Unit 9: Business Etiquette (4/20) -- Communication@Work

Unit 9: Business Etiquette Learning Objectives After reviewing this information, you will be able to: - - - identify the importance of business etiquette - Introduction Good manners and a professional attitude is an important intangible skill in the work environment. Employers want to hire and your peers will want to work with friendly, pleasant, and polite people. These intangible skills are called Business Etiquette. Your personal behaviour is important in establishing and maintaining harmony and contributing to a positive and energetic work environment. Our earlier examination of specific writing skills (e.g., using courteous, polite, and passive language) touched on this concept in written language. Here, we will examine specific applications of etiquette associated with how you present yourself in social situations, what type of telephone manners you have, your professional appearance and other areas of business etiquette. Business Etiquette in Social Settings From business lunches to conferences, you may need to represent your company in a variety of social settings. If you are at such an event, remember your manners will be assessed. Though it may not be obvious, people will observe whether you use your utensils correctly, chew with your mouth closed, use your cell phone when others are speaking, or dress appropriately. Why does all this matter? You may think all of this has nothing to do with the quality of work; however, your business etiquette shows the extent to which you developed appropriate habits and are self-aware. Someone who chews with his/her mouth open, for instance, either lacks self-awareness or does not care what people think. Either way, that lack of self-awareness can lead to behaviors that will ruin the reputation of the company you represent. Here are some tips on proper etiquette in social situations. - Get to know the culture of your audience. For example, in Canada a firm handshake is expected, while in Japan a bow of the head is expected. - Include a brief description of your role in the company when introducing yourself to others. - Know basic dining etiquette: don’t order alcohol, order food that is easy to eat, leave business documents under your chair or in your briefcase until the entree plates have been removed. - Don’t use your cell phone until the meeting has concluded. - Stay away from controversial topics, like politics, religion and personal matters. - Don’t speak poorly of your employer or job. - Avoid profanity and be careful with humour. (Adapted from Business Communication Essentials, 2016). Knowledge Check Dressing Appropriately for the Workplace When we hear the word uniform, we often think of a very specific style such as what a police officer or nurse wears. In a general sense, however, we all wear uniforms of various styles in whatever professional or institutional environment we participate in. Dressing appropriately in those situations and in the workplace specifically has everything to do with