Business etiquette is in essence about building relationships with people. In the business world, it is people that influence your success or failure. Etiquette, and in particular business etiquette, is simply a means of maximising your business potential.
If you feel comfortable around someone and vice versa, better communication and mutual trust will develop. This comfort zone is realised through presenting yourself effectively. Business etiquette helps you achieve this.
Business etiquette revolves around two things. Firstly, thoughtful consideration of the interests and feelings of others and secondly, minimising misunderstandings. Both are dependent upon self conduct. Business etiquette polishes this conduct.
Business etiquette varies from region to region and country to country. For the international business person, focusing too deeply on international business etiquette would leave no time for business. However, there are some key pillars upon which good business etiquette is built.
Behaviour
Your manners and attitude will speak volumes about you. They will point to your inner character. If you come across selfish, undisciplined or uncouth your relationship is unlikely to prosper. Appropriate business etiquette promotes positive traits.
Honesty
A reputation for delivering what you say will deliver goes a long way in the business world. Remember, a reputation for integrity is slowly gained but quickly lost. Understanding a particular country’s business etiquette provides a framework in which you can work without fear of crossing boundaries in terms of agreements, promises and contracts.
Character
Your character refers to what you as an individual bring to the business table. Proper business etiquette allows you to exhibit your positive qualities. For example, knowing when to be passionate and not emotional or self-confident without being arrogant. Just through learning another’s business etiquette you demonstrate an open-mindedness which will earn respect.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity and consideration underlie all good business etiquette. Being prepared for foreign ways and methods and responding thoughtfully is achieved through experience and business etiquette know-how. By avoiding misunderstandings and misinterpretations through business etiquette you lay foundations for a strong business relationship.
Diplomacy
Avoiding thoughtless words and actions protects you from negative consequences. Impulse often leads a business person astray. Business etiquette encourages the careful thought of the interests of others and choosing acceptable forms of expression.
Appearance
Dressing appropriately, standing and sitting in the right place at the right time, good posture and looking physically presentable are all elements in making a good impression. Business etiquette teaches you how to suitably present yourself and what to avoid.
Analysing, understanding and implementing the above will help you recognise what business etiquette is and how it should be employed within the business world.
For the international business person business, etiquette acts as a key. It locks the doors of poor communication and misunderstandings and opens doors to successful business relationships.
By: Neil Payne
Business Etiquette
by adminBusiness Letter Closings – Are You Sincere, Faithful or True?
by admin
Business letter closings are part of a standard format but are subject to several variations. Sometimes called the “complimentary close”, business letter closings vary by geography, type of letter and sometimes relationship of the writer to the recipient. In learning how to write a business letter, pay attention to all three in choosing your close. Your choice can change the tone of your business letter, creating a more or less formal or friendly message. Depending on your standing with the recipient, as well as the part of the world you are both in, this can make a difference in how your message is received.
Geography
In the U.K., business letters almost always adhere to long standing tradition and close with Yours faithfully, while in North America and Australia, Yours sincerely is the norm. You’ll also see Yours truly on some letters.
Type of Letter
Formal business letter closings generally use the complete phrase, such as Yours truly, and sometimes it will be amplified to Yours very truly. Letters to professionals of high standing, such as judges or senior government officials, may close with Respectfully. In diplomatic circles, business letter closings can be quite elaborate and unusual, e.g. Your obedient servant!
Relationship
When writer and recipient know each other well, more casual closings are acceptable in North America and Australia, and sometimes even in the U.K. Popular choices include Best Regards, Regards, Cordially.
In all variations of business letter closings, the first letter of the first word is capitalized, but the second is not, e.g. Yours sincerely, not Yours Sincerely.
By: Helen Wilkie
10 Credos for Doing Business
by admin
Opportunities for doing business can increase if your values match the values which your customer holds. So what are the best ways for doing business through relationships? Here is the list of the ten best ways that I have come across through my own and others personal experience:
Always listen to the other person Give away information that will help the other person in writing Dress professionally Have a business card that is not homemade Provide many ways to contact you including your web address and email Have a nice looking website with good content Always answer your emails and queries promptly Create touch points that are meaningful Build the relationship before trying to sell Be focuses on your expertise and do not try to be everything
Your message must be clear and concise yet it must create an excitement about what you have to say and what services you provide. The next topic will give you a list of the best ways to create that excitement.
The first point is always the most difficult for people as we all have a tendency to want to talk about our own business and what is happening within our own world. I always remember the sales folks I want to avoid because they cannot stop talking about how great their product is. I could not care less about the product, what I want is what can that product do for me and how can it help to solve my problems.
By: Bette Daoust, Ph.D.
