Bad manners targeted in Irish businesses
Press Release
7th April 2006
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Time for us all to say NO THANKS to bad manners
"Bad manners and unacceptable behaviour on the part of your employees could be losing you business or worse still, your customers", according to business performance consultant Pamela Fay. Ms. Fay is managing director of Irish firm Business Performance Perspectives which recently launched a new consulting arm to tackle what she says is a growing problem for Irish industry.
"Apart from the fact that some people can be plainly ignorant in their behaviour, as many as 40% of all adults have some degree of social anxiety which can translate inadvertently into bad social skills and a poor approach to other people," says Fay. "Most people equate bad manners with a lack of respect and even incompetence, so it's particularly important for companies never to allow this impression to take hold through any of their staff."
A former Diageo Ireland executive, Fay set up Business Performance Perspectives in 2003. At Diageo, and prior to that at Gilbeys of Ireland, she was responsible for developing and running full time performance management programmes.
Business Performance Perspectives is now providing "business etiquette" programmes to a number of Irish companies where Fay coaches employees with skills in professionalism and manners. "It helps them to be comfortable in a business or professional situation and it can definitely avoid pitfalls which will cost their employers money."
The top ten business mistakes have been identified as:
- Negative attitudes
- Sloppy message taking
- Making people wait
- Criticising people in front of others
- Disregard for social courtesies at business events
- Errors with names
- Vulgar language
- Inappropriate clothing
- Foregoing introductions
- Giving someone the run around
"It could be as simple as sneezing down the phone, hanging up too abruptly or talking across a table with food emblazoned across your teeth, but there are many common mistakes which people make and which can resonate negatively in a client focussed meeting. The course aims to address these mistakes and teaches employees how to represent their companies in a consistently positive manner."
"Personal performance is a key element of business performance," says Fay. "For example, having good manners is a business tool but few managers consider the cost of bad manners. They need to be confident that their employees are treating clients with the respect and professionalism they deserve."
The programmes are available to businesses that want to run a training programme for staff on business manners and also to individuals who want a general programme in preparation for a new job, a promotion or for people who run their own business.
For businesses, the courses are tailored to suit their particular needs. They can be conducted with individual employees or groups of ten or fewer at the company’s premises or an external location. Individuals can also choose an open course with no more than ten participants or private sessions for one to one coaching.
Topics covered include:
- Greetings and introductions
- Dressing to win
- Manners in the workplace
- Manners at business meetings
- Manners at business functions and trade shows
- Communication guidelines including telephone and email manners
- Dining for success
- Everyday manners
Pamela Fay added: "Participants leave the course with a sense of clarity on manners in key business areas and the knowledge to ensure better relationships with clients, suppliers and colleagues."
"Your inability to handle yourself as expected could be expensive. No one will tell you the real reason why you didn't get the job, the promotion, or make the cut for a social engagement."
Full details are available at www.pamelafay.ie
Pamela Fay and Business Performance Perspectives can be contacted on (01) 260 6528 and 086 173 7125.
Ends
Issued on behalf of Business Performance Perspectives
by MRPA KINMAN Communications
For further information:
Tim Kinsella / Emily Maher, (01) 678 8330