Resources & Press Articles

Ten Tips For - Being More "Cross Culturally Aware"

• Be an observer
  Aim to observe and understand other cultures. Large amounts of information can be read in people's dress, body language, interaction and behaviour. Identify differences with your own culture and try to understand others values which affect individual's behaviours. Be inquisitive and ask questions to expand your knowledge!
• Communicate effectively
  Don't assume you are communicating effectively just because you are speaking slowly! Communicating effectively means the sender and receiver understand the message in the same way. Therefore we must phrase requests and instructions clearly, express opinions sensitively and listen attentively and avoid jargon and catch phrases that do not transfer across cultures.
• Flex that approach!
  Flexibility and being open-minded are a good formula for successful relationships across cultures. Understanding, embracing and addressing cross cultural differences leads to the breaking of cultural barriers which results in improved communication and mutual trust.
• Patience is a virtue
  Cross cultural relations require patience and understanding. Sometimes differences can be annoying and frustrating but through patience and respect, cross cultural understanding is encouraged and improved.
• Speak up!
  If you hear others making fun of people based on their race, religion or preferences, speak up! Let them know you don't approve. Don't join in or be the one to tell racist or culturally insensitive jokes.
• Read
  The internet, books or newspapers all have masses of information available to us to enable us to broaden our horizons. No excuse for not having information at our fingertips! In his book Creative Destruction, economist Tyler Cowen explains how music – perhaps the most accessible and identifiable sphere of a given peoples' cultural heritage – is almost always the result of cross – cultural influences. And here is a link to a wonderful resource booklet available on cultural diversity: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/diversity/publications/pdf/hmlandregistryculturaldiversity.pdf or see http://www.geert-hofstede.com to understand the different dimensions of culture.
• Catch a movie!
  There are many available out there – old and new. Some of the following might be of interest:
  • Tonie Marshall's Au pres du paradis (Cinemaginaire/ Funfilm Distribution), a minority co production starring William Hurt and Catherine Deneuve
  • Religions of the World: Our World Faiths Animated
  • What's Cooking? [2001] ~ Mercedes Ruehl
• Make a friend!
  From another background of course! Human nature dictates that we are drawn to people of our own culture and background. So step out of your comfort zone and approach others who are different from you. You might be amazed what you will learn and the friendships that will develop.
• Avoid, avoid, avoid
  Avoid what? Groups that exclude people. If little effort is truly made to understand the cultural differences between countries, this can lead to issues in the workplace such as ineffective team functioning, lack of productivity and general dissatisfaction amongst cross culturally functioning staff. Outside the workplace it creates groups or cliques that are unable to integrate.
• Seek to understand not to be understood
  Understand how discrimination comes about: Stereotyping leads to prejudice and this leads to discrimination. Avoid stereotyping and prejudice and thus you will not be guilty of discrimination.

Terry Kinane
Management Associate
PROTRAINING

Ten Reasons to Think Positive

• Think positive for success
  Who ever heard of a successful sports person or business person who had a reputation for being constantly negative? Affirmations create 'Positive Thinking' which leads to greater success. Through constant repetition, your subconscious picks up messages which will prompt you to start taking action that creates change. It is a way of changing behaviour to achieve your goals and ultimately, your success.
• Think positive for stress
  Even the most positive of thinkers can choose the wrong reaction and find themselves in a 'fight' or 'flight' situation as a result of a negative or difficult encounter. In this case, it is important to acknowledge your emotions and take time to allow the 'surf' to settle down again. When you do, you will recognise that the benefits of the positive reaction far outweigh any momentary satisfaction you might have gained from giving in to the negative one!
• Think positive for customer service
  People who have a positive outlook focus on what they CAN DO and thus handle the inevitable encounters with difficult customers much better than if they were in a negative frame of mind. Let go of negativity and choose your reaction when encountering difficult people rather than letting their negativity get to you and becoming like them. Your handling of customers will automatically improve by focusing on the positive.
• Think Positive for Self Esteem If someone were to insult you, you would most likely make the choice of being offended. If someone were to pay you a compliment, you would probably make the choice of being pleased or flattered. But think about it: it's still a choice. The reality is that no one can make us angry, upset, frustrated or mad without us choosing to allow that person to do so. The reality is also that we feel better about ourselves when we choose to react in a positive rather than a negative way.
• Think Positive for Intelligence
  Those people who are positive thinkers and who are open to ideas are far more likely to improve their knowledge and understanding of what is going on around them. Rather than actually making you more intelligent, thinking positive ensures that you make the most of the intelligence that you already possess.
• Think positive for fitness
  Actually it works both ways. If you exercise, you release endorphins and you will feel more positive and if you feel more positive you will exercise! Physical activity helps to develop a more positive attitude.
• Think positive for posture
  Tell yourself to always sit and walk with your back straight. Believe you can do it and remind yourself on a daily basis. This will strengthen your confidence and inner strength and thus your posture will improve.
• Think positive to increase your circle of friends
  We all know that the people we are drawn to most in the workplace or in social situations are those you radiate positivism. They make us feel good. They don't whine and moan about everything, they see the cup as being half full instead of half empty. If you want your people to enjoy being around you, then think positive!
• Think positive for health
  An optimistic attitude can do wonders for a patients' recovery, according to researchers who reviewed 16 studies of patients' attitudes toward health. "In each case the better a patient's expectations about how they would do after surgery or some health procedure, the better they did," said author Donald Cole, of the Institute for Work and Health in Toronto.
• Think Positive for Happiness
  Here is the Happy Guy who blesses our lives today
  And in this our little verse to him, we just want to say In a world of news so black and miles of frowns
  He helps you create the ups from the downs.
  (Poem courtesy of PoemsForYou.com)

Terry Kinane
Management Associate
PROTRAINING

Ten Tips For Writing Business Reports

Writing an effective business report is a challenge, even for the most competent business writer. But it is a rewarding challenge: one that will develop your powers of discrimination and judgement, your thinking skills and your presentation techniques. Below are hints and ideas designed to assist the writing process.

• Planning and preparation An effective business report is the result of careful preparation. Good preparation will save time and make the report easier to write. The following are important preparatory steps to writing a report:
  • Define your purpose and the scope of your report
  • Determine your audience
  • Do your research
  • Draft an outline
• Define your purpose and scope Being clear about your purpose is vital, so that the information you gather and use is relevant. Make sure you understand exactly the issue about which you are writing, and then decide what information is needed to address that issue completely.
• Determine your audience It is important to know your readers before you begin to write your report so that your report communicates the significance of your research to them appropriately. Your content and your style should be adapted to suit the needs of your audience.
• Do your research Use traditional methods for research, like the internet, and relevant publications, but also use your imagination and your initiative. Some relevant information might be in places where you have to 'get up and go' to get it. Be prepared to do this; it will make a significant difference to the quality of your report. Perhaps think about all the types of people or organisations who might be interested in your report, and then use them as sources for your report. Throughout the research stage, you should question the information you intend to use for accuracy, completeness and currency. For example, you must consider if the source is reliable and reputable, if the evidence is believable, and if the information is up to date.
• Draft an outline A typical business report will include a title page, an introduction, an executive summary, the main body, conclusions and recommendations. Within the main body, there are many ways to organise your research. Consider which order will help your reader make a decision or take an action, and which order will help you to achieve your purpose. The two should be the same. Then organise your material accordingly.
• Write the report Now you have your outline, start writing. Bear in mind the principles of good business style whilst writing: be complete, be concise, be clear, and adapt your style to suit your audience. Expect to rewrite your report a few times. Even the most competent writers make revisions in their work.
• Rewrite the report To rewrite your report effectively you must take time away from it. By taking a break, you will see it with fresh eyes. Assume the role of your audience when you return to it, and make amendments that suit your audience's needs. Review your report at least three times: firstly for content, secondly for style and grammar, and lastly for structure.
• Content
  • Does the report give all the information needed to fulfill the purpose and to answer the reader's questions?
  • Does it include only essential material for the purpose and the reader?
• Style and Grammar
  • Is the language suitable for the audience?
  • Does the report use simple language and short sentences?
  • Are the spelling, punctuation and grammar correct?
• Structure
  • Are the sections arranged in a logical way?
  • Is the most important point obvious for my reader?
  • Does it look good?

Nicola Beer
Training Consultant
PROTRAINING

Ten Etiquette Tips For Being a Good Guest!

• Reconfirm
  On the day of the invitation re-confirm the appointment, check the dress code and the exact location, and ask for a map if necessary. If appropriate find out who else will be there (knowledge is power!).
• Be on time
  Arrive on time but never early. Punctuality for business invitations reflects self-organisation, time management and respect for the time of others, 'fashionably late' in this context does not apply. What constitutes 'on time' for an invitation to someone's home is very much influenced by culture, however as a rough guideline ten to fifteen minutes after the appointed time is appropriate; being more than thirty minutes late without an unavoidable, genuine reason is just plain rude!
• Never bring uninvited guests
  This is an increasingly more common trend – but it is inappropriate etiquette to bring additional guests who have not been specifically invited. If you are unsure as to whether the invitation includes partners – ask rather than assume so. Even if the invitation is a social one and extended by a friend, the addition of one unanticipated guest can create havoc in the kitchen and to the table setting if there is a shortage of chairs and so on. The same applies to a busy restaurant, although the food may not be a problem here, the table allocation can be, not to mention the disruption cased to a carefully thought out seating plan.
• Make a Confident Entrance
  Avoid speaking on your mobile phone on arrival. Make a 'beeline' for the host, thank him/ her for the invitation, but do not monopolise the host if there is a number of guests arriving at the same time. Look and act confident, not shy and out of place. Have some icebreaker conversation starters ready for this stage.
• Consider a gift
  If you are invited to a residence it is a nice gesture to bring a gift. The nature of the gift would depend on the circumstances – food would only be brought to the home of very close friends (may imply that the host cannot adequately cater for the guests!). Bear in mind that a busy hostess will not have time to arrange flowers so present them pre-arranged in a basket, also bear in mind the religious sensitivities of bringing alcohol. If you suspect bringing a gift may make other guests feel uncomfortable, it is always appropriate to send it the following day with a note of thanks!
• Be charming, sociable and positive
  Ensure that you introduce yourself spontaneously to those you do not know and strike up a conversation. There is nothing worse than a shy guest who is waiting to be introduced and entertained. Think of suitable conversation subjects in advance, with open questions that focus on getting to know the other person. Avoid droning-on about oneself unless of course you see the other person is really interested! Do not forget to speak in a language known by everyone – it helps!
  
  Never complain about the venue, the food, the choice of table or the company. Even if you think otherwise, this is not the occasion and to do so and would reflect negatively on the host.
• Eat in moderation
  There are many reasons why you may be invited to dine with a colleague or friend, of these; probably the least-likely reason is because they think you are hungry or thirsty! Never look like you are taking advantage of the hospitality of an individual or a company, certainly be aware of your limits with alcohol. Focus more on the people and be observant and appreciative of any personal efforts on the host's part to make it a successful event.
• Apply dining etiquette
  There is nothing worse that sharing food with people who slouch over the table, prop their head up with their hands, slurp their soup, lick their knife or speak displaying partially chewed food in their mouth! Bear in mind that most dining etiquette is in place to make what is a pretty basic function look more appetizing for the onlookers obliged to share the same table!
• Know when it is appropriate to leave
  Don't be the last one to leave – look for the signals for when it is appropriate to leave. Many guests has outstayed their welcome and ruined what was until that point a wonderful lunch/ dinner.
• Follow up
  In this electronic age, there is no excuse for not thanking the host for his/ her hospitality. At the top of the ladder is a handwritten note making reference to their thoughtful choice of location and their company. The next option is a personal telephone call before 12 noon the following day and finally if you must - an email, although it is impersonal it is better than no thank you at all!

Patricia O'Sullivan
Managing Director / Protocol and Etiquette Consultant
PROTRAINING

Ten Etiquette Tips For The Business Networking Event

Most people don't look forward to mingling with strangers at corporate or social functions. What are the guidelines for attending a function – how can a person "Work A Room?"

Ten Do's

• Do your homework. Why are you being invited? Who is the host? Who else will be there? What do you want to achieve?
• Do be on time, be aware of parking difficulties and consider taking a taxi if parking is likely to be a problem.
• Do look the part – if it is a business function dress like you mean business!
• Do make a strong confident entrance, locate the host/ most senior associate and introduce yourself.
• Do keep your right hand free for handshaking and introductions and free from sticky foods etc.
• Do when making an introduction, mention something about the other person that puts him/ her in context and allows the conversation to start.
• Do have more business cards than you think you might need and have a system - store those you receive separately from your own.
• Do mingle with those you don't know as well as those you do, take the plunge and introduce yourself. For maximum success, approach one person on his/ her own or a group of three or more. Avoid two people deep in conversation.
• Do eat lightly and only to be sociable – eat something in advance to avoid the temptation to over-indulge and be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
• Do make interesting conversation, research the company/ product and have some conversation starters ready to open conversation. Listen attentively; focus more on the other person.

Ten Don'ts

• Don't be on the telephone on making an entrance or take calls unless it's an emergency.
• Don't head straight for the bar or the food – the least likely reason for you to be invited is because the host thinks you are in need of a good meal!
• Don't sit down – you cannot mingle from an armchair.
• Don't get into topics that could be unpopular and off-putting to people you don't know (poor taste jokes, personal questions, cost of things, depressing subjects, in-depth details about health problems, extreme views on political or religious subjects etc.)
• Don't monopolize the host.
• Don't over-indulge or outstay your welcome.
• Don't arrive late and blame the traffic.
• Don't stick with one person all evening or only those you know – mingle.
• Don't break off in a language that is not understood by everyone there
• Don't leave one person on his/her own when you want to make an exit – always invite him/ her along.

Patricia O'Sullivan
Managing Director / Protocol and Etiquette Consultant
PROTRAINING

Ten Tips For Attending Business Meetings

Do

• Be on time, look the part and have your mobile on silent.
• Anticipate what points others might raise and consider your own response
• Stay on track and stick to the agenda points (if there is one)
• Explain any industry jargon and abbreviations that might not be obvious to everyone, especially if you are from a technical department.
• Look, listen and pay attention to others when they are contributing at the meeting. Observe how people react to what you are saying - read between the lines.
• Have healthy debates in meetings so that conclusions can be drawn and progress achieved. To encourage healthy debates, disagree constructively, instead of saying: "that's not true" or "that's rubbish!" Try: "my view on this is different…" or "I understand the situation to be …"
• Ensure that you do always make some relevant contribution to the meetings you attend.
• If discussions are going around in circles, push for conclusions by asking the chairperson "so, what have we agreed on this?" or "did we finish that previous point?"… etc.
• Respect the chairperson's role. At the same time, when raising general points, make eye contact with everyone at the meeting.
• If you have constructive feedback on how the meeting could be chaired or its effectiveness improved, offer your suggestions to the chairperson in private after the meeting.

Don'ts

• Don't digress and get involved in a conversation that applies to only one or two persons in the room and excludes everyone else.
• Don't waste time on irrelevant interruptions and repeating yourself.
• Don't go a meeting unprepared - make the necessary preparation and do your research so you can raise points effectively and be in possession of all the facts.
• Don't aim to embarrass or "show" someone up by storing negative points or mistakes for the meeting platform.
• Don't engage in negative behaviours such as speaking on the phone, side-chatting to the person next to you, doodling on your meeting pad, checking or composing text messages, using impatient gestures and mannerisms i.e. foot tapping, finger drumming, pen clicking … etc!
• Don't sigh loudly, raise your eyebrows or shoot glances across the table to a colleague while someone else is speaking.
• Don't commit to doing something you might not be able to achieve.
• Avoid either extremes of participation levels such as dominating all the discussion, or staying as quiet as a mouse.
• As far as possible, don't attend too many meetings!

Patricia O'Sullivan
Managing Director / Protocol and Etiquette Consultant
PROTRAINING

Ten Tips for Effective Presentations

• Be prepared
  Make sure you are PREPARED. Preparation involves researching your audience, your purpose, your topic, your slides, your material, your location, your room. Preparation is the key for success: "if you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail".
  
  Rehearse in front of the mirror and do not forget to time your speech. 80% of your successful presentation depends on your preparation. The "P" rule: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance!
• Avoid
  Effective presentations do not rely on talent; they just require some focus from the presenter. Avoid: Monotonous voice, reading from your cue cards, using the visual aids poorly, having many fillers (like, you know, ammm..), mannerism (flicking a pen, playing with hair), speaking too slow or too fast, repeating, not having eye contact.
• Have a structure
  A presentation should be divided into 3 major parts, just like when you go to a restaurant, you will have the starters (to warm up), then the main dish (to satisfy your hunger) then you sweeten your tooth with a dessert. Always sizzle your presentation by adding jokes, stories, pictures, music, movies… that will add some 'zing' to the content.
  
  Introduction is 15% of time: TELL THEM WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO TELL THEM
  Development: 75% of time: TELL THEM
  Consolidation: 10% of time: TELL THEM WHAT YOU HAVE TOLD THEM
• Focus on main messages
  Do not go overboard, just select 4 to 5 main key points (MUST) and elaborate on them. Have them in a logical sequence and make sure you link them smoothly so that you have a musical flow to your presentation.
• Visual and audible aids
  These are anything that will attract or distract the attention of your audience. Visual aids are a support for your information and must be treated as such. Do not overload your presentation with them so that they do not control you. They must not replace you at any moment in time. Let them vary from a picture to a movie, to a song, to a board, to a picture. Look outward and don't block the screen.
• YOU are a visual aid
  You represent a major visual aid which leads to several vital criteria: posture, body language, appearance and voice. 55% of your presentation intake lies on the visuals. Stand straight, look confident, open arms, positive body language, wear a comfortable dark suit (your lucky suit) and practice so that your voice is clear and articulate.
• Visualise success
  Be positive and think that you will do great, just because you have been prepared (PMA: positive mental attitude). Think that you were chosen to do this presentation, you are the only one who knows the information and that you are the Master of it, and you will do extremely well!!! Visualise that the audience is clapping loud enough you can't hear your voice!!
• Involve your audience
  Use open questions: Rudyard Kipling had 6 faithful servants, they taught him all he knew and their names were:
  Why, Where, What, How, When, Who (the 5 W and the H)
  Ask some volunteers to participate in one of your examples, always test the water by bouncing a comment or a question at them.
• Some interesting facts:
  People remember 20% of what is said, 30% of what is seen and 50% of what is seen and heard at the same time.
  The 3 "Vs" of a presentation: 7% Verbal, 38% Vocal and 55% Visual
• Remember!!!
  Arrive at least 1 hour ahead. Have a soft and hard copy as back up. Use your cue cards correctly, number them. Verify visuals can be seen from all sides of room. Specify requirements in writing to the venue.

Lara S. Najjar
Training Consultant
PROTRAINING

Ten Reasons For Mystery Shopping

Mystery Shopping is an often overlooked part of a company's training budget, but carried out correctly and with a specific goal in mind, it can be an invaluable pre and post training. In effect, it completes the 'Training Cycle'.

• It helps identify training needs
  By undertaking a Mystery Shopping project before training commences, it can highlight areas of staff or organisational weakness, and thus allow you to target specific training needs.
• It saves money!
  By focusing on what customers want you to focus on – you save both time and your training budget!
• It helps identify 'Star' employees
  Don't look at Mystery Shopping as just a way of finding fault with your employees. Use it as a motivator! Reward the 'Star' employees who get mentioned for performing above and beyond their roles. Gift voucher incentives and 'You have been spotted' certificates are easy to organise and administer.
• Improves Customer Service
  By informing staff that they may be 'Mystery Shopped', means that they will be prepared to go that 'extra mile' in terms of customer service. A Mystery Shopper should be so skilled that a staff member should never realise that they are not a genuine customer.
• Gives you specific feedback!
  The Mystery Shopping report will be specific to your staff, your company, your weaknesses and your strengths! It will be something that you can work with immediately and use to give yourself a competitive advantage.
• Helps understanding of the customer
  There are certain things your company does 'because we have always done it that way'. A fresh pair of eyes coming into your business can make a suggestion that perhaps you had never thought of. Mystery Shoppers are doing a job – however they are also a potential customer too!
• Compare yourself to the competition!
  After Mystery Shopping yourself, why not see how others within your industry are doing? You can perhaps glean ideas from the competition, understand their motivations or just bask in the knowledge that you are doing something far better and effectively than they are!
• Measure the effectiveness of training
  Having spent money, time and manpower on training up your staff, you need to know how effective it all was. Did they really get something out of the session or was it immediately forgotten when they returned to the workplace? Could it have been more effective by delivering your message another way, either through coaching or on the job training?
• Ensures set standards are followed
  Corporate image is everything these days, and you need to make sure that your staff are following the procedures and standards of your organisation. By Mystery Shopping your various locations you can ensue that you are all 'singing off the same sheet' and projecting the image you wish the customer to see!
• One Step Ahead!
  By understanding where you are in your market and where the competition is, you are better placed to deal with changes and challenges when they arise. You are in effect one step ahead of the game!

Emma Flanagan
Market Research Consultant
PROTRAINING

Ten Tips For Managing Time

• Know What You Will Be Measured On
  Do you know what your key objectives are? If it is hazy ask for clarification. Ensure that the objectives of your boss are also known by you. Objectives should be as precise and SMART as possible. Ensure the target is measurable and that you and your boss share the same understanding of what "good" or "better" or "improved" actually mean. Track the interim and final deadlines of key projects using your diary or the computer. Avoid the habit of missing deadlines which will make you look like you cannot achieve your commitments.
• Maintain a Master List of Things to Do
  A Master Log is simply a place where you "dump" all the things you want to do or should do that do not have a place in Today's' To Do List – it can be on a hard copy, a soft copy or even on your telephone. A Master Log will help to free up your brain! It avoids forgetting things that do not have an immediate urgency and helps in self organisation and achievement. Others will know that once you have committed yourself to doing something that it doesn't get forgotten, so your credibility and reliability rating increases! Obviously it has to be revisited daily and tasks chosen from the list to be worked upon.
• Make a To Do list
  This is fairly obvious but yet while many people do have a list, it is estimated that only 20% of people use the list effectively. Some basic rules apply here such as – don't overload the list, set a realistic target that stretches you without stressing you. Keep the list in view and print it ideally on coloured paper so it can be easily found on a desk full of white papers! Do the list the night before so that the day starts with a clear objective as opposed to a hazy fog. Allow time for unexpected additions to the list. Ensure there is one proactive Quadrant 2 (Covey) activity on the list every day.
• Prioritise Constantly
  Always ask yourself "what would happen if I don't do this activity". Don't be at the mercy of purely urgent activities that do not achieve meaningful results for you – sometimes deadlines for certain tasks can be renegotiated. If not, don't spend too much time on activities that are urgent but not important and try to delegate them as much as possible (e.g. an urgent request for information from a colleague). On the other hand make some time every day to produce quality work on key objectives that you will be measured on – make time to do project activities before they become urgent, otherwise you are unlikely to produce your best work in a rush.
• Don't Over-Check Your Email
  The email is a fantastic tool but can create havoc with your list of priorities and distract you from your To Do List. Get into the habit of checking your email a maximum of 3 times a day – in the morning, at lunch time and evening before leaving the office. Add important items to your To Do List and re - prioritise.
• Take a Look at the Systems and Equipment That You Use
  Write things down. Only work on one thing at a time. Keep focused on priorities. Keep your work place tidy. Be able to find things you need regularly at once. Store things systematically so that you can find them next time.
• Arrange Your Office Well
  Time can be wasted if your work area is not organised well. Your office should be arranged for the function you perform. Equipment and material used often should be close to you e.g. computer, printer. Files that you need access to should be kept in your office in an orderly manner. Ensure your desk is not facing the oncoming traffic flow that will lead to distractions.
  
  Good lighting is especially important to avoid eye strain and headaches. Desk-level lighting should always be considered.
• Protect Your Planned Time
  Ensure every day you set some time aside to work on important work and key projects that will be considered achievements in your job/function. This can be an hour or even a half an hour to do some of the project. For some people this will be in the mornings others last thing in the evening – you choose the time that suits your business and work flow best. Then you must protect that time and not allow others to steal it!
• Manage Time Wasters
  Interruptions do more than just lose a few minutes of your time on someone else's top priority; they break your concentration, they give you a chance to procrastinate and possibly distract you from doing important work, not to mention adding to your stress if you were working on an important ask or a tight deadline. Once you have learned what the nature of the interruption is and decide it is not more important at that moment, don't be shy to explain that you are working on a project and will call / meet him/ her after an hour/ half an hour or the next available time.
• Plan to Delegate More
  The key to multiplying your time is to delegate more to others. Delegation cannot happen overnight and must go hand in hand with coaching and follow up. Consider delegating the following as a start.
  • Routine Work
    Minor decisions and repetitive routines often consume a major part of the day. Most, if not all, of these can be delegated by training and coaching employees and ensuring they have the policies and procedures that apply.
  • Tasks and projects for which you are least qualified
    Some of your employees are almost certainly better qualified technically and can do part of the job better than you. Let them.
  • Work that provides experience for employees
    Make growth in the present job a reality and keep employees challenged and motivated.

Patricia O'Sullivan
Managing Director / Protocol and Etiquette Consultant
PROTRAINING

Press Articles

• Please click on the following links to view press reports:
  
  Khaleej Times: Mind your manners, please
  
  Emirates Business 24/7: Success Relies on Signs of the Zodiak
  
  Khaleej Times: Corporate Class
  
  Gulf News: How to Network
  
  Society Magazine: Patricia O'Sullivan
  
  Gulf News Friday Magazine: Say "Thank You" and Mean it
  
  Gulf News Friday Magazine: Take A Break - Air Conditioning
  
  Innovative, Hands-On Training Yields Best Results