Common Sense Ideas for Becoming the Career Star You Are Meant to Be

Today is Tuesday, so this post is on positive personal impact.

I’d like to discuss business etiquette in this post – specifically some basic standards of courtesy.  The bad news is that not enough people know these standards – or if they know them, they don’t follow them.  The good news is that now you’ll know them, and if you practice them, you’ll be able to set yourself apart and make a positive personal impact.

Basic Business Courtesies

• Open doors for others (regardless of gender or status).  Courteous people open doors for others and hold the door, until everyone in their party has walked through.  They also hold the door behind them if someone else is approaching.
• Allow people to exit elevators prior to entering.  If you are near the buttons, press and hold the “door open” button until everyone in the elevator has made their exit.
• Always stand to greet visitors.  This shows that you respect them as individuals.  Shake hands, and offer your visitor a seat before you sit down yourself.
• Assist your visitors with their coats.  Offer to hang it for them.  If you don’t have a place to hang a coat in your office, place it neatly over the back of a chair.
• Introduce the person of lower business rank to the person of higher business rank. 

Business Meals

• Wait until everyone has been seated before unfolding your napkin and placing it in your lap at a business meal.
• Remember, your water glass is on your right and your bread and butter plate is on your left.  If someone uses your brad and butter plate, don’t correct him or her, just place your bread on your dinner plate.
• If you leave the table during a meal, place your napkin on your chair.  Once you have finished eating, place your napkin neatly, but not folded, on the table.
• Wait until everyone has been served before beginning to eat.
• Do not put your purse or briefcase on the table.
• Avoid using your cell phone during business meals.
• The host should be the one to bring up business.  If you are the host, it is usually best to wait until everyone’s order has been taken before beginning a business discussion.
• The most senior person in the group should pay for business meals – unless that person has delegated that responsibility.

These are just a few common sense tips on business etiquette.  If you follow them, you will find that people respond positively to you – that you’re making a positive personal impact.  And making a positive personal impact is an important part of career and life success.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a small business.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com.TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.