Language of Delivery
- English
- Cantonese
Practice Areas in Training:
- Business Etiquette
- Dining Etiquette
- Professional Attire
- Executive Presence
- Emcee & Public Speaking
Mr. Desmond So, Founder and Chief Consultant · East-West Institute of Applied Etiquette
Highlights
- Ex-Private Banker, Citi Private Bank
- Ex-Business Development Director, CBRE
- TV Presenter of Dolce Vita / 至尚生活airing on TVB Pearl, J2, and Finance & Information Channel
Desmond founded East-West Institute of Applied Etiquette with the aim of strengthening the business etiquette and communication skills of business executives in China. East-West Institute of Applied Etiquette is the successor to Not Just The Right ForkTM, an etiquette-training business Desmond founded in 2008. Desmond has worked with, and provided hundreds of hours of training to, corporate executives and professionals at all levels from myriad industries, as well as undergraduate and graduate students at five of Hong Kong’s eight universities. Past clients have included financial institutions, luxury brands, property development and management companies, and the Hong Kong SAR Government.
Desmond graduated from Princeton University with a degree in East Asian Studies (A.B.) and subsequently earned professional degrees in law (JD) and business (MBA). Starting his professional career in the legal compliance department of The ABC Television Network in New York City, Desmond returned to Hong Kong to work as a private banker at Citigroup, where he helped manage a client portfolio of over US$1billion and assets under management of over US$200 million.
Complementing his activities as a business etiquette and communications consultant, Desmond is also currently the host of Dolce Vita, a luxury-lifestyle television program in Hong Kong. Every week, he takes viewers on a journey to explore the city’s most interesting and outstanding restaurants, consumer products, activities, and events.
Desmond’s one-of-a-kind background and diverse industry exposure allows him to share interesting anecdotes, insightful experiences, and practical advice with workshop participants.