The following review was contributed by: ROGER E. HERMAN

For anyone working in a business environment where making the right impression is important, this book is a worthwhile read. Sales professionals, managers and executives, and practically anyone in contact with others in a “white collar” environment will benefit from this handbook. I would particularly recommend this publication for graduates—both college and high school—entering the job market. Following the advice in these pages will undoubtedly energize your career advancement more quickly.

In twelve chapters, Lydia Ramsey, a 30-year business etiquette specialist with 30 years of speaking and seminar experience, presents a wide range of essential topics. In spite of the fact that the author has been in business for three decades, the material presented is current and relevant to today’s business environment.

Ramsey begins with a chapter on first impressions, then moves into how to introduce yourself and others, engage in appropriate conversation, and dress properly in both professional and business casual modes. The chapter on phone courtesy is comprehensive; I wish it could be read by everyone I call or who calls me! The electronic etiquette section is fundamental now, but some readers will pick up a couple of tips here. Other chapters deal with business correspondence, office etiquette, gift-giving, dining, and doing business internationally.

In each chapter, the topics are presented in bite-sized chunks that make for easy reading and digestion of the volume of information provided. A blank page section at the conclusion of each chapter gives the reader a convenient place to make notes about other learnings or things to remember. While an index might have helped this book be even more useful, the table of contents is arranged in a way that makes specific information easy to find. This is a book you’ll keep for future reference.