1. Handshake - Have a firm handshake, this is particularly true for woman.  I can't tell you how many woman i have interviewed have one of those really delicate shakes, instead of giving me the whole hand, i get three fingers.  This come across very negatively as a first impression. 

2. Eye contact during conversation - when you are talking to someone in a professional setting, please keep good eye contact, it translates to focus and attention on the conversation.  Don't have your eyes darting around, it really does not come across very well.

3. Email - Make sure you check the spelling and grammer before sending out emails, proofread it once at least once, proofread it twice if it's going to your management or customers.  This is particularly important for foreigners like ourselves. 

4. Speak up - if you have something constructive to say in a meeting, do speak up.  In US, silence is not golder.  If you don't talk, people would think you are not contributing.

奖励已发 :D

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2006-10-9 21:32:53编辑过]

A few more tips i just thought about:

1. Knowing when to say no - Chinese culture and tradition ask for humbleness and accomodation.  In the working world, you are respected for your cooperation and teamwork, but you are also respected for knowing when to say no and knowing how to set your boundary.  This is especially true if you are a manager, you don't want to be know as a push over, you won't be respected for that.  For example, if one of your direct reports is making an unreasonable request, you need to say no.  If one of your peers is pushing his/her load to you all the time, you need to say no. 

2. Knowing when to take credit - While modesty is a good trait, to move ahead, you need to make yourself visible in the organization, not just to your boss, but also to your boss' boss and his boss.  If you have done something above and beyond the call of duty, make sure you publicize it, and your management and peers know about it.  For example, if you come up with some more efficient method/process of doing something, share it with your boss, your peers, and offer to present or train others outside of your immediate team in leveraging the new process...   

3. Knowing when to give credit - To foster good relationship with others, particularly ppl that can help you do your job better and easier, but don't report to you.  If they have done something nice for you, send them a nice thank you letter (email is fine), and make sure you copy their boss on it.  It doesn't cost you anything other than a few minutes of writing, but next you ask for something from that person, you'll get it.

4. Knowing when to share credit - This is particularly important for managers.  I have seen some managers who try to claim all credit themselves without acknowledging their direct report.  This reflects very poorly on the manager both from above and below.  From above, the boss would think the manager doesn't know how to utilize/empower his ppl.  From below, the direct reports would not have the incentive to work hard.  Remember, as a manager, sharing the credit will help you move forward, of course this is build on the premise that you are secure enough with your own position and ability.

奖励已发 :D

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2006-10-10 19:51:42编辑过]

Some tips for meeting facilitation:

Sooner or later, as you move up the corporate ladder, you will need to run meetings.  Running an efficient and effective meeting takes practice and methodology:

1. Have an agenda, knowing what the objective is for the meeting.  Is it to get something approved?  Is it to brainstorm?  Depends on the objective, the meeting format will vary.

2. Knowing whom to invite, think through the stakeholders, make sure you have the right people in the room, otherwise, decision won't be made

3. Premeeting preparation - Most times, before the meeting, i would speak to the key stakeholder 1:1 to understand their agenda and concerns, this way, i have a good idea how the meeting will go, and where the issues may be and i can prepare for them ahead of time.  You don't really want too many surprises at the meeting, it could really derail the meeting.

4. Start the meeting - As the meeting organizer, it's your responsibility to set the tone of the meeting.  I always start the meeting by stating the objective of the meeting, and provide background information to get everyone on board, and state the ground rules if there is any.  For example, if there are certain known issues or things you don't want to discuss, state that upfront.

5. Facilitate the meeting - Maintain control of the meeting.  Make sure no one person is dominating the discussion, allow different parties to speak up.  Don't let multiple conversation take place at the same time. 

6. Reiterate the key decision/points - often during the meeting, you will reach some interim conclusion/decision.  As the meeting organizer, make sure you restate the decision to get everyone on the same page.  Often, i found that different people have different takeaway.  during the meeting, make sure the decision is understood by all attendees.  I often write it on the board to remind ppl what has been decided.

7. Wrap up - always summarize the meeting decision/findings at the end.  Assign action items to people as need, make sure you get an ETA on action items.  Figure out the next steps, for example, if another meeting is needed to finalize everything. 

8. Post meeting - Always send out a meeting summary of what was discussed, what was decided, what was tabled, and who need to to what.  I can't tell you how many times people try to reverse the decision months later, without something in writing, you will have to renegotiate again. 

奖励已发

[此贴子已经被Alexandria于2006-10-17 15:45:37编辑过]