Stenographer Breah Madson, offers her advice on what it takes to be a Supreme Court Reporter.

It may seem like common sense to be polite and courteous to customers, but it is surprising that something that seems so common sense is not commonplace.  Successful business comes down to successful interactions with customers, and a happy customer is a repeat customer.  Being polite can go a long way in ensuring customers are satisfied, and not only come back to the business, but look forward to working with you!  I am fortunate to work with people who are not only polite, but kind and considerate as well.  However, it never hurts to brush up on your skills.  Here are some tips on being polite and professional to better your business interactions:

• Greet others courteously and with energy.  Coming across as apathetic can be interpreted as being impolite.
• If you do not know someone well, be one step more polite and formal than you assume is necessary.  Adding “Mr.” or “Ms.,” “Sir” or Ma’am,” gives the other person the opportunity to say, “Oh, please, call me (name).” 
• Be attentive and listen when someone is speaking with you.  Making eye contact, nodding your head and smiling can go a long way.
• Stand up, extend your hand and introduce yourself when you are meeting someone for the first time. 
• End your interaction with things like “Thank you, it was great to see you.   Have a wonderful weekend,” anything to let the person know their time spent with you is appreciated.
• Say “please” and “thank you” whenever you can. People are more likely to respond to a request if they hear “please” at the end of it.  Also, when someone does something for you, say “thank you.”
• Keep your voice at an appropriate level based on your situation.  A loud voice can feel abrasive.
• If you have met someone before, make an effort to use their name when speaking with them.
• Along the same lines, bring up something you may have talked about previously.  Was your client telling you about their kids at your last meeting?  Ask them if they have any fun summer plans or how coaching their daughter’s basketball team is going. 
• SMILE!

 Thank you for reading this, and have a great day!

 Breah Madson,  Registered Professional Court Reporter
National Court Reporters Association 

Are you a member of the National Court Reporters Association?  NCRA’s program “Ethics First” is a no-cost program that, in part, works to remind our clients why the impartiality and neutrality of the court reporter is of the utmost importance in maintaining an unbiased legal system.  As a member, you stand out as the reporter who is right for the client.

NCRA adopted as part of its Code of Professional Ethics (COPE) a policy that prohibits giving excessive gifts to anyone associated with the litigation.  The Board of Directors, in 2008, asked the Committee on Professional Ethics to review the policy.  As a result of that process, the association’s policy was reaffirmed, and a COPE advisory opinion was issued. 

In 2011, at COPE’s recommendation, the policy on gift giving had been revised again.  Currently, COPE is working on another Public Advisory Opinion to assist members in complying with the new policy.

In addition, the Ethics First program works to encourage court reporters, firms and their clients they serve to promote the impartiality and the neutrality of the court reporting profession and avoid inappropriate gift giving and gift acceptance. When used correctly, the Ethics First trademark is designed to instill public confidence in and support for the court reporting profession. 

As a participant, you will be able to use the Ethics First logo as proof of your adherence to the ethics necessary for our profession.  Your name is also included in a listing of Ethics First participants on NCRA’s website.  Your participation will be highlighted in the Professional Services Locator (PSL) listings.

 So how do you become a member of Ethics First?  As a member of NCRA, you can click on http://www.ncra.org/Membership/content.cfm?ItemNumber=11519&navItemNumber=11518 to sign up for Ethics First.  Your name will then be added to the directory, and you will be able to start using the logo on business cards and in other advertising. 

By signing up and promoting this division of NCRA you can help remind the legal community why the impartiality of court reporters is so important.  

Submitted by Jessica Waack
Registered Diplomate Reporter
Certified Realtime Reporter