PUBLICATION: The October 2010 issue of ColoradoBiz will feature the 25 Most Influential Young Professionals in Colorado Business.

ENTERTAINMENT:
• This Awards Banquet will gather 500 young business professionals for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, band and an awards ceremony.
• Comedian/Emcee: Sam Adams
• Diamond Orchestra Band performance

REGISTER for the event here: http://www.cobizmag.com/events/sponsored/genxyz/

Individual: Only $35
Banner Sponsor: $750, includes 10 tickets to event

5 Ways to Improve Your Cell Phone Etiquette

Beyond the obnoxious ringtones providing frequent disruptions, you’ve probably been annoyed at one point by someone practicing poor cell phone etiquette. Studies show that while most of us are annoyed by rude cell phone practices, many of us still engage in it. Here are some tips on how you can easily improve your cell phone manners.

TURN IT OFF

Yes, believe it or not, your cell phone as an off button. Not only will this help save your battery life, but it can save you from embarrassment or even harassment. Turn off your cell phone at events like weddings (especially your own), funerals and theatrical productions. Many places such as libraries, churches, court houses, banks and country clubs have a no cell phone usage mandate. Respect this. Leave it off for job interviews, presentations and important meetings to prevent any potentially reputation damaging interruptions.

VIBRATE WITH CAUTION

We’ve all been in a meeting where someone’s phone continues to vibrate. Sometimes it’s more disturbing than if it just rang. You will notice the eyes wander around as people try to figure out where the softly aggravating noise is coming from. Some phones have volume controls for the vibrate function, which is ideal. If you don’t have this feature, be aware of what your phone is resting on. A metal or wood table may elevate the sound. Sometimes it is better to just silence your phone, especially if you do not have any intention of taking a phone call during a particular meeting or event.

BE CONSIDERATE OF YOUR AUDIENCE

No one wants to know the intimate details of your dating life or about the stressful situation at your office. When you must talk in public keep your voice low and don’t force others to eavesdrop on your private conversation. Cell phones have sensitive microphones that will pick up background noise, so there is no reason to shout into the phone. Seek out an area that isn’t populated and make your conversation brief. Never talk while in line or at a check-out counter. It’s inconsiderate to the person that is helping you and the people waiting in line. It’s best to hang up the phone and call the person back. Your transaction will go faster and the person you are talking to will probably appreciate your full attention.

LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH

It’s impolite to answer your phone when you are in the middle of a conversation, meeting or date with someone. Show your company respect, by sending your call to voicemail. If you are expecting an important call, let your guest know that you may have to take a particular call. This sets the expectation and makes the disruption less offensive. This goes for texting too. When you are constantly looking at your email, texting or calling others, the underlying message is that the person on the other end takes precedence over the person in the room with you. I’ve also seen this type of behavior during presentations. Show the speaker respect by taking care of your calls and texts after the presentation or stepping out to manage your business.

RESPECT THE CALLER

Where and when you talk can greatly affect your caller too. When you are engaged in other activities while talking, people can sense that you are distracted. In the same way, they can hear your smile, so always smile while you talk. Even though you may be able to tune out the street noise your caller may be quite irritated. Your voice may not come through as clear. If you work from home, your family may be that disturbing noise. Make it a habit to take calls in an office or private space in your home.

When it comes to cell phone etiquette, it really is about common sense. By showing others respect you will earn their respect. A young professional who can take the extra time to be aware of their cell phone etiquette will certainly make a noticeably positive impression to those around him/her and those on the other side of the line.

Share this article and exclusive offer with your friends! All Denver Young Professionals receive $25 OFF a Style Assessment! Click here to improve your image today!

For more information or questions, contact Milena Joy at www.milenaconsulting.com or (303) 585-0589.  Milena Joy is an image consultant, professional speaker, author and founder of Milena Distinctive Image Consulting a full-service image consultancy located in Denver, CO.

]]> http://coloradoyoungprofessionals.com/denver/2010/08/18/482/feed/ 0 http://coloradoyoungprofessionals.com/denver/2010/07/30/dyp-volunteer-opportunity/ http://coloradoyoungprofessionals.com/denver/2010/07/30/dyp-volunteer-opportunity/#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:29:39 +0000 Severson http://coloradoyoungprofessionals.com/denver/?p=459

A Taste of Colorado

September 3rd – 6th, Labor Day Weekend
Civic Center Park (Intersection of Colfax and Broadway)
Hours vary, so check first

The enormously popular three day food and music festival is in search of people to donate some of their time for this year’s festivities. All DYP volunteers will be working in the merchandise tent together, so the more the merrier!

August Social at Spill Lounge
1410 Market Street,
Denver, CO 80202
Wednesday, August 18th
6pm-8pm

SPILL culminates the lounge scene of downtown with the feel of a neighborhood bar, and it’s where the Denver Young Professionals will be gathering for our monthly social. More details to follow.

Date: Wednesday, July 21

Time:  6:00pm to 8:00pm

Address:  16th Street Mall at 1550 Court Place, Denver, CO  80202, 303-573-0336
Katie Mullen’s is Denver’s largest and newest premium Irish Restaurant and Bar incorporating four themed areas. Katie Mullen’s Irish Restaurant and Bar showcases a mixture of the old world charm infused with a modern take on the modern Irish bar. With ownership based out of Carrick-on-Shannon in Ireland, a pension for excellence ensures the highest standards have been instilled from fitout to operational standards to food and drink offerings.

Denver Young Professionals is the way for YPs in Denver to network professionally and socially, and has been for the past two years.  Come see why over 6500 of Denver’s YPs choose Denver Young Professionals.

PROGRAM:
ColoradoBiz Magazines GenXYZ program recognizes outstanding Colorado business and community leaders under the age of 39. Each class represents the diversity of Colorado and includes those who have had great accomplishments and made significant contributions to their businesses, industries and communities.

PUBLICATION: The October 2010 issue of ColoradoBiz will feature the 25 Most Influential Young Professionals in Colorado Business.

ENTERTAINMENT:
• This Awards Banquet will gather 500 young business professionals for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, band and an awards ceremony.
• Comedian/Emcee: Sam Adams
• Diamond Orchestra Band performance

REGISTER for the event here: http://www.cobizmag.com/events/sponsored/genxyz/

Individual: $21.39! After August 16th, $35
Banner Sponsor: $750, includes 10 tickets to event

DON’T BEGIN WITH YOUR ELEVATOR SPEECH

Despite what you may have been taught in Sales 101, this just sounds canned and unauthentic.  If you want to build real relationships, you need to talk like a real person.  While having an elevator speech can help you be succinct in getting across what it is you do, actually using it during casual conversation makes you look like a used car salesman.  If you are someone who has a hard time starting a conversation, think of a couple of natural questions that you can use to introduce yourself.  This will put the pressure off of you to keep talking and you will engage the other person.

DON’T TALK ABOUT YOURSELF THE WHOLE TIME

The whole idea of networking is for each individual to learn a little about the other to see if they have any synergy or are interested in getting to know more about each other.  If you only talk about yourself, you’ll never know what kind of relationship you can build with the other person.  It is to your advantage to hear more about the other person because you already know everything about yourself.  The more you learn about him/her, the better idea you will have about how you can help each other.

DON’T ASK CLOSED ENDED QUESTIONS

When you ask closed ended questions, you do not stimulate the conversation.  Instead of “How long have you been in this business?”  Ask “What made you get into this business?”  By asking an open ended question, you get the other individual to start engaging in the conversation.  This will lead to more questions and more natural back and forth conversation.

DON’T GIVE OUT YOUR BUSINESS CARD

While you may be anxious to give out your shiny cards, it is more important that you make sure you get the other person’s business card.  Giving out your card puts the ball in the other person’s court.  This means that you will leave the event not knowing if you will ever hear from them again.  However, if you get the other person’s card, you now have more control over the fate of the relationship.  You can do some research on their company and then follow-up with a phone call.

DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW-UP

If you’ve done all the work to get to the event, make good conversation and exchanged business cards, why wouldn’t you follow-up?  Don’t be a professional business card collector.  If people are worth getting to know, they should end up in your phone contacts and you should give them a call.  Without the follow-up, most networking is in vain.

DO REMEMBER…Networking is a great way to meet people you wouldn’t have otherwise met.  The objective of business networking is to make genuine relationships with other individuals that will ultimately result in some sort of business gain.  It might be in the form of a referral, a new client, a new job, or some business opportunity.  Regardless of the outcome, it is important that you know how to network so that you can build valuable relationships.

For more information or questions, contact Milena Joy at www.milenaconsulting.com or (303) 585-0589.  Milena Joy is an image consultant, professional speaker, author and founder of Milena Distinctive Image Consulting a full-service image consultancy located in Denver, CO.

Colorado Rapids vs. L.A. Galaxy

Date: Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
Networking: 5:30pm
Game Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: $25 (Lower Level South Stands, includes free parking!)

• VIP Early entry into Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
• Exclusive canopy area for DYP networking event during the game!
• Discounted beer pricing at our own private bar.
• Post-game group photo on the stadium pitch!

Order tickets here: http://www.pepsicenter.com/groups/rapids/dyp/

For more information or purchase tickets, call Emily at 303.727.3540 or e-mail ekilcoyne@dsgpark.com

Exclusive access to BODY WORLDS & The Story of The Heart
Beer, wine and appetizers
Socialize and network
$55 nonmember, $50 Museum member
Advance reservations strongly recommended.
Buy tickets at www.denvermagazine.com/bodyworldsyp, or call 303.370.6319. Tickets will also be available at the door.

1. Classic Suit A good quality suit can really take your professional wardrobe far.  You can break up the pieces for more casual occasions or wear them together for a more sophisticated look.  This is one place you don’t want to skimp on fabric quality or fit.  Choose a light weight wool in a neutral color like black, grey or tan if you only need one suit.  You should expect nothing less than a perfect fit with your suit, so don’t forget to have your suit tailored.

2. White Dress Shirt – The crisp white dress shirt is an American classic.  It works well under a suit, with a nice pair of dress pants or with jeans for more casual events.  The white dress shirt doesn’t have to be boring either.  Pick one with interesting details like a subtle texture for men or a little ruched at the waist for women.

3. Dress Pant – A dress pant is a wardrobe staple that can really take you from day to night.  A solid black pair will look great with almost anything from a t-shirt to a sport coat.  Brown and grey are great secondary colors to add to your wardrobe, but will not be as powerful for your most professional situations like an interview or presentation.  A flat front pant without cuffs is the most modern and flattering for both men and women.

4. Sport Coat/Blazer – A sport coat for men or blazer for women will help you look pulled together and professional, without going for the full suit.  It is great to wear for a networking event, client dinners or cocktail hours where others may be dressed more casually, but you want to still look and feel professional.

5. Jeans – Long thought of as only weekend casual wear, jeans do have their place in your work wardrobe.  A dark denim will be the most flattering and also look the most professional.  Light jeans look too casual as do jeans with heavy stitching, rips or fading.  Make sure you pair your jeans with nice quality shoes to keep them looking professional.

6. Sweater – A thin cashmere sweater can be worn with your dress pants or jeans.  Chose a style that is classic, like a v-neck for men or a cardigan for women.

7. T-Shirt – All t-shirts are not created equal.  A nice quality t-shirt can be paired with dress pants or jeans and layered under a suit coat, sport coat, blazer, or vest.  Solids in a dark or muted color are best.  Look for cotton fabrics that contain viscose, elastane, or cashmere for a soft and smooth texture and professional look.  Men, don’t forget a plain white cotton v-neck t-shirt to wear under your dress shirts.

8.  Dress/Tie While your company dress code may not call for you to wear a dress or a tie, these two items are great ways to change up and maximize your wardrobe while remaining current.  For women, the Little Black Dress is feminine, slenderizing and classic.  The same dress can take you from day to night, by changing out your accessories.  For men, a tie is a great form of self-expression.   Have fun with different prints and textures.  At the very minimum have at least one dark silk tie which can be worn anywhere from a wedding to an interview.

9.     Shoes You’ve heard the old saying that shoes make that man.  It still holds true and it applies to women as well.  Every YP needs a pair of black leather dress shoes that can be worn with a suit or dress pants.  Your shoes can be either classic or have a touch of style to make you stand out.  The toe box should be contoured rather than boxy to add length to your leg.  Shoes with laces are most dressy for men and heals that are sturdy not skinny or wide are business appropriate for women.

10.  Watch Nothing says you are man/woman on the move like a watch.  A classic metal watch will get you noticed.  In fact, it’s the single most important accessory for a man.  It does not need to be blinged out with diamonds, just simple, sleek and set to the correct time.

For more information or questions, contact Milena Joy at joy@milenaconsulting.com.  Milena Joy is an image consultant, professional speaker, author and founder of Milena Distinctive Image Consulting a full-service image consultancy located in Denver, CO.