie in your way. No business degrees as yet address the art of consultancy; since you are fresh from campus, no one in the business world has experienced your rare skills. Most importantly, you are young and have to face many challenges in life, be it a job interview or entering the corporate world at the managerial post.

The corporate sectors believe in performance.When a student is going to attend any campus to get selected for job, he or she must keep in his or her mind that the corporate sectors are full of challenges. Work pressure is inevitable. Hence, one must learn about how to be adjustable in such situations. During the academic sessions, the qualities like team-spirit, punctuality, creative bent of mind and the last but not the least honesty must be cultivated in order to lead the corporate world. Appropriate dress code is also a matter of fact. But before all this, facing interviews could be an anxious process but it can also be a great learning experience.

First Impressions are critical when entering a room for an interview. You should try to find out the answers to some questions like do you feel excited or reticent, which areas of your interview style need changes,you speak slow or fast and what style of dressing you prefer?
Be careful to match your style of dress to that of your interviewer, industry and region.If you prefer to dress formally, you will probably feel more comfortable and confident. Your speech pattern should be well paced, not too fast and not too slow. Avoid fillers like 'you know''kind of' and always do a complete research of the company before you go for the interview.

Mistakes To Be Avoided At An Interview:

Being unprepared.
Not knowing why you are the good candidate for the job.
Nervousness.
Monopolizing the conversation.
Giving one word answers.
Lying.
Showing little enthusiasm for the job.
Being too modest.
Poor Appearance & Body Language.
Bad mouthing a former employer.
Being Defensive.

Tips for successful Interview:

Prepare yourself.
Dress appropriately for the position.
Approach each interview as a chance to advance your career.
Don't live in the past.
Be yourself.
Sell yourself by preparing some success stories to tell.
Give an impressive introduction.
Turn negative experiences into positive by figuring out what you learned from them.
Make eye contact and a good hand shake.
Match the energy of the interviewer.
Stay calm.
Avoid personal details.
Be positive and think for the BEST.

ALL THE BEST!!!

my Aura is always there in case you need any further information.
Please feel free to visit www.myauraimageconsultant.com or
contact us at: info@myAuraImageConsultant.com

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my Áura

"my Áura" Image, Etiquette & Business Consultant, is a unique initiative providing consultation to Individuals, Corporate and Educational Institutes in image, etiquette, communication skills & business solutions.

3 forks, 2 knives, 4 glasses, 3 spoons….What a confusion!!!!!!!!

Handshakes: "Speak a lot about you"

Exchanging Business Cards

Campus To Corporate - 'Facing Interview'

my Áura

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