Young Pros Business & Dining Savvy (A program for ages 18-22)

There’s a new business twist for the twenty-first century: good manners. In the past few years, increasing attention has been given to ‘business niceties’ those little things denoting class and style. In fact, manners have become as integral to your professional image as your technical knowledge. Both young professionals and savvy executives are scrambling to acquire this new form of professional polish. It not only creates a nicer work environment, but it also pays off in promotions and raises.

Every young professional should realize that good business etiquette is a power tool that gives one the cutting edge in the business arena. Spurred on by global competition, companies look increasingly to those men and women who possess “soft” skills. In other words, knowing proper etiquette in today’s business arena means getting more business for the company and increasing your chances of moving ahead. Soft skills include introducing clients and making them comfortable, understanding and respecting precedence, or selecting the right fork at a six-course dinner.

Perhaps you’re thinking, “The company doesn’t care if I know which fork to use at a dinner. All they care about is whether I do a good job, right?” Wrong! Professional savvy — how to get it and how to use it — is the hot topic in corporations worldwide. And it’s something that top management keeps in mind when promoting employees to key positions — particularly those positions involving interaction with persons outside the company. Management is especially mindful about employee interaction with international clients. Professional Business Savvy will teach you skills that you can put to use immediately.