The art of professionalism and how to build healthy work ethics

I am a sucker for good customer service and because I am a creature of habit, once a sales staff has got me at “Hello,” I am hooked on that establishment for life.  On the other hand, when first impressions don’t impress, I immediately look for the nearest exit and run away as fast as I can and hardly ever come back.

I have high standards when it comes to customer service because I had the chance to be in the service industry starting at the age of 14, when I worked in my Aunt Helen’s fine dining restaurant at Venice Beach, California.  We catered to everyone, from the beach bums to the top-paying Hollywood celebs and other VIPs, so we kept our standards high. 

One very valuable learning I got from that stint was to value every individual who walks through our door and give my best 101-percent service.  Our service immediately got feedback based on the tips we received and so, in many ways, our lives pretty much depended on our service.

This brings me to why I am so thrilled to share with you my friend Abbygale Arenas’ book titled 88 Things Every Professional Should Know.  I couldn’t get over reading the pages as it tells the exact things that every professional should be exposed to and trained in to survive and thrive in the business world today. Things that a professional should be equipped with — from attitude and behavior to manners, how to maneuver around difficult foods to eat in public, awareness about professional appearance, hygiene and grooming.  Abby sums it all up in one easy-to-read book that turns out to be a perfect manual for all people who want to dive into any kind of business environment.  It brings one to a level of excellence and professionalism, and exposes things that are normally not discussed but have grave consequences for those who are unaware.

Here are some business meal blunders that Abbygale shares in her book:

1. Wearing inappropriate clothing.

2. Putting business papers on the table before business discussions.

3. Getting too personal in conversations.

4. Complaining about business colleagues or bosses.

5. Using profanity or telling inappropriate jokes.

6. Coughing without covering your mouth.

7. Burping without excusing yourself.

8. Getting out a mirror at the table to check yourself.

9. Combing your hair or retouching your makeup.

Here are some manners to observe around the office:

1. Punctuality.

2. Stay away from gossip.

3. Refrain from being loud.

4. Avoid strong smell.

5. Assume that all associates prefer to be addressed formally.

6. Never eat odorous food at your desk.

7. Respect people’s privacy.

8. Ask before borrowing anything.

I know that many local establishments have really leveled up when it comes to professionalism and quality of service.  There are, however, some booboos that I encounter that sometimes are not worth minding, but then, others are just too difficult to ignore.  For example, once, I walked into a very highly rated airline ticketing office and I was quite intimidated by the high-tech facilities in the customer queuing system. Luckily, I managed to figure it out and got my questions answered.  Another customer was not as fortunate to have cracked the code though and managed to squeeze in the line without really intending to.  It was clearly an honest mistake, but the ticketing officer would not hear of his explanation and told him off in a very rude and loud manner that I wanted to hide under the table out of embarrassment.  She was dealing with a foreigner at that.

I didn’t waste time writing the airline about it and they replied, assuring me that it would be corrected.  As far as presentation and ambience or dating are concerned, they were tops, but the EQ of their attendants was one thing that needed repair.

In another situation, I found myself buying a simple kitchen container and I was concerned about its environmental impact and the sales lady in the department store did not bat an eyelash at my every inquiry.  She even went as far as citing scientific evidence, all the while smiling.  I was so impressed that I wrote the company about how satisfied I was with their front liner.  It was only months after that incident that I came across the same brand in another branch and I realized my letter had become a memo for all as a reminder about the value of customer service.

Winning customers is a combination of many factors.  Winning them for life is dependent on both heart and skill. Learning the art of proper professionalism and building healthy work ethics, combined with a heart that is constantly in touch with who is being served, will make one a professional that keeps customers for life!

* * *

Follow author on Twitter @mommymaricel.