Barbara Pachter 

Pachter & Associates

PO Box 3680

Cherry Hill, NJ, USA, 08034, 856.751.6141, 

www.pachter.com

* Typical working hours: 

I have flexible hours due to the nature of my training and coaching schedule, but I normally work more than 40 plus hours a week. I will often get up at 6 a.m. as I like to do my writing early in the morning.

* Main current clients: 

Con Edison, Novo Nordisk, EcoLab, Pfizer, Rutgers University, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Beneficial Bank. 

* Favorite business reading: 

The Wall Street Journal

* Favorite non-business reading: 

Mystery novels

* Best way she gets clients: 

80% of my business comes from repeat business and referrals from current clients. I also get clients from my web site, books and publicity in newspapers and magazines.  

* Worst wage-slave job she ever had: 

A long time ago, I was a photographer at a small paper and worked from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., with Sundays and Tuesdays off.  

* How do you market yourself? 

Through my books, press releases, blogging, Facebook business posts, daily tweets, speaking at conferences and association meetings.

* How do you keep your skills sharp? 

Talking with people, reading, staying up-to-date on current events. I get a lot of material from people in my seminars as they love to share their favorite etiquette stories with me.

* What financial issues do you grapple with and how do you overcome 
them? 

Running a small business requires a delicate balance of cash flow. I request payment of services within 30 days, and most of them meet this requirement. There are times that I do need to be flexible with my clients.  

* Whom do you turn to for advice and empathy? 

I talk to other colleagues, my office manager, Joyce Hoff, is a great sounding board and I often bounce ideas off my husband.

* What was worst project you ever worked on and why? 

Years ago, I gave a two-day seminar on how to write business objectives. The participants did not want to be there! I discovered their objections at the beginning of the first day, found out what they wanted to know about business writing and incorporated their needs into the seminar. The seminar ended up being a great success.

* What was the best project you ever worked on and why? 

I was part of the Microsoft Annual Women’s Conference and spoke to 1000 women. It was exciting. I had to adjust my seminar to accommodate the very large group.  

* What do you say when people ask about "your job"? 

I tell them I go into companies and teach their employees about communication and etiquette. I also add that I write about these topics and have authored eight books on them.

* What's the best thing about being an Etiquette Professional?  

I get to help people develop in their careers.

* What's the worst thing about being an Etiquette Professional? 

Sometimes people are nervous about having lunch with me. I tell them to relax. Unless I’m coaching them; I won’t be looking at their table manners.

* Do you have any advice for other Etiquette Professionals? 

Work hard and stay current.

* What's your guiding philosophy?  

Don’t wait for things to happen to you. Take action and do something.  The more persistent you are, the more you accomplish.  

Thank you very much for your time Ms Pachter. I really appreciate having this interview on my blog and look forward to reading more of your great books.