E- Zine - January 2005

WELCOME to the PROTOCOL PLUS MONTHLY E-ZINE

IN TODAY'S ISSUE:
Professional Development Series coming to Edmond, Oklahoma, USA

For: Entrepreneurs, business leaders, college students, salespeople, customer service reps, and anyone wanting to raise their professional and social image. Learn the “Rules of the Game” and go for the win. Afternoon Tea and Etiquette is great for woman’s organizations and the Mad Hatter Tea and Etiquette Party will delight children.
Business Protocol 6:30 – 8 pm Jan. 11, 2005
Techno-Etiquette 6:30 – 8 pm Jan. 18, 2005
Bus. & Social Entertaining 6:30 – 8 pm Jan. 25, 2005
Four course Dining Tutorial 6:30 – 8 pm Feb. 1, 2005
Dos and Don’ts of a Successful Job Interview 6:30 – 8 pm Feb. 8, 2005
Afternoon Tea & Etiquette 2- 3:30 pm Jan. 19, 2005
Mad Hatter Tea & Etiquette Party (ages 7 – 10) 4 – 5:30 pm Jan. 26, 2005

REGISTER by calling the City of Edmond Parks & Recreation Department at 405-359-4630.

Tips to Outclass Your Competition – It’s a New Year and a New World

There are over 6 billion people in the world; 300 million are in the US; 30 million in the US are multicultural. The world has arrived on our doorsteps as we continue to be the melting pot of the world. How can you adapt to this global growth and be successful in the new international arena?

Adapting to change is a challenge, and at the same time, it is an opportunity for growth. To be successful in a global environment, you must set aside your comfortable, fixed ideas and meet others halfway.

Do you know what the rest of the world believes about people from the United States? The #1 belief that people from the United States are always in a hurry and don’t take time to develop deep meaningful relationships. While this is not necessarily true, many business people tell me they are frustrated with overwhelm, increased expectations, and time constraints. In our hurriedness, we may come off as being rude and pushy. Yet global success requires us to take a little more time to develop trusting relationships before doing business. Fools rush in.

What is your perception of people from other cultures? Do you pigeonhole them as they pigeonhole us? Keep an open mind. Adapt to change; embrace change; learn from change; grow from change. Cross-cultural awareness is not longer an option. It determines who gets the contract.

Test your cultural knowledge with Culture Clashes at http://www-306.ibm.com/software/globalization/clash/index.jsp

This IBM website highlights a Weekly Culture Clash where another culture’s norms or attitudes may clash with yours.

For information on my program “How to Succeed in the International Arena,” visit http://www.protocolplus.net/seminar/international.html

The Coach’s Corner – FISH Philosophy of Work

This story from the Alan Cohen’s book Why your Life Sucks is a nice reminder to enjoy the present moment.

An American businessman stood at the pier of a small costal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.” The American then asked, “Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” The fisherman answered, “I have enough to support my family’s immediate needs.” The businessman then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?” The fisherman answered, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life señor.” The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard M.B.A, and I can help you. You should spend more time fishing, and with the income buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, and eventually you would own a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you could sell directly to the processor and eventually open your own canners. You would control the product, process, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then L.A., and eventually New York City where you will run your expanded enterprise.” The fisherman asked, “But señor, how long will this all take?” The American replied, “15 - 20 years.” “But what then, señor?” The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part! When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich – you would make millions.” “Millions señor? Then what?” “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll in the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play the guitar with your amigos.”

Coaching questions:
  • What is zapping my energy and getting me nowhere?
  • Why am I tolerating these things?
  • What action can I take to eliminate my tolerations?
  • Who can help me?
In my life, I eliminated a toleration of a kitchen cabinet door that wouldn’t stay closed. This toleration has been going on for years. Recently I had a carpenter in my home for another reason. I was writing him the check in the kitchen and noticed the cabinet door. I asked, “Can you fix that?” I thought he would have to replace the entire door because it was warped. This wonderfully skilled carpenter was able to quickly and inexpensively fix the door. It is amazing how much I appreciate closing that cabinet door. Just one little toleration that I’ve put up with for years – now gone.

Pick one small toleration in your life you can solve this week? Solve it! Then pick another. If you would like to evolve into a toleration-free zone – TFZ- give coaching a try. We can design an intelligent plan to reduce and eliminate the drag of tolerations. Call today for your no-obligation, coaching session. This 30-minute confidential session will give you the experience of coaching. To schedule your session, call 405-341-3216.

Quotes of the Month

“What are you accepting that would not be a part of your ideal day.”
         --- Alan Cohen

“We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.”
         --- Gloria Gaither

Ask the Expert - How to say, “Hush, your voice is too loud.”

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