“In point of fact, we are all born rude. No infant ever appeared yet with the grace to understand how inconsiderate it is to disturb others in the middle of the night,” according to Judith Martin, also known as Miss Manners.

Most of us were brought up with some semblance of good manners. It seems all too often that manners are a forgotten art. Have you ever given any thought about proper meeting etiquette?

Some things are so simple and so easily forgotten. Greet people at the meeting, introduce yourself and don’t rely on your nametag. Smile as if you mean it; do this often enough and you will.

Be on time. And just as you are prompted to do in the movies, silence your cell phone. Either turn it off or set it on vibrate. Pay attention to the presenters. Multi-tasking not only defeats the purpose of a conference, it is downright rude.

Snacks and beverages are often served during a meeting. Clean up after yourself. If you have to slip out of the meeting for any reason, do so unobtrusively. But avoid it if you can.

Courtesy costs nothing and often defuses a potentially unpleasant situation. The manners your mother instilled in you can be the foundation to a professional, pleasant attitude.

If you have your own planning business and have suffered over the summer, you’re in good company. Almost every business has reported less business. Even though things are picking up for most people at least to a small degree, things may have changed permanently for planners. You might have to change your methods, advertising, and even your day-to-day business activities to stay lean but productive.

However, one of the best things you can do for yourself–and your clients–is stay positive. Of course you have heard that all summer long. But there is a reason for this you may not have heard from anyone else. Besides keeping yourself emotionally and mentally healthy, it helps you keep your customers. Read the rest of this entry »