1. The Importance of Business Cards (Meishi)
Japanese place a great importance on the presentation and exchange of meishi. Here's what you need to know. At your first business counter, stand and introduce yourself while presenting your business card with both hands outstretched. Likewise, when receiving a meishi, do so with both hands, and handle carefully.After receiving the meishi, spend a few moments studying the info on it, and then, and this is important, DO NOT stuff it in your pocket or even put it away. Keep it out on the table in front of you during your meeting, and then carefully put it away at the conclusion of the meeting. You must have a meishi when doing business in Japan!
2. Proper Use of "-san
Japan has a very complicated system of honorifics built into their language and culture that dictactes how people address one another. Here's what you need to know. It's perfectly acceptable to address your Japanese counterpart(s) as "XX-san," but, and this too is very important, NEVER address yourself and anyone on your own party's sign as "-san."The use of "-san" is reserved for people outside of your own group or people above you or at least equal to you. In a Japanese business meeting, using "-san" to address yourself or members of your own group amounts to a cultural faux pas that even the most tolerant Japanese will have a hard time overlooking.
3. Gift Giving (Omiyage)
When traveling to Japan for business, it is customary to bring a gift from your country (om-mi-ya-ge). Consumable goods like chocolate, cookies, and so forth, make nice gifts. Alcoholic beverages are also a good choice if your Japanese counterpart enjoys them (most do!). The best omiyage are those that come from and represent your own place of origin. The main thing is to make sure that the gift is of sufficiently high-quality while not being so elaborate as to cause discomfort to your hosts.
Right Business Etiquettes Ensure A Job
Without a winning personal brand strategy, I’ve seen client deals fall through, appointments cancelled and sales stagnate. If your personal brand (image) is not professional and congruent, attractive and attracting or you lack good manners and don’t have the proper dining etiquette you will be passed over - guaranteed. Therefore, to be competitive, to have a greater influence on others, attract more business and be more successful it’s critical that you pay greater attention to personal branding.Before you sell anything…your product, company or service you sell yourself first. Shift the balance of power in your favor … when you brand yourself you are perceived to be more desirable and in demand. Brand Status increases the bottom line …both personally and corporately.Take large, successful companies for instance. They understand the power of branding a product.
They spend a lot of time, money and energy to create a brand that is eye catching and appealing enough to sell their product through to market and enhance their corporate image. They want to ensure that the buyer builds a strong connection with that brand.Image coaching helps an individual create a well defined personal brand and provides a tremendous advantage over the competition. Whether it’s social or business, when you are well branded you are pre - sold, giving you a huge advantage over others selling themselves.Perhaps like many of the individuals I coach, you have not even thought about how you are being perceived. Can anyone leave something as important as their most valuable asset to chance?We know that in the current economy, competitiveness has increased dramatically. Business has become more serious and conservative - not only in attitude and business attire but in etiquette training as well.
As an image consultant I am being hired by individuals and companies to present training in the fine art of image management, presentation skills, good manners, business etiquette, dining and appropriate dress.Even though intelligence, experience and education count, companies tell me they are simply not hiring those who do not possess these all important communication skills. It is the whole package that counts.The hallmarks of successful individuals in a fast paced global marketplace are their confidence, manners and poise.Mediocrity is dead ----- and it’s about time. We have turned the corner…there is a “Personal Brand Revolution” afoot. The sloppy casual dress, sloppy work ethics, disrespectful behavior, lack of civility and manners are leaving the scene. Simply, it’s not working.
It’s not acceptable to dress inappropriately or do business with the wrong fork. Productivity is down, communications are suffering, profits have dropped and sexual harassment cases are increasing.There is a return to formality, elegance, manners and sophistication. It’s evident in what’s happening all around us. People are brushing up on their business etiquette, manners and dining skills. They are getting dressed up again, dining in fine restaurants, are entertaining clients and being entertained.It’s been my experience that when we understands the power of perception we will make the changes necessary to ensure that we communicate more effectively through the power personal branding.
Hot Tips to pay attention to -
1. Ensure that your personal brand matches your goals – 2 years – five years.
2. Be authentic and be the best you possible.
3. Study the competition. Take a close hard look at them.
4. Know your target market and adjust your brand accordingly.
5. Keep re inventing yourself. What worked yesterday doesn’t work today. A willingness to change and keep current is critical to your success.
6. Keep fit and healthy. Eat healthy…BE energized.
7. A positive attitude gets you everywhere. Carry yours with you at all times.
8. Brush up on business etiquette, social manners and cocktail party rules. They count big time.
When you are well packaged… It’s only natural that you will attract more of what you want in your life. Be a smarter marketer ...to attract the best, you need to be the best!
Even in the early 1930s Dale Carnegie observed that the success of a man in his financial affairs, even in the technical field or engineering are fifteen percent dependent on his professional knowledge and eighty-five percent on his ability to communicate with people. In this context it is easy to explain the attempts of many researchers to formulate and justify the basic principles of ethical business communication or, as they are often called, the commandments of personal public relation or "business etiquette". Business etiquette or the process of survival and succeeding in the business world could be explained in the following six basic principles:
Punctuality (do everything on time). Delays affect the work and are a sign that a person cannot be relied upon. The principle to do everything on time applies to all service tasks. Experts studying the organization and distribution of working time recommend adding extra 25 percent to the time period that is required to perform the assigned task.
Privacy (do not reveal too much). In any institutions, corporations, or particular deals there are secrets that should be kept as carefully as the ones of a personal nature. There is also no need to recount anyone heard from a colleague, supervisor or subordinate about his or her performance or personal life.
Courtesy, friendliness and affability. In any situation it is necessary to behave politely, kindly and benevolent with customers, clients, customers and co-workers. This, however, does not require being friends with everyone whom you communicate in a work setting.
Attention to people (think of others, and not only of yourself). Attention to the people surrounding you should be extended to colleagues, superiors and subordinates. Respect the opinions of others; try to understand why they have formed a particular point of view. Always listen to criticism and advice of colleagues, superiors and subordinates. When someone questions the quality of your work, show that you value the views and experiences of other people. Confidence should not prevent you to be modest.
Appearance (dress as expected). The main approach is to fit in your environment at work, and within that environment - in your level of contingent workers. You should look the best way, which is to dress with taste, choosing matching colors. Carefully choosing accessories is important.
Literacy (speak and write good language). Internal documents or letters to outside agencies should be composed paying attention to the proper language used, and all proper names transferred without errors. Do not use abusive words. Even if you only quote the words of another person around, they will be perceived as part of your own vocabulary.
Americans and Canadians may share the same continent, but they have differences (as well as similarities) in behavior and etiquette. Here we take a look at the how to deal business in Canada.They value individualism - Just like any English-speaking citizen, including American, Canadians value individualism highly. For them, success is measured by personal achievement.They are open about everything except themselves - Canadians are open to discussions about anything. However, they tend to hold their personal privacy off limits to all except for relatives and close friends.Ethnocentrism is high - A lot of Canadians think highly of their own culture, and every other culture-including that of Americans-are judged according to their perspective.
This belief of considering their owns culture as superior to other cultures reflects best in the French province of Quebec.Plan for a very cold climate - Stuff your travel bags with a lot of fall and winter clothing especially during wintertime when the country is at its coldest. Remember, even its summers are cold.Dress conservatively - Men should wear a dark conservative business suit with tie, especially if you are dealing business in an urban setting. Your business wardrobe should be based on classic likes such as suits with a traditional lapel width, in colors of either navy, gray, or black, and shirts in white and light blue. Meanwhile, women should wear a conservative business suit or dress, using classic lines and colors in mind. Avoid wearing anything "trendy" on a business meeting.
If you are dealing business in a rural area, be a little less formal yet sticking to the conservative side.Dress casually outside the boardroom - If you are not working, or still dealing business during an outdoor activity like playing golf, casual wear works best. The weather and activity will dictate what you would be wearing.Be careful when doing the "V" sign - A "V for Victory" hand signal is considered an insult in Canada if your palm is facing yourself. Do this sign with your palm facing away.Dates are written differently - Americans are used to writing dates in a "month-day-year" format, while Canadians write their dates in a "day-month-year" manner. For instance, today is 25 August 2007 (spoken as either "twenty-five August" or "twenty-fifth of August").Do not eat while walking in public - As much as some of us may be used to the concept of "street food," Canadians prefer taking their snacks in a cafe or a restaurant.
We all know it's not nice to be rude or impolite, but so many of today's business practices allow us to excuse ourselves from general good manners in the name of technology, business status quo, or saving time. I say Phooey. People are still people, and all of us respond best to those who are considerate towards us. We would all rather work with and around decent people, and we all prefer to do business with those who are aware of their effects on others. Manners can make us winners in the business world.
Here is a quick list of 7 business etiquette tips that are especially important to me, personally. Enjoy reading them, and put them into action right away for a more prosperous business life.
1. Treat your customers like gold. Add to this your vendors and sales reps, too. Oh, and add your co-workers and employees to that mix! Being kind, responsive, and going the extra mile is like inviting someone into your home and making them feel welcome. It is the best business advice you will ever receive.
2. Allow co-workers to get credit. Don't be a hog, and worse, don't take credit if it is not due to you, even if you think no one will ever find out. YOU know, and that should be enough! Be willing to share the glory or give it all away to those who really deserve it.
3. Respect a customer's right to be angry. If someone is unhappy, you must find out why, and take their concern seriously. This is not about you. First, get calm by showing kindness, then listen wholeheartedly. Next, acknowledge their concerns, and finally work together with them to find solutions. NEVER scold a customer, never tell them no one else has ever had that complaint, and never make them feel put down in any way shape or form. Instead, THANK them for taking their valuable time to communicate with you. You will likely win their future business, and learn important ways to improve your business as well.
4. Don't fudge on donations! Don't collect donation money from your customers (via a jar on the counter or the famous phrase at checkout, "Would you like to donate a dollar to...) and then turn the money into the charity using your businesses name as the source of the giving. YOU or your business did not do the giving, the customers did, and they should get credit for that. I personally think asking customers for a donation is a fine line, since that is not why they came to your business, and it makes people feel pressured. I also think it can border on using others to make ourselves look good. If you do collect for charity from your business, be sure to give your shoppers the credit, since after all, the money did come out of their pocket books, not yours.
5. Keep a clean mouth (and keyboard). Look, I get it! This is the new era and the new economy. But when did decency get unplugged? We can still be a modern society without becoming uncivilized and thoughtless. I cannot tell you how many people cuss openly and often on Facebook, in emails, and at important business meetings, even seminars. It seems to be almost a fad, where "cool business peeps" use thick profanity to "prove" they are "being themselves" and not phony. I heard Tony Robbins use a filthy cuss word at a huge event, and I was shocked, and very disappointed. Worse than that though, the recording of that event was used online for marketing purposes. In my opinion it made Tony look really slimy. Now, I am by no means a Mother Theresa, but being professional still means using a professional manner and good judgment, which will always be tied to trust.
6. When calling others, be considerate of their time. When you phone a co-worker, business colleague, or customer, don't just start rambling about why you called. Always first ask, "Is this a good time for you"? It may or not be, but you will avoid frustrating others by asking this simple question. They will respect you more for this one small consideration.
7. Stop obsessing over your cell phone. If you are in a meeting, turn your cell phone off. If you are visiting with a customer, turn your cell phone off. If you are having lunch with a colleague or business contact (or your mother for that matter), turn your cell phone off. What has happened to us is almost comical, but in reality it is pretty sad. We are leaping so much towards the next moment that we miss the golden opportunity that is right before us- the time we have to meaningfully connect with those we are with! If you have taken the time to be with another, be there totally, and let them know they are the most important person to you at that moment.
Proper business etiquette can assist you in acquiring jobs. There are several means by which this can be accomplished. Talked About in this article are a few job interview tips and tricks which will make it simpler for you to land up with jobs. These interview tricks and tips will aid you get noticed by recruiters and many of them are utilised by the interviewers themselves in their hunt for perfect candidates. In the present times it takes more time to prepare a resume or sign up for a job board. You will want to have all the exposure you can get, by paying a small amount or preferably for free.The first step is to get listed in some of the social networking websites like jibberjobber.com. simplyhired.com or zoominfo.com. The recruiters prefer this facet.
There are some helpful instruments in these web sites and they will help you to get noted. After you have been called for an interview, the next step would be to display your interview skills that win the job while going through the interview and this is the adjudicating factor in getting the job. As soon as you enter the room the appropriate business etiquette would call for wishing all the members present in the room. As you sit in your chair it is crucial to look relaxed but not casual. After the pleasantries, the focus will be on your work history if you are experienced. The interviewer will pick up your CV and will ask you about your previous work experience.You can be secure that your spectacular resume has appealed to your employer. So henceforth you can work on elaborating on your quantifiable results. Amplification of the details therefore will be well received. If you have worked in retail, customer service or in production, then there are probabilities that you will not be able to single out your efforts and make a mention to the interviewers.
Proper business etiquette here would be to play up any kind of recognition by the management or any individual success. This business etiquette demonstrates your competence.A thing to remember is you need to speak about the special projects under your oversight that have been managed with care and responsibility. This will help the interviewer apprise your ability to take on new roles and responsibilities. If you did not get any promotions the right business etiquette would be to make mention of situations where you were acknowledged for your efforts, like employee of the month or a verbal or written recommendation from any client whom you had served.Interview skills that win the job should hence be exhibited at the proper time as all applicants would present themselves as super achievers. Be confident of what you are presenting. Employers will also know about your constancy from your work experience.
