Protocolumn
About this page:
The columns are primarily written by author and site owner, Gloria Petersen. However, guest columnist are welcome. Submit your idea via our “Contact Page.”
Cultural Etiquette and International Protocol
What is Your Professional Identity Trademark?
You have the license, the knowledge, and the determination, what could be missing? Something isn’t quite right. Have some key interaction steps been skipped, become sloppy, or taken for granted? The opportunities are just not coming to fruition. Perhaps your arsenal of business tools isn’t complete! If a mishap or awkward moment occurs ... Continue reading
January is International Mentoring Month
A mentor is someone who brings wisdom, support, and foresight to the less experienced (or challenged) person to help him or her grow personally and professionally.
A mentee is a person who is counseled by a mentor. However, the best arrangement is to take a cross-mentoring attitude … Continue reading
I say Merry Christmas. You say . . . Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, Feliz Navidad . . .
When I say Merry Christmas and you respond with your preferred season's greeting (e.g., Happy Hanukkah), we are good! It is a wonderful way to share our holiday preference and at the same time honor the season.
Trying to be politically correct can cause awkward moments. It is simply impossible to know the beliefs of everyone we greet during this special time of the year. It is also unfair to Continue reading
Team Quattro Pro
Introducing our Collaborative Partner: Team Quattro Pro | Do you have an engaged workforce? Are you able to attract and retain top performers? And, is your team (and/or what you do) valued by others in your company? Not sure? Allow Team Quattro Pro help to get you there. We drive performance through ... Continue reading
Global Do’s and Taboos
When traveling abroad, there are international meeting protocol do's and taboos. One of the most common mistakes people who travel abroad for meetings make is the disregard for local body language, posture, facial expressions and gestures. Some are appropriate in one country but offensive in another. For example, the OK sign gesture … Continue reading
How to Deal With Challenging Situations and People with Diplomacy and Civility
Ever wish that you could wave a magic wand and everyone would be respectful, civil, and accommodating? Unfortunately, uncertain times brings discontent and confusion. Thus, it is more important than ever to deal with people, situations, and one’s own behavior with diplomacy, dignity, finesse, tact, and civility, thereby setting the better example. These are powerful “win-win” words. Here we will revisit the basics of effective communication Continue reading
It’s Time to Celebrate!
It’s fun to celebrate the close of one year and the beginning of a new year with holiday parties. Whether your celebration plans are in the privacy of a home or at a public venue; be considerate, kind, and mindful of your behavior. You do not want to damage or deteriorate reputations. Tip #1: Respond to and honor Continue reading
I Say Merry Christmas; You say . . .
Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah or Feliz Navidad.
Respect is honoring the position of another. Therefore, if I say Merry Christmas and you respond with your preferred season’s greeting (e.g., Happy Hanukkah), we are good! It is a wonderful way to share our holiday preference and at the same time honor the season. It is that time of the year again when we are all trying to be politically correct, and it can cause awkward moments. It is simply impossible to know the Continue reading
Celebrating 31 Years
Thank you to all of you who believed in my mission, supported my passion and continue to engage the services of Global Protocol, Inc. As my area of expertise expanded, the name was changed to reflect the company's growth and content diversity. In fact, the company went through Continue reading
Developing Social Intelligence Through Cross-Cultural Mentoring
The influx of people from different cultures into a company is a workplace concern around the world. For reasons of personal comfort, individuals tend to segregate themselves from people who speak a different language or are just different. Hence you have several pockets of cultural groups working but rarely socializing with each other because . . . Continue reading