Practicing corporate etiquette helps an individual to create a positive impact, which is a way to demonstrate respect for others and sometimes also to instill a sense of pride in the company. Failure to follow the common corporate/business etiquette practices can also dissuade customers and businesses from wanting a relationship with your organization, since poor etiquette practices can signal that your organization may be unprofessional.
2. Etiquettes
A set of conventional rules of personal behaviour in polite society, namely in
the form of an ethical code that describes the accepted and expected social
behaviours, usually accords with the conventional and norms observed by a
society or by a social class.
3. Corporate Etiquettes
“It refers to a set of rules an
individual must follow while
he/she is at work”
Also it refers to behaving sensibly
and appropriately at the
workplace to create an everlasting
impression.
4. Importance of Corporate Etiquettes
Practicing corporate etiquette helps an individual to create a positive
impact, which is a way to demonstrate respect for others and sometimes
also to instill a sense of pride in the company. Failure to follow the
common corporate/business etiquette practices can also dissuade
customers and businesses from wanting a relationship with your
organization, since poor etiquette practices can signal that your
organization may be unprofessional.
5. Types of Etiquettes :
● Email Etiquette
● Written Communication
● Telephone Etiquette
● Meeting Etiquette
● Customer service etiquette
● Workplace etiquette
● Visitor etiquette
● Business etiquette by culture
6. Email etiquette
● Email can be fast and informal, etiquette dictates a more
professional approach with business emails.
● Use complete sentences, reference attachments, make subject
lines relevant and include signature blocks with full contact
information.
● Avoid unnecessarily CC-ing multiple parties
● Use caution when forwarding materials that might be sensitive.
● Remember, corporate/business email is just that - don't use it
for jokes, personal correspondence, spam or sharing political
opinions.
7. Written Communication
● The ways in which written communications are handled require a nod toward good
etiquette practices.
● Address letters and emails following standard business letter writing formats, using,
"Ms.," "Mr." or "Dr."
● Use formal language and grammatically correct sentence structure, and a sign-off that
reads, "regards," or "sincerely."
● Make note of those copied on correspondence and use the professional courtesy of
ensuring all necessary information is included before sending.
8. Telephone etiquette
● Ensure the call is handled promptly, even if the called person
is not on desk.
● Apologize for the called person’s absence but ask if the caller
requires any assistance.
● Wherever possible, ask the caller’s name and contact number
and assure the called person will respond back at the earliest.
● Find if you can be of any assistance or whether the call can be
diverted to another staff who could help.
● Always answer with a polite ‘hello’ instead of a curt ‘hi’ or
other word.
● Be very selective in use of your words. Sometimes, it could be
your boss calling for some work.
9. Meeting Etiquette
● When it comes to business meeting etiquette, it's all about
common courtesy and manners.
● Arrive on time, stay on point with the agenda or moderator's
direction, take turns speaking and don't over-talk or interrupt.
● Be prepared for meetings as a way to demonstrate your
respect for others' time.
● Don't allow yourself to be distracted, even if agenda items don't
apply directly to you or your work.
● Business etiquette requires undivided attention.
● If you are using an electronic device to take notes,
● Make it clear that's what you're using the device for.
10. Customer service etiquette
● Greet all customers with a smile. Guide them to a seat if possible. Offer a drink
of water. Such etiquette calms down even the most rancorous visitor.
● Be very patient. Not all customers are there with grievances. Some may have
excellent suggestion that can help your business flourish.
● Speak amicably. Meaning, never get into an argument with a customer either on
or away from your premises.
● Avoid raising your voice at all costs. The person can feel humiliated and will bay
for revenge. You could end up with a lawsuit on your hands. It also sends ugly
signals to others, including your staff. Should you encounter a boisterous visitor,
lead away to privacy of a room and chat amicably.
● Offer a beverage such as coffee, tea or a soft drink. Invariably, this tact cools
down even the most incensed customer.
11. Workplace Etiquette
● Inform all staff about ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ at the office.
● Encourage a system of greeting one-another, especially when one arrives for work or
leaves for the day.
● Create an atmosphere of confidence
● Nip unhealthy gossip.
● Maintain a proper dress code.
● Smart attire is fine but also ensure your staff do not arrive in sagging clothes that stink
of stale sweat.
● Promote avenues for healthy interaction.
● Never allow personal disputes to erupt into verbal duels at workplace
12. Visitor Etiquette
● Have the visitor led to a person concerned with these works.
● Make the visitor feel welcome to your office by offering a seat and a drink of water, if
possible.
● Engage such visitor in small talk for a minute or so.
● Remember, such talk greatly serves to relieve the stress of a mailman or electrician.
● Never dismiss such visitors as menial.
● Instead, accord them the same welcome as you would a business associate.
● Never admonish a worker for some work left incomplete or wrong repairs.
● Hurting their ego will not serve your purpose.
13. Business Etiquette by Culture
● A lot of emphasis is being laid upon etiquette of various ethnicities and cultures.
● Understandably, this is positive fallout of globalization of the world’s economy.
● The most complex business etiquette occurs in Asia. Rightly China, India, Japan, South
Korea and Thailand are fast emerging as major business destinations.
● Countries of West Asia, especially the six Gulf Cooperation Council states Kingdom of
Bahrain, State of Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman, and United Arab Emirates have opened
their doors to the modern world.
● The Asian countries have the most diverse business etiquette. For example, embracing
your male business associate is considered normal in the Arab world but is frowned
upon in South Asia.
14. Grooming Etiquettes
Your attire should reflect the setting, so if it’s a job interview, always wear a business suit
including a dark colour tie for men and a tailored skirt and blazer or a formal business dress
for a woman.
Ensure that your attire fits you well and it’s not hanging or too loose. The most important is all
items of clothing should be well ironed and looking clean and crisp. Always dress up to the
position you aspire to be, rather than dressing down.
● Consider appropriate color combinations
● Consider clothing length
● Wear appropriate shoes
● Avoid flashy and glittery clothing
● Hairstyles must be clean and decent
15. Need for Etiquette
● Etiquette makes you a cultured individual who leaves his mark wherever he goes.
● Etiquette teaches you the way to talk, walk and most importantly behave in the society.
● Etiquette is essential for an everlasting first impression.
● The way you interact with your superiors, parents, fellow workers, friends speak a lot
about your personality and up- bringing.
● Etiquette enables the individuals to earn respect and appreciation in the society.
● No one would feel like talking to a person who does not know how to speak or behave in
the society.
● Etiquette inculcates a feeling of trust and loyalty in the individuals. One becomes more
responsible and mature. Etiquette helps individuals to value relationships.
