Don't Take the Last Donut: New Rules of Business Etiquette (Hardcover)

by Judith Bowman (Author)
Key Phrases: mutually respected third party, networking event, President Bush, United States, Bill Gates (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"Judith Bowman has written the definitive business etiquette guide. Not only has she covered everything from the nuances of business introductions (the name of the most senior executive is always said first) to which color to use in a handwritten note (blue for social correspondence, black for business), she also addresses networking?the sticky art of meeting people, making business contacts, and currying favor with strangers."
--Success Magazine

"Don't Take the Last Donut provides all you need to know so that you don?t lose your job position or business deal."
--Colorado Springs Business Journal


In a recent survey, 8 out of 10 Americans felt that a lack of respect and courtesy is a serious national problem. Four out of 10 admitted to behaving badly themselves.

Do you want to be part of the problem or part of the solution? Don't Take the Last Donut gives you the tools you need to be confident and letter-perfect in any business setting--from pitch to presentation, from networking to contract negotiations, and everything in between. With this book, you will easily master the art of small talk, the protocol of the perfect business introduction, and the many nuances of the business lunch. You'll never feel awkward in a business setting again!

Don't Take the Last Donut unlocks the mysteries and benefits of business etiquette. More than simple good manners, business protocol is a set of tools that allows you to move with confidence through any business setting and act with ease in any meeting or presentation. You'll learn:
* The protocol of the proper business introduction...even if you have forgotten someone's name.
* The art of creating a positive first impression.
* Tips for fool-proof small talk.
* How to manage an awkward moment.
* How to gracefully work a room.
* The vast differences in rules of etiquette around the world.

Secure in the knowledge that you are doing the "right" thing in any business situation, you will be freed to focus on your real goals without worrying about which fork to use or how to greet a international colleague.

At a time when organizations and standard hierarchies are in flux, the wise use of business protocol will allow you to stand out and set the right tone in all of your business relationships--correct, secure, flawless.

From the Back Cover
"Proper business etiquette is more than making nice with people you don't know or don't like. Bowman demonstrates how treating other people with dignity and respect, especially in business encounters, will pay rich dividends. It's not about you anyway. It's about them. It takes so little to make other people more comfortable (ie: cooperative) and it means so much."
--John Hoover, New York Times best-selling author of How to Work for an Idiot

"Don't Take the Last Donut is the quintessential guide for those who need to make effective people-connections in today's business world--and that's just about everyone. Bowman's advice is sharp, focused, easy to execute, and roll-up-your-sleeves practical. Her book is an essential read for those starting out and need a `how to' on business etiquette, or for even those who have been around awhile and should know better. This is a gold mine for those who follow through with Bowman's advice."
--Dean Philip Quaglieri, Dean, College of Management, University of Massachusetts, Boston

"Judith Bowman has written more than a book on manners and style. She's illuminated all the seemingly small leverage points that can make the difference between a great business relationship and a failed one. I wish I'd had this book ten years ago....there isn't a single page I didn't learn something from.....no one should enter the business world without this book."
--Steve Chandler, best-selling author of The Hands-Off Manager and 100 Ways to Motivate Others

"Much of Bowman's subject matter used to be taught in the home. Sadly that is no longer the case and this book will help the reader get through life politely, correctly, and successfully. Nuances will be a powerful tool in your career tool kit."
--Richard DeAgazio, president, Boston Capital Securities, Inc.

"Judith Bowman has penned the definitive guide to social and professional interaction. Striking at the heart of self awareness and emotional intelligence, Bowman provides a a step-by-step guide to social comportment for today's business executive seeking a competetive edge."
--Matthew Power, president, Risk Specialists Management, Inc., AIG

"This is the essential business guide for anyone in business, in the 21st Century."
--Michael Nitti, life coach/business consultant & former vice president, The Anthony Robbins Companies

"A readable code of manners that's certain to provide a kindness edge to anyone involved in today's fast-paced, high-tech business world. Don't Take The Last Donut is loaded with good, sensible advice on how to make a good, lasting impression on others and feel good about yourself."
--Bill Ketter, vice president for news, Community Newspaper Holding Inc., and senior vice president, Eagle-Tribune Publishing Co.

"If you want to make a great and lasting impression, Don't Take the Last Donut provides excellent advice for a wide variety of social and professional settings. With specific examples, Judy Bowman reminds us that we should never underestimate the power of properly presenting and conducting ourselves in the course of developing successful relationships."
--Steve Batza, executive vice-president, Liberty Mutual Group

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Career Press; illustrated edition edition (May 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564149293
• ISBN-13: 978-1564149299
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #192,663 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential information, July 4, 2007

By	H. Yang (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ms. Bowman provides an elegant and hugely informative guide to navigating the modern business setting, often using her own experiences (both the exquisitely graceful and the occasional faux pas) as illustrative examples. Her thoughts should be particularly valuable to those who are in sales and networking oriented businesses, as it clearly lays out how one makes an introduction, exchanges business cards, makes "small talk", gives a presentation, and entertains at a restaurant.

Missing from the book, however, are practical tips for those who are not constantly meeting others for the first time, but who interact with fellow employees everyday in the office/cubicle. There is no practical advice for dining with co-workers (where there is no clear host/guest relationship), participating in meetings with team-mates, giving feedback to others (career advice, firings, promotions) or inviting others for after-hours drinks.

The practical reason for this, I believe, is that Ms. Bowman is a solo entrepreneur herself, always looking for new clients for her consulting businesses, and therefore does not think too much about office employees at large firms. Nevertheless, much of her advice will be valuable to anyone aspiring to be an executive, since the higher you rise, the more you end up having to sell and network with clients.

As a side note, the editing job was left unfinished, and there are many sentence fragments, missing or misspelled words (e.g. "Luis Vuitton"), and dangling modifiers that make you wonder what the author intended to say. Despite these imperfections, the quality of the information and the anecdotes make this work shine.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Why Can't I Take the Last Donut? , December 5, 2008

By	Faye Quam Heimerl - Memoir and Children's Boo... (Westminster, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Take the Last Donut (EasyRead Large Bold Edition) (Paperback)

Author Judith Bowman covers a lot of business etiquette in relatively few pages. I found her chapter about exchanging business cards especially informative, and her warning about showing the soles of your feet was quite interesting. (I didn't know some cultures find soles of feet vulgar and low, and it's insulting to be shown them.) I also learned there isn't gender differentiation for business etiquette.

This book is worth reading if you're new to giving business presentations or attending business meetings, or if you need to brush up on what's current in the business world.
Note: The book's title, which amused me and caused me pick up the book, set me up to expect a humorous book. It is NOT humorous. But it is not dry/dull either; it's a pleasant read. Also, Bowman states that you shouldn't take the last donut, but she doesn't say why.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read, May 23, 2007

By	Richard J. Deagazio "rdeagazio" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a must read for anyone in business, no matter your age. Judy tells it like it is in the world of business as far a social behavior is concerned. Life is all about the small things and being properly mannered is very important. This book will allow you to be home-charm schooled !

Enjoy