A very
important and useful skill is the ability to behave
in business situations. Professional business environment is extremely
sensitive to issues of attitude and impeccable manners. Nobody would like to
interrupted his speech, late for a meeting or answer the phone. That is why it
is worth focus our attention on a few basic principles. Perhaps in the future thanks
to it you avoid embarrassing situations and by the way you are able to assess
the level of culture among potential clients and employers.
Greeting
It is said
that the first impression is the most important therefore accurate welcome is
very vital skill. It would seem that it is a simple thing but in this aspect
also apply the principles which we should know. The first should greet the one
who comes to the place. If in the room is a superior the person who is
lower-ranking should stand. During presenting yourself and others we must give
the name and surname of the person. We should remember also that shaking hand
must be steady and resolute but not violent and we shake hands not across desk.
What about women? Women decide to pull out a hand. The man should not impose
their courtesy and wait for the signal. Similar principles we should try apply
to the elderly, higher position and prestige person. Effrontery is not
acceptable. Also remember not to greet in the outwear or cap. In each company
should be for it the place and if we do not notice it we should ask for them.
Garment
As we all
know appearance in business is a strong base and aspect without which is
difficult for us to cooperate despite the highest competence and experience.
Being employees of the company we become its representation. It is worth to
remember that we also represent himself. This fact should be a motivation for
selecting the right outfit to the situation. First of all clothing must be
neat, tidy and matched to the appropriate time. Men should leave black suit for
only official events starting after 8 p.m. According to principle no brown after six after 6 p.m. brown
suits are not proper. During the day most suitable are colors: gray, brown,
navy blue. Women should surrender of many items of clothing and appearance
which in other situation would be considered as a typical. Avoid short skirts,
tight-fitting, too small clothes, blouses with bare shoulders and footwear
discovering toes or feet. Important aspect is the hair which. Long hair should
not be loose. Heavy makeup, intense
perfume, conspicuous jewelry or nails are also not acceptable.
Phones
Mobile phones
dominated the world to such an hardly extent that anyone remembers that
conversation in the presence of another person is a sign of lack of culture. Because
of this it is necessary to devote attention on this aspect in official
situations such as business meetings. If we have the possibility phone during a
meeting should turn the power off but if we do not do it we should mute the ringtone.
Urgent phones on which we wait can be answered only outside the room or the
office where the meeting take place and should be as short as it possible. In
case where the atmosphere on meeting is friendly and group of participants are
well know to us we can answer phone but we must be away maximum distance or use
principals for official situation so that dialogue does not interfere with
meeting other participants. Also keep the phone on the table during the meeting
does not make a good impression and proves bad habits. It may indicate to lack
of ability to manage own time. After the end of meeting we should call back all
missed calls, apologize and explain briefly why we did not answer the phone.
I encourage
you to watch a short video about business etiquette in 5 points.
Understanding
principles of business etiquette can be great help to navigate in business
environment. It is worth to know them but we must remember about being natural.
Sometimes occur situations for which savoir vivre does not give answer. We
should to be sure our behavior, have all advises in mind and behave pursuant to
good culture.
Have you ever
had a situation in which you did not know how to behave during the official
business situation? How do you get by with it?
Sources:
Comments
However, I think that savoir vivre rules can be divided into 2 groups: the ones that are linked with kindness and respect towards others, and the ones that are just some archaic, strange guidelines that have nothing to do with good manners.
It's very important for me that people I'm dealing with are nice, are not late, show respect towards others, etc. But rules like "no brown after six"? Who the hell cares what color of the suit are you wearing before or after 6? Or if you keep your hair loose (unless you're a nurse or a chef, of course)? It's also hard for me to understand why does it matter who reaches out his or her hand first during the greeting, especially that there are so many rules regarding age, gender, position...
I'm just glad that the rules of the second type are slowly disappearing; they're just illogical, annoying complications, in my opinion.
However professional behaviour is important all the time, it is the most important during business meetings with potential customers. Sometimes our presence is much more important than our offer and it is the factor that changes decisions about potential collaboration.
The way how much these customs vary depending on place/culture is just reinforcing the idea that 'Savior vivre' is a complete nonsense. But I guess nonsense is a core part of every culture and I need to deal with it.
And yeah good that some of them are disappearing but on the other hand I am afraid that some that are really crucial in social relationships will also disappear. I experienced today a lot of rude behaviour from a waiter in restaurant, and I was so shocked, because it was just something I thought everybody know not to do, especially when you work with people and they expect from you to be nice :P I'd love to be sure that good manners won't disappear for real :P
I agree with what some people before mentioned - a decent part of these rules might be considered obsolete. Although I think it's really important to be polite and know how to act - not only in business situations but also in every day life. But rules concerning garment seem a bit ridiculous. Well, maybe leaving black suit for official events sounds quite reasonable but I don't get what's wrong with a brown suit after 6 p.m. (brown suits are - in general - absolutely disgusting, but that's just my opinion :P )
Other than that I was told that when you don't know how to act in an official situation you should follow the host and wait for his of her sign.
time show respect and gain it. What I would add is the ability to listen when somebody is talking to you. Listen and try to understand other side point of view, I often came across people who got so much to say but dont give a banana to your response, that's so sad and annoying...
Haha, that's right - I have the same if I'm hungry, I approach differently to many issues. This type of trick can be useful in business :)
And lets not forget Asians, they have their own vision of what etiquette is.
Some times ago I had an obsession about savoir vivre. I must say that we - Polish people are, in my opinion, well-bred. Do you agree with me. I meet good behaviour all day. You recall principles and behaviours rather obvious for me. Of course your article moves very important principles and I'm glad for it.
Aforementioned rules are of course very important, but I think they're also really obvious. If a meeting is important for us we should dress appropriately to the situation and mute our phone instead of playing with it. It would be nice if we could use our good manners in every day life. I guess reading a book on savoir vivre could only help us in many situations. It's always good to be punctual, treat others with respect. All those "rules" can be easily found on the internet.