1. Business Etiquettes
Achieving the balance between human & business
IMAGE - INTRODUCTIONS - NETWORKING - DINING

2. Image Etiquette : The Basics
 Positive Attitude – Be it
 In business etiquette gender rules don’t apply!
 Your body says more than words
 55% body language, 38% tone & voice, 7% spoken word
 Stand tall and use good posture because it conveys confidence
 Be aware of facial expressions 60/40 facial expressions Dr. Albert Mehrabian UCLA Psychology
Professor
 Speak slowly and clearly, avoid “um” and ”like”; and be aware of the, “you guys”
 Always have eye contact with whom you are speaking
 Don’t chew gum
 Dress the part, reflects culture and environment (regional)
 Business Formal (did you know – dressing professionally builds trust)
 Men - shoes and belts should be darker than the suit & socks should be extension of the leg
 Women – no open toes or stilettos, skirts to knee or below and slits in the back

3. Image Etiquette: Social Media
Be professional online, it matters
 Complete all aspects of the profile even about me on FB
 Incomplete profiles don’t look professional; be transparent to be trusted
 Choose a handle that best identifies you or your business
 Tasteful photo for avatar – all sites
 Grammar : Grammarcheck.me
 One profile per social media
 If multiple be intentional about your postings so prospective clients know the difference
 Sharing (Forbes.com 10 questions)
 Think before you post - DON’T overshare
 Think before you tag
 Don’t overuse hashtags
 Social is about relationships – engage people
 Post helpful content – you can share the same message on all sites but edit it for each audience
 Interact – ask questions, answer questions, look for recommendations, make recommendations
 Don’t be needy - asking for likes or reposts & don’t spam

4. Image Etiquette: Social Media
12 Question you should ask before you post
 Should I target a specific audience with this message?
 Will anyone really care about this content besides me?
 Will I offend anyone with this content? If so, who? Does it matter?
 Is this appropriate for a social portal, or would it best be communicated another way?
 How many times have I already posted something today? (More than three can be excessive.)
 Did I spell check?
 Will I be okay with absolutely anyone seeing this?
 Is this post too vague? Will everyone understand what I’m saying?
 Am I using this as an emotional dumping ground? If so, why? Is a different outlet better for these purposes?
 Am I using too many abbreviations in this post and starting to sound like a teenager?
 Is this reactive communication or is it well thought-out?
 Is this really something I want to share, or is it just me venting? Forbes.com Ilya Pozin

5. Introduction Etiquette
 Use your full name
 Introduce those of “lower” standing to those of “higher” standing
 “ I would like you to meet” , full name, company and a bit of relevant information
 Stand when you are being introduced or introducing
 Point with your fingers together
 Firm Handshakes (two pumps), webs touching and eye contact
 Business cards, know where they are at and don’t hand out worn ones
 Hand them out at discretion (your card should have value) with information facing up
 Receive with right hand
 Make a comment about it / place value on the card

6. Networking Etiquette
Networking is an investment into the future
 Build relationships first and business second
 Have a purpose/objective – Know what do you hope to gain
 What is your goal, is it a number of people, type o people? Help your business or career?
 Know your audience
 Know who is hosting; something about them and/or company and the purpose of the
event
 Know who else is attending - by industry, company or individual and plan your
introduction points

7. Networking Etiquette continued ..
 Entering & exiting a conversation politely
 Approaching a group: walk up with a smile, wait to be acknowledged before beginning the conversation with: eye
contact, smile and a hello
 If you are not acknowledged (in about a minute) politely “excuse me” and move on
 When exiting (even if interrupted by someone else) same courtesies apply, “goodbye”, “pleasure to meet you”
 When someone is consuming your time, “introduce them to someone else and excuse yourself or excuse yourself by letting
them know you need to speak with some other people
 Be concise, intentional & sincere – don’t monopolize the conversation or the individual
 Brief , positive and meaningful - avoid negativity at all costs
 Avoid personal questions or sharing personal information
 Only exchange information if it’s a potential business match (not an automatic thing)
 Show interest in others – ask relevant questions
 Come prepared with 3 topics to discuss, not politics or religion (skimm.com)

8.  Work the room – smile, positive body language, engaging conversation
 Meet the host and compliment the event (not sales pitch)
 If your nervous ask someone to help you make introductions
 Don’t be a click – avoid sitting with the people you came with
 Avoid appearing like you just came for the food
 Keep cold drinks and food in left hand
 Follow up / Relationship building
 24/48 hour with those you met and intend to do business with
 Fulfill any promises you made
 Send a thank you note (especially if you received one)
Networking Etiquette continued ..

9. Dining Etiquette
 Don’t pull out chairs / Host Pays
 Balance order with your guest
 Events – wait for people to be served at your table before you eat
 Settings, food (4) to the left (4)/ drinks (5) to the right (5) / BMW (bread, meal, water)
 Pass food to the right (general) / Salt & Pepper together
 Break bread with your hands, once piece at a time and butter as you eat it
 Dishes, don’t push them away and do not help the server / don’t pick up fallen silverware
 Napkin on your lap, when you get up on the chair (soiled up), at end loosely folded (hidden soil) – if plate is on the
table to the left.
 Resting & Finished. Continental Rest: tips face each other in introverted V / Finished : fork & knife parallel with
handles at 4o’clock
 Don’t take food home with you
 Excusing yourself – simply say “excuse me, I will be right back” don’t announce where you are going
 No phones, no makeup, no toothpicks and light on the alcoholic drinks, if at all.

10. References
 Forbes.com
 Al.com
 Outboundengine.com
 PCWorld.com
 NCSU.edu
 BusinessInsider.com
 Inc.com
 Smallbusiness.com
 Etiquettescholar.com
 Psychologytoday.com