Etiquette was a staple of the formal 1950s, according to Deborah Rinner, a training consultant with Tero International Inc. Then, in the 1960s and ’70s, old societal rules were challenged. During the 1980s, a new, serious business world was under construction, and in the 1990s, many executives wanted to return to a formal work environment. They realized, however, that some rules had to be altered due to societal changes and their employees were often unsure of the rules.

At about that time, Rinner was looking for a new challenge. She had spent more than two decades as a teacher before quitting to open a gift shop in Newton. Rinner found that she missed teaching, however, so she decided to become a consultant on manners (how one treats others), etiquette (societal guidelines on how one should treat others) and protocol (social rules not to be broken).

To pursue that goal, Rinner took classes at the Protocol School of Washington, D.C., and received her certification in 1998. For five years, she was an independent consultant. Then the career office of Drake University, where Rinner had earned her master’s degree, suggested that she might fit in nicely with Tero, a West Des Moines-based corporate training company. She joined Tero in February 2003.

Rowena Crosbie, president, established the company in April 1993. She has since developed several research-based training and development programs on topics including leadership, public speaking, time management, team building, conducting job interviews and life skills for young people.

The programs are usually led by two people and are highly interactive. The company’s reach is expanding, and it has trained workers in Belgium, Singapore, Canada and all over the United States. Crosbie’s training consultants have backgrounds in areas such as education, corporate training or psychology and undergo a daunting certification process. Only 10 percent of those who begin the process make it through and are certified to be Tero training consultants. Those who become part of what they call “the Tero team” are glad, however.

“Our hearts are truly in this,” said Amber Mordini, an executive assistant. “Tero practices what it preaches. It is our life here, and that’s a special thing. I think every trainer here would say the same.

“According to [research by] Harvard, Carnegie [Mellon] and Stanford, 85 percent of success on the job is not technical skills, but rather the ability to relate to others,” Crosbie said. “We want to prepare our participants to talk with anyone, anywhere, anytime, about anything in such a way that they are an asset to their professions, themselves and their companies.”

Rinner and Tero will present “Outclass Your Competition,” a manners, etiquette and protocol workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Embassy Club. Those interested in participating can find out more at www.tero.com. Fliers advertising the event tease readers, “If you’re a male having a business lunch with a female, should you pull out the chair for her? What are the three lethal moves when accepting business cards? For toasts, in what situation should you take a sip? Raise your glass? Do neither? Should you clink glasses?”

“Social etiquette is different than business etiquette,” Rinner said. She says the two most important things those concerned about conducting themselves properly can do is have a good handshake (no vice grips or dead fish) and slow down.

Rinner tells a story of traveling in China, where she did not speak the language. She shook hands with the people she met, and used it as a chance to connect with them, despite the language barrier. She says shaking hands provides an opportunity to make an impression.

“We’re so relaxed in America, so people can be self-conscious about using the handshake to [start business relationships], but it is a socially accepted way to make contact,” Rinner said.

She also advises Americans to slow down and perform social niceties. A handwritten thank-you note stands out in a world of hasty electronic messages. A leisurely introduction allows you to open your mind to the names of people you meet, making them easier to remember.