Business Etiquettes
The secret behind success
What is Etiquette?
Etiquette can be defined as
the forms, manners and
ceremonies established by
convention as acceptable or
required in social relations, in
a profession or in official life.
Agenda
• Greeting Etiquette
• Mastering the Handshake
• Dress Etiquette
• Telephone Etiquette
Greeting
Etiquette
Greeting the Visitor
• Stand up when a visitor enters the
room or you are being introduced
• Shake hands
• For a female client, her prerogative
to initiate the handshake
• Invite the visitor to sit down, then
sit down yourself.
• When visitors leave, show them
out, to the reception / elevators.
When you are a visitor !
• Don’t be late
• In the office, wait for the host to tell you where to
sit
• Put briefcase / handbag on floor next to you.
• Last few words - “Thank you Sir, for your time and
attention. Good day”
• Send thank you note within 24 hours
• If meeting is less than 30 minutes, politely refuse
tea, unless it arrives unasked
• Politely say No, to an offer for cigarette
Mastering the Handshake
The Pull-In
The Two-Handed Shake
The Topper
The Finger Squeeze
The Palm Pinch
The Limp Fish
The Proper Handshake
• Firm, but not bone-
crushing
• Lasts about 3 seconds
• May be "pumped" once
or twice from the elbow
• Is released after the
shake, even if the
introduction continues
• Includes good eye
contact with the other
person
• Hold your drink in your
left hand to avoid a cold,
wet handshake
A Good
Conversationalist:
• Is polite
• Is a good listener
• Puts others at ease
• Can discuss numerous issues
• Asks good questions
• Never interrupts
OBSERVE
ASK QUESTIONS
FIND HUMOR IN
SITUATIONS
LEARN TO TOLERATE
UNCERTAINTY
Dress
Etiquette
Men
• Conservative suit - two piece suit & tie,
conservative & solid color.
• Long sleeve shirt.
• Avoid bow ties. Wear a conservative tie.
• Dark shoes & dark socks.
• Avoid beards & mustaches. (if you cannot help
the
moustache, make sure it is well trimmed).
• Get a hair cut. A short and conservative style is
best.
• Do not wear any earrings.
A bit Casual Good for
Corporate Gathering
CORPORATE CORPORATE
FORMAL ATTIRE CASUAL ATTIRE
Women
• Conservative business attire : A dark coat
and skirt/trousers or a plain saree / salwar
kameez
• Coat/trouser colors : Black, gray, dark blue
• Shirt colors : white and pastels
• Saree/ Salwar Kameez : small, delicate motifs
that do not distract. Sober, light colors are
the preferable ones
• Shoes : closed toed, conservative low heels
(max of 2.5 inches)
• Limit jewellery to one wedding ring and one
set of earrings
Dress for Success
Casual Work Attire
Telephone Etiquette
Telephone Etiquette
Cellular Phones
• Turn OFF cell phones during ALL meetings. (If
expecting emergency call, notify meeting
participants in advance.) OR put on a silent
mode.
• Cell phone calls should be brief.
• Remove yourself from the presence of
others when making a cell phone call
Telephone Etiquette
• Answer promptly (before the third ring
if possible).
• Before picking up the receiver,
discontinue any other conversation or
activity such as eating, chewing gum,
typing, etc that can be heard by the
calling party.
Telephone Etiquette
• Speak clearly and distinctly in a
pleasant tone of voice.
• Use hold button when leaving the line
so that the caller does not accidentally
hear conversations being held nearby.
• When transferring a call, be sure to
explain to the caller that you are doing
so and where you are transferring
them.
Telephone Etiquette
• Remember that you may be the first
and only contact a person may have
with your department, and that first
impression will stay with the caller long
after the call is completed.
• If the caller has reached the wrong
department, be courteous.
