The document provides etiquette tips for various business situations including meetings with clients and superiors, business appointments, visiting other offices, and business meetings. Some key points covered include introducing clients before superiors, dressing appropriately for the workplace, using titles and surnames for superiors, being punctual and thanking hosts. Proper etiquette in meetings involves arriving prepared, speaking concisely, and maintaining good posture.

1. Business Etiquette Lecture Four

2. Business Etiquette Test Your boss, Ms. Andrews, enters the room when you’re meeting with a client, Mr. Block. You rise and say “Ms. Andrews, I’d like you to meet Mr. Block, our Montreal client” You answer the phone for a peer who’s available, and ask “Who’s calling please?”

3. Business Etiquette Test In a restaurant, you drink thin soup served in a cup with no handles The male pays when he’s having a business meeting at a restaurant with a female colleague When you greet a visitor in your office, let him sit where he wishes

4. Business Etiquette Test You leave a luncheon meeting after two hours You’re scheduled to meet an associate for a working lunch. If your associate hasn’t arrived after thirty minutes, you order and eat Name tags should be placed on the right shoulder

5. Business Etiquette Test It’s proper to give business cards to everyone at business meetings It’s unacceptable to discuss food preferences at employer receptions It’s appropriate to take phone calls while in meetings

6. Business Etiquette Test It’s important to hold doors open for women It’s okay not to attend office parties It’s correct for women to extend their hands when greeting others

7. Who’s First in introduction? When making an introduction, introduce the person who is being presented last. Keep in mind that social etiquette is based on chivalry (politeness) so in a social situation we defer (postpone) to people based on gender and age by introducing women first and then those oldest

8. Who’s First in introduction? Business etiquette is different because it is based on hierarchy Gender and age play no role but rank and authority do The rule is that people of lesser authority are introduced to people of greater authority: “Mr./Ms. CEO, I would like to introduce Mr./Ms. Junior Executive

9. Who’s First in introduction? Remember eye contact Look and speak to the greater authority first; look at and speak to the lesser authority second

10. One Important Exception The “who’s first” general rule is that no one, not even the CEO of your company, is more important than your client. A client is always more important than those in your company

11. One Important Exception The same goes for an elected official: “Mr. Muldoon, I would like to introduce Ms. Cooper, our chief executive officer. Mr. Muldoon is our client from Dublin.” And “State Representative Jones, I would like to introduce Ms. Cooper, our chief executive officer”

12. What Do You Say? Same as a regular introduction: If someone introducing you mispronounces your name or gives you the wrong title….

13. You Say… “ Jim is not the first person to have trouble pronouncing my name. It’s…(give the correct pronunciation).” And: “I’m afraid Jim has given me a promotion (or demotion). Actually, I’m now (give current title) Humour always helps and shows that you are not making a big deal out of it

14. In a Business Atmosphere Avoid… Expressing negative attitudes. If you are feeling and thinking negatively, your mindset will find expression in surliness (coldness), bad temper, and general unpleasantness Brown Paper Bag Analogy

15. In a Business Atmosphere Avoid… Wearing inappropriate clothing. Although we like to think that we judge others by their behaviour and not their appearance, it remains true that we base our opinions of others, to a large degree, on what we see Club/Bar Clothes vs. Work Clothes Example: Steamwhistle Interview

16. In a Business Atmosphere Avoid… Failing to make introductions. Allowing someone to stand around without introducing him or her can make everyone present feel uncomfortable Disregarding social courtesies. Forgetting to say please, thank you, and excuse me, and failing to perform other common civilities makes colleagues and superiors doubt your judgment

17. In a Business Atmosphere Avoid… Criticizing others in public. Generally, the criticizer comes off looking worse than the person being criticized Taking messages carelessly. Making people wait. Pronouncing names wrong or forgetting names altogether.

18. In a Business Atmosphere Avoid… Using vulgar and inappropriate language. Giving someone the runaround, which means things like ducking responsibility and giving vague or conflicting answers Example

19. Business Appointments and Functions Don’t scatter things around. Keep files on your lap. Put your briefcase or handbag on the floor or keep it on your lap. Don’t put things or touch things on the other person’s desk

20. Business Appointments and Functions Complimenting people on their appearance is perfectly correct if the compliment is sincere. At the office however, you’re best to compliment the work, not the clothes

21. Faux Pas Don’t give false compliments Don’t tell polite lies to people at social functions

22. Faux Pas Example: “You look fabulous” can sound hollow when a person says it too often. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you” can be better than an insincere “It’s great to see you” People will detect your insincerity, no matter how good of an actor you think you may be.

23. The Least You Need to Know Researchers say that people skills are more important than either technical skills or knowledge for advancement in the business world Gender plays a minor role in business relationships. Rank plays the major role 71-73 cents to a dollar

24. The Least You Need to Know When in doubt about how to dress, take your clues from the people who are running your company Before buying any piece of clothing, consider the position you hold and the specific business environment, as well as factors such as climate, geography and occasion

25. The Least You Need to Know When complimenting someone, make sure you are sincere. When accepting a compliment, graciously say thank you. Don’t argue the point.

26. Your Superiors Top management sets the tone of the workplace and the relationships within the workplace This includes how people dress and how they address each other This protocol probably won’t be written anywhere, you will have to learn by observing those around you

27. Your Superiors Address your superiors as Mr. or Ms., followed by the surname, not as sir or madam. Don’t use first names unless and until you are specifically invited to do so.

28. Your Superiors Even then, be careful. Just because you have been invited to use the boss’s first name or have had lunch or a golf game with him or her, don’t assume that an intimate or even good ‘pal’ relationship exists between you…

29. Your Superiors Remember that relationships in the American business world are based on rank, and rank should always be observed and acknowledged.

30. Visitors When you receive a visitor in your office, remember that you are the host and act accordingly Greet your visitor cordially, which means that you or your secretary should go out to the reception area to meet the guest Shake hands, make whatever introductions are necessary and escort the visitor to the office

31. Visitors If you stay in your office to receive the visitor, be sure to come out from behind your desk to greet him or her, or better still, meet the person at the door, usher the visitor in, and show him/her where to sit

32. Visiting Don’t be late. If you happen to be, apologize and explain When you tell the receptionist your name and mission, also present your business card if you have one Ask where you can hang your coat if you have one

33. Visiting In the office, wait to be told where to sit. If there are a number of chairs, ask which one you should use Don’t remain standing if your host is seated Don’t lay papers or documents on the desk or the floor Put your briefcase or handbag on the floor beside you

34. Visiting Don’t fiddle with or touch anything on the desk Leave promptly when your business is completed Send a thank-you note for the meeting within 24 hours and try to make the thank-you note not look like a generic ‘cookie-cutter’ product

35. Thank you Note Example Dear Helen: Thank you for making time yesterday to help me out with the Andersons projections. Your insights are very much appreciated. Best Regards, Tom Walker

36. Business Meeting Etiquette How to succeed in meetings: Be prepared! Do your homework! Do not be late! Arrive a little early if possible, and enter the room with confidence

37. Business Meeting Etiquette How to speak at meetings: Think before you speak, and concision is the key (be concise) Avoid confrontation. Use positive language. Never start a point with “This might be a bad idea, but…”

38. Business Meeting Etiquette Use “we” as much as possible, especially when discussing the work or your team or department Take credit for work when it is due to you, but only if you are also willing to take responsibility for mistakes Be organized! Have your notebooks, laptop, pens, agenda, etc. all ready to go when the meeting starts

39. Business Meeting Etiquette Keep briefcases and purses on the floor, behind your feet. DO NOT place them on the table or on an empty chair next to you Keep your dress jackets and ties on Don’t slouch, sit up straight Don’t cross your arms

40. Business Meeting Etiquette Don’t doodle with your pen, don’t play with paperclips, and maintain an appearance of high energy no matter how dull or boring the meeting is