Professionals | Tiffany Nielsen

Mixing Tea and Business: Persnickety or Not?

August 16, 2011 By Tiffany Nielsen

Mixing Tea and Business: Persnickety or Not?

A dining expert says in his blog to “avoid ordering tea while dining with clients because they might think you are persnickety.” When I read this, I scrunched up my forehead in a state of confusion and asked myself, “What does “persnickety” mean and how does drinking tea make me appear persnickety in front of business clients?”

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of persnickety is:

fussy about small details
having the characteristics of a snob
requiring great precision

A snob? How ordering tea over coffee or espresso is considered snobbish is beyond me. But, if the dining expert refers to the fact that making a perfect pot of tea takes great precision, then perhaps a client might see attention to detail as a good quality in a business partner.

Preparing tea is an art. I’m comfortable in saying that a client who doesn’t appreciate “art” during a business dinner may be drinking too much coffee and be better off with a glass of Port.

Tiffany Nielsen shows men and women of all ages how to stand out-not stick out socially and professionally. She is the President of Premier Etiquette, a full-service etiquette and image training and consulting company, and co-author of The Power of Civility and Incredible Business. Visit her website at http://www.tiffanynielsen.com/ to learn more about how you can thrive socially and professionally!

Which Fork Do I Use?

June 29, 2011 By Tiffany Nielsen

Dear Tiffany,

When I sit down for dinner I typically eat my salad first. This is a popular style of dining in America. I was taught to use the fork farthest from my dinner plate to eat my salad. In the book, The Power of Civility, your co-author’s formal place setting illustration suggests the complete opposite. Can you please clarify because I like to stand out-not stick out while dining! Thanks!

Dear Savvy Diner,

In the chapter, “Dining with Civility,” found in the book, The Power of Civility, Co-Author Nonnie Cameron Owens provides a beautiful illustration of the most formal place setting. I use a similar illustration when teaching dining etiquette to my clients because of its insightful presentation of formal dining.

Note that in her illustration found in the book, the salad fork is placed closest to the dinner plate. This means the salad will be served following the entrée, as seen in the photo below.

You are right that in America the salad is typically served before the main meal, in which case the salad fork will be placed farthest left of the plate. Mrs. Owens illustrates a formal meal where fish, rather than salad, will be the diner’s first course that is to be eaten with a fork.

If you look closely at the photo I’ve included in this blog post, are you able to pick out the dessert setting? It’s the fork and spoon setting resting directly above the plate. Is the setting placed correctly? Not quite. The dessert fork is placed correctly on the table, however the handle of the spoon needs to face the bread plate instead of the wine glasses.

The most important rule for navigating a place setting is to always work from the outside in. Remember this and you will always know you are using the right fork -and also the right spoon- during a meal.

Tiffany Teams With Experts to Launch Incredible Business!

December 8, 2010 By Tiffany Nielsen

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Just released: Incredible Business, the first book co-authored by local entrepreneur Tiffany Nielsen, founder of Premier Etiquette and The Etiquette Ambassador© Youth Program.

Exeter, CA – Tiffany Nielsen provides the tools that create true class acts in today’s business climate. In addition, twenty other experts in Incredible Business share best practices, powerful information and proven strategies to help your business grow and prosper. Whether you are starting a new business, are intrigued by the possibilities of becoming your own boss, or want to enrich yourself in contemporary business practices, Incredible Business can help guide you and others you know to reaching professional achievements.

Business success is the result of more than talent, commitment and hard work. What keeps the customers coming is the positive impression you make on current and prospective clients; how productively and effectively you run day-to-day operations and how well you deliver stellar customer service.

And now you have it, from Thrive Publishing, powerful accelerators for your business success. In the hot new book, Incredible Business, you will find 21 insightful American business guides offering advice gathered through decades of experience as entrepreneurs and small business owners. “No matter where you are in your own life, you are presented with endless opportunities to build rapport and trust with people from many cultures, industries and experiences,” says Nielsen, pointing out opportunities to stand out as a force for impacting positive business. Ever-changing economic factors make maintaining business relationships increasingly more competitive. Rising above it all requires cultivating your own reputable class act image. “It all starts with you,” Nielsen emphasizes.

As a former employee of large corporations such as Dole North America, Nielsen sees savvy business etiquette know-how as necessary to succeed professionally and personally. “It’s a matter of discipline,” according to Tiffany. “For example, you either dress for your career and the one you want, or you don’t. You choose to serve others first or you don’t. You elect to be socially sensible during business events or chance being everyone’s joke on the internet tomorrow. It’s a choice. Incredible Business will help you assure that your true class act outweighs the competition.” Even small changes can transform and uplift.

Incredible Business can take the seed of an idea for your business and grow it into a healthy, robust enterprise. Whether you are an experienced business owner or are just getting started, Incredible Business will help you:

Enhance your image and business practices
Make your vision a reality
Use social networking sites to make key connections that reach new markets and expand your customer base
Focus resources on tasks with the greatest payback to improve your bottom line
Communicate more effectively and turn prospects into customers
Market your products and services more profitably Take the cue from economic experts: buying local makes a positive impact on your own business climate.

Support the success of local authors, businesses and charities with every purchase and donation you make this holiday season. Incredible Business is available for $24.00. Autographed copies can be purchased in Exeter at Nielsen & Associates Insurance, Tricia Kirksey Realty, The Book Garden and direct from Tiffany by calling her at (559)280-9859 or by visiting her website at www.tiffanynielsen.com/store. For more information on Incredible Business, please visit tiffanynielsen.com or email Tiffany at tiffany@tiffanynielsen.com

Advance notice: The Power of Civility (2011) the next book co-authored by Tiffany Nielsen, founder of Premier Etiquette, located in Exeter, CA. Meanwhile, you can further tap her services now as a conference speaker and etiquette and civility trainer available onsite, in tele-seminars and through private coaching. For more information, phone her at (559)280-9859 or send an e-mail to tiffany@tiffanynielsen.com. To subscribe to her etiquette and civility blog, go to www.tiffanynielsen.com/blog. Be her friend on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etiquettelady

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