“Etiquette” may be a foreign word but it should be understood and practiced by anyone wishing to succeed in business. Etiquette essentially is a set of written or culturally accepted rules governing appropriate behavior in a given context. In our “anything goes” contemporary society, setting rules for appropriate behavior might seem old fashioned, but good etiquette is essential for amicable and civil interactions in all walks of life.
In the professional world, knowing and practicing good business etiquette engenders respect, cooperation, and productivity. My training courses cover the following key business etiquette topics and more:
- Communications Etiquette: Whether in person, by phone, email, social media, or in writing, we must practice appropriate etiquette in the words we choose, the tone we use, and our timing for initiating and responding to business communications. Learning how to improve your listening skills and to communicate graciously, tactfully, effectively, and professionally are skills I teach in my business etiquette training course.
- Etiquette for Personal Introductions: Introductions can be awkward. Many people are nervous when they meet for the first time in both business and social situations. Proper business etiquette includes knowing how to pronounce peoples’ names, knowing their proper titles, and understanding the protocol for making introductions in the proper order and presenting business cards. Having these skills will enable you to help your colleagues ease into their own conversation and will reflect very well on you!
- Dining Etiquette: Make good tables manners a habit and you will succeed at any business meal, whether it is lunch with a new prospect, breakfast with your banker, or at an awards dinner honoring you! Practicing good table manners ensures that your dining companions focus on the conversation rather than on any lack of table manners. Learn about the dos and don’ts, American vs. Continental styles of eating, restaurant selection, hosting, and paying the bill.
- Networking Etiquette: Maintaining your professionalism is important, even at office happy hours, networking events, and holiday parties. Good business etiquette in these situations includes knowing how to practice active listening, balancing talking and listening, graciously giving and accepting compliments, introducing others, and artfully navigating around potentially negative or embarrassing topics.
- International Etiquette: Although we have a global economy, different cultural norms prevail. I will train you where, when, and how to shake hands, bow, or make eye contact. Understanding and respecting dress codes, gender- and age-related sensitivities, managing expectations, body language faux-pas, dining customs, and religious taboos are particularly important for the international business person.
- Travel Etiquette: Travel these days can be inherently stressful. Courtesy and patience make for a smoother trip. Travel etiquette includes things such as avoiding intimate phone conversations in public space, having your boarding pass and photo ID ready at the security check, and knowing when and how much to tip. Having properly-sized carry-on luggage and helping fellow passengers struggling to put theirs in the overhead bins will spread smiles throughout the cabin.
- Cubicle Etiquette: Respecting co-workers’ privacy and space in “cubeland” will go a long way towards having a rewarding and pleasant work day. In my business etiquette workshops I teach tips that will eliminate interruptions, distractions, gossip, and stress on the job for you and your colleagues.