This month's Business Networking event at Hirsch's Centurion was attended by 43 businesses in and around Centurion. Guest Reulene Kusel, Lecturer from TUT spoke about "Being Professional in your Business". "Using the good old methods still works best - back to basics is very important" Reulene explained. " With all the tools we have in the modern world, things like answering the phone in a professional manner, introducing yourself clearly and politely, greeting your customers when they visit your business, dressing for success etc. are still the basic tools for success " . Reulene used the Centurion Hirsch's store as an example and said "everyone wearing a name badge and welcoming customers entering the store makes such a good impression. Who wants to enter a business premises who's doorstep is a mess, papers and rubbish lying around, nobody will see it as a place where they will receive good service, if it looks like that from the outside - it cannot possibly be professional on the inside " Reulene emphisized. " No make-up on ladies, untidy desks and bad language is unacceptable. A neat appearance and a clean fresh look is a lot more professional than a scruffy dirty look, unshaven, gum chewing business person with a cluttered desk. Telephone etiquette is very important and never tell a customer you will call him later if you know you will not return his call, it is very bad for business as that person will not deal with you if he cannot even trust you to return a call . Food for thought for everyone to take back to the office.