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Image & Etiquette Solutions Grand Junction, CO 970-270-4261 dianeblecha@imageetiquette.com |
Mannered approach can pay off
Grand Junction consultant shows her clients how to profit from proper business etiquette
Phil Castle
Business Times
Diane Blecha dresses impeccably in classic business attire. She listens
attentively and responds politely. She presents herself with confidence
and credibility.
The Grand Junction consultant clearly practices what she preaches:
A professional image and proper business etiquette make a difference
not only in the way people are perceived, but also the kinds of relationships
they develop and ultimately the degree of success they attain. A
polished appearance and good manners play an important role in everything
from
delivering good customer service and increasing sales to receiving
raises and getting that promotion.
It’s extremely important that you present yourself and your company
in the best possible light, she said.
For those who might dismiss the importance of image and etiquette,
particularly in the considerably more informal culture of Western
Colorado, Ms. Blecha asks this question: With whom would they rather
entrust their
money a banker wearing traditional professional attire or a banker
wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
Ms. Blecha owns and operates Image & Etiquette Solutions; a consulting
company that helps businesses and individuals improve their image
and business etiquette skills. She offers advice on everything from
wardrobe
to greeting people to body language to table manners. Ms. Blecha
also leads a popular course on business etiquette offered through the
Mesa
State College Community Education Center in Grand Junction. The goal,
she said, is to help people present themselves at their best at all
times.
Ms. Blecha is certified in image and etiquette consulting by Gloria
Starr, developer and chief executive officer of Global Success Strategies.
Ms. Blecha also has experience working with models in California
in assisting them develop poise and presence.
In addition, though, Ms. Blecha brings a wide range of experiences
to her operation, including work in the automotive industry, marketing
and public relations. She’s also worked as an event coordinator
and secretary for a number of nonprofit organizations. Ms. Blecha
and her husband once ran a ranching operation with more than 1,000 head
of sheep.
But it was her experiences working with models that prompted Ms.
Blecha to launch her image and etiquette consulting firm. I enjoyed
that so much that I’ve always wanted to be able to do that again.
Ms. Blecha tailors her services to her clients and strives to help
them achieve their goals, whether it’s improved customer service
or telephone manners for a business or personal development for an
individual. I love my job because I get to go out and help them achieve
their dreams
and their goals.
A professional image involves a combination of wardrobe, grooming
and behavior, Ms. Blecha said
Clothing that’s in fashion isn’t necessary the best choice
for professionals. For those in traditional business settings, Ms.
Blecha recommends classic attire in such colors as black, gray, navy
and taupe.
For professionals who work as communicators in sales or real estate,
for example classic attire with such colors as red, burgundy, dark
green and browns also works well. The exception in which a fashion statement
is more acceptable applies to people in such creative careers as
cosmetics,
the arts and film industry.
Proper business etiquette isn’t so much about rules, but good
manners, Ms. Blecha said. It’s just basic, good manners and the
golden rule treat others, as you would like to be treated.
A proper handshake, good eye contact and sincere attentiveness are
important. Please and thank you constitute magic words that people
should use frequently. Business executives and managers should lead
by example,
she said.
And since nobody’s perfect, Ms. Blecha said it’s also important
for people to learn how to handle mistakes whether they do so gracefully
or draw unwarranted attention to themselves.
