Business etiquette is a set of manners and a combination of various behaviors that are accepted or required in a profession. This conduct is often upheld by custom and expectations that are enforced by the members of an organization, implicitly or explicitly.
Business etiquette is important because it creates a uniform, professional, mutually respectful atmosphere, and improves communication because people appear to on the same team, which helps an office serve as a productive place. People feel better about their jobs when they follow organizational norms, feel respected, and that positive emotion translates into better customer relationships as well.
Professionals, who act unprofessionally, violate business etiquette are considered offensive. The personal and professional penalty for such inappropriate behavior frequently lies in the disapproval of other organization leaders and members.
Here are some business etiquette areas to examine and maybe make some modifications in your manners:
How do you treat clients or customers whether in your office or at their location?
How do you treat your coworkers and supervisor when in person or from remote locations?
How do you conduct yourself in your conference room, cubicle or office?
How do you conduct yourself during meetings, or does it depend on who is attending?
What kind of email messages do you send, are they clear and concise or full of gobbledygook?
Do you follow a dress code or wear appropriate business attire?
How do you conduct yourself in the break room, lunch room, or lobby?
How do you conduct yourself during business-sponsored social and networking events?
How do you conduct yourself on the telephone or your cell phone?
I always ask my audience members to discuss and share stories with their table partners the amazing, the good, the bad, or the awful examples of business etiquette they have ever experienced, and then I ask them to jot down in their handout one thing they will do or say in the future or certainly will never do or say (again).
Minor adjustments in business etiquette in each of these areas can have a significant impact on how your employees, your organization, and your industry are perceived.