Corporate Etiquette Part I

Presenter: Sylvette Wake

An overview

Corporate etiquette

Meetings

The pesky phone

Interruptions

Punctuality

…and finally… Business Cards

Giving Credit

Corporate Etiquette

More than knowing which fork to use

The customary code of polite behavior in society or between members of a certain professional group

'Polish' to show you can be taken seriously

Being comfortable with different people and helping them be comfortable with you

Benefits of etiquette

Gives good professional impression about you

Good impression about your company

Great for teamwork

Enhances leadership qualities

Enhances promotional opportunities

Boosts career opportunities

Customer loyalty

Employee retention

Oops...now what?

We all make mistakes

Most etiquette blunders are unintentional

Honest, sincere communication usually can repair the damage

Best way is to be always professional and honest with everyone AHEAD of time

It's about the people

Don't differentiate between the CEO and the janitor: chat with everybody, ignore nobody

Make it a point to get to know people's lives-hobbies, families etc...and remember a few details

Keep a record/contact management data base

Be thoughtful: Birthdays, loss of loved one

Respect for all is the key

40% new management hires fail in first jobs… cannot build solid relationships

Consistency improves your credibility

The administrative assistant could become the new manager

Meetings

Before the Meeting

Give plenty of notice

Purpose and agenda

Time and place

Duration

Who should attend

Who will do minutes

The meeting

If you are the chair:

Stick to the agenda and politely keep people on topic

If discussion too in depth, or decision needs to be made only between 2 people, defer until later

Give everyone opportunity to give input

If you are a member:

Stay on topic, avoid too many anecdotes

After the meeting

Send out the minutes

Thank everyone for coming

Acknowledge their contributions

What decisions were made

Action items-who will do what.

Don't assign action item to absentee

The Pesky Phone

The pesky phone

Turn it on to meeting-all the time

Don't answer or SMS if talking to someone, or during lunch/meeting

Stressful to you and the person who has to wait

Telephone etiquette

Do return all calls

Do make sure mailbox system working properly

Do be polite...to everybody. That telemarketer may be your next boss!

Interruptions

Interruptions

Don't. Unless the building is burning down.

Discussions/meetings have a beginning and an end time. Interruptions use up valuable time

Apologize if you absolutely must interrupt

Punctuality

Punctuality

Make or break it issue

In the office: Be 5-10 minutes early for everything

Don't turn up at 11 for an 11am meeting

DO NOT BE LATE

Social situations

Parties/dinners at someone's home DO NOT BE EARLY or more than 30 minutes late

Golf dates: 10 minute early rule

Coffee, lunches: 10 minute early rule

…and finally…

Credit where credit is due

Do assign credit to coworkers whether they are in ear shot or not

Increases your credibility

Everyone frowns on self aggrandizement

Don't disparage your colleagues in the hope of elevating your stature in the eyes of the boss

Summary

Etiquette is

Respect

Politeness

Cultural awareness

Putting others at ease

Following the rules

Reference

Baldridge, L. (1993). Letitia Baldridge’s New Complete Guide to Executive Manners. New York: Macmillan.

Thank you