| In the business world there is so much discussion | | | | sensibilities? Are they detail oriented? Are they visually |
| around the building of "brands" that the importance of | | | | oriented? Do they value brevity? Always remember: |
| professionalism gets overshadowed and | | | | Quality is in the details. You are responsible for |
| under-emphasized. How successful can a brand be | | | | knowing the detailed expectations of employers and |
| without professionalism as its main ingredient? | | | | clients. |
| As often as we hear and use the word | | | | 3. PROACTIVE: In business, we are either proactive in |
| professionalism, we don't hear it's definition and | | | | anticipating needs and problems, or reactive in fulfilling |
| expectations articulated. I will do so in this article. | | | | needs and solving problems. If we are truly successful |
| Professionalism is a systematic process of getting | | | | in being proactive, we save employers and clients time |
| desired results while displaying pleasant behavior and | | | | and money in the long term. Being reactive (depending |
| conduct that is appropriate and expected in | | | | upon the business) is usually a sign that things have |
| establishing mutually beneficial business relationships. In | | | | been overlooked, and as a result, a problem has arisen |
| addition, it provides an inner compass that helps to | | | | which needs to be solved immediately because it was |
| positively influence one's actions. | | | | not anticipated. Professionalism entails foresight and an |
| By observing and implementing the principles below, | | | | accurate analysis of what the real problems are, or |
| you can achieve professionalism that you will reap the | | | | what they may be, before they need to be solved. |
| benefits and rewards from for years to come. | | | | 4. RESPONSIVE: How easily can people get in touch |
| 1. RESPECT: The foundation of every business | | | | with you? How quickly do you respond to problems or |
| relationship is respect. Respect is both a noun and a | | | | a change in direction or plans? Surveys reveal that |
| verb. Business is all about fulfilling needs and solving | | | | responsiveness is the number one factor in customer |
| problems. Having respect means that you honor your | | | | retention and job promotions. It includes, but is not |
| role in fulfilling the needs and solving the problems of | | | | limited to, how quickly and efficiently you respond to |
| your employer or your clients. If Often when working | | | | requests, complaints, or any call to action. |
| relationships go awry, the insidious causes can be | | | | 5. TIMELINESS: Getting things done, and getting things |
| traced back to either a lack of focus or a lack of | | | | done as expected, and in a timely fashion, is the |
| respect which prevents one from recognizing and | | | | difference between being good and great. Your ability |
| appreciating the problems that an employer is in the | | | | to meet deadlines, those of others or your own, speak |
| business of solving, or the needs that a client is trying | | | | volumes about your professionalism. When deadlines |
| to fulfill. | | | | are not met, your professionalism is immediately called |
| 2. QUALITY ASSURANCE: My mother always said, | | | | into question and trust is lost. If you are attempting to |
| "Anything worth doing, is worth doing right." I didn't | | | | impress your boss or your clients, complete |
| realize that I would be applying that to everything in my | | | | assignments before they are due. Also related to |
| life - including professionalism. It's always a tell-tale sign | | | | timeliness is punctuality. Most people who are new to |
| of how much someone cares about the quality of their | | | | the workforce or business world fail to realize how |
| work when blatant mistakes or obvious sloppiness is | | | | something as simple as showing up on time |
| found. Employers and clients expect quality assurance; | | | | communicates volumes about you such as: respect |
| which means that you care enough about the quality | | | | (for another's time), courtesy, consideration, respect, |
| of your work to check it over before submitting it. | | | | and organization - just to name a few. |
| When in doubt, all work should be evaluated for | | | | Remember, that professionalism is not just an |
| meticulousness and its end use; for example, if you | | | | ingredient of a brand, but is a brand in and of itself. |
| draft proposals, how will that proposal be received, | | | | Once you achieve it, the (business) world will be yours |
| read, and used by the parties for which it was | | | | for the taking. |
| created? Are they conservative? What are their | | | | |