Transcripts

Valerie Sokolosky:
When in doubt, don't. And that goes to, "Oh dear, should I wear this today?" Well if you're in doubt, don't. It goes to behaviors, "Oh dear, should I say this, should I do this?"

Valerie Sokolosky, author of the book Do It Right, the New Business Etiquette, says the language you use helps define who you are.

As young people enter the workplace, Mike, they bring with them their young language so you hear things like "you guys"; well, I'm not a guy! Or, I'm working in a company where one of the employees is young and he still says things like; "Sweet, Cool, Dude." Well that's college, that's high school.

When you leave a voicemail message for someone, Valerie says you should always leave a short reason as to why you're calling. Don't just say, "Hey, it's Fred, call me."

Now after a few times of playing telephone tag - even after one time - I usually just say, "Could I set up a telephone appointment with you? Would you call and leave me a convenient time to talk in the next two days?" - and that helps.

And unlike the old days Valerie notes…

I don't get very many thank-you notes, do you? It would help a person stand out from the crowd if they just took the time to hand write a quick thank you.

At somethingyoushouldknow.net, I'm Mike Carruthers and that's Something You Should Know.