Manners That Sell: Adding the Polish That Builds Profits [Paperback]

Lydia Ramsey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2000

The author of Manners That Sell, Lydia Ramsey, is a business etiquette expert with over thirty years of experience working with non-profits, corporations, colleges and universities. She is a frequently published author who presents workshops, seminars and keynotes on all aspects of business etiquette.

Covered in this comprehensive business etiquette guidebook are topics including first impressions, greetings and introductions, the art of conversation, dressing for business, telephone courtesy, electronic etiquette, correspondence in business, etiquette in the office, gift-giving in business, etiquette out of the office, dining for profit and doing business internationally.

Do you wish you knew the answers to these questions? * Who picks up the check at a business meal?
* Should a woman stand to shake hands?
* When may I call my client by first name?
* How casual is "business casual?"

Find the answer to these questions and many more in this easy-to-read, highly informative guide to etiquette in the workplace. Recognize that manners matter in business now more than ever and that bottom line figures are influenced as much by interpersonal skills as they are by products and services.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

What is the winning formula to making introductions? When should a woman open a door for a man? Why is small talk so important? Answers to these questions and hundreds more are presented in this concise and accessible business-etiquette handbook. Designed to help organizations and individuals outclass and outlast their business competition, this invaluable guide covers the important topics for every business situation. From making powerful, positive first impressions to effectively doing business internationally, Lydia Ramsey shares the secrets to mastering the details that make the difference. Good manners are not formalities of the past. In today's fast-paced, global economy, where business is conducted around the clock, the finer points of business interaction can mean the difference of millions of dollars. Without wasting any words, Ramsey reveals that manners are not about rules, but about relationships. More than ever, proper business protocol is necessary to effectively make and maintain the professional relationships that lead to huge profit margins. With tips for everyone from support staff to upper management, this book is filled with practical, useful advice on matters ranging from the art of thank-you notes and conference calls to running a successful meeting. Both timely and timeless, this guide considers good manners in a high-tech world without losing sight of the classic etiquette rules governing personal interactions. [Back Flap] Lydia Ramsey is a business-etiquette expert, professional speaker, and columnist who has reached thousands of people through her seminars, workshops, and keynotes. She is the president and founder of her own business-etiquette firm, with clients including corporations, nonprofit organizations, colleges, and universities. A former columnist for the Savannah Morning News, she serves as a scriptwriter in Voice of America's China department, where she writes scripts on Western business etiquette that are broadcast to China and Taiwan. In addition to her active participation in civic and professional organizations, Ramsey has been featured and quoted on NPR and in such publications as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Investor's Business Daily, and Entrepreneur, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Back Cover

"In today's competitive marketplace, first impressions can make an enormous difference regarding who we hire and do business with. Manners That Sell contains the little things we can do that lead to big results. This is a must-read for anyone in sales or leadership positions." --Ed Horrell, author of The Kindness Revolution "Keep this book within arm's reach and refer to it often. You will be amazed at how people will want to spend more time with you and buy from you more often. This book is for anyone who has to sell anything to anybody." --Mark LeBlanc, president of Small Business Success and author of Growing Your Business! "Lydia Ramsey does an excellent job of communicating good etiquette in the context of today's fast-paced business environment. Her readers come away with a greater appreciation for the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect as well as the tools and knowledge to make a positive impact in their organizations and personal lives." --H. Roy Austin, CPA, CMA, chief financial officer, D.J. Powers, Inc. "In many business arenas today, manners are a tough sell. That's why this wonderful book by Lydia Ramsey is the right tool at the right time for business professionals looking to differentiate themselves from their thoughtless (or clueless) competitors. This book should be in the hands of every employee before they come in contact with the next customer, client, or prospect--it's that important." --Phillip Van Hooser, author of Willie's Way: 6 Secrets for Wooing, Wowing, and Winning Customers and Their Loyalty --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: Longfellow Press; 1 edition (April 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096700120X
• ISBN-13: 978-0967001203
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,993,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect business etiquette book, May 30, 2000

By 

Rebecca Campen, M.D., J.D (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manners That Sell: Adding the Polish That Builds Profits (Paperback)

This book has it all - Lydia Ramsey describes in clear detail everything important in business etiquette, including how to dress, correspond, converse, dine, conduct meetings, introduce, exchange business cards, leave messages, give gifts, lead, participate in meetings, and enter into the many other interactions that contribute to the image of a business. The reader gains an understanding of good manners in business that bring about confidence, good relationships, and success in business interactions. I especially enjoyed the tips that put others at ease and set the stage for important discussions in business meetings as well as the chapter on doing business internationally. This book will be extremely useful as an etiquette reference book for business leaders as well as for young executives just joining a business. Reading the book gives confidence and lets one move ahead in business interactions, knowing that the best impression has been made and that the most effective atmosphere has been created for the important business discussions to follow.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must read for anyone in business!, September 20, 2004

By 

Bonnie Jo Davis "Loves to read and review books!" (Southern CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manners That Sell: Adding the Polish That Builds Profits (Paperback)

This beautifully laid out trade paperback has a gorgeous and practical design both inside and out. I recommend you read this book with a highlighter and a pen and be ready to take copious notes in the blank pages thoughtfully provided between chapters.

Manners That Sell: Adding The Polish That Builds Profits should be required reading for high school and college students and for anyone already in the business environment. Once upon a time, good manners were taught in school and at home, but that time has long since passed. This book provides the perfect refresher course for those of us who were taught manners but no longer remember the finer points of etiquette.

While reading this book I discovered that the author, Lydia Ramsey, covered every conceivable point of etiquette including many that I'd never been taught. Each of the twelve chapters covers one main topic broken down into digestible bite sized chunks of rules and guidelines to enhance credibility and professionalism. Topics include first impressions, greetings and introductions, the art of conversation, dressing for business, telephone courtesy, electronic etiquette, correspondence in business, etiquette in the office, gift-giving in business, etiquette out of the office, dining for profit and doing business internationally.

The author of this delightful book, Lydia Ramsey, is a business etiquette expert with over thirty years of experience working with non-profits, corporations, colleges and universities. She is a frequently published author who presents workshops, seminars and keynotes on all aspects of business etiquette.

I recommend businesses buy this book in bulk and present one to every employee from the frontline up to the top management. In this ever changing world with so many consumer choices, the bottom line is often affected by the simple courtesies that can and should be afforded to customers. You need this book if you want your employees to succeed and your business to thrive.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Manners That Sell, April 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Manners That Sell: Adding the Polish That Builds Profits (Paperback)

Manners That Sell is an excellent book that should be required reading for anyone in business who wants to make a powerful impression on clients, co-workers, and the company's bottom line. The book's style is elegant yet accessible. Ms. Ramsey convinces us that we need not be intimidated by the rules of etiquette. She guides us step by step, from deciding what to wear to the office, to hosting a business lunch, and on through to the after-hours reception. A must-read!