If you’re over forty years old, you probably have found that you have a different viewpoint when it comes to etiquette in the workplace than your twenty-something counterparts. Appropriate manners and etiquette in business is viewed differently by varied age groups and segments of business and industry. Are business professionals getting out of control, relaxing a little too much and letting proper etiquette blow out the window? In this two-part series we’ll help get you up to snuff when it comes to minding your business manners. The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW), celebrating 20 years as a global leader in business etiquette training, is sponsoring the 2nd annual National Business Etiquette Week, June 1 - 7, 2008, with tips for recession-proofing your job whether you're an intern or senior level VP with a corner office. In response to what PSOW Director Pamela Eyring says is a "backlash to the informal work environment of the past decade," more and more employers are seeking etiquette training for employees.
From learning the basics such as the proper web-to-web handshake to how to host a business meal, employers are becoming increasingly concerned with how their employees represent their business. "We know this because enrollment is up 25%-50%. On the employee side, our recent survey found that over 87% of graduates report making fewer mistakes after training, so we know the process works," says Eyring. Attribute the trend to a competitive work environment because of the economy. Or, a backlash to the informal work environment over the past decade. Either way, the need for business etiquette training among all industries is on the rise. "Clearly, employers are reinforcing the importance that 85% of mastering a job is learning the 'soft skills' like dining etiquette, remembering names, appropriate work attire, appropriate behavior and e-etiquette," notes Eyring. Good Etiquette is Good for Business. Avoid the pitfalls, according to PSOW, and the most ocmmon employer complaints are: - Lack of dining skills. The biggest faux pas is snagging your neighbor's dinner roll. TIP: The correct place setting is B-M-W: left to right Bread - Meal - Water.
- Inappropriate attire. The biggest complaint is 'showing too much skin.'
- Lack of e-etiquette. Using PDAs in meetings is overwhelmingly the #1 complaint.
- Forgetting someone's name. TIP: Remember a name by repeating it three times (when introduced, once in conversation and when saying goodbye).
- Insensitivity to religions of other cultures and a lack of understanding other cultures. TIP: Research other cultures by visiting: (http://www.state.gov/countries)
In the next part of this seriew, you'll find more tips to help you make sure you're on your best behaviour in the business world. |
