Customer Reviews

Class Acts: How Good Manners Create Good Relationships and Good Relationships Create Good Business

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Class Acts by business etiquette authority and consultant Mary Mitchell is a straightforward, "reader friendly" guide to using good manners, etiquette, and positive relationships to improve business efficiency, profitability, and the lowering of daily stress levels while on the job. From the importance of accountability, forgiveness, and trustworthiness; to improving communication skills; to handling disagreement in the most effective manner (always disagree in private if possible, and carefully watch one's tone of voice while disapproving); to coping with the challenges of cyberspace; to knowing better than to pursue a workplace romance (or if one must, to pursue it with caution and close awareness of the other party's feelings), Class Acts emphasizes that it is the creation of good and enduring relationships which, in the end, are fundamental to the establishing of a good and profitable business climate.

Class Acts is an essential book for today's personal and professional environment. The strength of the book comes from it's applicability to one's life lived in a 24/7 world. The lines between professional acts and personal acts are less clearly defined as one realizes that a "whole life" standard to behavior is the only way to conduct oneself. It is precisely this understanding of all "actions" and their impact on daily life, both on the individual and organizational level, that makes this book a boardroom to bedroom must read.

As the CEO of ULiveandLearn, an educational company, we have been involved in developing programs that offer training and continuing education programs. Often, the benchmark programs are the ones that ignite support across a broad group of users, from corporate managers to educators to community-based organizations.

We are looking forward to helping bring Class Acts live through programs that integrate the essentials of the book with case studies and programs for corporations and organizations.

The opportunity to create and sustain an environment of good manners, good relationships and good business benefits us all. Mary Mitchell clearly understands the power of her message and it's long reaching effects on everyone who cares enough to be a Class Act.

If ever there was a book written and published (thank god) that should be mandatory reading for any person starting their business career this is it. Actually, this book is useful for anyone at any stage of their career.

The simple truth of business is this: revenue is a lagging indicator...relationships are a leading one.

Mary Mitchell has touched on virtually every aspect of gaining and maintaining a competitive advantage and positive relationship through good manners and business etiquette. Do you want to know when to bring up business at a meal, how to stop a colleague from being too aggressive? Or perhaps you wonder how to deal with one who is boring, or other difficult business situations? This treasure trove of practical information even points out how to be courteous when working out at the club or on the road. This book will show you how to fight fair i.e. how to keep an important relationship from dissolving from a conflict.

Using just one of Mary's tips brought me a windfall of business and commissions, hint: write note cards.

Perhaps the nicest thing about the book is it's holistic approach to personal and professional life and the inexorable tie between the two.

Buy this book, invest in your own excellence and that of someone you care about...buy them one too.

At last, someone who "gets it!" Mary Mitchell eloquently makes the case that respectful, ethical, balanced business conduct is not simply "do-gooder" window-dressing but an issue that strikes deep at the bottom line -- via the relationships created with employees, employers, customers, vendors, colleagues and, oh yes, investors. Take THAT, Enron, WorldCom, Global Crossing, Adelphia, and all the rest! This should be required reading for everyone in business.

Mary Mitchell's Class Acts is filled with good information, overlaid with a gentle philosophy, and is a good read to boot. It's the only etiquette book I've read cover to cover. It makes a perfect gift -- a lovely compliment to colleagues, clients and friends who are indeed class acts.

At a time when people are losing faith in American business, Class Acts comes to the rescue. It will help us shift away from the self serving greed that has been the downfall of so many companies and regain our integrity and humanity.

In clear, concise language, and beautifully written "mini" chapters, Mary Mitchell has done a stupendous job of covering everything one needs to know to become a polished, effective communicator & business person and, more importantly, a compassionate, honest, well balanced individual. One who can truly be called, a Class Act!

Class Acts gently guides us to put back all the finer qualities lives that our fast-paced, high tech world has taken from us. It is one book whose time has come. Class Acts should be required reading for anyone in or entering the world of business.

This is one book you will want to keep close by to refer to over and over again as you progress toward creating your own "Class Act."

Mary Mitchell has written a stunningly clear, well thought-out, and concise book. Her background in etiquette, coupled with years of work in the field of corporate governance place her in the unique position of being able to match business accountability with manners at a time when both assets are sadly on the decline. Not only are her points well taken, but the book is well-written and entertaining. The suggestions and advice contained in this book are indispensable for just about anybody interacting with anyone else.