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