Business Etiquette & Professional Development Training

Personal Branding Training

Proper etiquette is not about looking good; it is a fundamental part of your professional skills.  According to research done by Harvard University, The Carnegie Foundation and the Stanford Research Institute, more than 85% of job success is based on “soft skills”, our personal conduct and the ability to put others at ease.  Corporate clients expect Five Star treatment, and in today’s fiercely competitive market you are seldom given a second chance. 

Topics include:

• The Proper Introduction
• Proper Responses to Introductions
• Tips for Remembering Names
• Handshakes
• Eye Contact
• Body Language Basics 
• And more...

Networking & Conversational Skills Training

Business executives routinely find themselves in situations where they must communicate effectively with clients and colleagues.  Understanding the intricacies of networking is what thoughtful business owners and major corporations consider a survival tool.  Networking is not inauthentic "chitchat", but genuine conversation that is key to building relationships.  People like doing business with people they respect and trust. 

Topics include: 

• Making a Memorable Entrance
• First Impressions
• Conversation Skill Basics
• Breaking Into an Existing Conversation
• The Art of The Business Card
• And more...

Business Dining Etiquette & Protocol Training

Confidence in dining situations frees one to pay closer attention to the business at hand.  When we are nervous, we cannot give one hundred percent of our concentration to our fellow diners, and this could lead to disaster in business.  Questions about which fork to use, what to do if you have dropped your napkin and what role you hold in a "toast" are all legitimate concerns.  Knowing how to handle one’s self with poise in dining situations adds to an individual’s overall effectiveness when representing an organization in social and business events. 

Topics include: 

• How To Properly Extend an Invitation
• Your Role as a Host
• Your Role as a Guest
• Place Settings:  Arranging & Understanding the Utensils
• Handling the Unexpected Accident
• The Corporate Toast:  Giving & Receiving
• Napkin Know-How
• American vs. Continental Training
• And more...

Business Attire, Corporate Dress Training

It’s all in the details! 

Topics include:

• Women’s Executive Wardrobe and Accessories
• Men’s Executive Wardrobe and Accessories
• Do’s and Don’ts of Office Casual
• And more...

Custom Professional & Executive Development Programs

“People, like diamonds, have a basic market value, but it is only after they have been polished that the world will pay their real value.” – William Thourlby 

A comprehensive, full-day training session customized for your organization's corporate needs.

Professional & Corporate Etiquette for Women

This session is geared specifically toward women who are interested in “fine tuning” their social and corporate etiquette skills. 

• First Impressions
• Introductions
• The Gracious Host
• The Gracious Guest
• Gift Giving
• Eye Contact
• Conversational Skills
• Giving and Receiving Compliments
• Body Language Basics
• Dining Q & A
• And more...

Testimonials

Harvard University Business School

"Diane is a fantastic presenter. Her style is so easy that I’ve been able to use what she taught us without even thinking about it. Diane presents the concepts in such a natural way that becomes effortless to execute proper business etiquette."

Colleen McLaughlin
Senior Program Coordinator
Harvard Business School - Executive Education

Four Season Hotel Boston

"We were very fortunate to have made the connection with Diane and The Protocol School of Texas. At any Four Seasons Hotel we constantly need to be ahead of ourselves when it comes to correct protocol as we strive to serve our International, high profile guests, ranging from dignitaries, to Heads of State, to Royalty, to our valued everyday Four Season guest.

Diane’s training session was informative, educational and a delightful insight into becoming, even more, politically correct.

I would highly recommend Diane to any professional institute as you would be surprised what you do not already know."

Catriona Eldemery
Vice President
Four Season Hotel Boston

Southwest Research Institute

"Diane Gottsman presents what many presume to be old fashion and stuffy in a manner that is anything but that! The concepts taught were current and relevant to anyone who engages in business communication and Diane’s presentation style is fun and engaging."

Susan B. Crumrine
Vice President
Automation and Data Systems Division
Southwest Research Institute