Business Etiquette

Savoir-vivre is commonly associated with table manners, but it is a much broader concept, and today in our article, we will focus on skills for handling business situations. Knowing them is essential for every manager today.

The professional environment is highly sensitive to impeccable posture and personal culture. Nobody wants to be interrupted during their speech, have someone arrive late for a meeting, or answer a phone during it. It's worth paying attention to a few basic rules, which in the future will help you avoid awkward situations and at the same time allow you to assess the level of culture in potential clients, colleagues, or employers.

The foundation is to start well; greetings, as simple as they may seem, have certain rules, following which will allow us to make a good first impression.

The person entering a place is the one who greets others; if a superior enters the room, a person of lower rank is obliged to stand up. When introducing oneself or others, always provide the first and last name of the person. If you shake hands, the handshake should be firm but not violent, and remember to never shake hands over a table or desk.

Women are always the first to offer to shake hands, as are older people or those of higher status and prestige. Patience never harmed anyone, and it's better to wait a while than to be perceived as pushy.

Coming to a meeting and there's no coatroom or hanger within reach – what to do with your jacket? It's appropriate to undress before entering the meeting; it's unacceptable to greet others while wearing a coat or hat. If you don't see a hanger within sight, it's worth asking where you can put your coat. Holding clothes on your lap will certainly not be a good solution.

External appearances are the basis without which, despite competence and experience, it will be difficult for you to establish cooperation. Remember that besides representing the company we work for, we also represent ourselves, and this should be our greatest motivation to choose the right outfit. Clothing must be neat, careful, and clean, and even adapted to the time of day. For example, a black suit is worn in the evenings, during the day we choose grey, ash, or navy.

For women, the black list includes miniskirts, tight clothes, bare shoulders, and shoes that expose toes or feet. Some other items that are frowned upon at work include long, loose hair, strong makeup and intense perfumes, long painted nails, and jewellery – such things are reserved for evening outings.

Business cards – to give or not, and if so, when and to whom? Of course, we give them, but always at the end of the meeting. Giving business cards should always be reciprocal, so always give your own in return for the interlocutor's card, and if you don't have one – explain why and promise to contact them. Writing on a given business card, contrary to popular belief, is not uncultured.

Does anyone remember that talking on the phone in the presence of others is a sign of inappropriate behaviour? If possible, it's best to turn off the phone during a business meeting. If we can't do that, we should inform our interlocutor that we are expecting an important message and mute the phone. Displaying the phone is considered just as inelegant as talking at the table.

Knowing these rules will allow us to move freely in the business environment, but certainly, it is not the only determinant of success. Always remember your personality and don't be afraid to be yourself.