Rude Behavior Ruins Business

Do you know the proper way to behave at a business dinner? How to correctly address e-mails? What about the accepted protocol at office meetings? Etiquette, manners, and cross cultural, or intercultural communication have become critical elements required for all International and Global Business executives, managers, and employees. As international, multinational, transnational, multi domestic, and global business continues to expand and bring people closer, the most important element of successful business outcomes may be the appreciation and respect for regional, country, and cultural differences - known as cultural diversity.
　
Learning the skills of proper etiquette, manners, and intercultural communication contained in these pages of the International Business Etiquette and Manners website will give you a wealth of information and resources that you can immediately apply during your international business travels and overseas assignments. In fact, you may want to print a copy to review during your next international flight.
　　
This Site is recommended and used by college professors to teach their business school students the importance of understanding the uniqueness of cultures around the world and how to apply the skills of proper business etiquette and manners to become more successful. Geert Hofstede's work on cultural dimensions has been integrated into each Country's page to help students better understand underlying cultural differences.
　　
Despite what many people believe -- or the behavior they exhibit -- there still are those who believe business etiquette is something that never goes out of style.
　　
In fact, in a study conducted by etiquette consultants Eticon Inc., 80 percent of the respondents reported an increase of rudeness in business.
　　
When they encounter rudeness, 58 percent of the people surveyed said they will take their business elsewhere.
　　
"Rude behavior ruins business," said Ann Humphries, Eticon president.
　　
"Good manners and civility is not a `soft skill' relegated to the `nice but not necessary' category," continued Humphries, "but rather it becomes a fundamental strategy in a business's ability to perform, compete and profit."
　　
These all seem like simple things — e-mail has been a part of my life now for a good decade and a half, but surprisingly enough, many professionals don't quite have a grasp of etiquette guidelines for the office. The result? Companies are increasingly bringing in outside firms to host seminars on proper business behavior much like you'd send your kids off to a coach to learn proper table manners.
　　
"Companies don't necessarily want to assume the roles of being professional parents, and often times these topics are too close for comfort," said Ann Marie Sabath, president of At Ease, Inc, who has over the past 20 years trained some 90,000 businessfolk. "Fortune 500 and 100 companies often hire people with high IQs, but they want to confirm that their sociability factors are up to their standards."
　　
Remember that you are always on stage. At any given moment you may encounter that sought-after client or potential employer. Always be prepared to look and sound your best.
　　
Know that people will look at your face and neck first. Good grooming is essential. Don't put off that haircut another week just to save money. It may end up costing you more.
　　
People will glance at your feet next. Make sure that your shoes are well maintained and appropriate. Poorly kept shoes may signal a lack of attention to detail on the job.
　　
Focus on the other person. Use the person's name immediately in conversation.
　　
Watch the e-mail. When you e-mail your friends, chances are you do it informally — not worrying about abbreviations, misspellings and rough grammar. That won't fly at work. "Some of the biggest mistakes people make in the workplace involve e-mail," said Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette expert and author of "Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work" (St. Martin's Press, 2005).
　　
At the very least, you should spell check your message before you hit send. Most e-mail programs will automatically point out errors for you and scan it to make sure it reads clearly. But when dealing with clients, you also want to format an e-mail as you would a business letter, Whitmore advised, and keep in mind that your messages aren't private. Last, make sure you do reply in a timely manner -- and that goes for those messages piling up in your voicemail box, too.
　　
Don't settle for being on time be early. According to Sabath, if you're the one benefiting from a meeting (the one receiving a paycheck, a shot at a job or promotion, etc) you should be 15 minutes early.
　　
That'll give you on time to get through security, if there is any, stop in the restroom and gather your thoughts. Leave non-essentials, like coffee or any heavy bags or purses, in the car or at your desk to create a neat, pulled together appearance. Be prepared and well versed in the topics that are going to be discussed, and try to formulate your own input ahead of time. One caveat: A five-minute lead time is sufficient if it's a one-on-one meeting with your boss, because you don't want to give the impression that you don't have enough work to do.