Business Etiquette

Greeting and meeting peopleProfessional Social Situations

Telephone and E-mail tipsCell phone and Internet

Business Attire

General Etiquette in meeting and greeting people

• Always be polite & professional (mature)• Say “thank you”, “excuse me”, and “nice to

meet you”• Do not check messages on your cell phone• Make proper introductions for people in your

group• Refer to everyone by proper name or formal

title

Etiquette in a Business setting

• Be on time for appointment/interview• Make sure to shake hands with right hand (firm not

painful)• Shake hands no more than twice• Stand to shake hands • Make & Retain eye contact• Repeat the person’s name at least once during

conversation • If guest is from another country, don’t try to use a native

greeting in their language www.ehow.com/way_5271094

Professional Social Situations• Always say your full name• Always stand when you’re being introduced to

someone• Only say “thank you” once during a conversation• Send separate thank you notes to everyone involved

(within 24 hours)

The Essentials of Business Etiquette by Barbara Pachter

                                                            

Shannon Cheng via Flickr

Professional Social Situations

• Never pull out someone chair for them• Keep your fingers together when you point• Don’t cross your legs• Always break bread with your hands

Professional Social Situations• Do not push away or stack your dishes• Never ask for a to-go box• Keep the food options balanced with your guest• If the host follows certain dietary restrictions, consider the

restaurant they’re taking you before ordering

Professional Social Situations

• Know where to properly place plates and silverware

• The host should always pay• Prepare a polite exit

Email tips

• Be clear & specific• Be prompt & respond to important email• Use a clear subject line to name/clarify what your email

is about• Add important directions words to the subject line when

an email needs special attention• Be very careful and restrained about forwarding jokes

and other non-work related material• Include one topic per email• Decide carefully who should be cc-ed on email

Email tips

• If you need to clarify or resolve a conflict or a misunderstanding

• Minimize your use of BLOCK or bold to highlight words

• Include an email “signature”• Keep the email short as possible• Make the point in the first vertical inch

Telephone Tips

• Make sure you speak clearly & are smiling as you answer the phone; identify yourself

• Before placing a caller on hold, ask their permission first and thank them

• Do not forget to return the call as you promised

• Do not permit the phone to ring into the office more than three times

Telephone tips

• Always use a pleasant, congenial and friendly tone.

• Never interrupt the person while he/she is talking to you

• Never engage in an argument with a caller• Do not handle an unhappy caller’s concern

openly at the check-in/checkout desk• Do not make it a habit of receiving personal calls

at work

Telephone Tips

• Do not answer the phone if you are eating or chewing gum

• Do not give the impression that you are rushed.

• Learn how to handle several callers simultaneously with ease and grace

• Return calls promptly that have been oft on vice mail and ansafones

Telephone Tips

• Always get the best number and the best time to return a call

• Do not ever leave a message with someone else or voice mail regarding details of a delinquent account. (call accounting department instead)

• Always make collection calls in private away from customers in your office

• Provide a telephone for patients/customs/clients to use with some privacy

Telephone Tips

• Do not call a patient, customer or client’s home before 8:00 AM o after 9:00 AM, unless given permission

• When hanging up phone, make sure the caller or person called hangs up first.

• Hang the phone down gently• Use a headset at the office

Business Attire

• Make a good first impression• 55% of another person’s perception of you is

based on how you look• Dress for the job you want, not the job you

have• 75% of recruiters believe that how a person

dresses for work affects one's job, salary and possible promotions

Business Attire

• Your first impression is always a lasting impression

• Shop smart

Women’s Attire

• Look up the specific for women:• skirts, jewelry, suits, shirts, basic essentials,

grooming, shoes, socks/ hosiery, accessories• What is business ready?• What is business casual?• Find do and don’t examples for women

Men’s Attire

• Look up the specifics for men:• Suits, shirts, jewelry, ties, patterns, colors,

shoes, socks, grooming, accessories,• What is business professional?• What is business casual?• Find do and don’t examples for men

Group Presentation

• You will look up information on business attire for men and women. You will work in a group of 3 or 4 for two to three days to look up the information and then present it in some form:

• Prezi, by dressing up, PowerPoint, brochure, poster, etc.

• You will present this on Thursday of this week