Put Pizzazz Into Your Own Personal Presentation

The age-old maxim is true: You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. Impressions are powerful things - they shape how others see you and interact with you. To add pizzazz to your personal presentation, remember 10 points:

It's all about common sense and good manners. The relatively simple tenets of good manners and common sense apply to any individual in the business environment.

Get along with others. This is one of the golden rules of business. Many times people wonder how someone got promoted, especially if they don't have the best credentials. It's not always what you know, but how well you get along. The candidate who got to the top is probably someone who knows how to get along with everyone from the cleaning crew to the president.

Be prepared for the worst and stay calm. It's Murphy's Law, and if it can happen, it will. This includes business meetings, presentations or whatever comes under your domain in the workplace.

Make your client or colleague feel comfortable by using small talk. There's nothing more awkward than stiff silence. If you're out of practice, try making small talk with your friends, your family or, as a last resort, your dog.

Don't keep people waiting, and even more importantly, don't be late. There's nothing worse than getting off on the wrong foot by making someone wait. Being prompt is simple common sense and courtesy.

Be respectful of other people's time. This one overlaps into the category of being on time, but in today's competitive environment, stopping to chitchat when your colleague is under the gun, or wasting time in a poorly planned meeting is also a business faux pas.

Don't have poor listening skills. Being a good listener is key to being successful. Two "don't tips: Don't interrupt or hog the conversation. You can ask questions.

Dress appropriately. Good grooming is key to a professional impression. If you are wondering if your skirt length is too short, then it probably is. And, guys, please leave the Mickey Mouse tie at home.

Respect another person's space. In today's business environment, it's considered impolite to place your briefcase on a table or a desk. This includes using the phone without permission or sneaking a peek at the contents on the desk while waiting for your meeting to begin.

Last, but not least, return phone calls. There is nothing worse than someone holding up a project or deadline because they haven't returned a phone call. It's simple common courtesy to get back to the caller. Even if you don't have the answer, respond to the caller's request -- don't leave them hanging. n