10 Rules To Live and Work By

Business Etiquette

Etiquette— n

1. the customs or rules governing behavior regarded as correct or acceptable in social or official life

2. a conventional but unwritten code of practice followed by members of any of certain professions or groups: medical etiquette

What is Etiquette?

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition 2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.

•Shows respect•Professional• Improves Relationships•Confidence

Why Bother?

#1 When in Doubt, Introduce Others

When in Doubt, Introduce Others

What to include:• Name• Title• Location within the

Organization• Background• Points of common

professional interest

What not to include:• political affiliation• religious affiliation• hobbies that have

nothing to do with the person’s profession.

Introductions

• Go for the thumb• Firm, but not crushing• Brief

A handshake is still the professional standard

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amber-rae/5247441702/

#3 Always say “Please” and “Thank you”

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/3354726208/

stuartgilbert.deviantart.com 

#4 Don’t Interrupt

When is it ok to interrupt?

#5 Language is Important

Language is Important

# 6 Don’t walk into someone’s office unannounced

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Please_Knock_sign.pngBy Editor at Large (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

#7 Don’t Gossip

Dealing with Gossip at Work

#8 Acknowledge Others

#9 Be On Time

Why are people late?• Poor Time

Management• Distractions• Underestimate

other activities• Different views of

what it means to be “on time”

• Don’t feel it’s important

Be on Time

What can you do to improve?• Prioritize• Set alarms • Predict • “On Time” is

late• Set a positive

impression

• In Meetings:

# 10 Show Genuine Interest

Don’t use your cell phoneLook at the person talking

• In people:

• In ideas:

Listen and respond carefully, and be patient

Stay open