“You are a personal reflection of the company you work for,” said Jill Miller, executive vice president of Activelight in Poulsbo.
   Everybody wants to be treated with dignity and respect. So show people in your workday world the consideration they deserve. Follow these guidelines to ensure that your manners stay as polished as your most professional selling skills.
   Appearance
   Dress professionally. While business dress codes are relaxing all over the country, this doesn’t mean that you should show up at a sales call or client meeting in your favorite jeans and flip flops. Under dressing may not seem like bad manners, but if you are lax about your appearance you can give the impression of being un-professional and disrespectful.

   Your own co-workers

• Their time is money, too. Avoid bothering them with idle chit-chat, when they could be working toward their next big sale.
• Regardless of your titled position, you and your co-workers are a team.
• Treat everyone with the consideration with which you’d like to be treated.
• Don’t forget the magic words when co-workers complete a task for you (Thank You!).
• Avoid insults or uncomplimentary language.
• Take pride in your self-image without appearing to be superior or snobbish.

Business lunch and dinner

• At business lunches and dinners with customers, exhibit impeccable table etiquette.
• Let your guest(s) know ahead of time if there is a dress code.
• Make sure your cell phone is set to vibrate or silent mode. Potential customers want to know that they have your undivided attention.
• Greet your guest(s) at the door, perform introductions, and get ready to be the stage manager of the meal. You decide the seating arrangement and establish rapport with the server. Invite guest(s) to order first.

Table etiquette

• Your own personal bread plate will be on the left and your water glass on the right. Don’t make the mistake of using your client’s plate or drinking their water.
• Restrain yourself from eating and drinking until all your guests are served.

The conversation

• For most salespeople, having a customer’s undivided attention is an irresistible opportunity to sell. But take a moment to put the sales pitch aside and have a conversation. See your client as a multi-dimensional human rather than a source of revenue. Strive to make others feel important in your dealings with them.
• Place your guests’ feelings above your own. There’s no substitute for good manners and no excuse for bad ones. People like to help those that treat them with kindness and consideration.