The Etiquette Edge: The Unspoken Rules for Business Success [Paperback]

Beverly Langford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2005

"Intelligence, ambition, and skill can take you a long way to achieving your career goals-but no matter where or with whom you work, one of the factors most essential to your success is knowing how to act and interact with your colleagues. In the modern workplace, if you lack good communications skills, social savvy, and a sense of appropriate behavior, you'll be going nowhere fast. The Etiquette Edge gives you a clear, commonsense approach to making "good behavior" a competitive advantage. Packed with quizzes, helpful checklists, and clear examples, this practical book shows you how to: * Make a great impression on bosses, and get along with "enemies" * Deliver uncomfortable-to-convey information with tact and finesse-including condolences * Turn your body language into a communication asset * Register complaints without sounding like a troublemaker * Skillfully schmooze your way to success...and much more Rather than dwelling on dry, nitpicky rules, The Etiquette Edge gives you the straight scoop on the most effective communication and behavior styles for negotiating the complex terrain of today's workplace-and getting ahead!"

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... a clear, common-sense primer to etiquette in the business world.”

-Dallas Morning News

Review

"""In today's high-speed business climate, we often forget to take the time to build relationships and alliances that can determine the difference between success and failure. This book reminds us of important ground rules for dealing with others effectively in the workplace."" -- Mike Welch, Senior Vice President, Operations, Arby's LLC

""To be successful today, we must continually work on keeping the personal touch in our relationships with our associates up and down the organization. This book targets those people who want to take their communication effectiveness to the next level."" -- Rod Hewitt, Vice President Human Resources, VF Intimates, VF Corporation

""Leadership has become the coin of the organizational realm, and one’s capacity to lead often depends on the ability to forge strong relationships. Beverly Langford equips current and future leaders with the critical communication competence to create credibility and build trust."" -- Pat MacMillan, CEO, Team Resources, Inc."

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 17 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; 1 edition (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814472427
• ISBN-13: 978-0814472422
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > Business & Investing > Business Life > Etiquette

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Impressive Guidebook for Today's Business World, September 17, 2005

By 

Edward Cone - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Etiquette Edge: The Unspoken Rules for Business Success (Paperback)

Dr. Langford's book is an excellent guide to what should be common sense, but all too often isn't. In clear, forthright terms, she covers areas as topical as cell phone usage, casual Fridays and e-mail, along with downsizing, restructuring and making a graceful exit from a job. Courtesy is not an outmoded concept, but plays a direct and vital role in career success or failure. This book gives clear, situational advice in virtually every aspect of the business world. It would be an excellent resource for a manager to provide to his or her staff.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Covers the basics for office etiquette, July 19, 2008

By 

Melissa Kaye (Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Etiquette Edge: The Unspoken Rules for Business Success (Paperback)

This book covers etiquette basics for the workplace in less than 200 pages. I've read a number of etiquette books, so I have to admit I didn't find that many new concepts in the pages. I did enjoy reading it as a quick "brush-up" on things I tend to forget, though (like not trying to finish other people's sentences!!!). The book covers most of the topics you need to know for business etiquette. A few include:

Non-verbal communication
Cursing and Language
Listening Skills
Cell phones
Email
Travel
Office Space
Gender Divide
Lunch and Socializing
Interviewing & Leaving a Job Gracefully
Confronting with Courtesy

A few topics that I found especially interesting included what to do when you friend becomes your boss and how to deliver unwelcome information. Each chapter in the book is fairly short, which means it can be read quickly to grasp main concepts, but there is not a whole lot of detail. For some readers, this may fulfill their needs just fine. The author lists a bibliography at the end for those who want to research specific topics further. This book is geared towards professional office employees (like those at major corporations), although others may find the information useful. For a book more geared towards salespeople and small business owners, Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work may be a more appropriate choice.

Overall this book is a great place to start for learning a bit of etiquette or reminding yourself of what you should be doing. For readers seeking a detailed business etiquette book, The Etiquette Advantage in Business:Personal Skills for Professional Success (a whopping 550+ pages) provides more in-depth information.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not helpful to the already polite businessperson., May 8, 2008

By 

Shane D. Perry - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Etiquette Edge: The Unspoken Rules for Business Success (Paperback)

This is a useful text if given to new young employees as required reading or to a problem employee as a wake-up call.

I don't recommend this book for an already conscientious person who wants to learn more specific points of etiquette. A guide tailored to a specific region is more useful if you'd like to know more about business protocols in different countries.