Where Has Business Etiquette Gone?

“Business etiquette is a lost art,” says Josephine Nicholas, PR Agent with Insert Catchy Headlines, and a certified Business Protocol and Etiquette instructor based out of Ann Arbor, MI. “All the business buzz words flying around like the birds in the Spring cannot make up for a lack of tact, professionalism, and consideration.”

“How many business ‘networking’ events have we all been to where you’ve had a business card shoved in your face, or an individual not shaking your hand, due to the ever present ‘too much food and drink in my hands syndrome’, or an individual there who looks like they just came from their workout, or numerous other faux pas? Gone are the days of common courtesy in a business forum, and ushered in are the days of an in your face type of carelessness about behavior, style, and interaction,” says Josephine.

Josephine is on a mission – in her city and across the nation – to bring the balance to a business world caught up in itself, and she’s doing so with class.

“Networking isn’t about the food, how many cards you pass out, or even how many people you meet. It’s about you going up to the woman in the corner who is standing like the wallflower at prom, and introducing her to the right people in the room,” says Josephine. “Conducting a seminar on a social media dressed as if you didn’t care about your appearance and telling obnoxious jokes isn’t going to gain you new friends in the ‘cool circle’ – conducting that seminar looking like you respect ourself and your audience, nailing the subject matter on the head, and paying close attention to the audience’s questions, these are the things that earn you a seat at the table.”

About Josephine Nicholas: Josephine Nicholas is a certified Corporate Protocol and Etiquette instructor, and owns her own PR Agency, Insert Catchy Headlines, based in Ann Arbor, MI. Josephine offers a comprehensive array of services to handle the diverse PR needs of her clients. Her clients have appeared regularly as local and national media experts. Josephine often speaks professionally to large and small audiences on the topics of media relations, publicity, how to brand yourself through media exposure, and business etiquette and protocol. Josephine is passionate about giving back to others, and, together with siblings Jaad and Jihan, runs Parties with a Purpose (PWAP). After a long, hard day at work, Josephine uses baking, playing piano, and dancing as her stress-relief outlets. Josephine can be reached at josephine@icheadlines.com. Josephine also writes a blog, which you can read by clicking here.

 

Teen Party with a Purpose for RMH A2

Teen Party with a Purpose for RMH A2

TeensJoinCauseforRonaldMcDonaldHouse

 

PWAP for RMH A2 flier

Community Party for Ronald McDonald Housedoubleside

 

Reconnecting

This was a week of unintentional but wonderful reconnecting for me – I called a woman I respect in the community and reconnected with her; I called a friend I met a few months ago and reconnected with her; I reconnected with a couple family members I don’t often talk to; I reconnected with a business acquaintance and had a wonderful visit over coffee; and, I am currently on the plane to TX to reconnect with a friend who is suffering from cancer at 26. Each of these encounters taught me something that I’d like to share with you.

Reconnecting gives you opportunities to touch people you wouldn’t otherwise come across:

The call to the woman I respect (my friend and business associate, Deb) in the community was made because our Party with a Purpose (PWAP) team is looking for our next children’s charity to sponsor; our vision with our next PWAP is to sponsor a very local charity, by looking at those in real need in our own backyard. Deb works for a local non-profit, and is connected with several others in the community; she was able to help me in my quest to find local children who were in need of help.

Reconnecting with her netted not only the connections I was looking for, but a wonderful conversation updating each other on our lives since the last time we spoke. Additionally, we not only enjoyed catching up on each other’s lives, but we inspired each other by our mutual pursuits of something greater than ourselves.

The next time you are looking for a way to touch someone’s life, look at the people you haven’t reached out to in a while – reconnect with them and learn new ways to help a cause greater than yourself.

Reconnecting gives others the opportunity to touch your life in a positive way:

I have a dance performance coming up December 3 (where I’ll be performing in two pieces for the show); and, my dance company PR client has two dance shows coming up. I met a wonderful woman, Deanna, earlier this year who is a dance instructor and has been dancing since she was little. I know she’ll enjoy these upcoming dance performances, so I picked up the phone and called her – under the auspices of telling her about the shows. What happened next blew me away – Deanna picked up the phone and said she couldn’t believe I’d called because she had just been thinking about me that very morning. She told me I was on her heart and in her prayers for the past few days and was hoping for a way to reconnect with me.

Deanna began to share things with me, and speak words of encouragement to me, in ways that she couldn’t have possibly known I needed. The things she told me in that conversation spoke into my heart and life, and really lifted me up.

The next time you feel that nudge to contact someone, take action on that feeling – you never know if you are on their heart/mind at that same moment and if they are going to move you in a way you can’t even imagine right now.

Reconnecting grounds you:

I reconnected with family members this week that I don’t often speak with – this is grounding in a way that is hard to explain but very real to me. There are people you are connected with in this life that are put in your life for very specific reasons – and, they are there to help keep you grounded in reality, in love, in life, in your roots, in who you are, in where you came from, and in a myriad of other things imperative to you being grounded in a healthy way.

Don’t ever miss the opportunity to reconnect with those people (and even places, sometimes) and allow them to help ground you.

Reconnecting helps people see you as real and may gain you some new business:

I met a wonderful business man, Greg, a few months ago; in fact, not only did I meet him, but when I joined the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce, he came to my office as their ambassador and welcomed me. We would see each other at different functions around town, and always said we would sit down over coffee; well, we did so this week and boy what a wonderful visit that was. Not only did we “talk shop”, but we talked about those we love the most – his wife daughter, and daughter-on-the-way, and my siblings and parents. We saw each other as not only the professional business people we saw each other as around town, but as real people, real “folk”, living life, and making the best of it all. I will more likely do business/refer business to Greg after this conversation than another business person who may be in his line of work, because I now know what motivates and drives Greg and that builds trust between us.

The next time you are thinking of working with someone that you know as a business acquaintance, do both you and them a favor, and reconnect on a both a personal and professional level – you won’t regret it.

Reconnecting touches lives you are not even aware of:

My friend, Danny, in TX has been suffering from cancer since the beginning of this year, but is on an amazing journey on his life through this (check out his blog on this link) and he is positively influencing so many people by the way he is handling this part of his path. There’s a group of friends that know and love Danny that stay apprised of his journey through communication and some have visited him in TX. My brother and I are currently on a plane to visit him, we haven’t seen him in a couple years – and, as I have mentioned this trip to a couple people the past few days, I am blown away by how many people have been touched by us going to see him, and have asked to learn more about Danny’s journey. Not only that – but, many others I don’t even know will now be praying for and supporting Danny in his journey due to this trip; I’ve had people who I don’t know reach out to me saying they heard about our trip and asked what they can do to help Danny.

It is amazing how many lives can be touched by the simple act of reconnecting; if there is someone you know who is suffering, and there is even something little you can do to reconnect with them, do it – and, see what wonderful things come of your action.

I’ll post this when we land, and, until next time,
Josephine

 

Childhood Dreams

Have you ever seen yourself reflected in someone else; like you’re looking at yourself in a mirror?

The other day, I was at a church to attend a 40 day mass and I saw myself reflected in the eyes of a little girl who was staring at me.

This little girl of 8 or 9 kept looking at me from her pew; she was watching my every move, and, in that moment, I flashed back to being a little girl myself – to all the thoughts running through my head when I would sit in my pew, with my cute little Princess dresses, and observe women in church who were in their 20s. I remember my little girl self thinking, “I want to look like that girl…be like that when I get to be their age,” and, “Wow, they’re so pretty – am I going to be that pretty when I grow up; they’re so calm, collected, and cool – I mean, just look at that suit, that dress, that makeup, they’re all put together so well, will I be like them?”

I also remember looking at my Mamma and thinking – “will I ever be that beautiful, that perfect – will I ever accomplish even half as much as all she has?”

Seeing my little girl self in the eyes of that child that Sunday caused so many thoughts to go through my head; and, upon returning home, I sat alone and asked myself if I am now that woman that I wanted to be when I was 8.

I asked myself questions like – what dreams did I have back then that I have fulfilled, and what dreams have I yet to accomplish? Am I as steady, sure, and confident inside as I may have looked to that little girl (and, as those women looked to me at that age so long ago?) Am I even half the woman my mom is…have I achieved even half of what she has…am I at least on the path that would lead me to the same honorable achievements?

Yes, there is definitely something about seeing a reflecting pool through the eyes of a child that causes you to contemplate and evaluate your life differently.

For me, the answers to some of the above questions are really personal.

What are your answers? Are you fulfilling the dreams, ambitions, and aspirations you had as a child? Who did you want to look like when you grew up, and, are you looking like that hero…and, are you living a life that is allowing you to be other people’s hero?

I have achieved so many things in my life, yet I have so many dreams and hopes that I still want to realize – so many experiences left in my pathway. I look forward to doing things now and in the future in order to see these things come to fruition.

Until next time,
Josephine

 

New Developments with ICH-my PR Agency

There have been many new and exciting developments with Insert Catchy Headlines, my PR Agency. Thanking God each step of the way – His favor blows me away.  I am enjoying the challenges and beauty of working hard while living the dream.

See below for some updates:

I’ll be speaking for the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Seminar Series on July 13:

http://www.annarborchamber.org/events/details/seminarseries.html

My siblings, family and I featured in Crain’s Detroit Business Article:

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100608/EMAIL01/306089998# or

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100526/C03/100529908

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce Article on the Crain’s piece: http://www.a2ychamber.org/about/news/June_2010.html

A byline article in National Mortgage Professional Magazine: http://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news17922/five-steps-get-media-exposure-you-deserve

Exciting new clients, including: http://GinaDaneneThompson.com

Until next time,

Josephine

 

Top 3 Reasons to Give Back Now

I just wrote and sent the following press release on behalf of PWAP; I found it fit very well with what’s on my heart these days, so I am also sharing it here on my blog. 

Until next time,

Josephine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact:

Josephine Nicholas

734.385.6170 or pwap2009@hotmail.com 

Top 3 Reasons to Give Back Now

Ann Arbor, MI October 16, 2009 – “There are three major reasons why now is the time to give of yourself to charities,“ said Josephine Nicholas, who, together with three of her siblings, is a successful local entrepreneur, founding several companies; as well as the charity event group called Party with a Purpose (PWAP). 

1 – Better Resources Available

“Contrary to what you may think at first glance, you have better resources available to help you help others in this recession than you would have had before,” continued Josephine.  “Due to the strain put on you in this economy, you may not be using your talents and resources to the best of their ability – so, using those skills in the interest of local or national charities is a perfect way to give back.  My company used to travel the country, putting on events; our team now takes the same event equipment, and our event planning skill sets, and hosts benefit parties for charities.  Why should all these excellent resources sit there when they could be put to good use for worthy causes?”

2 – The Need is Greater

“You are not the only person suffering right now,” said Josephine.  “Yes, your economic problems may seem insurmountable – but, what about those who just lost their job and are forced into soup kitchens? The needs everywhere are greater now than ever before; the economy has caused so many tragedies and now is the time to get out there and help non-profits, or those in need.”

3 – More People Participating

“We all remember what happened after 9/11, when, for one moment, the country – top to bottom – seemed united beyond anything we’d ever seen,” continued Josephine. “In this economy, we are now seeing that happening across the board, from companies like Macy’s gathering icons to represent their non-profit Come Together campaign, to local food banks like Food Gatherers who distributed 4.6 million pounds of food to 150 non-profit programs that serve hungry people in Ann Arbor, MI.”

“Awareness to help your fellow man has increased across the board in these tough economic times,” said Josephine.  “Whole Foods, Olive Garden, and others have come alongside our team as we teamed up with Macy’s for our next dinner party on October 24^th.”

PWAP and Macy’s: Come Together is being held on Saturday, October 24^th and begins at 6pm.  Everyone 21 and older is welcome, and attractions include: wine tasting provided by a local wine wholesaler, salsa dancing/lessons (provided complimentary by B’lal Inspirations), DIOR makeup counter featuring complimentary Dior make up stylist, Hors D’oeuvres, refreshments, and dinner graciously contributed by local establishments, including Olive Garden and the Washtenaw Road Whole Foods in Ann Arbor, MI. The party is hosted at the Ann Arbor residence of the Nicholas Family.  Media is invited.

Entrance fee is just $35/individual, $60/couple, and must be pre-paid by Wednesday, October 21^st. Pre-registration instructions can be found by clicking on this link: PWAP and Macy’s: Come Together.

About PWAP: PWAP is the brainchild of Nicholas siblings, Josephine, Jaad, Jihan, and Gibran. PWAP events feature various activities. Join us, enjoy the activities, broaden your social network, and participate in the charity causes some of our events support. These aren’t just any parties – each is a Party with a Purpose!

Press Contact:

Josephine Nicholas

734.385.6170

pwap2009@hotmail.com

 

Scotsman Guide Feature Article

I have always wanted a feature article in Scotsman Guide, a mortgage industry publication, which gets distributed to over 35,000 professionals. They just featured one of my articles both inside and on the front cover of their September issue! I’ve put below the cover of the magazine and my article, as seen inside.

Keep on dreaming big – you will achieve those dreams!

Until next time,

Josephine

To read the full article, click on this link: https://josephinenicholas.wordpress.com/press-releases/

Scotsman Guide Feature Article

 

Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea

As I was working on my laptop the other day, I glanced up to see the continuous play of some of my family’s vacation pictures on my PCs screen saver. Flashing on the screen that particular day were the above pictures taken of me swimming in the Mediterranean Sea.

The pictures caught my eye because I was really captivated by my unrestrained smile. My day suddenly came to a stop as the thought struck me, “What caused that unrestrained smile? And, what would happen if I lived my whole life in the same frame of mind I had when the pictures were taken?”

In order for you to understand the full impact of that question, I’ve written below some of the thoughts causing my unrestrained smile, and how they apply to my life now.

On my mind while swimming in the Mediterranean Sea: “This is THE amazing and huge Mediterranean Sea and I am swimming in it; it is truly a gorgeous sea, surrounded by towering, beautiful mountains.”

Application to my current life: Truly, life itself is a “huge sea”, and the mere fact that I am swimming in the sea of life causes me to stop and think. This is a big world, and there are people dying (physically, spiritually, and mentally) all around me; then, there is the economy, which is causing its share of virtual “deaths” every day. Yet, here I am, swimming in this vast “sea” of life; and I am above water, not drowned, but still up and swimming vigorously – isn’t that very fact worth a pause in my day? I know that you are also a survivor in some way, shape, or form; why not stop your day right now, and reflect on how grateful you are that you are even alive?

Further, I asked myself, what if I was to look at each day as though I am surrounded by a gorgeous sea and surrounding mountains? Let me explain…

For me, the towering mountains are symbolic of my amazing brothers and father, who have strength of heart and soul, and are always there for me; the gorgeous sea is like my beautiful sisters and mother, who are endless in their loveliness, steadiness, and depth, and who allow me to “swim” through their lives on a daily basis. What are the mountains and sea in your own life for which you can pause a moment today and be thankful for?

On my mind while swimming in the Mediterranean Sea: “My brothers and sisters are here with me in the Mediterranean Sea, and this is a moment we will remember for the rest of our lives.”

Application to my current life: The experience of being in that sea was an immensely unique – almost surreal – experience, and I was sharing it with those who I loved most on this whole earth. As the pictures flashed across my screen, I had to pause while I was struck with the fact that I have the opportunity to daily experience my life with those I love the most – my siblings and my parents. Every day, I can take each moment I’m living, and appreciate it as its own unique experience, while sharing it with those I love.

No matter what you’re facing in your life right now, no matter how busy you may be, take the time to really appreciate the moments in your day with those people in your life that mean the most to you, and really capture in your heart what is happening right now.

On my mind while swimming in the Mediterranean Sea: “My God is pretty good to me that He’d give me this moment in time to cherish.”

Application to my current life: I didn’t get to that moment in the Sea all through my own efforts; indeed, I believe in an omnipresent God, the Creator of the Universe, my Lord Jesus Christ. It is He who brought me through all the good times and bad, to that one specific point in my life where I was able to have the privilege of swimming in the Mediterranean Sea; and it is He who brings me to each specific moment I have every day. I encourage you to take a moment today and thank God for where you are in your life right now; even if you are facing difficult times, because, somewhere, on the other side of this difficult time, there is a “Mediterranean Sea swimming” experience.

On my mind while swimming in the Mediterranean Sea: “I didn’t get here without intense, hard work – literal sweat, blood, and tears.”

Application to my current life: I wasn’t able to experience an extraordinary moment like swimming in the Mediterranean Sea because I was handed life on a silver platter; rather, I, and others throughout my life, poured blood, sweat, and tears into my life in order for me to even get half way across the world, let alone swim in that sea. For years, my family and I worked together to create companies from scratch, and then grew the companies to their success by putting our all into the effort. In order for me to experience that intense moment of joy in the Sea, my family and I had to make many sacrifices, and disregard many naysayers.

As I looked at the pictures, I thought to myself that one doesn’t get anywhere in life without that kind of sacrifice in some way, shape, or form. I then started thinking about what sacrifices I can make today, and in what areas of my life, so that I can experience that same depth of joy. I encourage you to ask yourself what sacrifices you need to make in your own life in order to get to the places in your life where you desire to be.

Until next time,

Josephine

 

Are You in the Right Room?

I’ve had many memorable experiences throughout my travels across the world. One particular memory always makes me laugh.

It was a couple years ago, I was with my family at one of our CMPS Live! Events.

We generally host our events at hotels and our attendees rent rooms at the same hotel.  To show their appreciation to us for the business we give them, the hotels generally give our family three hotel suites at the same price of a normal sleeping room.  The suites are normally each on a different floor and we always gather in one suite at the end of each day to recap the day’s happenings. 

The particular night of my story, we had decided to meet in my parents’ suite.  I informed everyone I was going to run to my room, change to my pajamas, and then meet them in my parents’ suite. Everyone else continued on to my parents’ room.

When we know we’re gathering, it’s customary for us to leave the bolt on the hotel room door open, in order to block the door from closing.  Then, when the last person enters the room, they shut the door completely and lock the door. This way, we don’t have to constantly get up to open the door for everyone who comes to the room.

It was a long day, so, after getting into my pajamas, I took my time walking down the hotel’s fifth floor hallway, where my parent’s suite was located.

Upon finding my parent’s room, with the door open as always, I walked in with my head bent in thought.  As I entered the room, I turned around, faced the door, shut it, locked the bolt on the door – and turned around towards the room to find I was smiling at a middle aged man whom I didn’t know.  This man was on the bed, reading.  I quickly realized this was not my parents’ room and I had entered the wrong room!

The man on the bed looked up at me, with his reading glasses halfway down his nose, and didn’t say a word.  I immediately started walking backwards, towards the door, repeatedly saying, “I’m so sorry, wrong room…so, so sorry sir…I’m so sorry…” I reached behind me, while still facing him, and unbolted the door; I then opened the door, backed out slowly, never stopping my constant babbling of, “I’m so sorry, sir.”  The man on the bed never said a word, just kept staring at me, shocked and flabbergasted by me, the crazy lady, walking into his room uninvited. I just kept backing out, until – finally – I was out of there; leaving the bolt open just as it was prior to my entrance.

Needless to say, I’ve never lived down that situation. 

Whenever I tell this story, I think to myself how much that situation is such an analogy to my life.  Let me tell you how…

In many instances throughout my business and personal life, I have entered “rooms” (places, situations, relationships) that I don’t belong in, simply because all the signs pointed to the fact that it was the correct room.  I have literally entered “rooms” and then later realized I didn’t belong there, because I was not paying full attention to where I was and into what room I was entering.  Can you relate to that?

I’ve also considered that my entering a wrong room on occasion has not only affected me, but has also affected the others who are watching me enter the room – or even those in the room.  For example, I later found out this man in the room was married with three children – well, imagine the reaction of his wife if she had seen me entering or exiting that room in my pajamas!  How have I affected others by entering or exiting an area where I didn’t belong in the first place?

What about the reasons I entered that room?  My reasons weren’t fundamentally wrong; I mean, I wasn’t purposely trying to enter an area where I didn’t belong.  However, it was a long day, and I had let my defenses down, becoming quite relaxed. I think I oftentimes enter into a situation where I don’t belong – not because I am purposely trying to do something wrong, but because my defenses are down.  I sometimes think I’m in a safe spot, or that I’m in complete control of myself and my situation – when, in reality, I am just about to enter the “wrong room”. Can you relate to that?

If you can relate to these things, then, next time you’re ready to enter into a situation or “room”, remember to check yourself – make sure it’s the right room, a place where you know you belong.

Until next time,

Josephine