May 18, 2012

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One Chance for a First Impression – Proper Business Etiquette

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Businesses and products have changed quite a bit over the past several decades. One thing has not: proper business etiquette. A key thing to remember is that people drive businesses. They always have. Being able to relate to decision makers in a business setting can be the difference between success and failure. Here are two keys to making a “killer” first impression to set the stage for a successful meetiing.

Overdress

There may be fewer fashion rules today when compared to twenty years ago. One thing remains constant. Fitting in with the norm doesn’t hurt. Doing some research before a meeting can pay off. If your counterpart is spending their time wondering why you are dressed inappropriately, they may never truly hear what you have to say. If the dress code at the place you visit is “T-shirt and jeans” it would not hurt to go one level above that for your meeting. In this case, perhaps, a dress shirt and jeans.  A suit and tie may be out of place in this office but being overdressed is almost always better than being under-dressed.

Be early

Being a little early for a meeting is rarely a bad thing. It is important to not waste people’s time. There are plenty of excuses that people use. Traffic, transportation, and family issues are frequently used excuses for tardiness. The person you are meeting with seldom truly cares about any of these things. They scheduled a meeting with you on a certain topic and that is what they are planning for. Don’t disappoint them.

It has been said that you have only one choice to make a first impression. Being dressed appropriately and being on time may seem like basic values but these two things could set you apart from the crowd. Showing proper business etiquette can be the difference between success and failure.

Filed Under: Businesses, Etiquette

Proper Business Etiquette for Negotiation

Proper business etiquette can have a big impact on many negotiations. It doesn’t matter which side of the table that you may be on, people are judged all the time during their interactions with others. Being fair or politically correct do not always drive results. Assessing the environment before a meeting and acting on that information could mean the difference between success and suffering.

Dress

Fashion can have a bearing on the outcome of negotiations. Many offices have casual Fridays or maybe they are casual everyday.  It is important to understand the relationship that needs to be built. It never hurts to be dressed slightly better than the people with whom you are meeting. If the office you will visit wears open dress shirts and slacks, a tie with a sportcoat or suit may be in order. Wearing a tuxedo or evening gown would be more than one level apart from the audience and could be seen as over the top.

Act with Respect

A good strategy when meeting people for the first time is to use as much respect as you can and wait for them to voice their expectations if they differ. For example, if an investor introduces himself as John Smith, you may call him Mr. Smith until he specifically asks to be referred to as John. Becoming over-familiar with someone you are negotiating with can change their attitude and their perception of you.

Keep it Simple

Dressing appropriately and treating others with respect may sound basic but these two factors can have a huge impact on those that you deal with. Your audience may not want to deal with you based on your actions regardless of the great deal that you have to offer. Using proper business etiquette when entering negotiations can give you the edge for success.

Filed Under: Etiquette

5 Essential Tips for Fostering Online Relationships

The majority of businesses that are in the world also have an online presence. Therefore, it’s important that the businesses owners know how to handle online relationships. Here are some of the best tips that you should remember when you are conducting business online and creating online relationships with customers online.

- Be certain that you are with the times. You should have very good software, training, and hardware, since they are the tools that are required for making online relationships work.
- Make sure that your day is structured so that information is discussed, exchanged, and shared easily. Minutes taken to search for information to send to a client can cost your company money. If you are going to send information to a potential client, they want that information quickly. When the client wants it, that isn’t the time to be searching for when they want.
- Don’t allow technology to get in your way. If your email isn’t working or seems too impersonal, use the telephone or even a letter. You should know how to use both of these effectively.
-Remember that you are doing business with real people, and they are expecting to do business with you as a real person. Make sure that you are keeping in touch with the contacts you have made through networking.
- Make sure that you are honing your writing skills because you are going to need them if you are sending real letters instead of an email. You should make sure that you are writing clearly and concisely, and the thoughts that you are writing need to be linked closely.

People who are doing their business online want to make sure that they are completely clear in what they are offering, have their information quickly, and keep in contact with their clients and potential clients. You should give your online relationships the same amount and care you would give any other relationship.

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Business Etiquette Mistakes That Make You Look Clueless

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You may have a dazzling resume and glowing credentials, but these are not enough to launch you into the big time. Competition in the business world is fierce, and it’s small mistakes that separate the so-so from the very best. Get these right and you won’t look like a clueless amateur.

1. Proper Accessories. Your accessories should match the level of your attire. When wearing a business suit, you need an appropriate watch, pen and wallet. Sports watches say “My mind is at the gym” and digital watches scream “I don’t know how to tell time yet”. Leave nylon and Velcro wallets for the little kids. Invest in a decent pen, especially if you might present it to someone to sign a document. Disposable pens make you look cheap and are just plain tacky.

2. Talking down to people. People do notice, and they do make judgments. You don’t need to be everyone’s best friend, but when you talk down to receptionists and demean the cleaning staff, word will get around. No one will think you are a high-powered businessperson with authority – they will think you are a self-centered jerk with no people skills. Business etiquette extends to all members of the business. If you want to be respected in the business world, you will also have to treat people with respect.

3. Elevator etiquette. It’s an old rule and an important one: ladies first, on and off. Unless the elevator is packed and you are nearest to the door and the only woman is at the back, wait for her to exit first. Despite what you may have heard, this did not go away in the 1970s and has nothing to do with equal rights for women. This is how it’s done in the business world, and failure to acknowledge this custom makes you look clueless.

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Not Just A Moral Thing – Etiquette In Business Help You Earn More Profits

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Proper business etiquette is something more than standing when your investors enter the room and doing polite chitchat after the negotiations have concluded. Business etiquette should reflect your desire to provide the best service to your customers. Ancient wisdom tells us that a person must be called great only when he or she does even small things in a disciplined and dedicated manner.

Even a fool can achieve great things by rising to the occasion. However, only a really great person can remain committed and disciplined even when doing small things. The same rule applies to businesses as well. A business that offers customer oriented service will not change its approach just because it is dealing with investors or employees. Rather, the service oriented approach will pervade each and every aspect of the functioning of the organization.

Proper business etiquette must be imbibed and must be something more than mere rituals conducted because the top management finds it necessary. Some organizations have the rule that all male employees ought to be addressed by name while all female employees ought to be addressed with a term of respect or courtesy attached. This business etiquette rule must be imbibed in each and every employee to such an extent that it comes naturally in the most positive way possible.

Many organizations make the mistake of thinking that these rules must be followed because it is morally right thing to do. Following proper business etiquette will always set you apart from your competition and will actually help you earn higher profits. If you are a part of a service industry, then etiquette can make a huge difference to the impression your customers end up with. Rather than treating it as if it were a formality, you should understand that there is a direct connection between the profits you earn and the etiquette you follow.

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