What is Business Etiquette?

What is Business Etiquette?
Every day of our business lives we’re being judged in three ways: how we look, how we speak and above all, how we behave. To get to the top of the business or professional world means gaining an extra edge over the competition. If we’re polished and self-assured, people are impressed and judge us favourably, but if they’re poor, they judge us unfavourably—and often it’s their first judgement that sticks. We’re judged from the moment we meet a client to the moment we clinch the deal; from the moment we apply for an interview or promotion to the moment the job is ours. We too, of course, are unconsciously or subconsciously judging those around us. Having bad manners is like having bad breath—no one wants to be the one to tell you! Unfortunately, they may go away and tell other people however. And worse, they may not want to do business with you (not if you have bad breath, if you have bad manners!)

Companies prefer to employ people who can effectively interact with clients and colleagues; people who can conduct themselves confidently in the boardroom or the executive dining room; people, above all, who have good social skills. Business Etiquette provides the strategies to achieve success by demonstrating what to do, when to do it, and most importantly, how to do it. A knowledge of Business Etiquette will give you the tools you need to be the best you can be.

What are some of the areas that Business Etiquette covers?
 The secrets of good grooming and appropriate dress and accessories for every occasion.
 How to self promote for the job you want and then shine at the interview.
 The ‘make-or-break’ of handshakes and how to make smooth and effective introductions.
 Business card ‘exchange etiquette’ both for Australian and overseas clients
 How to be a champion conversationalist and make interesting chit-chat and small talk— recognise the right time to discuss business—and how to close the deal.
 Name taking and the art of successful ‘mixing and mingling’—how to be more confident in social and business situations—how to move into a ‘sphere of influence’ to increase the number of names you hear, the number of names you remember and the number of names you get to invoice later.
 How to build rapport with a client and continue to impress with follow-up written communication.
 Electronic etiquette for optimal communication between you and your clients, maximum sales and service flow-on.
 How to conduct a formal meeting.
 Wining, dining and winning—how to seat and host a successful business function.
 Your role as a guest—how to be the ‘best guest!’
 How to treat international guests.
 Why breakfast is the best meal for business entertaining.
 When and how to propose a toast, deal with nerves, respond with something amusing or witty.
 When to smoke and when to joke.
 And more…

How can your business benefit from a knowledge of Business Etiquette?
Today’s Business Etiquette is very different from that of even ten years ago so it’s not surprising that there are occasions that leave us wondering what is the ‘right’ or wrong’ thing to do. It’s important not only to nurture existing business relationships, but to increase your client base through a knowledge of more polished presentation and professional etiquette skills—because unfortunately, ‘you never get a second chance to make a first impression’.