How to be professional in business!

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

Your thoughts...please

[Rob Holmes]

Thats a bit vague Tony - where exactly do you need help?

Rob

[Richard Conyard]

We'll I always make sure it's at least 9:30 before having my first beer ;-)

However back on thread, what specific area?

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

Thats a bit vague Tony - where exactly do you need help?

Rob

yes,

i don't want to say to much but only to say we should think carefully how others may view our posts.

if that makes sence?

[openmind]

Think, post, think, edit, think again, edit once more...

I think at times forums can be very dangerous areas and occasionally a knee jerk turns into a kicking...

[creospace]

9.30 am or pm Richard?

[Ozzy]

Through painful experience I never reply to anything immediately when my instinct is telling me that I must, instead I generally "sleep on it" then respond. I've caused a few problems in my time personally and professionally by biting back at things too quickly.

In family life you tend to get a second chance but in business you do not.

[Richard Conyard]

Creo, that would be telling ;-)

Ozzy, good points. Business should be non-emotive. That doesn't mean you can't have fun, but it's remembering what is the key focus, i.e. the job in hand. There is no point getting upset over bits and pieces, far better just to get the job finished and finished well.

In light of the original question (which was very open). There are plenty of facets to being professional in business. However I would say that one element that they all come back to is that professionalism and responsibility are mutually inclusive. Whether that is taking responsibility for something that has been said, taking responsibility for any issues that arise or trading responsibly.

In looking at the other thread on business cards, and at other successful businessmen/women the one thing I think you'll find is the attitude of "the buck stops here". There are too many things to do when running a successful business, trying to pass the buck onto other people shouldn't be one of them.

[JustOneUK]

1) Your customer knows best
2) Read and answer all emails promptly, bearing in mind rule 3
3) See rule 1

[Rob Holmes]

One of my lessons..

Say no quickly - don't dilly-dally around if you really want to say no to someone. It just gets worse.

Rob

[Richard Conyard]

1) Your customer knows best

Don't always agree with that one. However if we disagree I would say it's down to my not explaining myself properly. I guess it's depends what industry you're in.

[JustOneUK]

debt collection would be one of those times?? ;)

hehe

[Admiral Collections]

ha ha very funny Just One Uk. Move on!


I don't agree the customer is always right, I come across it all the time where debt is disputed because of differences in opinion. When they are in this situation is can be very difficult to achieve a satisfactory conclusion. Not losing your temper is a good one. In my area of work it can be infuriating and you sometimes hear bad language and abuse but you just have to grit your teeth and stay calm, after all, the one hurling abuse and swearing is usually the one in the wrong in the first instance.

Tony, I can't believe you are really Father Christmas, in your pic you are the spitting image

Nic :wink:

[www.sitepal.co.uk]

Tony, I can't believe you are really Father Christmas, in your pic you are the spitting image

Nic :wink:

Yes its really me Santa

The wife will back me up, i only come once a year

Merry Christmas!!

[Jayne]

Poor wife :lol:

[Admiral Collections]

Lol, well rather once a year with lots of goodies rather than once a week and a big let down!

Quantity isn't always quality :o

Nic :wink:

[DarrenC]

I don't think before I open my mouth (or type with my fingers!) It is one of my new year resolutions.. must not open big mouth before thinking. :)

[seabro]

To be professional, I would recommend getting a professional designer to do your logo and stationary.

This is the 1st impression and says alot about you.

I did my own, but I was lucky. If I could turn back time I would have definately paid someone. They would have done better.

And Always, do what you say you will do. Call back when you say you will and arrive when you say you will.

Punctuality is important.

Be prepared. Once I arrived at a client site with a briefcase but had to ask for a pen. I never got the job. But we will never know why.

Cheers,

[Coding Monkey]

I agree with presentation and (being utterly biased) totally agree about the design, but you have to make sure you get what you want.

I could have saved myself nearly £3000 if I didn't invest so much into people to present my company that just didn't achieve what I wanted. That figure could have been £200. And I wish I was exaggerating.