A professional success strategist, elevating and enhancing employees and events using the principles of etiquette and creative planning strategies.
NEWSFLASH: your industry doesn’t need another (insert your service)…they need a phenomenal one!
Your clients aren’t looking for another generic experience. They want a memorable one.
Whether it’s bookkeeping, copywriting, marketing or system set-ups, your clients want a place that feels comfortable, easy & aligned.
They want to feel served with your solution.
They want honesty & authenticity.
They want the experience to live up to your promise.
If polled, I am confident that each generation would claim the next to be just a little bolder, ruder, outspoken, and even more entitled than the last but…that is life.
Advancements in technology continue to alter & evolve our realities, which means service providers must also evolve at what can feel like an unprecedented rate.
Everything and the kitchen sink doesn’t make a service valuable. Good service does!
It is vital to develop rapport with your clients throughout their journey so you can ask for meaningful feedback & insights to influence your offer & delivery.
It is critical to improve upon your communication to call in your ideal client, clarify with care, lessen misunderstandings, manage expectations, navigate difficult situations, listen with intent, and engage in conversations that lead to learning, improved solutions and more opportunity.
Communication is that important to your business!
You can’t buy trust from your clients, colleagues, contractors or collaborators— you have to earn it. So use freebie templates & swipe copy as inspiration, not the gospel.
Instead seek to enhance your etiquette skills so you can begin to infuse your unique personality & core values into your interactions; connecting human to human & highlighting your uniqueness as an added bonus or benefit.
Develop a raving reputation for simply being a brand of your word. Deliver on what you say you will do, when you say you will do it, the way you say you will.
In your efforts to look, sound, and present like the best…don’t forget to be the best. Execute and deliver. Period.
Your social & relationship building skills are what keep clients coming back. And why they share & recommend you to others…foundational for effortlessly generating recurring revenue.
Need a resource to help you along? Learn to carry yourself, communicate & connect with ease & authenticity with the free weekly for ambitious service provider solo & entrepreneurs, Etiquette for Entrepreneurs.
And the next time you’re tempted to compare yourself to others…remember that your industry doesn’t need another (whatever you do)…they need a phenomenal one.
Navigating the entrepreneurial space takes more than just a business acuity; it’ demands a keen understanding of oneself and a mastery of social & relationships building skills. Each entrepreneur brings a distinctive persona to this adventurous journey, shaping their approach and style.
We all face challenges on this entrepreneurial road – from self-doubt to the pressures of managing expectations. Handling the intricacies of human connections in business can be overwhelming with uncertainty about how to navigate the people aspects of business. However, this journey is a continuous work in progress.
Your personal brand values serve as a compass for how you show up and connect in the business world. Your ability to make quality connections quickly becomes the cornerstone of your business story. Embrace the power of self-discovery, where you unravel your unique strengths and refine your social skills.
The key lies in understanding your unique connection style – your etiquette archetype. It’s the secret ingredient propelling you toward sustainable success. Dive into developing your self-awareness and refine your social skills today.
Wondering about your archetype? Want to know how to leverage it for business success? Find a 5 minute quiz here.
In our quest to navigate business and social situations with grace, we often turn to etiquette as a solution. Etiquette helps us establish, nurture, and manage our relationships, fostering relatability, trust, and approachability. It guides us to lead with integrity, confidence, consistency, and authenticity.
However, as our technological capabilities have rapidly advanced, our understanding of etiquette, inclusion, and acceptance has not always kept pace. In today’s evolving landscape, being a savvy CEO requires us to broaden our perspectives when it comes to the etiquette of inclusion. We need to be more mindful and intentional about our approach to accessibility.
Etiquette has long been recognized as a powerful relationship building tool. Practicing good etiquette enhances our professional reputation, gains trust, shows respect to others, and creates an environment of mutual understanding and cooperation. It allows us to communicate effectively, navigate diverse social situations, and project a positive image for our business brand and our brand reputations.
On the other hand, accessibility plays a crucial role in fostering inclusivity within our organizations and beyond. By prioritizing accessibility, we ensure that our workplaces, products, and services are usable and welcoming to all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
Accessibility allows us to tap into the talents and inspiration of an under-served community, as well as, expand our customer base while demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility and empathy.
To truly excel in this entrepreneurial space, we need to combine the principles of etiquette and accessibility.
By doing so, we create a holistic approach to inclusion that encompasses not only interpersonal interactions but also the physical and digital spaces we operate in.
By understanding and implementing etiquette and accessibility principles, you can develop an etiquette inclusion plan for your business, one that fosters an environment of respect, accessibility, and success.
Importance of Accessibility and Etiquette for Businesses
Accessibility in business and social situations refers to the practice of creating an environment that is welcoming and inclusive to all individuals, regardless of their abilities or background. This means removing physical and systemic barriers that may prevent individuals from fully participating in social and professional settings. Accessibility can take many different forms, including having wheelchair ramps, assistive technologies, and providing alternate formats for information such as braille or audio descriptions. In addition to physical accommodations, accessibility also involves creating a culture of respect and inclusivity by using inclusive language and making efforts to address and accommodate individual needs.
So how does one improve on accessibility in business?
Create an Etiquette Inclusion Plan for your business. Feel free to use these 5 guidelines to get you started.
Conduct an accessibility audit. Review your digital spaces, physical spaces, and communication materials for areas in which you need to grow, as well as, praising your progress for where you glow.
Engage with accessibility experts. These partnerships can provide valuable insights, resources, education and support in developing and implementing an accessibility plan.
Provide clear & accessible communication tools. Learn to use closed captioning, sign language interpretation, and audio descriptions. Offering accessible documents, including text-to-speech and Braille options.
Ensure that websites, mobile applications, and even social media platforms utilize accessibility features.
Evaluate & Improve. Review your plan regularly. Be sure to consult with an expert and stay abreast of trends and best practices.
Practice Makes Progress.
Remember, creating an etiquette accessibility plan requires willingness, ongoing intention and deliberate action to adapt your business practices to remain inclusive and accessible.
By prioritizing accessibility in your physical spaces, digital platforms, communication practices, and interactions, you create an environment that truly fosters stronger relationships, enhances customer satisfaction, and opens doors to a broader audience.
Embrace the opportunity to lead the way in creating an entrepreneurial culture that values etiquette and accessibility, and watch as it positively impacts your reputation, growth, and overall success.
About Erin Perkins & Mabely Q
Erin Perkins (she/her)
Founder & CEO
I’m deafblind, though I can still hear with the help of my hearing aid & cochlear implant (without them, I’m profoundly deaf). I can see only 50 degrees… if you’re waving to me, and I don’t wave back…the chances are pretty high that I didn’t see or hear you!
I started Mabely Q under the guise of being an operations manager and graphic designer. It wasn’t until I worked with business owners and mentors that I realized how few actually understood what accessibility was. I pivoted and dove right into accessibility education.
I love that I get to teach businesses how to be accessible by leaning on my life experiences which I share with others to foster true inclusion at all levels, and also teaching in a way that feels good. My mission is to make the world more accessible one business at a time.
Want to dive in even further with Accessibility? You are a business that makes a positive impact in society. One that delivers a top notch customer experience and are ready to be accessible to all. Introducing Successible, a platform that jumpstarts your journey towards accessibility! It offers practical tips that gives you immediate improvements, and connects you with like-minded entrepreneurs on a similar path. Join Successible (a word play with success and accessible), and let’s start making an impact together!
Change isn’t always easy. Do you remember how foreign a concept working/learning from home was, just a short year ago? Do you remember how long it took to feel like you had a handle on things? Think about what it took to finally find your rhythm?
Returning to in person work is yet another change in your life. And because you have managed so many big changes lately, this is the time to take it easy on yourself and use your recent experiences to your advantage.
You know I’m all about easy to digest solutions that you can apply today…not someday. This is why I am sharing 3 ways to grant yourself grace and give yourself a break as you transition from Zoom back into the “boardroom”.
I want you to go easy on yourself. It will take time to reestablish routines, communication, and even consistency. Which means it is totally normal if you feel more tired than usual. It is ok if you find yourself frustrated trying to communicate and get on the same page with coworkers. It is alright to find yourself a bit annoyed at unexpected interruptions to your workflow. It is reasonable to be less than satisfied with your commute.
In the coming weeks, I want you to check in with yourself often and answer these 3 questions:
>> Am I allowing myself time to adjust?
>> Am I using all of the tools available to me?
>> Am I asking for help?
Let’s unpack how these questions can impact and even strengthen your transition success plan.
Allow Yourself Time To Adjust
It is imperative to give yourself the time and mental space to create and settle into your new routines for home and office. It may take time to get used to the commute again, to create new expectations for friends and family, to carve out alone time, to learn how much energy the day takes out of you, and/or how to replenish it. There is no one size fits all answer here. Offer yourself generous amounts of understanding as you make progress figuring it out. I assure you, it will come together if you give it time.
Use All Of Your Tools
I will always encourage you to lean on the tools that help you make your next move your best, move. Instead of allowing overwhelm to take over, I want you to identify tools that may help you show up as your best self. Write down the tools/services you have access to; solutions that save you time, keep you organized and/or help you grow. For some, using grocery pick up/delivery services for a few weeks will be helpful or working out using online platforms. For others, polishing skills like communication and/or conflict resolution communication will serve you best.
Whether personal or professional, remind yourself of the resources that help you spend your time and attention in the places that matter most.
Ask For Help
Read that again…asking for help is a behavior many of us do not practice often enough. Where or in what ways could you use a little more help? Your answer(s) to this question can help identify new resources, relationships, and opportunities for you to explore.
Maybe you’ll ask your children/spouse to cook dinner one night per week to help lighten your mid-week load.
Maybe you’ll invest in professional coaching or courses to help accelerate your momentum in reaching your next goal. Maybe you’ll collaborate on a temporary kids car pool to ease the morning/afternoon rush over the next few weeks. Maybe you’ll bring in an expert to help you reestablish team cohesion on the job.
Whatever it is, it is ok to ask for help, recommendations and/or suggestions.
I want you to keep in mind that you are not getting back to normal, you are creating a new one. There is no blueprint for this transition, as it has never been done in our lifetime. For that reason alone, I want you to be gentle with yourself while you figure it out. Every successful transition takes planning, support, action and TIME.
Give yourself permission to feel what you feel, explore potential solutions, and ask for the additional support you need.
You can do this! Post a comment sharing a service, resource or affirmation that you will lean into helping you transition back into the office and your new routine.
I had a blast sharing the mic and my insight on Keeping Your Composure for the Beyond Small Talk Podcast. I will be honest, if you didn’t see the show LIVE on IG a few weeks ago, you just missed it. Every technical difficulty possible tried to interrupt our flow; making the replay painful to watch, but you can listen (warts & all right here).
Difficulties aside, we had such a great conversation that Jackie ask me back for a bonus episode to dive a little deeper.
And you know I couldn’t wait to share it with you! Get caught up with the audio link below.
Here is the link for the first ever BONUS edition of Beyond Small Talk as we continue the conversation with Michelle A. Whyte on keeping your composure. Especially now, living in such a heated political and social environment, Michelle’s tips and tools help us navigate this ever-evolving terrain of communication.
A big takeaway for the Beyond Small Talk community – knowing how, when and what to do when taking your emotional temperature. Practice makes progress! Life is messy! There are no perfect solutions!
Beyond Small Talk IG live Season 2 Every Thursday at 4 pm ET. Catch up on Season 1 on your favorite Pod (Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Audible) Show some love with a follow and download. www.jackiejaniec.com • @jackie_janiec
If you are noticing that your mindset, your mood, your productivity, are tapering off or taking a dive mid week.
Many of us have been working exclusively from home for almost a year now. I’m talking about an entire calendar year. Unbelievable!
We have forged our way through the chaos and uncertainty. We’ve managed to establish systems, routines and some semblance of normalcy and order for our individual lives. All the while, maintaining some sense of sanity.
Remind yourself of this when days are hard, friend, you should feel very proud of yourself!
You are still surviving. You being of sound mind and body is enough! Groceries, emails, zoom calls – everything else – is a bonus. So be easy on yourself, and remember to award yourself a point for every bonus activity you accomplish. Hang in there. You really are phenomenal.
Now, if we are going to bother to show up, then we must do so with intention and purpose.
With that being said…We need to talk.
I can see the smokey embers of burnout kindling. I feel your frustration mounting and the balancing act of expectation versus reality becoming all too heavy to juggle.
We need to talk about how relaxed we are getting- in our productivity, our communication and our presence.
Lean in, because I’m going to say a hard thing. It might be time to put on pants.
Have you ever heard anyone use the phrase, when you feel bad, look better? I lived by this as best a broke college student could during my undergraduate years. If there was a big exam or presentation or I literally felt a bit under the weather, I’d boost my mood and my odds of a more successful outcome by passing on the oversized sweatshirt and shorts for a dress, sweater or dressy jeans.
I’d sit more attentively in class. I likely took better notes and felt a little more studious. It could be because I thought I was cute on those days. But it could also have been an intentional shift in my mindset. A change in routine prepared my brain in advance that we were out to handle the business and tackle it head on.
There is something to dressing the part that can enhance our mood, our focus and even boost our productivity. Look, I get it. Home is home. And some days it can feel like the longest loop in time; and still no end in sight. You are still a professional, still a leader, and your next opportunity is still waiting for you. You are still responsible for showing up and bringing your best!
So I want you to ask yourself, is it time to put pants on? I mean really think about your energy, your posture, your approach to the work.
It’s not just you, I have been super guilty about sporting my business on top and sleep in Sunday on the bottom. But the truth is, I find that when I actually do my morning routine, choose clothes and get dressed before my coffee, I am more alert and ready to start my day than when I stay in pajamas and meander from one room to another. I get more done than when I fake it through the day. You know what I’m talkin about, throwing on a decently ironed shirt 10 minutes before a call.
And I wonder if the same could be true for you too.
Here’s what I’m going to do? I’m going to challenge you to choose just one day this week to get dressed. Nothing over the top, just a bump up from what you’ve been doing. Instead of yoga/exercise or sweatpants…remix your routine to break up the monotony of this week.
Reverse the concept of casual Fridays. We’ve been casual fridaying…any everydaying for about 52 weeks now. All I’m saying is try something like cardigan Tuesday.
I want to see if we can find a way to re-energize you and the work you do. Let’s try to counter these sluggish feelings with a little style. Snap a pic. Tag me on social sharing, not only, how great you look but how your day goes. Do you notice that you feel more refreshed? Did you sit a little straighter during your Zoom? Did you find yourself more attentive and engaged? Maybe you answered more emails with focus and intention? Or did it just feel good to boost your mood? Totally counts!
This year is far from over and we’re just going to have to get creative in bringing our best selves to our digital spaces. Your next opportunity is still waiting for you, how you show up and deliver still matters. Try this small step to get you back in the groove.
And if you find yourself doing your best proofreading after you hit send – there’s a guide for that. Head over to the site to scoop your Email Etiquette Quick Guide and brush up on the 15 rules of email you should be respecting.
The holiday season has officially kicked off and don’t get me wrong, I absolutely want you shop, shop with me! With my whole heart, I want my Email Etiquette Bundle in your hands (especially the pre/teen guide). I want you to book a Situation Room Strategy Session to talk through a difficult situation or obstacle standing in your way. And I want at least 10 students for my upcoming Etiquette Exchange Monthly Mastermind program when enrollment opens.
I may be a CEO but I am also a wife and mom, so I get it! I understand that money is tight for a lot of us. I also know that many of us are being much more intentional with our spending. And I don’t blame you one little bit. But I also know that you want to help a friend like me, continue to serve and grow her purpose through small business.
Listen, I know if you could, you would…I know if there was something you could do, you’d be there for me.
Friend, I’m asking! I need your help. Believe it or not there are a number of no money ways you can shop small this year.
Help Me Grow The A-LIST. It doesn’t cost a thing to join The A-LIST {Ambiance Leadership Institute for Success Training}. But I only want you signing up if you are interested in finding more clarity and confidence in your professional skin. You know, learning to be comfortable with who you are, mistakes and all. You should also join if you’re interested in proven strategies to help you build better business relationships or better manage your people, preference, and pet peeves with more tact and diplomacy. It’s a community for etiquette, awareness, application, mentorship, and engagement all rolled into one. Best of all, you’ll be safe because no perfect people allowed.
Help Me Grow Socially. No money, just a few clicks. This is a super easy way to help me grow my reach on social media. Follow and share @themichelleawhyte on FB, IG, and or Twitter. Be sure to turn your notifications on, so you don’t miss a thing.
Help Me Grow My Network. Virtually introduce me to a friend, colleague, or young professional. Send a DM, text, or email saying hey, I saw this and thought of you. Maybe a good fit for you? Check it out when you get a chance. Just be sure to share a post, link to my website or social channel in the message and that’s it!
Help Me Grow My Opportunities. Offer up my name for professional development training in your spaces and places. Mentorship Workshops in self-awareness, leadership development, and personality preference assessments help strengthen the civility, character, and confidence of a team; individually and collectively.
There you have it. 4 different ways you can help grow and support this minority, woman-owned small business today. No money required!
If you can’t purchase, help me progress. I appreciate you choosing 1 or all of the above. But I thank you for being open to wanting to find ways to support me, more.
Listen, the aftermath of this year’s Presidential Election will likely be overwhelming, no matter what side of the political aisle you align with.
The news cycle, social platforms and even your close conversations will likely be inundated with political conversations & theories. On top of all that we’ve been adjusting to in 2020, it could be another source of overwhelm, stress, and fatigue.
That’s why I want you to be prepared. Hey, I care about you. 2020 has been a rollercoaster ride magnifying the need for self care and inner peace protection.
And I don’t want any of my A-LIST friends falling prey to office or social pressures and guilt. Nor do I want you caught off guard by being put on the spot to engage and/or respond in professional situations.
It is OK to take a hard pass. You do not have to make room for this in your already trying to juggle it all, extra busy life. And I am happy to share with you a few best practices on how.
I am telling you that you have options, you have choice, you have power, and you have a responsibility…to you and your personal brand values. In this 60-second etiquette, check out 3 guilt-free options for passing on engaging politically and 3 ways to say you respectfully decline.
I hope, first, that you do choose to exercise your right to Vote! It’s needed friend. I also hope that you’ll be taking great care of yourself in the aftermath, using these 60-second etiquette tips:
Last week, I was in the Situation Room with a client. She scheduled a consult because she was furious about something at work and she needed to talk through how to go about regaining control of a situation with her boss.
In these types of situations, the first step is often the most challenging, moving past the feelings. Facts over feelings is a phrase you will hear me use often. And this time, we had to dig a little deeper, past the surface to find discernment between the two.
As we continued to talk, we discovered that her overwhelming work frustrations had seeped into how she had also dealt with the family that day. We’ve all been there at some point, right?
After creating her situational strategy, she then took a step back and decided that she probably owed her family an apology for being snapping at them; recognizing that they didn’t deserve it.
Excuse me, Michelle, what exactly, does that have to do with you? I’m getting there, friend, promise.
I was so proud of her A-list effort. I absolutely love getting to witness growth in action. We had done the work…and my client was back on course, heading toward a win!
Release the confetti, cue the happy dance and insert a shimmy or two.
Then it hit me; that dreaded lightbulb of self accountability.
In my client’s moment of growth, I had my own “ah-ha” moment. I realized that years ago, I gave someone the apology I wanted them to have and not the apology they deserved. Listen, I told you I wasn’t perfect.
Here’s the thing, with my knowledge and experience in business etiquette, I can’t unknow the right thing to do. I’m obligated to make it right. Now, I want you to hear me good when I tell you there is no expiration date on that and no half steppin allowed.
Here is where building better relationships really gets a workout. I have to provide an appropriate apology, while – wait for it – not wanting to rekindle the friendship. I know, I know! But, we are friends right? So I can tell you, it was all my fault (lol); but the situation unfolded in a way that allowed me to see things in that person that I’m ok, being without.
I’m sharing this with you because I want you to see how my choice to not rekindle a relationship does not absolve me from fully owning my behavior/actions. I’ve made a commitment to myself and to you, to filter my actions and reactions through the lens of consideration, honesty, respect and integrity.
I want you to see that all of this (the A-list community, the workshops, the development and the positioning ourselves to be more profitable) is about our confidence and commitment to being a work in progress, continuously developing into better versions of ourselves.
Once you commit to yourself and your brand values, you will face difficulties, you will have to boss up in ways you didn’t know you could and you may not always get it right. Keep trying!
I will always celebrate your C+ effort over an F, anyday. And I need you around, to help me celebrate mine.
Is there a situation you need to make right? Learn from me. You can do it. It’s never too late. And friend, if you need help, I am always just a click or call away.
You are now the actor/actress you never really wanted to be. The camera is always on and that means, so are you.
I know it feels a lot like the sky is falling. It’s a lot. And you just want to stand out and make your mark, especially during this chaotic time. So what can you do?
Number one, do not be seduced by the comforts of home. Being too comfortable and too casual while remote working can be detrimental to your brand. Instead, commit to presenting yourself with the same professional image you would outside of the home.
Secondly, video meetings are real meetings! And I need you to conduct yourself accordingly friends. Prepare to bring your A-Game, each and every time.
I know you are busy and have much on your plate; so here are 5 of my top helpful hints to help boost your brand while video conferencing.
And don’t worry…it’ll only take a minute.
It Only Takes 60 Seconds To Video Conference More Professionally
