Every business person needs to know and practice business etiquette to make a professional statement and excel in their careers. Some of these rules are so common but still, we forget to exercise them.
With the rising popularity of remote workplaces, office environments are becoming more flexible and compromising.
However, still, business etiquette is important and necessary to make workplaces conducive and more productive.
Here are the six things that you should know about business etiquette.
1. Be A Professional
Being a businessperson, it’s your responsibility to dress appropriately according to the demand of the occasion. Don’t show up in inappropriate attire on office premises.
However, the nature of the work is the leading factor that decides how a person should be dressed. Some industries allow workers to dress casually, while others strictly follow the formal dress code.
Business communication is formal and direct. Be professional while having face-to-face contact, telephonic conversations, and sending emails.
Keep your conversations to the point and get a grip on the subject. You must know what you’re talking about and how it would affect another person. The same applies to written communication; always write short and crisp messages and don’t beat about the bush.
Many educational institutes also focus on grooming business students while delivering knowledge of the business world. For instance, an online MBA program can prepare you well for joining the business sector by polishing your skills.
2. Be Polite and Greet Everyone
One of the basic business etiquettes is to greet everyone whom you meet. A simple “Hello, how are you?” and “Good morning” can serve the purpose.
Be polite and treat everyone with the same degree of kindness, it will help you to foster positive bonds with colleagues and other people. Positive gestures like a smile and a simple nod are also good starters.
Make sure to establish eye contact while sending greetings. However, you can add more to strike a conversation and develop a friendship and pleasant, professional relationship. The key to starting a conversation is to ask open-ended questions where they can answer your questions in detail.
Though, be considerate towards others at the same time and don’t force conversations if they are not interested and are in a rush at the moment.
3. Always Show on Time
Time management is a crucial asset these days. No one likes a person who shows up late and does not know how to handle responsibilities within set timelines.
Make sure you confirm the timings of a meeting a day ahead and be vigilant enough to attend it on time. If you are habitual to arrive late, it shows your disrespect and inconsideration toward others. On the flip side, don’t show up too early either. It is an ideal approach to reach 5-10 minutes before your appointment.
Missing deadlines can result in serious consequences, not for you but also your team. Track your daily progress towards a task to ensure its submission in time. If you fail to manage time and run behind your schedule, make sure you inform your supervisor or concerned person in time about the missing deadline.
4. Proofread Written Messages
If you are engaged in written communication more than verbal interactions, pay attention to typos and grammar mistakes. Each message sets and reflects a tone of a sending person; make sure your emails and letters are well-written and display professionalism.
Make a habit of reading your messages repeatedly and passing them through language correction tools. You can also make use of pre-installed features in the software to avoid typos and grammar errors.
For example, the Grammarly extension is a useful tool to check your email before sending it. It only takes a few seconds and saves you from embarrassment later on.
5. Show Positive Attitude
Don’t be a complainer all the time; nobody likes a negative person. If you face any challenge that needs to be addressed, don’t simply complain.
Always show a positive attitude and look for ways to resolve issues and improve the system. Think before you speak and always adopt a wise approach to a problem.
Remember that it cannot vanish with your criticism and complaining; it needs an alternative and a solution.
Your positive attitude can change an existing error into a chance of upgrading the system and current operations.
However, in case of violation of the moral code of conduct and workplace regulations, you can approach the concerned authority for the redressal of the complaint.
6. Be Mindful of Non-Verbal Cues
Your non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, body language, and hand gestures play a significant role in your image and perception. Everything from your furrowed brow to a body posture is a form of nonverbal communication.
Stand straight and sit properly while showing a smiling face. Please don’t overdo it, though. A nod while actively listening to a conversation signifies your interest and positive engagement.
Don’t interrupt another person in the middle of the conversation; wait for them to wrap up their point or make a hand gesture to show them that you want to add something.
Conclusion
Keep yourself updated with other cultures, especially when you have a multicultural setup in different locations, whether in the same country or foreign countries.
Knowledge of global business etiquette can save you from making embarrassing mistakes. Moreover, it can also help you develop rapport and understanding of other business sectors outside of your country.
