Business | Tiffany Nielsen

What Happened to Tiffany?

August 8, 2012 By Tiffany Nielsen 6 Comments

This past week I received a phone call from a friend and loyal Premier Etiquette fan. She expressed how excited she was to see my recent email announcing our upcoming communication and etiquette skills class. I always get a warm feeling knowing people do read my emails. Don’t you?

She then told me that in the midst of reading my email, her excitement turned to puzzlement. She said to herself, “What? That’s it? One class announcement? No etiquette tips? No Fall fashion preview? Oh no, what happened to Tiffany? I’d better call her.”

I couldn’t have a better friend looking out for my best interests. We should all be so diligent as to find out what might be happening with a friend when something doesn’t seem right. She trusted her instincts and called me. I’m choosing to share this with you because perhaps you also have wondered, “What happened to Tiffany?” or “That’s it?” when you opened my last email. Let me explain.

This won’t come easy to me since I’ve been schooled to leave personal business at the company door. Rather, stick to positive subjects when sharing out-of-office happenings with business associates and clients. Nevertheless, here we go.

I don’t get by on luck. I achieve success through the help of a very strong, loyal team who has my back. We, the team, see ourselves as well armed soldiers fighting for the common good: stellar etiquette practices by all! When I found out that Charlene Nielsen, my Premier Etiquette In-House Editor, also known as my wonderful mother-in-law, was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer in May, we all put on the brakes to help her.

Premier Etiquette Editor and Mommy-in-Law

Chasing doctors and appointments became our first and foremost task. Poise and persistence ruled as others were dropping the ball and prolonging her treatment plan. At last, chemotherapy was put into action and she finished her first round last week. It took us over two months to make the reality of treatment possible; it has been a grueling and frustrating experience. At the same time, we were blessed to witness her tenacious spirit rise again. Some of you have had the opportunity to meet Charlene at events where I have spoken. You know her spirit and you can count on the fact that she remembers you!

So, now you know where I, Tiffany, have been. I haven’t given up on my work to rid the world of bad manners, nor have I stopped sprinkling etiquette dust on those who want the positive power of etiquette in business and elsewhere. I’ve simply been lending my heart and dedication to a much deserving loyal subject.

Thank you for your patience and assumed appreciation for our journey here at Premier Etiquette. On the bright side, the power of positive thinking has us all on the right track. I’m pretty sure every one of you reading my letter has been touched by cancer. The fight to beat it is unreal, cumbersome and it takes a team to battle it out. So, if a little bit of time passes and you haven’t heard from me, have faith that I’m here for you too and I will soon surface again. If I don’t, for heaven’s sake, call me!

Your Loyal Etiquette Soldier,

Tiffany

Business Etiquette: Smart Phone Manners

April 30, 2012 By Tiffany Nielsen 2 Comments

*Photo Courtesy of American Express

As handy as they are, smart phones can be and are the culprit of much of the rudeness we see in America today. The phone’s resources are abundant, but they introduce nuances that are unacceptable.

No matter who we meet with, each person deserves our undivided attention. To choose phone surfing over the face to face meeting time tells others they are not relevant. Here are a few tips to keep us all smarter with our phones.

When attending meetings, smart phones should be silenced and put away if they have nothing to do with the topics at hand. It’s in everyone’s best interest to perform this action because it protects the image of the organization and the business at hand.
People are much more present when their fingers aren’t tasking through emails and peering at information that has nothing to do with the meeting.
Let everyone know when and why you need your phone for the meeting. This way, you avoid any negative judgment.
Apologize if your phone rings during a meeting. It happens.

Smart phones used by smart people make for poised and fruitful communication. Be smarter than your phone. You own it; it doesn’t own you.

Feel free to share Tiffany’s etiquette and image tips with others!

Free Workshop!

April 19, 2012 By Tiffany Nielsen Leave a Comment

Building Your Personal Brand

Sign up today for our eye-opening, career building workshop hosted by Brandman Unviersity!

In this educational and career propelling workshop, learn how to quickly and effectively raise the bar on your personal image!

Building Your Personal Brand

Mix and Match Your Wardrobe to Save $$$ — Define the Look of Your Professional Brand — Make a Statement with Business Casual — Uncover Power Colors and Fashion Personalities – Discover Must Have Wardrobe Essentials, Image “Makers and Breakers” and Stepping it Up Interview Attire

You hold the power for creating a dynamic image through wardrobe, grooming and etiquette choices that promote your own career success. Accelerate your personal image and business credibility by registering today for this FREE professional training opportunity!

Join us for this interactive, informational and FREE workshop on:

April 26th 5:30-7:30 pm

Brandman University, Visalia Campus

649 S. County Center Drive

Visalia, CA 93277

Please kindly register by April 23, 2012 to (559) 636-5595 or email your reservation confirmation to Alex Hamilton at mailto:ahamilto@brandman.edu

We hope you can join us for this exciting workshop at Brandman University’s Visalia Campus.

Business Casual for Creative Career Professionals

March 13, 2012 By Tiffany Nielsen Leave a Comment

John Wind knows how to transform fantastic vintage into posh style. One of Mr. Wind’s beautiful, hand-made necklaces was on a “wish list” at Rosemary and Thyme in Exeter, California. My husband is friends with the boutique owner. Guess who received her wish list item??

I’m a cool season Winter II, but found great joy mixing splashes of gold into this ensemble that I’m wearing today with my new necklace.

To balance the gold in John Wind’s necklace and create length (petite, well almost) , I paired a long black sweater and White House Black Market leggings with the style bonus of my leopard belt. I borrowed my husband’s boot socks (because I can’t find any of my own) and zipped up my new Anne Klein boots for a slimming appeal. The black sweater tied together with the white blouse creates the chic sophisticate look I admire. Of course, I never leave the house these days without my red Talbots Tote and sassy red lip gloss. Mixing and matching with a little creativity makes it easy to piece together a brand new look, don’t you agree? Creativity is the key word. Planning and patience have their place here too.

As an image consultant, I’m fortunate to work with clients to help them uncover small wardrobe adjustments that create the greatest amount of impact. For some, it’s as simple as adding new jewelry (like I did) to brighten up a black suit. Others find the addition of colorful shoes or bold ties an immediate “can-do” wardrobe primer.

What small adjustments in your wardrobe can you make today that will create immediate impact? Think about it and let me know. Your input can be very useful to a fellow reader, so I appreciate your thoughtful comments.

Linking In or Blanking Out? Business Etiquette for LinkedIn Users

March 10, 2012 By Tiffany Nielsen Leave a Comment

I use the social networking site LinkedIn for many reasons. It’s one of those sites that discourages the nuances of risqué photos and unwanted, uninvited posts. LinkedIn is also the place to showcase our talents, network our business services and dock our contacts online. No matter where professions take us, we can easily keep relationships moving along with us.

I get excited when I receive invitations to LinkedIn with others because I like to meet new people. But what really gets my etiquette happiness bursting at the seams is when I receive a request with a message attached. You know from experience that any invitation you receive, be it to a fundraiser, a party or some other event, usually includes a message as to why: “It’s Tiffany’s 40th Birthday” or “Open House for our New Business”, etc… you get the point. But, oddly, some networkers purposely or mistakenly skip over this nugget of relationship building which could be a decided business advantage.

Since the fun of my business is sprinkling etiquette fairy dust when opportunities arise, I’m compelled to spread some of it today. LinkedIn Etiquette? Yes, it exists.

When you send an invitation, you can build a friendlier connection if you include a message. The message can be a simple introduction or a sincere message as to why you want to connect. Maybe some people don’t attach a message because they don’t know what to say. Rest assured you can make it easier for people to connect with you by letting them know how you met, why you want to connect with them, etc… We already have enough mysteries to solve.
Consider including your LinkedIn URL in your email signature line. This makes it easier for people to find you on LinkedIn. Please feel free to link up with me.
Be sure to send a “thank you” message to new connections that accept your invitation. And, don’t worry about those who don’t accept. If you haven’t heard back from an invitation request, wait a few weeks and then resend the request. If you still don’t receive a response, move on.
In my opinion, writing a LinkedIn recommendation is a gift to someone, not a requirement. We all can mutually benefit each other if we are willing to give to get. A personal thank you email or handwritten note to the person who writes a glorious recommendation on your behalf wins friends. And, the offer to write one in return for yours is good business.

I hope these etiquette tips support you in some way or at least validate your own etiquette expectations for LinkedIn. I want to build on this etiquette list with your help. Please comment below with your own tips and let’s mutually benefit each other by sprinkling etiquette anywhere and everywhere we can.