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.MIRROR, MIRROREverybody has a bad day.If you re growling and groaning, however,managers and coworkers will notice.Here s a tip: Keep a mirror bythe phone.When it rings and you re in a snappish mood, hold the mir-ror to your face.Even if the other party can t see you, you ll knowhow they perceive your disposition by the face looking back at youin the mirror.27.BE CIVIC-MINDEDFormer Massachusetts Congressman Tip O Neill once said that all pol-itics is local.This is true in business too.Companies like to be goodmembers of their communities and put on a happy civic face.Helpyour firm by reading your local newspapers and talking to commu-nity members to find out what s going on in your neck of the woods.If there s a negative buzz about your company from community mem-bers, trust me, the big wigs will want to know about it.Plugging intothe community also can help bring quality people aboard when newjobs open up.People will value you for this reason alone when the jobmarket opens up and the best people are in demand.28.SURE-FIRE CONVERSATION STOPPERSIf you re talking to coworkers and are exhibiting these nonverbalno-no s, you might get a reputation as someone who s a poor com-municator:" Eye rolling" Sighing THE CAREER SURVIVAL GUIDE 237" Rapid-fire foot tapping and leg bouncing, or sewing machineknee " Interrupting" Glancing away from the person who is speaking even for asplit second" Head nodding29.MEETING TIP: WORK THE ROOM BEFOREHANDSmart professionals know how to get the most out of meetings.Oneway is to work the room beforehand and chat with some of the par-ticipants prior to the meeting to get a feel for their attitudes regard-ing the information you are presenting.30.EYE SPYWhen conversing with coworkers, look them square in the eye.Dialogue experts say that this demonstrates a take-charge person-ality that demands respect in other words, the trait of a greatexecutive.31.PUT YOURSELF IN THE CUSTOMER S PLACEIf you re in a sales position or handle customers on a regular basis,try to open up and see things from their point of view.A client who scomplaining about a late shipment of products could very well be latein shipping your products to his clients.Ask yourself before any dis-cussion with a client, What if I were in his shoes? Clients will raveabout you to management if you can pull this off on a regular basis. 238 THE CAREER SURVIVAL GUIDE32.LEARN ABOUT CUSTOMERS AND EARN MOREBUSINESSRemember personal details about your customers, such as birthdays,children s names, and accomplishments.All clients want products orservices that work and solve their problems.But most clients, given thechoice between two capable companies, will choose the one that forgesthe best relationship.A little of the human touch will do just this.33.GOING AWAY ON VACATION? HERE S HOW TOLEAVE YOUR WORKPLACESome workers are actually frazzled by the notion of going away onvacation.No, not because of the potential sunburn or bouts with thelocal island water supply.Because of what will happen at work whilethey re away.But if you re prepared, there s no reason to get all jelly in theknees.Before you go, complete critical deadlines and notify allcoworkers and vendors that you ll be away.Set up contingency planswith staff members, and appoint a single person to serve as your workfilter.If your boss insists on you leaving a number to be reached, givehim your e-mail address.In this way, you can check once a day onthe resort s computer room (most have them now) or on your personaldigital assistant (PDA) or laptop, and you won t have to worry aboutthe phone ringing on the eighteenth green.34.WORK ON YOUR PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLSMost executives are used to getting up on their feet and riffing.Youtoo should grow accustomed to public speaking.Here are some waysto do just that: THE CAREER SURVIVAL GUIDE 239" Volunteer to lead a discussion group for your departmentbefore you re put on the spot and have to." Take speaking engagements with your professional associa-tion or local Chamber of Commerce." Give a speech at your local Kiwanis or Rotary luncheon
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