Your Business Your Business Manners MatterManners Matter

By: Michael HousmanBy: Michael Housman

EtiquetteEtiquette

Definition: Unwritten Code, that Definition: Unwritten Code, that governs the expectations of governs the expectations of social behaviorsocial behavior

Isn’t Restricted to dining roomIsn’t Restricted to dining room Can span from the mailroom to Can span from the mailroom to

boardroomboardroom

TodayToday

In business world, people do business In business world, people do business with the people they likewith the people they like

Organizations spending a lot of money Organizations spending a lot of money on business etiquette trainingon business etiquette training

Recruiters are treating interpersonal Recruiters are treating interpersonal skills as a measure of business skills as a measure of business competencecompetence

People skills carry business transactions People skills carry business transactions from premise to a done dealfrom premise to a done deal

Why Bad Etiquette Why Bad Etiquette Continue?Continue?

Most don’t care about issue of Most don’t care about issue of manners in work placemanners in work place

Veterans not leading by exampleVeterans not leading by example

Corporate World has had Corporate World has had Enough!Enough!

Wall Street has softened hard edge Wall Street has softened hard edge on professionalson professionals

Organizations reevaluating their code Organizations reevaluating their code of ethics and way of treating of ethics and way of treating employeesemployees

Corporations not tolerating negative Corporations not tolerating negative attitude and poor teamworkattitude and poor teamwork

RecruitersRecruiters

Will make lunch interview to see how you Will make lunch interview to see how you conduct yourselfconduct yourself

Lingering over a menu is perceived as poor Lingering over a menu is perceived as poor decision makingdecision making

Fumbling with utensils is judged Fumbling with utensils is judged unconfident and awkwardunconfident and awkward

Fidgeting with food is seen as unsureFidgeting with food is seen as unsure Being more interested in meal than Being more interested in meal than

business is seen as superficial and business is seen as superficial and unfocusedunfocused

ConclusionConclusion

Corporate world understands that Corporate world understands that good etiquette is essentialgood etiquette is essential

Will not be successful if business Will not be successful if business associates don’t respect youassociates don’t respect you

When interviewing, even little things When interviewing, even little things when eating can show a lot about when eating can show a lot about how you conduct yourself in the work how you conduct yourself in the work environmentenvironment

Works CitedWorks Cited

Vita, Loretta Di. “Your business Vita, Loretta Di. “Your business Manners Matter.” Manners Matter.” Online Accent.Online Accent. Nov 20, 2003.Nov 20, 2003.