Personal Advancement
Basic etiquette can be key to successA friend of mine started her career in the insurance business. She worked for many years in small communities before she was transferred into a manager's position in London, Ont. VICKY SMITH |
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 [ 2005-03-09 ] |
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It was Christmas time, so she joined the London team for the Christmas party. The group was seated at a round table and the waiter took drink orders. My friend does not drink but heard other people ordering Singapore Slings, Grasshoppers and Mudslides. She quickly looked at the menu and decided she would order a shrimp cocktail.
The office joke
When she ordered, there were a few chuckles, but the laughter really broke out when her shrimp cocktail appetizer was brought out with everyone else's drinks.
Of course, this was the office joke for a few weeks.
Business etiquette is about presenting yourself with the kind of polish that shows you can be taken seriously.
It's also about being comfortable around people from diverse backgrounds and their being comfortable around you.
Understanding business etiquette related to business functions, casual Fridays and e-mails can enhance your professionalism and your career.
First impressions formed at a business dinner, a client meeting or golf game can make or break a key business arrangement.
We have 60 to 120 seconds to make a first impression and we want to make it a good one.
"Your image, how you look, carry yourself and dress can speak volumes about your mood, energy level and attitude," say Lewena Bayer and Karen Mallett, from the etiquette and protocol firm In Good Company.
"People do make capability judgments based on their impressions of your style and appropriateness of attire."
Wayne Foster, chief information officer of the Frouin Group of chartered accountants in Ottawa, offers suggestions on making a good impression in a social setting:
On casual Fridays, many business environments look like gym workout areas or night spots.
Mallett gives the following suggestions:
Ask yourself the following questions:
Does this clothing fit me properly? Is it too tight, too loose or too short? Does this article of clothing look worn-out or out of date? Am I dressed appropriately for my position and responsibilities?
The "first-impression" rule applies to e-mails as well. Chris Mitchell of Microsoft offers the following tips:
"Business etiquette is essentially about building relationships with colleagues, clients or customers. In the business world, it's these people that can influence your success or failure," Neil Payne says in an article entitled Business Meeting Etiquette.
"Etiquette, and in particular business etiquette, is simply a means of maximizing your business potential by presenting yourself favourably."
BUSINESS CARD ETIQUETTE
Always carry an ample supply of business cards.
Diane Craig, president of Image International in Toronto and Ottawa, trains executives and politicians in etiquette and public image.
"There is a right and wrong way to present a business card. It's always best to ask for someone's card before you offer yours," she says.
"Make sure the card is turned so the person you are handing it to can read it, because it's awkward for someone to have to turn it around."
Vicky Smith is owner of Contact Human Resource Group.
Which résumé faux pas have you been guilty of?