Manners That Sell: Adding the Polish That Builds Profits

This beautifully laid out trade paperback has a gorgeous and practical design both inside and out. I recommend you read this book with a highlighter and a pen and be ready to take copious notes in the blank pages thoughtfully provided between chapters. Manners That Sell: Adding The Polish That Builds Profits should be required reading for high school and college students and for anyone already in the business environment. Once upon a time, good manners were taught in school and at home, but that time has long since passed. This book provides the perfect refresher course for those of us who were taught manners but no longer remember the finer points of etiquette. While reading this book I discovered that the author, Lydia Ramsey, covered every conceivable point of etiquette including many that I'd never been taught. Each of the twelve chapters covers one main topic broken down into digestible bite sized chunks of rules and guidelines to enhance credibility and professionalism. Topics include first impressions, greetings and introductions, the art of conversation, dressing for business, telephone courtesy, electronic etiquette, correspondence in business, etiquette in the office, gift-giving in business, etiquette out of the office, dining for profit and doing business internationally. The author of this delightful book, Lydia Ramsey, is a business etiquette expert with over thirty years of experience working with non-profits, corporations, colleges and universities. She is a frequently published author who presents workshops, seminars and keynotes on all aspects of business etiquette. I recommend businesses buy this book in bulk and present one to every employee from the frontline up to the top management. In this ever changing world with so many consumer choices, the bottom line is often affected by the simple courtesies that can and should be afforded to customers. You need this book if you want your employees to succeed and your business to thrive.

My hats go off to Ms. Ramsey for an excellent book on business manners. It's written in a very down-to-earth way making it easy to pick up tips at a glance. I especially enjoyed reading Manners That Sell knowing that this author "walks the walk" about what she writes.

This book has it all - Lydia Ramsey describes in clear detail everything important in business etiquette, including how to dress, correspond, converse, dine, conduct meetings, introduce, exchange business cards, leave messages, give gifts, lead, participate in meetings, and enter into the many other interactions that contribute to the image of a business. The reader gains an understanding of good manners in business that bring about confidence, good relationships, and success in business interactions. I especially enjoyed the tips that put others at ease and set the stage for important discussions in business meetings as well as the chapter on doing business internationally. This book will be extremely useful as an etiquette reference book for business leaders as well as for young executives just joining a business. Reading the book gives confidence and lets one move ahead in business interactions, knowing that the best impression has been made and that the most effective atmosphere has been created for the important business discussions to follow.

Manners That Sell is an excellent book that should be required reading for anyone in business who wants to make a powerful impression on clients, co-workers, and the company's bottom line. The book's style is elegant yet accessible. Ms. Ramsey convinces us that we need not be intimidated by the rules of etiquette. She guides us step by step, from deciding what to wear to the office, to hosting a business lunch, and on through to the after-hours reception. A must-read!

I ended up buying copies of Ms. Ramsey's book for my sons after reading it myself. It is just the sort of "polishing" information, presented in a tidy format, that people in business, and everyday life in general, need to know but often these days are unsure about.