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Packaging Horizons Business Boot Camp For Women Emily Post I am not, but I do know what should be done to maintain a certain level of professionalism. Quite frankly it is plain, old, good manners. I call upon men and women who are CEOs and leaders of industry on a daily basis. Our conversations are most always constructive, productive, and worthwhile. But sometimes, good manners are not part of the interactions that I have with my colleagues in the packaging industry. Sometimes I call and leave a message for someone, and it can be weeks before I hear back from that person if I hear back at all. I am sorry to say that frequently it is women professionals who do not return calls. This got me to thinking that good professional manners are more than just returning phone calls out of common courtesy. Honestly, sometimes we are our own worst enemies. We often are successful in spite of ourselves. Forget protecting our young, we need to begin to protect ourselves as well and having good business manners might be part of that. Perhaps as a prerequisite to entering the work force, women should have to go through a kind of business boot camp. It would only serve to make us stronger. How do we survive and thrive in today's business climate without the essential business tools? Boot camp would provide us with those survival skills. Here's the scenario at business boot camp. The first thing learned is that everyone is part of the team. The enemy is not the person at the next desk. Stabbing a compatriot in the back is not tolerated. It is grounds for immediate dismissal. Second, we would learn to respond with confidence to everyone with whom we interact. Offer a firm handshake and look people in the eyes. The key to this lesson is to RESPOND. Third, we would all have to participate in strategy sessions that would teach us the most important tactics for success. The fourth part of the boot camp program would require everyone to learn to read a compass and use it. A compass is essential to charting a course and following direction. Who in business does not need to check their compass regularly to determine if they are steady on their course? We would be lost without one. On day five, campers would learn the importance of loyalty. Special attention is paid to effective tactics in flushing out a mole, identifying a spy, transitioning defectors, and avoiding a coup. A review of lesson one may be necessary. My personal favorite series at boot camp would be the weeklong instruction on fire safety: How to put out fires. How to light a fire under someone. Ten reasons never to play with fire. When to ring your own bell. And most importantly, why you should never burn bridges. While I know that Business Boot Camp cannot become a reality, I hope that its lessons can be. Ultimately, we must learn the basic survival skills necessary to achieve and hold onto success. So, the next time you think about sharing information that is not productive, or not returning a phone call, or venturing out without direction, or being less than honest, or severing a relationship permanently, think about how hard pushups would be with a drill sergeant screaming in your face. RETURN TO PACKAGING HORIZONS EDITORIAL HIGHLIGHTS PAGE