What does your office smell like?

According to Corinne Cooper, a former professor of law at the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law and now professional-training guru, retail offices that emanate the odor of cookies will spur customers to buy; manufacturing plants that pump lemon scent through their ventilation systems will reduce errors; and business offices that smell of "really good coffee" exude professionalism.

Scent as part of a working environment is one of five "Professional Presence" categories that Cooper talks about around the country. She speaks predominately to lawyers, (who are apparently in dire need of professional training, given Cooper's nonstop schedule of talks), but her seminars on voice, gesture, posture, environment, and proxemics -- the study of how people structure space in work relations -- are germane to all professionals.

Cooper spoke to a group of lawyers Dec. 13 on how to use voice to present a more professional image. The room smelled like coffee.

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