Young Professionals hear lessons in business etiquette
by Sarig Babian

Published: Tuesday February 23, 2010
young-professionals-hear-lessons-in-business-etiqu ette-

Toronto – Did you know that you should always pass the salt and pepper
together even when just asked for the salt? Or that you should never
tip in Japan? Well, those who attended a recent Business Etiquette
Workshop now know that and much more.

On January 17, 2010, the AGBU Young Professionals of Toronto hosted a
business etiquette seminar led by Natalie Jikerjian, a UK Certified
Business Etiquette Expert. Over 60 Armenian young professionals
attended the cocktail reception followed by a 90-minute seminar on
everything etiquette related to the corporate world.

The event itself seemed to be the perfect study in networking
opportunities, as young Armenian professionals from a variety of
fields took the pre-workshop reception as an opportunity to meet some
of their contemporaries and make important connections.

Jikerjian was a warm and engaging speaker who started her presentation
off right away by letting her audience know that they had already
observed them demonstrating some of their networking know-how and
singling out those who she had seen exhibit good business etiquette.
These participants learned that they had held their drinks in their
left hand (freeing up their right to shake hands) and worn their name
tags on the right side of their chest (following the line of vision
from the initial handshake).

The event, sponsored in part by TD Bank Financial Group, provided tips
on how to make proper business introductions, guidelines on electronic
etiquette, lessons on formal business dining, and profiled
cross-cultural customs for international business travel. From
learning how to make a good first impression to dressing for success,
Jikerjian, who completed her certification through Cambridge
University’s MBA Program in the United Kingdom, guided guests on an
interactive presentation complete with tips on how to toast a client
and making proper handshakes.

The hands-on workshop also covered international gift-giving protocol,
knowing who to introduce first in business meetings, ways to conduct
appropriate business card exchange, and tips on entertaining business
clients. Jikerjian was able to make this myriad of facts and finicky
details come to life by injecting all of her dos and don’ts with an
anecdotal humor and charm.

"Etiquette is about presenting yourself with the right kind of
polished professionalism that can be taken seriously," said Jikerjian.
"It’s important knowing how to open the door, so that you can close
the deal."

While a generation ago, Toronto Armenians would have been primarily
focused on entry into the corporate world, the sons and daughters of
that generation no longer feel limited to simply achieving that
entrance. Rather, with their combination of higher education and a
sense of comfort within the system they grew up in, today’s young
professionals are raising their own expectations from simply getting
their foot in the door, to competing for top spots within their own
respective industries and constantly trying to upgrade and enhance
their skills.

As Jikerjian’s presentation wrapped up, the participants reconvened
and continued to meet and get to know each other…. all with the most
impeccable of manners, naturally.