- Be on time. Punctuality is essential. You should never tolerate late arrivals and missed deadlines for yourself or anyone else.
- Do your homework. Wasting other people's time due to poor planning and thoughtlessness will only leave a bad impression.
- Make a mental dossier on people. Before meeting people for the first time, do some research on them. People will be flattered if you reference a deal you know they've done or a charity they're involved in.
- Remember people's names and small details about them. Use both in conversation. People love to hear their names and their stories said out loud.
- Be honest. Most people can smell a lie and will appreciate honesty, even if it's not exactly what they want to be hearing.
- Let other people talk. Any business conversation should be two-sided.
- Be self-deprecating and disarming. Don't be a bulldozer in business; save your hardest edge for when you need it most. (Trump).
