As you move forward ‘at the speed of business,’ business etiquette gets more and more essential not to say vital in order to define your identity as a business person, manager, and leader. There are some etiquette rules however that don’t need developed studies. They should simply be incorporated in your daily attitude and integrated in your ordinary tasks.
“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.”
1. Arrive on time
Be it for round table conference, face to face meetings or virtual Skype calls, make sure to be on time. If you’re the meeting host, on time means at least five minutes early. If you’re the guest, on time means on time. If you feel you’re going to be delayed, make sure to drop an email or send a message announcing that you will be late. Last but not least, if you reach your meeting point late, apologize!
2. Turn off your gadgets in meetings
Do you think we’re still in an era where we need to be reminded to turn our phones face down, close our laptops, and focus only on the meeting? Make sure you’re unplugged and in the now, whenever you step in a meeting room or space. Otherwise, not only will the person you’re meeting with feel unimportant, but also, you might –and most probably will skip not-to-be-missed details.
3. Say ‘thank you.’
Expressing gratitude goes a long way. An email can do the job for you… if you write it well! If thinkable, a handwritten message is best.
4. Watch out your ringtone
Make it a sound used for the purpose of signaling an incoming call. Don’t stick to ringtones that are set too high. Ringtones are not made to attract attention to yourself. On the contrary, you’d better stay quiet and speak when you need to, so that when you speak up, you are heard.
5. Include others in your conversati on
When you’re with colleagues, avoid inside jokes. People will resent it as an exclusion and it’s not appropriate to speak in a language that others don’t understand. Refrain from speaking with colleagues of the same country in a foreign language that is not understood by each and every one present.
6. Avoid asking people where they’re staying
When you are going on a business trip or attending a business function out of town, you’d better not ask other attendees in the group where they’re staying. Be it in a five-star, two-star hotel or at a private apartment, some details are better kept private for some people. Just keep in mind that you might unintentionally embarrass someone and keep your questions for yourself.
There are many other small details to realize when it comes to business etiquette, so watch yourself with the observer’s eyes, and focus on the small details so that become part of you. As John Wooden states: “Little things make big things happen.”
