Focus On: Business Etiquette
Courtesy and Communicating - A Compelling Combo
Common etiquette is too often forgotten in the rush of doing business. Anyone can benefit from a reminder of good business manners in three key areas: technology use, professional appearance, and dining etiquette.
Tech Etiquette
As technology evolves, so does the etiquette for using these tools. Here is the current protocol for many devices.
• Leave the iPod at home or in the car unless the company culture specifically allows it.
• Never use the cell phone in meetings or public areas. Set phones to vibrate and don’t disrupt a conversation to take a call. No texting or picture taking, either.
• Set pagers and beepers to vibrate unless your job requires them to be on.
• Remember that all e-mail is retrievable even after being deleted. Be sure to check spelling, be concise, and use detailed subject lines before hitting the “send” button.
• Avoid sending proprietary information via fax. Never assume an important fax went through; confirm with a phone call.
• Never use a speakerphone to check messages. Save the speaker function for conference calls.
Dress for Success
What you wear communicates a complex nonverbal message. The basic rule for both men and women is to be neat, clean, and well groomed at all times. Use the guidelines below for specific business settings.
Business professional
Women: Suits (pants or skirts), silk blouses, stockings, closed-toed shoes, leather briefcase, and conservative color laptop cases.
Men: Suits, ties, Oxford shirts, lace-up shoes (but not sneakers), and a leather briefcase/laptop bag.
Business casual
Women: Blazers, skirts, dress pants, trouser socks, and closed-toe shoes.
Men: Jackets, dress slacks, and lace-up shoes or loafers. No golf shirts.
Dining Ps & Qs
Business meals require refined table manners from appetizer to coffee. The below rules offer some specific dos and don’ts.
• Treat servers with respect. Never snap your fingers to gain attention or call a server “honey,” “dear,” garçon,” or “boy.”
• Use a utensil instead of your fingers even for accepted finger foods like French fries.
• Don’t salt and pepper your food before tasting it.
• Cover a wineglass or coffee cup with your hand to avoid being served; don’t turn it upside down.
• Leave extra food on the plate; don’t ask for a doggy bag.
• Place your napkin on your lap after everyone has been seated.
• Use this mnemonic device to remember which articles on the table are yours: eat to your left, drink to your right.
• Pay the bill if you are hosting an event.
If you master these basics, you’ll make your way through work-related dining situations with grace.
Discussion: How would you determine a company’s dress code? What might you say to apologize if your cell phone accidentally rang in a business situation? How could you get a waiter’s attention if you need something during a lunch or dinner business meeting?
Source: Brody, M. (2006 ). The etiquette of how we communicate. Communication Briefings, 25(12).