BUSINESS ETIQUETTES

- DEVARSH SHARMA
B.COM(H) Vth sem.
INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION
 MEANING
• Business etiquette is a set of rules that govern the way people interact with one another in
business, with customers, suppliers, with inside or outside bodies. It is all about conveying
the right image and behaving in an appropriate way.

• Business etiquette is important because it creates a professional, mutually

respectful atmosphere and improves communication, which helps an office serve as a
productive place. People feel better about their jobs when they feel respected, and that
translates into better customer relationships as well.
DRESSING UP
 CORPORATE DRESSING
• Corporate dressing refers to sensible dressing at work place which helps an individual to
make a mark of his/her own in the first meeting itself. Corporate dressing teaches an
individual to dress according to the organization culture.

• Most organizations expect their employees to dress well. One needs to dress appropriately as
per the work culture for a pleasing personality.

• It is rightly said that “a man is known by his dress and address”

DO’S & DON’TS
OF CORPORATE DRESSING
 FOR MEN
• Neutral colors such as blue, grey, white, khaki, black are guaranteed hits in a corporate
setting. Colors such as red, yellow, orange usually are not preferred to be worn at the
workplace.

• Plain shirts are always in style but you can also go for shirts in stripes, checks or micro-
checks. Do not wear loud colors or patterns that are too bold. Also, polka dots shirts or shirts
with sequins are a strict no-no in organizations

• Make sure your sleeves touch the base of your hand. Do not roll up sleeves at work.
Avoid wearing short sleeves to work. Full sleeves shirts look professional.
• Shoes should be polished. Prefer dark leather shoes (Black or Brown) with black laces.
Do not wear sports shoes or sneakers to work.

• Pair the shoes with dark colored socks to work. Avoid bright colored or funky patterned
socks.

• Wear leather belts in dark colors preferably black or brown. Pair the belt color of belt
and shoe if possible. Do not wear flashy belts with broad buckles.

• Tie should complement your overall look. The tip of your tie should touch your belt
buckles. Do not wear ties in loud colors or jazzy patterns.
 FOR WOMEN
•  Wearing clothes that fit you well makes you feel confident at the workplace. Do not wear
body hugging clothes to work.

• Female executives should avoid wearing heavy jewellery to work. Do not wear chunky
necklaces, large earrings and stacks of bangles at workplace.

• Flats or platform heels are preferable to work. Heels should not be more than 2 inches.

• Body piercings (eyebrow piercings or lip piercings) and tattoos of any kind should be
strictly avoided in organizations. Do not wear more than party-wear earring at the
workplace.

• Make sure your hands are clean and nails properly trimmed and manicured. Avoid
applying bright and flashy nail paints.
 PERSONAL GROOMING
• Personal grooming and corporate dressing actually go hand in hand. Donning an
expensive business suit will not help, if you are not neat and clean.

• Male professionals need to:

• Shave Daily/Trim moustache or beard
• Comb hair properly
• Trim his nails
• Wear a mild perfume
 CONTINUED…
• Female professionals need to:
• Tie hair in a neat ponytail or bun.
• Wear flats to work.
• Wear minimal make up
• Get rid of facial hair or hair in any other body part(hands, legs, area around the lip)
• Smell good
• Clean their hands, feet and take care of finger as well as toe nails.
BUSINESS CARDS
MEANING
 BUSINESS CARD ETIQUETTES
• Never leave the house or office without your business card. First things first—always
bring copies of your business card with you, in a box, holder or any container that can
protect the cards from wear and tear. You’ll never know when to give one.

• Keep your business card to yourself. Your business card is not something you hand to each
and every people you meet on an event.

• Give your business card when a person asks for it. Don’t be too aggressive about the
whole process.
 CONTINUED…
• Treat the business cards professionally. If you are writing notes to yourself, the business
card is not the appropriate venue to do so. You may only write on the card if what you will
write is seemingly relevant for others.

•  Make sure your business card is presentable. Cards should be professional-looking.

Further along, make sure that your business card is not crumpled or dirty in any way.

• Don’t waste the business cards. Put them somewhere you can easily access when you need
the product or service later.
 NITTY-GRITTY OF EXCHANGE
• When receiving and giving a business card, use your right hand.

• Receive the business card the way it was presented to you. If the individual is using both
hands, receive it with your both hands.

• Don’t ever give a business card with your fingers covering the details. Hold at the top
corners of the card with the card facing the recipient so that he or she can read it.

•  Look the person in the eye and smile while exchanging.

 CONTINUED…
• You may give specific instruction on when is the best time to contact you and how (i.e.
phone call, email, or chat) ensuring that all numbers and email addresses listed on the card
are up-to-date.

• Ask for the person’s contact information as well. More likely, you will receive one’s own
business card as reciprocity generally follows.

• In case he or she forgot about calling you, you may simply do a follow-up as per your
conversation. Just make sure that you are reminding the person of what you have talked
about during the event.
SHAKING HANDS
 BUSINESS HANDSHAKE
• In a business situation, you’re expected to offer a firm handshake to your business associate
or client. A firm handshake with good eye contact communicates self-confidence.

• Handshaking is a form of nonverbal communication that says a lot about a person.

• When someone makes an introduction, always remember to stand so that you can shake

hands at an even level. This rule applies to both men and women.
 EXAMPLE
• For example, an overpowering handshake can indicate dominance or control. A weak
handshake can indicate insecurity, disinterest, shyness, and aloofness. An awkward
handshake indicates nervousness or a lack of social skills, which in turn reflects on
credibility.
 STEPS TO BUSINESS HANDSHAKE
(i) Extend your right hand and grip the other person’s hand. Make sure that both hands
are pushed all the way in to meet web-to-web and your thumbs are facing straight up.

(ii) Shake just a couple of times in a vertical motion. The range of motion is 2 or 3 inches.
The motion is extended from the shoulder, through the elbow, and straight through to your
hand.

(iii) End the handshake cleanly, before the introduction is over. If you want to count, a
good handshake is held for 3 or 4 seconds.
 TIPS
• If you tend to have cold hands, stick your right hand in your pocket to warm it up as you
approach a hand-shaking situation.

• If your hands feel sweaty, quickly swipe your right hand on your trousers or skirts so that
when you present your hand, it’s dry.

• COVID SPECIAL TIP: Try rubbing a sanitizer with alcohol or antiperspirant (non-sticky

and unscented) on your hands before leaving the house and meeting someone.
DINING ETIQUETTE
 BUSINESS DINING ETIQUETTE
• Business dining is an important yet often overlooked part of the professional world.

• Whether it is a power lunch with the top brass, business over brunch with the boss or a
make-or-break dinner with a client, there are numerous times when the tense atmosphere of
the corporate office is replaced with the indulgent ambience of a restaurant.

• The most important thing to remember, says career coach Barbara Pachter, is that you're not
there for the food. You are there for business.
• Accepting the invitation
• Always accept an invitation to dine with your boss/ team. It is a wonderful opportunity to
network and connect with your colleagues and superiors in a different setting. Some of the
most important client meetings happen over dinner, and countless big ticket deals are sealed
in a restaurant, and not a boardroom.
• Getting ready
• Ensure that your outfit is sophisticated and befitting of the occasion. Avoid loud colors or
outrageous styles. The general rule of thumb is to dress as you would to an office party, and
not to a pub. Additionally, try not to out-dress your boss. Do not sport your most expensive
designer watch if your boss is a person of simple tastes.
• Placing an order
• The safest bet on ordering is to take a cue from your boss/ host. Try not to order the most
extravagant items on the menu, unless specifically recommended by your host. If you are
unsure about what to order, ask the restaurant staff for their suggestions.
• Participating in conversation
• Conversation at a business dinner or lunch should reflect the occasion. If you are on a casual
lunch with your boss, use the opportunity to discuss things that you wouldn't usually at the
workplace. Get to know him/ her better.
• Keep clear of controversial or inflammatory subject areas, such as politics or religion. If a
subject does happen to come up, refrain from getting into a debate or argument. Just nod
politely and smile, irrespective of whether you agree or not.
• Following manners
• Pay particular attention to basic table etiquette when at a business dinner.
• Wait for your turn to order, place a napkin on your lap before you begin eating, keep your
elbows off the table and don't speak with your mouth full.
• Start with the cutlery set furthermost from your plate, and work your way inwards. The fork
and spoon laid out horizontally just above your plate are meant for dessert
• If you need to leave the table, excuse yourself politely. Keep your cell phone on silent and
avoid text messaging during the meal
• Wait for the entire table to be served before you begin eating. Pace yourself, so you don't
polish off your dish in a few minutes, nor do you lag behind the rest of the table.
• Paying the bill

This question is a cause of much pain to corporate diners. The general thumb rule to be
followed is that the boss/ most senior person on the table pays. In case someone other than the
boss has taken the initiative to plan the affair, that person should pay.
 FINAL TIPS
• Remember to thank the host profusely after the meal ends. A good old thank you should
suffice. Drop a text message or email if you had a particularly good time.
• Your attention needs to be on the conversation and not the food. Hence, the meal should be
effortless to consume.
•  Do keep in mind the dining sensibilities of your fellow diners. If the rest of the table is
vegetarian, steer away from meat.
• If you are meeting your clients then always remember, you are there for the business and not
for the food.
THANK YOU