Business Etiquette

Consider customer service as business etiquette plus personality and you'll have happy, loyal customers. Policy alone never serves customers as it does nothing to foster business relationships. Service is what customers expect based on your branding. Personal encounters with anyone in your company, your public image and reputation, hearsay, and web presence all contribute to your branding. Yet, it's more than that. What customers believe is the only reality you need to embrace. Business etiquette is making others feel comfortable in a business setting not a social setting. The key to making a great outcome for both parties often lies in the personality of the customer care representative. A rep that can only follow a script almost always infuriates customers. Hiring the best personalities and then allowing and encouraging these reps to express themselves is the opportunity to create a connection. Look at etiquette as the framework around policy and service. Making othe...

A few weeks ago, I asked YOU, my loyal readers, to share your image, etiquette, and communication questions with me. So let's begin with a question I receive quite often. Jill wrote, "I would like to know more about where to sit at a table with my boss and a prospective client during a business meal, as well as at a conference table or in a private office for a meeting." Two items are at play here. First, we have a prospective client for whom we would like to create a comfortable environment. Secondly, we have a boss whose seniority should be acknowledged and respected. So how do we do that? Let's tackle the seniority portion of this question first. Traditionally, the head of the table at the end farthest from the door is the "power perch." At business meetings, it is reserved for the most senior person present. The two other important positions would be the seat to the right of the power perch followed by the seat to the left of the power perch. If it ...

Have you ever met someone and exchanged business cards to realize how terrifying their business cards are? Well as a marketing consultant I found myself in this position too many times. I have seen the cards you can't read because the writing is too small or the background and foreground are similar shades. This forces you look for lighting so you could read the information or you can barely hold the card because the paper is so thin and cheap. It is time to realize that your business card represents your company's image as much as your customer service or services you offer. People fail to understand that and trying to save on cheap business cards will hurt a business in the long run. Just like any other strategies to marketing there is such a thing as business card etiquette. Paper- having a good paper weight for your business cards is a must, whether you choose a standard paper or linen paper. I understand that small businesses have a smaller budget but in 2008 a good...

When making plans for your wedding day, there are quite a few items to consider regarding correct protocol. There are certain ways to carry out the ceremony, the reception and all of the fine points that are essential for a marriage. There are standards for situations including apparel, manners, processes and announcements. Also, there is wedding invitation etiquette. Wedding invitation etiquette comprises the proper processes to proclaim your wedding. Invitations are distributed to friends, family and additional acquaintances who you would like to attend. If performing a big church affair, invitations are sent to friends and family of both the bride and groom. If inviting individuals connected through business, it ought to be done out of closeness, not for connections. For smaller home weddings, the list can be narrowed down to family and dear friends. Consideration should be given to how many guests can comfortably fit into the gathering area. Here are several general guidelines...

Because of the many layoffs that are occurring throughout the business world, many people are having to polish up on their interview etiquette. Although it sounds quite simple to be on your best behavior, many people mess up their interview because of poor etiquette. The reasons could be anything. Some people just get too nervous that they forget what they are supposed to do. Other people are simply oblivious to how they are acting and do not see anything wrong with it. Many people offend their interviewer without even realizing it. To prevent all this from happening so you can land your next job, you have to follow a few tips. The first way to have good interview etiquette begins with your timing. You want to make sure you show up early for your interview. If you arrive earlier than 15 minutes, you should wait in your car or wait outside until at least 10 minutes before. The reason for this is because you have to be aware that the company set aside time in their busy schedule for...

Giving business gifts has been a part of business industry standard. Business firms of different sizes give out business gifts for some reasons every year. It is a business etiquette that significantly brings effective surprises. When it comes to appreciating employees, clients and customers, business gifts are likely to be given. The same holds true when acknowledging milestones, retirements and important occasions and holidays. There are so many presents that are available both in local and online market. In these days and times where there is a high demand for such tokens, specialty stores are trying to beat each other by coming up with various business gift ideas to attract their consumers. Business presents can make a way to create business wonders. If you want to motivate your employees or boost their morale, plan a recognition day and give out recognition gifts. That way, you can show them that their hard work and presence have been appreciated and recognized - an encouragi...

There is nothing more personal than a card-in-hand! A business card is unique way of exchanging contact information and is usually used during sales calls and offer contact information to a potential customer. They are swapped during formal introductions and act as a convenience and a memory aid. A business card usually has the name of the person, company along with the logo, contact information, address and URL of the website. Business cards have traveled a long way from simple black text on white stock to a professionally designed one that features captivating visual design. For businessmen across the world they have become a sign of prestige and stand as a symbol of good business etiquette. In the age of globalization they have almost become a necessity. Imagine yourself sitting with 10-15 people. It's not easy to remember the names of all the persons present at the gathering, you need a card to serve the purpose. A recent trade research reveals that the business card print...

One of the most important components in running a successful business is having a reliable business phone service system. With the technology available today, the list of business communications applications seems endless. Among the business phone services, telecom audio conferencing is the perfect solution for today's business environment. Through telecom audio conferencing you can organize a world wide meeting in minutes and respond to business issues on the spot. This enhances productivity and saves on hidden meeting costs involved in travel and accommodations. The participants are able to get on with their work before and after the meeting, without wasting their time. Answer and message service is another key advantage of business phones. This service controls business calls, particularly during busy periods. Answer and message services enables an automatic answering device to calls in the company's name. The answer and message service receives a message option, fax, e...

With the economy going down and down all over the world, more and more bold people are taking the initiative in starting their own business but unfortunately, only a minority are leveraging etiquette in their businesses. It looks as if when people step out of the corporate world to start their own business they forget about all the etiquette they learned for their jobs that kept them rising in the ranks. As a business owner, an entrepreneur or an individual looking to start your own business, never has it been very necessary for you to leverage the etiquette lessons you learned for your last job. The principles are practically the same. It is just a matter of making a conscious effort to tailor it now to suit you as a new business owner or entrepreneur. The best part about applying etiquette in your business is that it just keeps building your reputation and image and helps you to set yourself apart from the competition while building a respected brand that people trust and never ...

Chances are you will be invited to someone's home to celebrate the holiday season. As a guest, it is important to be respectful and exhibit good manners and proper etiquette in the home of your host. Part of the professional and social process is being able to understand how to be a proper guest and present oneself in a sophisticated and charismatic manner while enjoying a festive occasion. Following these simple rules of holiday etiquette will ensure a smooth, enjoyable evening: * Present your host with a nicely wrapped gift to express appreciation and gratitude. * Limit the alcohol and avoid hard liquor. Opt for wine or sparkling cider. * Think before you speak. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. * Don't hover around the buffet table, overload your plate, double-dip, talk with food in your mouth, or chew with your mouth open. * Don't fuss over your food and taste all dishes served unless it violates your religious beliefs or he...

Competitors don't stand a chance when the goal is to put the word "service" back into customer service. Here's a guide on how to get there: HIRE SMILING FACES Good help may be hard to find but it shouldn't be at the expense of projecting a positive business image. Anyone that represents a company should communicate an upbeat attitude. The tone of the initial customer contact, either in person or by telephone, can make or break an impression. Psychologists agree that a smile can be "heard", even over the telephone. When a customer experiences a sour face or a curt tone, they may be reluctant to do business with a company. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS Excellent customer service providers know how to turn regular customers into loyal ones. It starts simply with extending basic courtesies to everyone. Unsolicited personal woes or long-winded anecdotes are off limits. Maintaining a pleasant business demeanor without appearing aloof is a sign of professionalism. S...

Did you know that a business meal is often a test for new hires? That's because at the dining table our manners are on display. Like it or not, we are judged by how we act. People who grab the breadbasket without offering anyone a roll, or shovel food into their mouths, make poor impressions. An employer may conclude that they are aggressive, insensitive, or immature, and question their potential for advancement. Here are some tips for acing the interview at a business meal: o Arrive on time or a few minutes early. o Stick with the basics, such as soup, main course and beverage. Order an appetizer or dessert only if the host suggests it. o Don't order alcohol unless the host orders wine for the table. o Don't grill the server on how a dish is prepared, or reveal details about your eating habits. No one wants to know about your low-carb diet. o Don't order something like a gratin. It takes a long time to prepare and holds up the meal. o Avoid foods that are messy or...

The idea for this article came after participating in a LinkedIn discussion group where someone posed this topic. "While going through a stack of business cards the thought occurred to me that many were outdated since many of the companies no longer exist or the person on the card moved on. I find more people on LinkedIn and other sites and get introduced to people both over the phone and electronically. Now, once a card is uploaded or information is saved in a mobile device the card gets discarded. (Unless you are a pack rat.) Do we need business cards in this brave new world?" This responses were so interesting and varied that I thought I would incorporate them into this article and hopefully provide some enhancements that you might make to your cards the next time that you have them printed. In this social media era one would think perhaps that the usefulness of a business card is going by the wayside. Everyone is so plugged in with their smart phone and apps that per...

Social networking for business was mostly influenced by the way that the social networks were already being used. The truth about most social networks is that they were developed by college students who were looking to communicate with each other more effectively and quickly. This lead to technology that was not optimal for business use. Therefore, the business owners who were early adopters followed the pattern that had already existed on the networks and tried to use the format for business success. However, any system not generated for business success is doomed to fail when used for business purposes. Businesses were forced to share information across the social network in non-secure ways. In the early days of social media (and this still exists on most sites) a business could not pick and choose who could see a message and who could not. This leads to sharing of secrets that a business would normally try to hide (if the business was not careful). It can also lead to the inabi...

After all, everybody's doing it so maybe you should too. What is Twitter and why should businesses care? In simple terms, Twitter is a free service that allows users to communicate with their followers to tell them "what they are doing". Twitter has become one of the biggest social media websites on the internet and is used for both personal and business purposes, resulting in a ton of relationships with people all around the world. So how does it work? It's very simple, you can say almost anything to anybody in 140 characters or less (that is the space Twitter gives you per message). You are probably thinking "is that it?", well, no, not quite. While there are those using it to tell others what they had for lunch or what movie they watched, millions of people are using Twitter as a way to network and communicate with new and old contacts. Additionally, Twitter is designed like most social media tools with the ability to subscribe or share as many twitt...

Professional etiquette has helped savvy business people to attain many great successes on their business including becoming the foremost authority in their field. The way you present yourself to your target market is how they will perceive you. Do you look the part you play in your business? Do you exhibit confidence, trust, the appropriate image and authority? How do you deal with difficult people who test your pulse? Are you accountable? Do you show a sense of commitment to both your business and your clients? There happens to be so much clutter in the business environment today in a way that potential clients just want to seek out those solution providers who stand out and proof to be the foremost authority in the industry. It is not enough to call yourself a leader, or to lash out all your credentials and experiences in your industry anymore. What you need as an entrepreneur is to have the personality and image of "The Foremost" person who exhibits the authority and ...

There is no doubt about it-social networking, or social media if you prefer, is all the buzz. A report just out by Forrester's Research indicates that 51% of online Americans have joined a social network. Another 73% are consuming some form of social content on a regular basis. People are connecting with, listening to, following and collaborating with each other online at an amazing rate. Some people are using it for personal reasons. They are sharing their recipes, their photos and their ideas to stay up to date with their friends and family. Business people are using social networking sites to build their careers, promote their business and grow their reputations. The most popular social networking sites are Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter. Each one of those sites is uniquely positioned and serves a particular population or purpose. There are other online networking sites, numbering in the thousands, so at this point, they shall remain nameless. The purpose of this a...

Well, you might ask yourself what is the relevance of understanding the silent service code? Did you know that most business deals are made while sharing a meal? How often do you have a business encounter with a potential employer or a prospective client? Not only do you have to be dressed appropriately for the occasion, which entails an entirely different set of guidelines, but it is best that you brush up on the ins and outs of proper table manners or otherwise known as dining etiquette skills. We all like a tool to help us remember the tricky things in life (like, i before e except after c). Here are 10 tips to help you make sure your lasting impression is one you can feel confident in for years to come. First: Think of the letters "BMW" when sitting down to a formal place setting. The great thing about this tool is that you can do it silently in your head and no one, but you know your valuable tool. B stands for bread, which is to the left of your plate; M represent...

Today's workplace is very dynamic, sometimes very stressful, and too often not very civil. We certainly observe the lack of civility in the workplace with people calling each other names, engaging in personal attacks on each other, exhibiting rude and disruptive behaviors and the lack of respect for one another or ignorance of how behaviors affect others. I believe there is a real desire for the restoration of civility in the workplace. Your strategic thinking business coach offers some tips on how to achieve civility in today's workplace. + Always respect the value of everyone's time by showing up for meetings prepared and on time. + Keep your cell phone turned off or in silent or vibrate mode whenever possible. + Use an appropriate volume of speaking when talking in the office, at meetings or on your cell phone. + Greet everyone with "hello" and a smile. + Avoid multi-tasking when you are talking on the phone or on a conference call. + Pay attention...

How to write an Invitation: Dr. Joyce Knudsen (If both people in a relationship are Doctors, you would address them as Drs. Knudsen. (Host Name.) Requests the pleasure of your company (invitation phrase) at a dinner (type of party) in honor of Sharon Williams (who the party is for.) on Saturday, the second of July (day two thousand six (year) at eight o'clock (time) 2711 Sumnar Road. (location) RSVP Rpondez s'il vous plat ("reply, please") Formal Attire (special -000-0000 (where to reply) instructions) In a perfect world, your invitation should arrive three to four weeks prior to a lunch, dinner, or party. If the invitation is for an event lasting longer than a day, you should allow six months, especially if hotel and travel reservations need to be made. When replying to an invitation, you should respond as requested within a week (in our example, by calling the number listed) Sometimes, the invitation will include a response card which you will ...

Your success is directly related to your contacts, relationships and ability to communicate effectively. The measure of your achievements, and disappointments are directly related to your relationships. o Are you the kind of person you would want to work for? o How do your relationships affect your business? o How does your business affect your relationships? As an experienced family business coach I can attest to the fact that business 'and relationships are strongly connected. Without healthy boundaries in a family business, your relationships will suffer. I suggest to clients that there must be a time to work and a time to be a family. A family business coach can help you develop a plan that will be custom tailored for your unique situation. Good communication, comfortable working conditions and respect for one another is a winning threesome for any business. Mixing family and business can lead to disaster without boundaries. 1. Communication, Communication, Communication ...

Students who've completed a foreign policy or international business program of study might be eager to begin working in a foreign country. Perhaps they might be a bit ambivalent or scared, too. After all, the business practices of various nations in Africa, Europe, Asia - and even, North America - can differ vastly from American business customs and etiquette. Several Asian nations, notably China, Japan, and India, have the potential to dramatically shape the world economy over the next decade. Across Asia, workers highly skilled in computers, engineering, manufacturing, and biological sciences are revolutionizing global methods of innovation, business, and production. It will become more likely over the next decade that a business college graduate will work with professionals from one or more of these Asian nations - especially if that graduate pursues a career path with many international opportunities. Developing cultural sensitivity and awareness is very important for cro...

If you have applied for a position recently, don't be surprised if you are asked to meet for a meal and interview. Why would employers take potential employees out to lunch or dinner? Many times it is because the workplace setting can get really hectic, so employers choose to find a more comfortable setting. And, much like the behavioral interview conducted in an office, it provides the perfect setting for an employer to assess a job candidate's social skills and how well they handle themselves in pressure situations. The breakfast, lunch, or dinner interview provides the interviewer with a chance to view, first hand, your interpersonal abilities, as well as your dining etiquette, all within a more informal environment. What You Should Wear Don't let the fact that you may be going to a less formal setting fool you. You should dress just as you would for an interview within an office. Black, gray, and blue are the preferred colors. Make sure your hands are well manicure...

Twitter is thought of as a very causal forum. It's limited to just 140 characters, leading many users to adopt their own brand of shorthand in order to get their entire thought out into one tweet. Whether you are tweeting as your business or tweeting as yourself, it is still important to follow certain sets of guidelines in order to keep the respect of your followers on the social network. Knowing the proper Twitter etiquette will save you a lot of embarrassment in the long run. Here are seven rules that you should always follow before you send out your message into the twitterverse: Your tweet needs to offer value When you take the time to tweet something, always ask yourself, "Is this something my followers will find valuable?" If you are sending empty-headed thoughts out there, you are not giving them anything of worth to hold onto or pass along to others. Sure, once upon a time Twitter was the go-to spot for people to tell everyone that they were "chowing do...

I have long enjoyed attending networking events for the opportunity to meet new people and benefit from information provided by the speakers. However, taking into consideration frugality in relation to costs and benefits, I have had occasion to wonder whether attending such events truly benefited me. Were the meeting fee and dues worth the expenditure in my precious time and money? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. The success of the event depends on whether or not it is set up to maximize networking opportunities and the extent to which its attendees observe basic networking etiquette. Following are five tips that will help you get the most out of a networking event: 1) Build and cultivate relationships The most important thing to keep in mind about networking is that it is synonymous with relationship building: establishing, cultivating, growing, and maintaining relationships. I don't know about you, but for me, networking is not sticking one's business card into my hand ...

How is Professional Etiquette in the Workplace different than in Graduate School? If you've just landed your first position after graduate school, you might be unsure of how exactly to behave in the professional world. However, you've probably already mastered most of these behaviors while you were in graduate school. In general, it's a good idea to act as you did in your interview until you get a feel for your coworkers and your office environment. After a few months, you will fit right in and know what is allowed by your superiors. Emulate a coworker who has found favor with your management, and avoid reflecting any behaviors that offend you or your boss. The most important things to consider in regards to professional etiquette are courtesy to others, confidence in yourself, and general politeness. Tips on Professional Etiquette in the Workplace: Conversation Intently listen to others when you are speaking to someone at work. Look them in the eye, and don't cons...

E-mail has been called "the kudzu of communications." In no time at all, it can overwhelm your mailbox and eat up your productive work time. Technology and the click culture have created speed and ease in communications, and even a special shorthand: "R U cming 2nite?" But the fallout is a sense of impersonality that breeds rudeness. You've got to think twice - even three times! - about your business emails, because they make statements about your professionalism. Here are some guidelines for some common e-pet peeves that could make your e-mail more productive, professional, and a pleasure to read. Always include a specific subject line. This is helpful not only for your receiver to know what your message is about, but it also makes it easy to search for that particular message later.  Be brief, but personable. One of the problems with email is that senders tend to write "off the cuff," exactly what they're thinking: "Your report is due...

This is intended only as a primer on the very basics of etiquette in China, and it's decidedly slanted to a Western Male's point of view. With a little luck, when you arrive in China this will help you avoid severely embarrassing yourself, but trust me - you'll make many faux pas, and most of the time you'll be completely unaware that you've done so because it is not like the Chinese to point out to you any errors you've made. To do so would cause you to lose face, and the Chinese are very concerned neither to lose face themselves, nor to cause loss of face to others. Chinese Women will be particularly forgiving of your rude Western ways. Before moving on to specific areas of etiquette, here are some generalizations: 1. There are many different "cultures" in China (55 or 56 depending on what book you read) and many variations on specific areas of etiquette, but if your behaviour on any matter is acceptable to most of the Chinese cultures the other...