This month we look at:
Are you trying to be a Superhero?

• What is the Superhero Syndrome?
• Superpower Survival Strategies
• Top 10 Timesaving Tips

Business Entertaining

• Mind over Platter – Do's and Don'ts of Cocktail Buffet Functions

The Root of the Superhero Syndrome is a Swearword:
Perfectionism

• Keep a “Busy Basket” near the front door
  When you get home put your keys, diary and important items, that you need for work the next day, in this basket. This will ensure you never misplace keys or forget important documents at home.

 

• Master the Internet
  Make use of facilities such as Internet banking and shopping to
  avoid wasting time looking for parking and standing in queues.
  Woolworths: www.woolworths.co.za
  Pick n Pay: www.pnp.co.za
  Queue 4 u: (011) 834–4444

 

• Buy clothes wisely
  Cut down on ironing and hand–washing time by investing in garments made from machine washable, drip–dry fabrics.

 

• E–mail or sms whenever possible
  You can get to the point without being put on hold and you will avoid being distracted by idle conversation.

 

• Have a home answering service
  Have you ever rushed to answer the telephone, only to find it is one of those “sales calls” or someone with whom you really don’t have time to talk to? This can be avoided byallowing an answering machine to screen calls at your home.

 

• Invest in a cordless telephone
  You can then make and receive calls while washing the dishes, cooking the dinner or just about any other everyday task.

 

• Keep a hardcover notebook with you at all times
  You’ll never have to search for loose scraps of paper or lost “post–it” stickers(that have found their way onto other documents) with important information and telephone numbers on them again.

 

• Place a calendar in a central area of the home
  e.g. On the kitchen fridge, and insist that everyone in the family writes down their engagements on it.This will help to co–ordinate schedules and save countless hours looking for family members.

 

• The “Dirty Word” ... Delegate
  Realize that there is simply not enough time and energy to do everything well yourself.Say to yourself, “I'm wasting valuable time doing this. Let me rather get Susan to do it.”

 

• Learn to say no to others and yes to you

• Do your homework on the guests attending the cocktail party. This will make 'small talk' much easier. eg. If he they are avid soccer fans, know the latest soccer news.
• This is still business. Do not begin calling the manager or the client by his or first name if you have always previously addressed them by their surnames.
• Always introduce yourself to unfamiliar guests. Maintain eye contact during introductions and conversations.
• Don't hide in the corner or at the bar. if you don't know anyone, ask the organiser/PR to introduce you to someone in a similar industry/ field as yours.
• Make it your aim to meet a different person every 10 minutes.
• Keep drinks and food in your left hand. This will leave your right hand free for meeting and greeting.
• Remember it's about the contacts not the contracts. Ask people for their business card and follow up with prospects after the event. The idea is to meet people, not to sell to them there and then.
• Ensure your business cards are kept close at hand, in a business card holder, and be selective when handing them out.

• Do not head straight to the bar or buffet table, mingle first. Food and drink should not be the main goals. (If you are starving, eat a small meal beforehand.)
• If place cards are on the tables, do not shift them around to suit yourself.
• See whether the buffet has one or two lines. If two lines are moving, you will find serving utensils on both sides of the table.
• Never push in the line, gender and status privileges do not apply in the buffet line. Take your place and wait patiently.
• Don't sample the food while you are waiting in the line.
• Dish each course separately. Don't mix the starter and main course on one plate.
• If you notice that one item is in short supply, then go easy on it, or offer the person behind you the last portion.
• Use the serving utensil provided for a particular dish and replace it, in the same place, when you are finished.
• Don't overload your plate.
• Plenty of clean plates should be available, which means you should not have to reuse a plate. If you are going back for seconds, don't hesitate to ask a server to replace a plate or silverware or retrieve what you need at the buffet table.
• If you are invited to join another table while at the buffet line, either accept graciously or find a way to decline just as politely. e.g. “I'm sorry, but I promised Mr Radebe that I'd eat with him, however, I will join you for coffee later.”

• Crudités or raw vegetables are picked up with your fingers, then dipped (only once) into the accompanying sauce. Never dip into the sauce once you have already taken a bite, unless you have placed some sauce on your plate.
• When eating olives, discard pits in your napkin or on the side of your plate.
• Small sandwiches can be picked up and eaten with your fingers.
• Do not blow on hot coffee or soup. Rather just give hot food or beverages time to cool down.
• Even though people at your table will be sitting down to eat at different times, try to keep pace with others.
• If you're eating while standing up, avoid overloading your plate. This will make eating the meal easier and you will be able to circulate better.
• Do not use your knife or fork to point out something or to make a gesture.
• When using a toothpick, excuse yourself and attend to the offending piece of debris in the bathroom.
• Do not touch up your make–up or brush your hair at the table.
• Drink in moderation – keep to a limit of 2 drinks.
• Do not chew on the ice cubes.
• Never drink beer from the bottle or can, rather pour it into a glass first.Before leaving always thank your host for the meal and the occasion. Within couple of days, after attending a cocktail reception or any other function, a thank–you note should be sent to the host.

• Business etiquette – your “ticket” to acceptance and respect in the business world
• Meal manners – practical, role playing a buffet function, the correct way to hold glasses, utensils, plates, etc. Secrets of making effective small talk
• Netiquette – e–mail writing, plugged in politeness
• Office do’s and don’ts
• The first greeting – getting acquainted, impressive introductions
• When you speak – telephone, cellular phone manners
• Entrances and exits – who leads, who follows (doors, lifts, elevators)
• Meeting know how – planning, attending and sensible seating arrangements

Next month we look at:
Abundant life – Live each day as if it were your last

Business Casual – A Sign of Changing Times?