Welcome

The Etiquette Factor

It’s more than knowing which fork to use.

Barbara believes you don’t always need to follow the rules, but you at least need to know the rules to successfully work with people. Her signature approach – using humor through storytelling – illustrates how focusing on other people is key to developing a courteous and professional presence.

In just a few years, Barbara has presented more than 150 etiquette seminars at Cornell University, her alma mater and place of work for more than twenty years. The topics of her national events range from international protocol, daily office courtesy and networking to job interviewing and business and dining etiquette. Audiences have been young teenagers, high school students, university undergraduates, Masters’ and Ph.D. students as well as staff, faculty and industry professionals.  Barbara is presently a consultant to the Office of the President and Provost at Cornell University and recently was the keynote speaker for 600 employees during Professional Celebration Day speaking on “Unanticipated Value – You Offer it Everyday.” Read about the event at: OfficeProfessionals.html

Recently returned from traveling around the world as the Lifelong Learning Coordinator with the University of Virginia’s Semester at Sea, Fall 2011, Barbara tested her theory that courtesy crosses cultural lines. During the four-month voyage, she had plenty of opportunity putting her work (and theory) to practice as she visited 13 countries, meeting people and embracing new experiences.

Barbara’s other passions are all things food-related.  For ten years she has provided consulting through RTR Ideas (www.restauranttoretail.com) helping hospitality professionals better serve their customers through staff coaching and training. Barbara also helps folks package and promote signature food products, taking them from the professional kitchen to retail shelves.  Always finding ways to be of service, Barbara’s recent contribution was at the Good Food Job Fair in NYC, assuming the role of Charlie Brown’s Lucy as the ADVISOR IS IN, becoming a hit of the show, with a never-ending line of people seeking job career advice.

Whether one-on-one or in front of a large audience, Barbara puts people at ease, while keeping them laughing, as she weaves recent research (ranging from happiness to email) into her personal stories.

Please contact Barbara at barbaralang55@gmail.com for rates and availability.  Below are sample presentations with a glimpse of upcoming events.

Programs for 2012

PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

Barbara’s presentations guarantee to be entertaining, educational and interactive. All programs are customized to address the audiences’ interests and include:

* Business Etiquette – Knowing the Rules to Break the Rules with Happiness

* Dining Etiquette – a.k.a. Your Knife Is Not a Spear

* Networking – Creating Connections, Building Relationships

* College Applications and Summer Job Interviews – Opening Doors Through Personal Storytelling

* College Internships and Career Beginnings – You’re Hired! Personal Spotlighting

* Resume Writing – It’s About Movie Trailers with Quantifiers

* Entertaining Etiquette – Tips for the Host, Tips for the Guests, Toasts for Everyone

* Kid’s Etiquette – A Menu of Laughter Delivers the Message

Seminars range from sit-down multi-course meals to interactive classroom settings. One-on-one coaching is available for high school students, college undergraduates, graduate students, Ph.D. candidates and mid-career professionals.

Please contact Barbara at barbaralang55@gmail.com for rates and availability.

Recent Events

January

Cornell Outdoor Education  – Culinary Team Building – Get Your Knives, Ready, Set, Chop!

Cornell Horticulture Department – Creating Positive First Impressions

Cornell Staff Department Professional Development Luncheon – Your Fork Is Not a Shovel – and Other Thoughts on Etiquette and Courtesy

Professional Association of Innkeeper Association (5^th year  a top-ranked presenter) Creating An Experience

One-on-one coaching for job interviewees and resume writing

February

Finger Lakes Cancer Resource Center – Training for Volunteers – Client Services – Lessons from the Hospitality Industry

Cornell ‘s A.D. White Leadership Conference – Creating Leadership First Impressions and Strategic Second Steps

Cornell University Career Services – How to Work a Room (Networking)

Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration and The New York State Opportunity Programs (EOP/HEOP) – Dining Etiquette

Alpha Phi Alpha – Dining Etiquette

Good Food Jobs Job Fair – Advice for Nickel! (Just Food Conference, NYC)

March

Keynote Banquet Speaker – U.S. and Dutch Bulb Grower’s Association

Cornell Food Science – Chef’s Chemistry and Graham Cracker House Construction

Judge – Grilled Cheese Competition (harder than you think!)

Office of the President & Provost, Cornell Luncheon speaker

COE Team and Leadership – Graham Cracker Castles

April

Oswego SUNY – Dining and Business Etiquette; Wine 101

Cornell Women’s Club of Cortland  -  Can Courtesy Catch Up with High Technology

Kappa Kappa Gama – Etiquette Luncheon ‘ How People Feel About You”

Chef’s Chemistry – Guest Lecturer – Graham Cracker Castles

Cornell Catering – Staff Training – Offer Unanticipated Value

Good Food Jobs LIVE Chat – Hosted Career Coach session

VMBA (Vet School Business Association) Etiquette Dinner

Keynote Speaker – Professional Celebration Day at Cornell (600 attendees)

SUNY Binghamton – Training sessions for Graduate and undergraduate students

CEN Dinner (Cornell Entrepreneurship@Cornell) Etiquette Dinner

COE Team and Leadership – Culinary Challenge

Upcoming

Barclays Capital Bank, NYC – Etiquette Dinner

Upward Bound, Cornell U. – Moving Forward with Intent

AMBA – Accelerated MBA Program, Johnson Graduate School of Management – Etiquette Dinner

SUNY Oswego – Networking, Getting a Job in a Recession, Resumes as Movie Trailers and Telling Your Story

4-H Tompkins County – Creating Opportunities

PSP – Summer Cornell Program – Etiquette Dinner

Cornell Mind Matters – Moving Forward with Intent

Dyson School of Business, Cornell U. – Business Etiquette

Cornell Horticulture Department – Finding and Telling Your Story

EGBOK! – 3 months teaching hospitality skills, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Watch a presentation – This seminar, presented to the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University on January 23, 2012  Creating Positive First Impressions