Business Etiquette

Proper church phone etiquette will present your church ministry effectively. A strong first impression over the phone is one of the most important keys to building your ministry. The first impression from someone who calls on the phone is just as important as the initial impression when meeting someone in person. That phone call can often lead to a progressive relationship with the caller. Here are seven etiquette tips to help your staff be more effective: Remember that you may be the first and only contact this person may have with your church and you are the first impressionist. Before answering, stop any activity that be can be heard by the calling party, clarity in a call lessens the chance of mistakes and having to ask for clarity. Answer promptly before the third ring if possible, most people hang up after the fourth or fifth ring. An unanswered phone is often a lost contact. Let the person make their full initial engagement statement, this usually makes it easier to know wh...

Is it me, or has the whole world gone social media mad? Ever since the dawn of Facebook, social media sites have been popping up all over the place. Social media started off as a platform for people to connect, but has turned into a business empire. Although, there are many people who do not utilize social media and refuse to utilize it, approximately 1.4 billion people use it around the world. If you want to navigate it successfully, there are rules for social media that you must follow. Rules for Social Media #1: Do Not get too Personal One of my biggest pet peeves is TMI (too much information). I wish there was a TMI button on Facebook that you could click in addition to the like button. Social media has turned into a diary for many people. It is great to share what is going on in your life, but there is something that is called "over-sharing." One way to avoid over-sharing is to not use social media when you are intoxicated, angry or sad. On average, those are the ti...

Wedding planning business can be very successful career, if you work properly before establishing it. Many people learn the basic etiquettes about wedding planning while event planning course. If you want to get basic knowledge you can also get a course from a good institution and start up your business. Though it is a very interesting and joyful business for those, who love thrill and fun, but at the same time it demands commitment lots of energy and stress. Before starting up your business for wedding planning if you follow some important points, you can get better result in start and get good grip over your business soon. 1. First thing to start the business is to get knowledge about the latest trends in the weddings; attend all the weddings that you can; note down the different ideas, take pictures of weddings you attend; read the news papers and explore about the wedding functions of famous people. Be updated about new trends by reading wedding magazines; by this you will be ...

This is the time of year when I get the most requests to conduct Business Etiquette workshops. Why? Because it is right during the heart of the season when we attend the most parties and social gatherings. I'll get a frantic call from a manager or boss who says "Oh, my gosh, you have no idea what some of my employees did in public." Just when I think I've heard all the stories about bad etiquette, they tell me a new one. I actually should clarify that last statement, perhaps it's not BAD etiquette, it's DON'T KNOW ANY BETTER etiquette. Proper etiquette, in business, can help people gain respect from their customers, bosses, coworkers and ... anyone else who just happens to be watching. You could be at a wedding, having a great time... dancing on a table, only to be surprised two weeks later, that you are interviewing for a job or meeting a new client who, just happened to be at the same wedding. Hmmm what impression do you think your dancing made? Man...

Respectful, courteous and trustworthy are the three words that first come to mind when I think of business etiquette. When you have earned the privilege of obtaining the e-mail address of a prospect, you have unlimited access to them...until they tell you otherwise. You can choose what to send in your e-mails, you can choose the time of day to send it, and...you can choose how often you're going to send throughout the day. Having unlimited access... is it a privilege...or a curse? You know how important other people consider their time to be...including the time they may spend reading your e-mails. So how do you decide what content to send when? The first rule is respect. Respect their time, their effort and their preferences. So learn everything you can about the person you're e-mailing. Whatever your niche, learn as much about group and individual preferences as possible. What are your competitors doing? You don't want to do what they're doing...you want to diff...

101 business phones are cordless phones that offer portability and versatility when compare to corded business phones. With the latest technological innovations, 101 business phones have an improved sound and security system. 101 business cordless phones offer a variety of advanced features. A digital answering machine in which digital messages are stored in computer memory chips is one such feature. The time required for accessing the message depends on the size of the chip. A few other types of cordless business phones come with an answering machine. There are audio cassette tapes in these phones to record your greetings and incoming messages. Some 101 cordless phones are equipped with built-in caller ID or call waiting caller ID. This feature helps to identify the name and phone number associated with an incoming call. The hold feature allows you to put the caller on hold. A majority of cordless phones have an LCD screen. It shows the numbers you dialed and the call waiting ID...

Everyday, I read business email done so informally, it makes me cringe. How do people expect me to take them seriously when they can't even be bothered to write their own emails in a proper way? 1. Proper capitalization Writing out entire sentences in small letters may be acceptable in instant messaging applications, but they're downright irritating on emails. At the least, capitalizing the proper letters lets me know you have basic writing capabilities. At best, I would not have to sit through acronyms written in small letters, making me look it up in the dictionary, thinking it's an actual word. If you're not sure which letters need to be capitalized, put it through a simple writing software and have it correct your mistakes. Don't even get me started on ALL CAPS... 2. Punctuation Punctuations let me know when you're pausing, slowing down or changing tone. Without it, your copy reads like a never-ending alphabet soup, except it's got full words floati...

In order for a professional, entrepreneur or student to be proficient in networking, they need incorporate the proper tools for their agenda. Networking involves communication and development for success and achievement. Savvy individuals can develop an understanding, discernment and responsibility while interacting with others. This requires identifying common body language gestures and deciphering tones in the voices of others. This article is one of four which reveals the proper ways of exchanging with others and building business and social rapport. Respond Appropriately in Situations Time and time again, it is often stately that actions speak louder than words. People follow behaviors more than they follow spoken words. Actions and gestures are highly weighted over words and intentions. While networking, individuals can learn how to act appropriately in formal and informal settings. It is highly recommended to take the time to asses their environment and the people who surrou...

I got an email the other day that got me thinking. It was probably the worst looking email that I have ever seen in my life. I mean, CAP LOCK and "!!!!!!" everywhere. I thought my eyes were going to start bleeding. But that was not the end of it. Just a few minutes later I was in a mastermind chat group and overheard 2 marketers expressing a wish for someone to address list etiquette. Hence the topic of the day. E-mail List Etiquette In simple language, it is how you interact with your list. Ask yourself these questions: How often do you email them? What is the content of your emails? Is everything...Sell and sell and sell? Are you building a relationship with your list or are you bombarding them with offers? Here are some basic rules you can use to keep your list from clicking the opt-out button. 1. Know who your audience is. You need to be able to speak to your intended audience and this means literally speaking their language. 2. At maximum Mail 2x daily. Plan out you...

Today's business is all about relationships. Business networking is a critical strategy and tactic to build those critical business relationships. In observing business owners, executives and sales people at numerous networking events and coaching many of these same individuals, I have recognized 7 consistent networking mistakes. If you avoid these 7 mistakes, you should quickly build your business in the New Year. Mistake #1 - No plan, no goals Without a networking plan, you waste your valuable resources of time, energy and money. Your networking activities should be aligned to the marketing plan and specific goals within your strategic plan. Mistake #2 - Poorly constructed elevator speech The first 7 words that you speak when meeting a potential client, AKA as a prospect, may be the only chance you have with that individual. Your elevator speech should be a series of sentences that are linked together with each sentence "elevating" your story. Mistake #3 - Too bus...

Business cards are a great tool to help you make a positive first impression. The Japanese have an elegant way of presenting business cards. They hold out the card in front of them with both hands, and hand over the card with a slight bow. It's a sign of respect, and almost becomes a little ceremony. When they receive your card, they look at it carefully and admire it. You are expected to do the same when you receive their card. How can you use this etiquette to make a great impression in business today? You don't have to be Japanese, and the extra moments you take in handing out your business cards won't cost you a penny. 1. Compliment the card. When you receive a business card, don't stuff it into your pocket. Instead, take a moment and look at it carefully. Admire it. Find something to say, and make a positive comment. It can be about their product or service, their logo, or the location of their office. It doesn't matter what you say, as long as it's po...

Whether you're a technician trying to repair a photocopier or an accountant going over sales figures with several sales representatives, the work day can take its toll on you physically and mentally. At some point you will need to refresh, reenergize, and refuel so that you can continue to be a productive employee. And, normally this is best accomplished during lunch. But, even though this is down time, many employees have returned from this break unable to unwind. Let's work together to have a enjoyable working environment all day long. Don't hog the microwave oven Depending on where you work, your lunch break may be anywhere from between thirty minutes to an hour. However, at times, you may notice that there are several people in line waiting to use this convenient piece of equipment. If you know that it will take more than ten minutes to cook your food, be considerate and ask your coworkers if they will be heating something that will require less time. And, allow th...

Sand Trap Mayhem "Maintaining Your Cool when You're Sunk in the Bunker". It is inevitable. Sooner or later you will be playing a round of golf with someone you would prefer to impress and you will stand there helplessly as your ball goes flailing into the sand trap. Depending on the golf course, you may find yourself red faced and cursing right along with about fifty percent of the golfers on the fairway. It just happens. How you react to it and how you attempt to recover your shot is what stands to impress your golfing partners. There's not a single individual who doesn't find themselves standing at the edge of the bunker contemplating their shot out of it. It can look intimidating no matter how many times you've stood there wondering how you were supposed to save grace in the moment. Emotional Response Etiquette "Maintaining Your Cool when You're Sunk in the Bunker". One of the most un-cool things you can do at this point is loose your coo...

Many a time when a professional starts his or her own business, it feels so relieving that you are now your own boss and can do whatever you want whenever you want to. Although that is great and fun, it is also important to note that you have now become a business entity yourself and you represent your business wherever you go and in whatever you do. For that reason, it is very important that you make a conscious effort to represent yourself and your business in the best of light wherever you go. Below are 3 ways you can use professional etiquette to help you out. Appear professional: Always make your first impressions very enduring impressions that will be remembered in a positive way. Being in business for yourself does not mean you must dress any how. As a professional, you must dress the part to send across the right message that will attract the right clients for your business. After all, without clients, you have no business. Be courteous - Please, sorry and thank you ar...

Well you have done some research and have decided that the Chinese market is one you want to enter with your business concept. There are some things you should do in order to prepare for your first meeting with your Chinese clients. Knowing certain Chinese negotiation tactics can really help you in your dealings with people from China. There are different forms of business meeting etiquette that you will want to make sure you have knowledge of before entering into any formal negotiation. Why is this? There are certain China business practices that if you do not know, you can come off like you are insulting potential business partners which is never a good thing. If you take the time to learn these Chinese negotiation tactics it can really give you a higher chance of success in doing business. First and foremost, in order to achieve maximum business meeting etiquette you will want to enlist the services of some form of interpreter. It is assumed that you do not know the Chinese lan...

Despite the immense growth of other forms of online communication like podcasting and web conferences, email remains the number activity online, both in business and personal communication. A poll conducted by Gallup showed that 71% of internet users receive and send emails at least once every week. Email usage overshadows other popular online activities like blogging, music download, facebooking and shopping. Email communication may be simple, just compose, type and click send! Although there is extensive use of email for business communication, observance of good email etiquette is not. Here are a number of tips you should consider for effective and professional business email communication. a) Avoid addressing sensitive issues via email - It is advisable not to address serious business issues by email. When faced with sensitive issues that may require a lot of emotion, it may be advisable to see the recipient face to face or you can simply pick the phone and call. b) Necessitat...

Have you ever thought how much email has changed the world? Maybe you haven't... Email appeared along with the Internet and cell phones and the latter two were bigger than life themselves so it was easy to overlook email... By the way, why "email" and not "e-mail"? The printed media still sticks to "e-mail", but the inconvenience of typing the hyphen is too big and omitting it is too simple. Hence, "e-mail" is fast turning into "email". Actually, this symbolizes the essence of email: eliminating most of the inconveniences of previous types of correspondence like letters, memos and faxes and simplifying them. Let's talk about business email specifically. It is transforming workplace communication in a blink of an eye. Before email business correspondence was formal by definition. Nowadays not only email messages are less formal than say business letters, but business letters themselves are using plain English. And the fact t...

Fitness facilities are opening worldwide to offer to its members a place where they can exercise in peace, feel rejuvenated and content about their commitment to feeling and looking better. We come day in and day out to either focus on cardio exercise or resistance training, to hopefully reach our goals of either fitting in the wedding dress or looking like one of these professional bodybuilders you see in the magazines. Whatever your purpose, the one good thing WE all share in common is that commitment to a healthier life. However, for everything in life, there are the few that comes in an disturb the peaceful and sweaty feeling fitness facilities gives to everyone of us, by either screaming while pumping iron, or by not being respectful of others when it comes to the use of fitness equipment or anything else you may see them do during their session at the gym. Some get pissed but say nothing, while others might complain to management. Obviously, the trouble makers might not do a...

In addition to a lack of business ethics today, there is also a lack of business manners. I have chosen to focus on business manners at meetings for this article. Business manners are essential to build relationships in today's business world. People, who present themselves very favorably, will maximize their business potential. I must tell you that I am very passionate about business manners and believe very strongly in the results that follow the use of good business manners. I always stress to my clients the importance of business manners and to seeking advice on that issue and others. Well, I followed my own advice some time ago and one of the most gracious and well-mannered professionals I ever met is Pamela Hillings of Hillings Enterprises in Pasadena, California. Pamela and her mother wrote a book entitled "Manners in a Minute," which is a practical guide for proper conduct and good manners when dining in or out. Pamela has been the official Royal Court P...

Mobile phone etiquette is a little out of left field today, but I want you to stay with me on this one. It's important because I'm seeing a lot of glaring issues that most network marketers and home based business owners have that need to be addressed. Mainly, it revolves around the fact that I believe we treat our customers and prospects differently than everyone else, and that's a crime when it comes to mobile phone etiquette. Why should you care about this? Simple, because your public image and professionalism is at stake if you don't follow my rules for mobile phone etiquette! I've categorized the 3 dis-services we do to proper mobile phone etiquette for entrepreneurs: 1) Violation #1: failing to return communication in a timely manner Mobile phone etiquette is understanding that CALLS are the primary purpose of a cell phone. Not text. Note internet browsing. Not email. CALLS! So if your business partner, prospect, or customer calls you, get on the p...

Meetings and conferences are a very important part in the daily life of a respectable businessman. Thus business etiquette during these meetings is a crucial feature and ability that you have to posses. I am going to give you a few tips right now on how to properly act during a business meeting or conference. When you enter the room shake the hand of every single man and woman that is going to be attending the meeting. Your handshake needs to be firm and steady as to transmit confidence and strength. Express what a true honour it is for you to be in the same room with all of them and that you are looking forward for a meeting that will yield profitable results and pleasant conversations. Choose a seat at the table that will set you on the same level as everyone else. No one likes a cocky man or someone that acts like a boss all though he is not in that position. Unless you are management you will not seat at the head of the table. It is disrespectful and that is that. Let every on...

It's a beautiful summers evening with friends gathering around and the smell of a sizzling steak is enough to make your mouth water. Barbecuing has been a way of life for years across the world all over, there's celebrations daily where a favorite cut of meat is being grilled. Secret Mens Business An intriguing fact is that male visitors to a BBQ pay particular attention to the meat preparation and cooking methods of the host. Barbecuing is a ritual that has to be properly observed and there's rules which all men know and adhere too. The barbecuing of the meat is the real test of a guy's metal, if he does a poor job he will lose standing in his friends eyes. Barbecuing is a skill a guy has, and he gets respect from his friends for a job well done, it's very important! Barbecue Etiquette It's not writing or taught but male visitors to a barbecue have a full understanding of the boundaries they must never cross. Never comment on the condition of the grill if ...

Business gift baskets are an ideal way to recognize an employee's talent or to make a good impression on your clients. A company can also customize these gift baskets according to the occasion and budget. Business gift baskets can be filled with chocolates, coffee hampers, cookies, wines, champagne, caviar and so forth. Most gift suppliers also design theme-based gift baskets, like exotic fruit baskets, wine baskets, cabernet and cheese baskets, gourmet baskets, chocolate baskets, sweets and snacks baskets, and so forth. A business house may award business gift baskets to its employees on special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and holidays, or as a token of appreciation after a promotion or at the time of retirement. Some businesses occasionally send gifts baskets to their associates and clients, either to promote their products or merely as a goodwill gesture. However, one should always follow certain conventions while sending gift baskets to clients, and take into c...

Today's job applicants are encountering a lack of courtesy that is all too common. Businesses are flooded with applicants for every opening and many are showing a lack of respect for job seekers by failing to respond to their applications. Most employers request resumes and other documentation be sent by e-mail. Occasionally they use the old-fashioned method-the anonymous post office box. The huge volume of applications makes it seem difficult to respond personally to each one. However, the technology is there to reply to all. Most e-mail programs have the ability to send an automatic response letting applicants know that their information has been received and how and when they will be notified of an interview or the lack of one. If the application is handled through postal mail, a generic letter can be generated and sent out with the same details. There is no excuse for leaving applicants in the dark. Following an interview, employers continue their thoughtlessness. App...

Just like most things in life, there are always rules of etiquette to deal with. E-Mail Marketing is no different. You should always do your best to follow these 8 simple rules that I do, so that you assure your e-mail marketing campaign will be both successful and profitable. Like most rules of etiquette, they are not really carved in stone. But when you sit back and think about them, they really do make sense. Here are the 8 Simple Rules of Etiquette for E-Mail Marketing that I follow and they are a good set for you to start with. Building Your List? Tell Subscribers what to expect: Let your subscribers know what to expect from your newsletter or marketing campaign. If you are only going to send them helpful information and links to other resources, tell them that. If you plan to include promotions and special offers, tell them that too. Let them know how often to expect your messages and make sure you don't disappoint them. Do you Offer Downloads? Help Them Understand How t...

Business etiquette is fundamentally concerned with building relationships founded upon courtesy and politeness between business personnel. Etiquette, and especially business etiquette, is a means of maximising your potential by presenting yourself positively. Writing a business letter is not simply a matter of expressing your ideas clearly. The way you write a letter and the etiquette you employ may have a significant impact on your success or failure in business. Failure to observe correct business letter etiquette can result in you adopting an inappropriate tone, causing offense or misunderstandings, lack of clarity or purpose and hostility or soured relations. The foundation of good business letter etiquette is 'Think before you write'. You should be considering who the letter is addressed to, how and why? This will then influence style, content and structure. Here we cover some of the main issues relating to good business letter etiquette: Addressing the Letter Always ...

In a globalized world, international businessmen require more than certain skills and knowledge in their corresponding financial or commercial branch, but also the basic understanding of customer's local culture to avoid frustration, misunderstanding and even potential embarrassment. Whether a company or any independent professional, should research not only to get cheap international plane tickets to make the trip more affordable, but also acquiring basic facts about regional culture and etiquette, including business cards. If you are involved in international business, then you need to keep up with your client's country values, norms, behaviors, and even everyday facts including art, food, fashion, architecture, etc. The more you learn about your clients' nations, the more opportunities to close successful deals. However, any solid relationship begins by recognizing the importance of learning the proper etiquette. Business cards are usually the first thing that any c...

If you work in an office you no doubt use email every day as a primary means of communication. Too often, though, people are frustrated because they don't get replies to their emails. Little do they know their messages are going in the junk file unread! The deciding factor as to whether your email is opened or deleted is often the subject line. So it's in your own interests to write a subject line that entices the reader to open and read your message. So what makes an enticing subject line? Two things: 1. It leaves no doubt as to the subject of the email. 2. Readers understand what's in it for them. A subject line like "Budget figures" is too vague and not at all enticing to the reader. What about the budget figures? Are you sending them for my information? Are you asking me for my figures? Do you want input of any kind from me? Must I do this now? All these questions lead to confusion in the reader's mind, and a confused mind tends to do nothing. Here...

Just as there are proper ways to behave in person, there are etiquette rules that govern social media. Whether you're poking someone on Facebook or posting on a website forum, when you learn how to master social etiquette, you will be more successful in your electronic communications. Keep emails short and to the point. With inboxes being flooded each hour, a concise and informative email will be easier for the recipient to read and respond to. Know the forum in which you are posting. Spend time getting to know the personalities of the forum, the purpose and goal of the participants and how you can add value to the community with your comments. Be accountable. Whether you are texting, posting or emailing, take credit for your opinions and communications rather than hiding behind generic names. Anonymity tends to bring out the worst manners in people, so keep your integrity by sharing your name or ID. Keep business and personal media accounts separate. A social networking profi...