Dollars and Sense
BY DAVID UFFINGTON

It's not your father's business world out there anymore. Years ago it was white shirt, dark tie, lace-up leather shoes. You opened the door for every woman you saw. Cell phones weren't even around. Etiquette and expected work behavior was fairly clear.

Not so anymore.

In the changing business world, your behavior matters. Little things are noticed, and they can be deal breakers. A business degree from Harvard and a professionally done resume will get you the interview, but commit a faux pas and you probably won't get the job. Or, if you get the job, you're not likely to keep it. Even worse is if you've been on the job for years and haven't gotten the promotions you expected.

There's a book to help you, whether you're a college grad looking for a job, or you've been in the business world for 20 years and want to move up: "New Rules & Work (79 Etiquette Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Get Ahead and Stay Ahead)" by Barbara Pachter (Prentice Hall Press, 2006).

The book is full of real-life business scenarios that turned into catastrophes, with explanations of what went wrong and what to do right in the same situation. When faced with multiple forks at a business dinner, which one do you use first? When you take a client to lunch, do you have a mixed drink? If someone sends you email, do you reply by e-mail or by phone? What's an appropriate ring tone for your cell phone? To blog or not to blog? Tell the boss his fly is open, or not? You're invited to the boss's house for a party, is attendance optional? What does "business casual" really mean?

"New Rules & Work" is a gem.

"Financial Bliss: A Couple's Guide to Merging Money and Building a Rich Life Together" by Bambi Holzer (AMACOM, 2007) is just what it says. Whether you're married or in a committed relationship, a couple who are going to commingle finances will likely find some rough patches when it comes to money styles. "Financial Bliss" walks you through identifying your differences and findings ways to take the best from both parties and strengthen the relationship.

David Uffington regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Write to him in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475 or send e-mail to letters.kfws@hearstsc.com.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.