What a joy and privilege it is to teach that human interactions really do count in the business world and beyond. In today’s blog post, I will share how my etiquette classes for adults can help business professionals refine their image. I will also go over tips for electronic etiquette, including etiquette advice for emails and social media.
First Impressions Matter in the Business World
Teach your employees how to meet and greet and the importance of a First Impression. A first impression is hard to change and it happens in one second.
Strive to dress professionally, emotionally prepare for social gatherings, and extend a open mind and eye contact to those you meet. Greet people with a firm handshake and give them a genuine smile. Show genuine interest in those you meet. Keep the eye contact steady and engaging. It will be a game-changer if you can show others that you are fully engaged. Listen, focus and put your phone away. Focus on the human being and not your phone or trying to see how many people you can meet. This kind of attitude will truly transform your behavior. Seek to learn and you will teach your employees how to lead.
Please follow up with people after an event. Never go somewhere without a business card. Always be prepared. Know your etiquette for cocktail parties and business dinners. After you meet with clients or employees, make some notes about each person, write down names and keep a file of business cards. Follow up with emails and, above all, remember the power of a hand-written note. It truly is effective.
Remember:
- Punctuality
- Appearance
- Handshake and Greeting
- Smile – How to Possess Internal Joy
- Proper Conversations
- Connection Skills
This is the beginning of Social Graces for Business. To summarize, remember “Eye, Smile, Hand” and develop a pure soul that can connect to others with genuine interest.
Online Etiquette and Manners are Essential
As Americans, our personal habits of “please” and “thank you” have started to disappear. In many cases, we feel like we are free to do and say as we please. Although this may be acceptable in the USA, other cultures from around the world see Americans as rude and uncaring. And social media has contributed to the proliferation of bad manners. Anger and rage rules are unchallenged today. People do and say as they please. While a lot of today’s bad manners start online, it soon finds its way into life interactions, which are hard to control. Bad behavior online must be called out. We must evoke new codes and rules for what is acceptable.
Below I will give you a few tips to guide your employees on social behaviors that will affect their performance but also the production and image of your Corporation.
Email and Electronic Etiquette
- Please pay attention to the messages you send.
- Do not use all caps as it comes across as yelling.
- If something is important, it should be reflected in your text message, not with excess punctuation. Try not to use exclamation marks.
- Be prompt with your responses. Being late makes you seem lazy or busy. A proper response should come no later than 48 hours after a message is received.
- The subject line of the email should clearly state the topic of the email.
- Structure your emails as if they were being written on your company stationary.
- Be careful when using “reply all”.
- Always check to make sure you are sending the correct document.
- Proofread and edit.
- Make sure you have a professional e-mail signature.
- Include your name, title, company name, business address, cell phone number, website address, social media account links and icons on your emails.
- There is no such thing as a private email.
- Never send anything you would not want posted on the community bulletin board.
- Do not mix your personal and business e-mail.
- Never use slang such as “Hey, you guys”.
- Never use emoticons.
- Do not use acronyms.
- Always check your spam.
- Never text to say you are running late. Always pick up the phone and call.
- Canceling – If you need to cancel an appointment or plans, pick up the phone and call. Do not text.
- If you receive a written RSVP, a text or email response back is rude.
- Never be dishonest about canceling plans.
- Never deliver bad news through text or email.
Social Media Etiquette
Please follow the following protocols for social media:
- Be careful with your social media accounts.
- Do not post something if the post might offend someone.
- Spell check your posts.
- Ask yourself, “Will I be ok with anyone seeing this post?”
- Do not vent in a post.
- Never speak about or post anything negative about your company.
- Take your online presence seriously.
- Protect your company and your personal brand.
- Watch who you associate with and who you follow.
- Employers check social media and you might lose out on an opportunity because of your social media account.
- Do not rely on privacy settings.
- Do not rely on a false sense of attention. It is not difficult to gain thousands of likes.
Lisa Burdette Began Learning Etiquette as a Child
Although I have many certifications in etiquette and manners (more info on my About page), my real training began many years ago. My parents insisted that I speak to everyone, stand when other adults entered a room, and perch myself at the end of our driveway to wave goodbye until any guest who visited our home was out of sight. Every Friday, they recommended that I deliver a slice of pound cake to my teachers. If I was a houseguest, I was required to take a gift and write a Thank You note after my departure. Today, as I travel the world, working to educate myself and become the best etiquette consultant, I realize that I was raised by the best, Pat and Lamar Burton.
Looking for Etiquette Classes for Adults to Refine your Personal or Professional Image?
Lisa Burdette offers private and group training in business etiquette and networking as well as civility and courtesy with social graces. She has successfully helped many adults and teens with polishing their professional image and increasing their personal confidence at work, in school and in their personal lives. In addition, Lisa has worked with corporate clients such as Toyota Corporation, The University of Texas at Dallas, Big Sky Funds and others to assist with workplace etiquette training and workshops.
Ready to elevate your employees’ social skills at your company’s next business event? Reach out via our Contact page or Book Online and request your session with Lisa today!
