National Business Etiquette Week June 5-11, 2011

Social Media Etiquette & Myths; Hated Business Behaviors

from ExpertClick

Research shows 86% of recruiters look at social media sites like Facebook (FB), Twitter, and LinkedIn to learn more about job applicants and 44% don’t hire applicants based on their findings.  “What you say and do online is just as important as what you say and do in the workplace. Whether you’re job hunting or gainfully employed inappropriate behavior can be a deal-breaker,” says Pattie McNiel, MS, and Founder of First Impressions Training, a global leader in business etiquette, civility, and international protocol since 2001 and the first protocol expert in America to offer Professional Business Etiquette, Chinese Culture, Manners, and Communication, and Civility workshops.  

To spotlight the importance of business etiquette, especially in today’s digital age,  First Impressions Training is offering tips and advice to help professionals recognize and combat bad behavior and act more professional. Historically, 85% of job success is connected to people skills including sending a hand-written thank you note after a job interview to show respect and distinguish yourself from the competition.

Top 5 Social Media Myths

• FB is personal (FB is now used by businesses from solo shops to the Fortune 50)

• FB is private (default privacy settings are minimal – select privacy settings manually)

• Only my followers read my Twitter posts (the Library of Congress has started collecting Twitter posts as a way to record history)

• Recruiters Don’t Look at MySpace or YouTube (recruiters look everywhere)

• My FB profile and pix can be deleted (even deactivated content remains on FB’s server)

Top 5 Most Hated Business Behaviors Internationally

• Using swear words (79%)

• Arriving at work and not acknowledging fellow workmates (77%)

• Speaking loudly across the room (66%)

• Not offering guests a beverage (51%)

• Taking calls on speakerphone (47%)

Top 5 Business Etiquette Mistakes & How to Correct Them

• Unprofessional office attire (dress two levels above your position)

• Improper handshake (use a firm, web-to-web handshake)

• Poor eye contact (make eye contact 40% – 60% of the time in between the eye brows)

• Poor dining skills (when in doubt watch the host)

• Cell phone rudeness (keep phones on vibrate and use your library voice)

 

Knowing how to conduct yourself in a room of peers, colleagues, customers, clients, foreign friends, or potential employers, understanding the influence of other cultures, and knowing how to communicate effectively is what Professional Business Etiquette is all about

Top Ten Tips on Professional Business Etiquette

Why are more businesses hiring a professional business etiquette consultant to work with their employees? What’s rudeness costing your business? Not knowing the nuances of business etiquette could cost your business a great deal. More and more businesses are hiring professional business etiquette consultants to train their employees and increase their bottom line. When I was a young girl growing up in the ‘60s with five siblings, our family always sat down for dinner together. I was constantly yelled at for one of two things that annoyed my parents: putting my elbows on the table and talking with my mouth full of food. In 1996, while I was studying business in the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management at Michigan State University, MSU hired an alumnus from the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago to provide a professional business etiquette workshop for those of us nearing graduation. The question I asked myself at the end of the evening was this: “How does someone get through six years of college and not know these things?” I became fascinated with etiquette and spent the next three and a half years researching the subject. In 2001, I decided to develop my own professional business etiquette workshop and started a small business in Williamston, Michigan  called First Impressions Training. My first attempt at marketing the workshop was to send out eight or nine packets of information to community educators in the Lansing area. From a marketing standpoint, I thought that if I were hired to present one workshop, I would have been happy with my efforts. Well, to my surprise I was hired by all but one. I knew from the beginning my services were needed. Since that time, First Impressions Training has trained thousands of students and employees from many organizations throughout the country.  I believe professional business etiquette will enhance your career whether you are just beginning your career or are a seasoned executive.

1. When you walk into a room, walk with purpose.

First impressions take about five seconds. Dress professionally, not too much makeup or perfume/cologne, wear polished shoes, and above all, have a nice smile on your face and a positive attitude. People tend to gravitate toward others who portray a positive image.

2. Business introductions are based upon hierarchy, not gender.

Within your organization it is always Mr./Ms. Greater Authority I would like to introduce you to Mr./Ms. Lesser Authority. When you have a guest, customer or client from outside of your organization, they take precedence over anyone within your organization. This is done to help the outsider person feel welcome to your organization.

3. During an introduction clasp hand firmly but not too firmly, make eye contact, and repeat the person’s name right after meeting him or her.

This will help you remember the person’s name. Should you forget the person’s name later in the evening, simply state, “I am sorry I have forgotten your name.” The person will be happy to state his or her name again. Remember the sweetest sound to another person is the sound of that person’s own name. To not make an introduction would be considered rude and cause embarrassment.

4. The key to networking is to make as many business contacts as possible for it makes doing business much easier later.

Remember that once you sit down for dinner/lunch you will spend the next two hours with the seven to nine people at your table. Try to pry yourself away from all the folks with whom you typically mix and mingle and reach out and get to know others.

5. When entering the room for an appetizer reception, please do not make a fast break to the bar or food. Mix and mingle with folks and then make your way to the buffet or bar.

6. Business dinner conversation should not include: religion, politics, diet or sex.

So, what does that leave for proper conversation? We are all businesspeople and I have found most business folks love to share their failures and successes. When you are facing a business challenge, share it with the folks you are dining with. You will be amazed at how someone at your table may have faced the same challenge in the past and is happy to offer some business advice. Always allow everyone equal talking time as it is never polite to monopolize the conversation.

7. During a business luncheon/dinner always follow the lead of the host.

When the host states, “enjoy dinner” place your napkin in your lap. When you look over the menu at a business lunch/dinner and see that the menu items are priced between $9.95 for a burger plate to $39.95 for surf and turf, and the host makes the comment, “the stuffed pork is fabulous,” and noting that the stuffed pork is priced at $14.95, try to order something in that price range. The same goes for ordering a cocktail or beer/wine. Should the host not offer an alcoholic beverage, to be on the safe side order water, soda, iced tea, coffee or lemonade.

8. From a food safety standpoint: Always excuse yourself should you need to blow your nose, and wash your hands thoroughly before returning to the table.

9. When you receive someone’s business card, take a moment to look at it and make a comment if your intention is to possibly do business in the future.

We tend to do business in a big hurry in the United States. I like to follow the practice of folks in China where the exchange of a business card is considered an honor. Take time when exchanging a business card; do not write on the business card and please do not just stuff the card in your pocket.

10. When invited to a business lunch/dinner, always take the time to write a handwritten thank-you note to show your appreciation.

It takes approximately five minutes to write a handwritten thank-you note and business folks remember this gesture.

Try taking some time practicing some of the tips listed above and see if they can help make a difference in your business career.

*From Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Pattie McNiel, July 2008.