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PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, March 4, 2010
AGBU YP Toronto Hosts Business Etiquette Event
On January 17, 2010, the AGBU Young Professionals (YP) of Toronto hosted
a business etiquette seminar as they kicked off the New Year. The
Business Etiquette Workshop was led by Natalie Jikerjian, a Cambridge
University certified business etiquette expert. Over 60 young
professionals attended the event, which consisted of a cocktail
reception followed by a 90-minute seminar. The lecture covered business
etiquette and protocol in various areas of the corporate and
professional world. Attendees took advantage of the cocktail reception
as an opportunity to do some professional networking, as they
represented young Armenian professionals across a variety of fields.
Guests mixed and mingled with their contemporaries and peers, exchanging
business cards and, in many cases, making successful connections.
Jikerjian, a warm and engaging speaker, started the presentation by
letting her audience know that she had been observing the attendees
during the reception as they were naturally demonstrating their
networking skills. Jikerjian signaled out some of the individuals who
had unknowingly exhibited strong business etiquette and acumen. She
provided tips on how to make proper business introductions, went over
guidelines on electronic etiquette, and gave lessons on formal business
dining. Jikerjian also profiled cross-cultural customs for international
business travel and meetings. From learning how to make a good first
impression to dressing for success, attendees were guided through an
interactive presentation.
The hands-on workshop also covered national and international
gift-giving protocol, knowing who to introduce first in meetings, ways
to conduct proper business card exchange, and tips on entertaining
clients. The host made the evening less about a rigid lecture and more
about getting the young professionals involved and proactive, adding
some anecdotal humor along the way. Despite a slightly casual and
light-hearted approach, Jikerjian stressed the importance of her
workshop. "Etiquette is about presenting yourself with the right kind of
polished professionalism that can be taken seriously. It’s important
knowing how to open the door, so that you can close the deal," she said.
Jikerjian’s knowledge and comfort within the corporate environment
showed her own honed manners and level of professionalism. Her skills
were also indicative of the larger phenomena at hand these days. A
generation ago, young professionals were mainly focused on entry into
the corporate world. Today, amidst an ever-growing competitive corporate
and educational world, and with the bar of expectations continuously
being raised, young professionals are increasingly more concerned about
standing out, longevity, and a respectable path to success within their
individual industries. Keenly aware of the current conditions
surrounding them and the future ahead, they are constantly trying to
upgrade and enhance their skills and to continuously be as marketable as
possible.
The timely event, sponsored in part by TD Bank Financial Group, was very
well received by the Toronto-area young professionals and all guests in
attendance. Everyone was extremely thankful to the organizers and host
Natalie Jikerjian for their hard work and enthusiasm. AGBU hopes that
the positive feedback and successful turnout will lead to similar events
in the future.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit