introducing Business Etiquette

1. World Emblem introducingBusiness Etiquette

2. The forms and practices prescribed by social convention or by authority. Original meaning: A ticket proving that the bearer knew the rules required for admittance behind closed doors What is Etiquette??

3. Differentiates you from others in a competitive market • Enables you to be confident in a variety of settings with a variety of people • Honors the commitment to excellence and quality • Modifies distracting behaviors and develops admired conduct “Laws control the lesser man. Right conduct controls the greater.” ― Mark Twain How Does Etiquette Benefit us?

4. Etiquette Basics • Professional Appearance • Introductions • Office Etiquette • E-Mail Etiquette • Dining and Table Manners • Networking Etiquette Topic Overview

5. Behavior: • Exhibit a positive attitude and pleasant demeanor • Keep good posture. Keep your shoulders back and your head up. • Body language is important. Keep in mind: • Leaning forward during conversation shows interest. • Avoid being distracted by passers by or the environment. • Maintain eye contact. • Avoid showing a negative emotion (Yawning, Eye-rolling, Smirking, etc.) • Show common respect and consideration for others Etiquette Basics

6. How would you dress for a job interview? Every client visit IS AN INTERVIEW. They make decisions about wanting to work with you and the company you represent. Just because a client likes you, doesn’t mean they trust you with their livelihood. Professional Appearance

7. Grooming is fundamental Hair should be clean and styled appropriately. Nails, skin and teeth should be clean. Piercings (others than ears) should be removed. Makeup should be minimal and appropriate for an office setting. Clothing must be free of wrinkles and stains Wear a modest amount of perfume/cologne/aftershave Professional Appearance

8. Business Attire For women: skirted/pant suit, blouse or dress shirt, clean well maintained dress shoes (generally closed-toe shoe) For men: suit, dress shirt, tie (well maintained dress shoes) If you are required to wear a name tag, place it on your right shoulder. This makes your name easier to read. Professional Appearance

9. Professional Appearance

10. Making a positive impression • Recognize that what you do early on will be magnified • Remember your manners • Be ready to learn, adapt and change • Exercise professional maturity by showing good judgment and build good relationships Office Etiquette

11. Making a positive impression • Show a healthy respect for colleagues experience and expertise • Exhibit a positive attitude and know what your role will be on the team – How can I best assist? • Leave your personal life at the front door • Inquire about the proper way to respond to co-workers, supervisors, clients ( Business letter head, phone call etc.) Office Etiquette

12. Stand when you are introducing someone or you are being introduced • Both men and women should stand to shake hands. • Look the person in the eye and extend your hand for a firm web-to-web handshake. Avoid: • Bone-crushing handshakes • “Wet fish” handshakes • Grabbing someone’s fingers • Introduce someone by their title and last name (Ms. Mrs. Mr. Dr.), unless otherwise specified. The client is always introduced first. Introduce the junior person to the more senior person. • Say your name clearly How To Introduce Yourself

13. Get to know the work culture: • Unique sets of norms (breaks, lunch, meetings, workplace politics, etc.) • Find out about the “informal” chain of command • Find out what the organization values, philosophy of conducting business, work ethic, etc. • How and when do effective people communicate in the organization? • What is expected of you? If you don’t know, ask. • Don’t talk too often about “College Days”, “Party Years” or Previous Jobs. Office Etiquette

14. Smile • Use a pleasant, friendly tone of voice • Maintain a positive attitude • Remove slang terms • Don’t interrupt someone while he or she is speaking • Use good listening skills • Take complete phone messages (name, date, time, reason for calling, where they can be reached) • Cell phone – TURN IT OFF or ON SILENT during work hours. • Personal cell phone calls should be taken during breaks. Office Phone Etiquette

15. Always keep in mind that others work around you. • Use your “inside voice” when on the phone or speaking with a co-worker. Avoid placing calls on speakerphones. • Remember cubical conversations and calls can be heard by others (use discretion and good judgment as there is no “free air space”) • Professional business calls only. If you need to take a personal call, step away. • Avoid making outbound client calls on a cell phone, use a desk phone. Office Cubical Etiquette

16. Do not wear strong perfume or cologne and do not eat smelly food (e.g. fish) • Do not stand in front of someone’s cubicle and carry on a conversation • Do not walk into a cubicle when someone is on the phone (leave them a note or email instead) • After using a conference room, clean up your papers, etc. Put the chairs back around the table and erase the white board. Office Cubical Etiquette

17. Attending a meeting • Listen carefully • Show up early • Be prepared (Bring a business notebook and pen) • Be concise and articulate when speaking • Show respect for others • Do not interrupt Office Meeting Etiquette

18. Email • Make the subject line specific • When replying to a question, copy question into your email and then provide your response • Follow standard writing guidelines - business letter format as a professional courtesy • Keep it short and concise • Avoid REPLY ALL when it’s an company-wide email • Ensure your signature lines are consistent with company standards • REMEMBER – NOTHING is confidential when sent electronically Click on the link below to read a great article on Email Behavior Business Email Etiquette Email Etiquette

19. Tips: You have exchanged a couple of angry emails with a coworker who, in your opinion, is being unreasonable. It’s getting out of hand. You should: Change the medium. Call the person on the telephone or go sit down face to face If you cannot resolve an email after the 2nd reply, call the other party. If you email 10 people, everyone will assume someone else is handling the issue. Email 1 person and if you want others to be aware, use the CC feature. Email Etiquette

20. Arrive on time (Early is Better) • Wait to sit until host/hostess indicated the seating arrangement • Put napkin in lap before drinking or eating • Order easy to eat food • Don’t order the most expensive items on the menu Professional Dining Basics

21. Wait until everyone has been served before you begin to eat • When eating bread in a restaurant, you should Break off a bite-sized piece of bread and then butter and eat one bite at a time • Bring food to your mouth – NOT your head to your plate • Salt/Pepper pass together • Generally pass food to the right • Rest utensils on plate while talking • Do not talk with your mouth full • Do not chew with your mouth open Professional Dining Basics

22. Individual Place Setting When seated at a round or rectangular table, remember, left to right, B-M-W: bread, meal, water. Know how to use a standard table setting. Start with utensils on the outside and work your way “in”.

23. Cut meat one piece at a time • Rest silverware on your plate when speaking • Don’t help yourself to an item you’ve been asked to pass until the person who requested it has served him or herself • Pace yourself so that you finish about the same time as everyone else • Limit or forego alcohol consumption • Don’t push your dishes away to signal you have finished. When you’re done, put your utensils in a 4:00 position. Professional Dining Basics

24. Proper posture is important • Table manners please!! (No gum, no elbows on the table) • “Please and Thank You” • Turn your cell phone off. If it rings, apologize and turn the phone on silent mode. The person you’re with takes priority unless it’s an emergency. • Be responsible for keeping up and positively contributing to the conversation • Small Talk is appropriate – topics such as : • Books, sports, food, theater, travel, current events etc. • Follow employer’s lead • If you accidentally drop your fork on the floor, Leave it on the floor and ask the server to bring you another one. • When you are finished eating, your napkin should be folded loosely and placed on the left side of your plate. Professional Dining Basics

25. No swearing No loud or obnoxious behavior No crude comments or topics Subjects to avoid: health, gossip, love life, politics, religion, race and inappropriate stories or jokes If you have a morsel of food lodged in your teeth and you want to remove it, you excuse yourself and go to the restroom to pick your teeth in private What is Not Appropriate Conversation?

26. BREAK OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE Mingle – Mingle – Mingle – Mingle – Mingle • Don’t travel with your friends • Make direct eye contact, smile and speak • Contribute positively to the conversation with your thoughts and open ended questions • Don’t monopolize someone’s time – • (This is not a time to gain free advice.) • If appropriate, collect business card(s) • Politely excuse yourself and move on to another individual Networking

27. Remember: Wherever you are, you are not only representing yourself but the entire organization. Some rules of etiquette seem outdated. Being considerate of clients, coworkers, vendors and others NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE!