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Broward lawyers: ready for a manners makeover? Want to tone down your arrogance? Polish you body lingo? Do you want to show your clients that you can dine with flair, devoid of etiquette dilemmas? Is it salt first, then bite?
The list is nearly endless: table manners, posture, protocol and introductions, etiquette in communications, grooming and attire. And if you're the lucky Broward County law firm, social strategist Deborah Ritch of Hollywood may have you singing: "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain."
She's sponsoring a contest, just for Broward lawyers.
Mark Freerks |
| Deborah Ritch has her work cut out for her with a desire to teach some Broward County lawyers manners. |
Dial up www.mannersandimage.com before Jan. 11 and sign up for a chance to win a free one-and-one-half-hour seminar (value $500) for up to 50 employees chocked full of tips to reshape your tattered image as court room brute or fast-food refugee from the family that rarely dined together.
"People have a perceived image of lawyers," Ritch said. She's kind to them: "Lawyers are very demonstrative, a little too flamboyant.
I know in my mind exactly how I can help them."
Armed with a new MBA from Nova Southeastern University a couple of years ago, Ritch morphed into a "social strategist."
She said that she leveraged her years of volunteering and fund raising to help professionals become socially fit.
On her web site, visitors can take a business etiquette quiz.
But why lawyers and not bankers or accountants?
Again, she is gentle on the maligned group that barely rates higher than used car salesman and journalists in opinion polls.
"I'd just as soon concentrate on lawyers first."
Could it be their arrogance? "A little humility goes a long way," Ritch admonished.
She said her first law firm manners and image seminar sold well before 25 lawyers at Fort Lauderdale's Broad & Cassel.
"Reaction of the crowd was, they really enjoyed her discussion," managing partner Martin Press said. "These young lawyers may be book smart, extremely intelligent in their field, but they haven't learned the little extras that make them a proper civilized person."
Said Ritch, "A socially savvy professional always stands out in a field of equals."
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Do you know the answers to these potential faux pas?
- Appropriate law office attire should consist of:
- Conservative suits and shoes
- Women wearing stockings at all times
- Men never wearing necklaces, bracelets or earrings
- All of the above
- True or False: It is better to leave someone unacknowledged than to botch their name or misidentify them.
- How do you work a cocktail party and gracefully deal with a situation where someone is monopolizing your time?
- When is it appropriate to give your business card?
- When is "business casual" too casual?
Answers:
- D.
- False
- Mention that there's someone you see that you know, and say you enjoyed speaking to them.
- When you get a card, give one, and justify by wanting to be able to provide more information later by e-mail.
- Dress not to draw attention to yourself, whatever the uniform is.
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