Business Etiquette

Business Etiquette BCSIII-2:Students will demonstrate effective communication skills used to succeed in the business world

**What is etiquette? • Proper behavior for social situations • 6 underlying principles: • Be on time • Be discreet • Be considerate, respectful and upbeat • Dress appropriately • Be concerned with others • Use correct grammar—written and spoken

Introductions • Say the name of the person with authority first • Only have to say each name once • Try to add information about each person • If in doubt, use the person’s last name • If you forget a name, be honest but polite

Remembering Names • Repeat the name when you acknowledge the introduction • Say it several times to yourself • Use an association to try and remember • Make a file when you get home with notes about the people you met

Handshakes • When you meet and when you leave • Shake hands with the host first in a group • Stand up • Grasp the other person’s palm for 3-4 seconds • Smile

Cell Phones • If you must answer a call, go somewhere that doesn’t disturb anyone else • Answer your phone with your first and last names • When you make a call, identify yourself and ask if this is a good time to talk

Corporate Image • Hair • Clean, professionally styled, combed • Eyebrows should not be bushy • Nose and ear hair should be trimmed • Face • Women should wear natural looking makeup • Men should be clean shaven

Corporate Image • Hands • Fingernails should be one length and polished or buffed • Men should have trimmed nails • Green, blue and other obnoxious colors are not professional • Body • Shower and use deodorant • Use perfume or cologne very sparingly • Rinse with mouthwash after brushing your teeth

Corporate Image • Clothing • Clean and pressed • Polish your shoes • Pay attention to quality and fit • Accessories • Less is more • Rule of 13 (buttons, jewelry, tie, scarves, belts, hair accessories) • Do NOT get ready in public!

***Networking • Clothing, behavior, and manners show confidence • Make direct eye contact and remember to blink • Good Posture shows self-esteem • Talk to strangers • Keep your right hand open • Start with an opening question

**Small Talk • Smile! • Open posture so you look attentive • Use appropriate tone • Eye communication—says “I’m listening” • Nod for positive feedback

Topics of Conversation • SAFE TOPICS • Weather • Traffic • Sports • Non-Controversial Events (ex: Oscars) • Travel • Books • Common Experiences • Environmental Issues • UNSAFE TOPICS • Health • Cost of Items • Income • Personal Problems • Gossip • Dirty Jokes • Religion • Highly Controversial Issues

**Business Talk • DO • Use new words • Compliment • Keep good eye contact • Establish a common ground • Ask questions • Be clear in what you say • DON’T • Use slang • Gossip or preach • Interrupt • Be loud or talk fast • Go into too much detail or go on and on • Finish others sentences • Complain • Correct others • Try too hard to be funny

Table Settings • Use utensils from the inside out • Rest a used knife on your plate—do not put it back on the table • Serve from the left • If in doubt, watch someone else • Place your napkin in your lap • If you get up, leave the napkin on the table • Don’t blow your nose in your napkin • Don’t lick your fingers

Thank You Notes • Anytime it takes someone more than 15 minutes to do something for you • Should be done in a couple of days • Double check how to spell names • Keep written communication under one page • PROOFREAD!

Business Etiquette