Get All Access for $5/mo

No-Flirt Zone

When someone flirts with you, don't get mad . . . getprofessional.

"Your husband must be very proud of you." When GildaPiccoli hears that phrasefrom a man, she knows exactly what'shappening.

"He's flirting with me," says the owner ofWarwick, Rhode Island, IDKPromotional Specialty Co., which imprintscompany logos on creative promotionalproducts. "I run acrossthis all the time. I do a lot of trade shows, and whenI'm inthe booth, men come up to me, acting as if they're interestedin theproduct. But they really want to know more about me--mybackground and whetherI'm married."

Instead of getting angry and confrontational, Piccoli firmlysteers theconversation back to business. And that's exactlywhat she should do, saysMarina Grant, president of GrantCommunications, which specializes inemployment law and conflictresolution. When someone makes an improper comment,"You needto proceed in a professional way and show you're not shaken byhisunprofessional behavior," says Grant.

Here's Grant's advice for dealing with unprofessionalbehavior:

* Ascertain whether the action is truly an improper advance.People from othercultures have different customs that could bemisinterpreted.

* If you're not sure whether the behavior is inappropriate,try to clarify whatthe person is doing. For instance, if theindividual is touching his lips, youcould ask, "Do you want meto lower my voice?"

* If someone brushes against you, apologize and say, "Ididn't mean to bumpyou."

* Try to acknowledge behavior that is appropriate andthank the personfor his professional manner.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Growing a Business

How to Determine The Ideal Length of Your Marketing Emails Your Customers Will Actually Read

Wondering how long your marketing emails should be? Here's what consumers say — so you can send them exactly what they like.

Business News

A Former Corporate Lawyer Now Makes Six Figures on YouTube — Here's How She Does It

Here are the secrets to starting and growing a successful YouTube channel, according to a YouTuber with millions of subscribers.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

New Southwest Airlines Major Investor Wants to Force Out CEO, Slams Company's 'Stubborn Unwillingness to Evolve'

Elliot Investment Management announced a $1.9 billion stake in the Dallas-based Southwest Airlines on Monday and is urging shareholders to vote for new leadership.