http://mercedesfim.blogspot.com/
While browsing blogs I found this great site that talks all about business etiquette. Some very important tips like these below:
n the USA, we live in a business casual world but everyone seems to forget the first word is still ‘business.’ As such, we have to mind our manners which is my preferred word for etiquette. Having good manners will help you regardless of the business you are in. Any time you make contact with an other human being you are making a mini-presentation of yourself and people react to that.
I keep hearing more and more from top executives that people skills are very important, and in many cases more important than the technical skills. Most of the time people are not promoted based on their lack of social skills. But how can you mind your manners, if you don’t know what proper manners are?
Learning the rules of business etiquette isn’t hard to do, it’s not costly, and it’s the best professional development tool any business person can use to increase their chances for success. People truly desire to do business with those that have an exceptional repertoire of etiquette skills. It's well worth the investment -- it pays back in spades.
Here are some pointers to keep your manners sharp.
The importance of a name: There is so much informality in the workplace today that in many offices business is lost, and goodwill destroyed because of total disregard for how to properly address a client. The proper way to address a client you are first meeting is to greet them with their title and family name. It is up to the client to say, “Richard, enough of my last name. From now on, call me Laura.” Or they can simply say, “Please, call me Laura.”
The proper way to refer to a woman in business is “Ms.” regardless of their marital status. Only when you have confirmed that a client is married should you call her “Mrs.” Generations of people in both the social and business worlds, particularly in the South and Southwest, were brought up to begin or end every conversation with a “Sir” or “Ma’am.” But in the business world train yourself instead use “Yes, Mr. Smith,” or “Yes, Ms. Jones.”
What’s in a Name: It’s sad but true we’ve become a nation of name-mumblers when we introduce ourselves or other people. We need to slow down and pronounce our names slowly, clearly and distinctly. At first it may feel as if you are exaggerating your name but you are really helping the other person and improving communication.
Take the time and make the effort to pay attention to the name of the person when you are being introduced to. A person’s name means everything to them. To build rapport with a client, mention their name at least three times during the conversation. It will help you remember their name and it will help you make a connection – they will remember you.
Meeting and Greeting in the Business World: One of the effective tools with which anyone in business can be armed is the art of meeting and greeting people. You have to make an effort and learn to step forward. For example, you see someone you know you’ve met before you can reach out warmly, shake their hand and say, “Marjorie! Maria Caceres, great to see you again!” By giving her own name, Maria has helped Marjorie just in case she forgot her name. Don’t make people sweat it out and wait for the look of torture on their face.
The Proper Handshake: A non-verbal means of communication in business is by touch and the most acceptable touch is your handshake. So, how important is a handshake? It is very important, especially in business! It’s your first and most likely only physical contact with someone.
Therefore, pay attention to your handshake since it says so much about you. For example, a firm and strong handshake suggests that you are decisive, a decision maker that takes charge of the situation. When you shake hands with someone how has a weak, slippery or lifeless handshake it makes you think – dead fish!
Some rules for shaking hands: extend your hand with the thumb up, clasp the other person's entire palm, give two or three pumps from the elbow, avoiding both the painful ''bone crusher'' and the off-putting ''wet fish,'' and look at the person directly in the eyes with a smile.
The Art of Introducing People: People hate making introductions because they usually don’t know how to make them. In business introductions are determined by precedence. The person who hold the position of highest authority in an organization takes precedence over others who work there. For example, you introduce your company’s president to a colleague.
The basic rule is: the name of the person of greater authority is always spoken first. The name of the person of lesser authority is always spoken last. For example, “Mr./Ms. Greater Authority, I would like to introduce Mr./Ms. Lesser Authority.” A second example, would be: the name of the Senior Executive is always spoken first. The name of the Junior Executive is always spoken last. “Mr. Senior Executive, I would like to introduce Mr. Junior Executive, from the accounting department. Mr. Senior Executive is our Director of Public Relations.”.. more . . .
Thanks to Mercedes Alfaro for this great info.
technorati tags:business+networking, handshake, etiquette, business+skills, business+etiquette, professionalism
