Question: “I have to send out 50 email invitations to a formal business dinner for important donors—the first of many, I think—and I’m really not sure how to address the recipients or phrase these invitations. There’ll be no attachment. What should such an email look and sound like? In particular, what about the greeting, conclusion and subject line, and should I include any images or designs to give it a different tone than a normal email?” – Angelina, Membership Coordinator
When trying to land a promotion, it is vital to watch all of your workplace habits. Your higher-ups notice what you do around the office, and bad work habits could cost you.
Q: “I was recently moved to a desk right outside my boss’s office. Every day, he and two staff members have lengthy discussions about personal matters and company gossip. I also overhear them criticizing other employees in our group. The person who sits next to me says I should just ignore these conversations, but this seems like very juvenile behavior for an office setting. Is there anything I can do about it?” Disgusted
Marie Boker is the director of first impressions at Phelps, an integrated marketing communications agency in Playa Vista, Calif. She was downsized from another agency almost 20 years ago, but when that company was acquired by Phelps soon after, she got a boost.
We all want to make a good impression at work. It’s paramount to our success that we give dedicated thinking time to how we are accomplishing that goal.