Etiquette Services
University Etiquette
Business Etiquette & Leadership Development Programs for Universities
DINING ETIQUETTE
It’s not just dinner…it’s business. Second job interviews are routinely conducted over a meal in order to observe the interviewee’s comfort level in social situations. A relationship can be built, or a job lost, over a simple spaghetti dinner. Are you prepared?
PROFESSIONAL IMAGE
A strong resume is not the only thing that makes a powerful impression on an employer. Professional clothing speaks volumes about how a job candidate, or a new hire, prefers to be seen and evaluated.
NETWORKING & CORPORATE COMMUNICATION SKILLS
The mere thought of making conversation with a stranger is enough to make most people break out in a sweat. Companies value individuals that can communicate effectively and network in social and business venues. If you want the job, it takes the ability to convince another person that you’ve got what it takes to make a favorable impression on clients, coworkers and the community.
Corporate Etiquette
Corporate Etiquette & Executive Development Programs for Businesses
PERSONAL BRANDING
Professional corporate etiquette, a.k.a. “People Skills,” is a fundamental part of your executive tool kit. According to research done by Harvard University, The Carnegie Foundation and the Stanford Research Institute, more than 85% of job success is based on “soft skills,” your personal conduct and the ability to put others at ease. Corporate clients expect no less than “Five Star” treatment, and in today’s fiercely competitive market, you are at a disadvantage if you overlook important fine points.
NETWORKING & CORPORATE COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Business executives routinely find themselves in situations where they must communicate effectively with clients and colleagues. Understanding the intricacies of networking is what thoughtful business owners and major corporations consider an executive survival skill. Effective networking takes effort and practice. People like doing business with people they respect and trust. A good communicator knows how to put others at ease.
IT’S NOT JUST LUNCH…..IT’S BUSINESS!
Confidence in dining situations frees one to pay closer attention to business conversation. When we are nervous, we cannot give one hundred percent of our concentration to fellow diners, leading to miscommunication, or a business breakdown. Questions about which fork to use, what to do if you have dropped your napkin and what role you hold in a “toast” are all legitimate concerns. Knowing how to handle one’s self with poise in dining situations adds to an individual’s overall effectiveness when representing an organization at social and business events.
PROFESSIONAL IMAGE
It is true, you are judged by the manner in which you choose the world to view you as a professional. Make no mistake…it’s all in the details.
Read what some of Diane’s University & Corporate clients have to say about working with her.
Texas A&M University | Kingsville
“Diane was a lifesaver! “
She was able to cover our etiquette event on short notice and students at Texas A&M University-Kingsville raved about her. They especially enjoyed her direct approach while learning the proper techniques to use at the dinner table. Thank you, Diane!
Lori Urbanovsky
Associate Director, Employer Relations
Sam Houston State University
Diane Gottsman has been presenting our Annual Etiquette Dinner for the past 12 years and each year is better than the last.
We routinely have standing room only based on the importance of the topic, as well as Diane’s engaging demeanor coupled with her interesting wealth of knowledge. She knows how to command a room and our students routinely rate her as top notch. Diane’s reputation is exemplary and we are honored to have her back each year. She truly provides a great service for our students at Sam Houston State University.
Vinessa M. Mundorff, M.A.
Associate Director Career Services
UPS Freight
Inviting Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert, to address our sales management team at our recent Sales Kick Off event was powerful. Diane was immediately engaging and unassuming, which put the team at ease and ready to talk about etiquette that perhaps we all thought we knew or learned at some point in life.
In one hour Diane was able to address key etiquette essentials that will help us all to be the best we can be. Essentials like the handshake, introducing yourself using your full name, making eye contact and where to look, how to handle difficult situations in business, to the proverbial questions of what truly is business casual attire!
Diane and her approach to these etiquette items was spot on. She energized the group and helped them learn proper etiquette without feeling uncomfortable about what they didn’t know they didn’t know!
In an ever changing business world one constant that occurs in each day is etiquette. Sometimes we assume that people in business, no matter what level, know the basics of good etiquette…..from shaking someone’s hand, to proper lunch etiquette, to the correct approach to business casual attire. Simple “essential” etiquette is worth revisiting for us all as we can slip into bad habits and misperceptions of what is proper and what is not. Worse yet we could be conducting ourselves in a way that is inappropriate without even realizing it.
Comments like these came after the session –
“….the message about what you say without saying a word….resonated….”
“Practice your smile and when you are feeling uncomfortable, smile and part your lips….”
Applying these skills to our daily business and personal life
Eileen Pedante-Stone
UPS Freight
Rice University
Diane is a renowned etiquette expert and has worked with the Center for Career Development at Rice University for the past 13 years.
She teaches our Students and staff how to successfully transition into the professional world, covering everything from networking, business etiquette, social media, communication skis, and dress.
Her seminars are hands-on so students are practicing every step of the way
She delivers serious content with an energetic and witty manner and students walk away feeling more confident and can immediately apply what they have learned. Diane knows how to captivate an audience and keep them engaged. Her tips are always current, practical, and timeless.
Diane’s passion for the topic is inspirational and keeps the students coming back year after year..
Nicole Van Den Heuvel
Director, Center for Career Development