This document discusses the importance of etiquette in corporate settings. It provides guidance on proper etiquette for meetings, phone use, interruptions, punctuality, and giving credit to others. Following rules of etiquette can enhance one's professional reputation and career opportunities by making a good impression, boosting teamwork and leadership skills, and building strong relationships with both coworkers and customers. Mistakes may happen, but being polite, respectful, and consistent will increase one's credibility over time.

2. An overview
 Corporate etiquette
 Meetings
 The pesky phone
 Interruptions
 Punctuality
 …and finally…
 Business Cards
 Giving Credit

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

10. Before the Meeting
 Give plenty of notice
 Purpose and agenda
 Time and place
 Duration
 Who should attend
 Who will do minutes

11. 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

12. 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

15. 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

16. 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!

18. 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

20. 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

21. 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

24. 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

25. Summary
 Etiquette is
 Respect
 Politeness
 Cultural awareness
 Putting others at ease
 Following the rules

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