Business Etiquette

Definition
Introducing people
Handling handshakes
The business card
Business entertaining
Body language
 Business Etiquette
Principles:
• Rules of good/correct behaviour
• Having consideration for others
• Self-respect and respect for others
 Benefits
• Puts you at ease
• Gives you confidence
• Gives you a winning edge
 Introducing Yourself
• Stand up
• Initiate handshake
• Introduce yourself, position and company

• “Hi, my name is XXX, I work for XYZ.”

• “How do you do, Ms XXX. I’m YYY. I’m from
ZYX. Nice to meet you.”
 Introducing People
• In business situations:
– Rank (junior and senior)
– Gender
– Age
– Outsider (client and boss/colleague)
• In social situations:
– Gender – men are introduced to women
– Age – youth introduced to elder
– Outsider (friends and family)
 Introducing People
In business situations:
• Introduce the less important/more junior person to
the more important/more senior person.
• Say the more important person’s name first.
• Say: ‘Mr Big Shot, this is Mr Small Fry.’
• The more important person initiates the handshake.

Activity 1 (p.3)
 Introducing People
In business situations:
• The higher ranking staff is the more important
person, of course.
• When a client is present, the client is more important
than your boss.

• Rank over-rides the issue of gender.

• Rank over-rides the issue of age.

Activity 1 (p.3)
 Introducing People
In social situations:
• Age takes precedence – introduce young ones to old
ones.
• Gender matters – introduce males to females, unless
a king is present.
• Senior family members take precedence over friends
– introduce friends to senior family members.

Activity 1 (p.3)
 Introducing People
• Mr Geriatric is the cleaner in Mr Punk’s
company (business situation):
– You: “Mr P, this is Mr G.”
“Mr G, this is our CEO, Mr P.”
– Mr P: “Nice to meet you, Mr G.”
– Mr G: “Nice to meet you, Mr P.”
– Mr P initiates the handshake.

Activity 1 (p.3)
 Introducing People
• Mr G and Mr P meet socially:
– You: “Mr G, this is Mr P.”
“Mr P, this is Mr G.”
– Mr G: “Nice to meet you, Mr P.”
– Mr P: “Nice to meet you, Mr G.”
– Mr G initiates the handshake.

Activity 1 (p.3)
 Handling Handshakes
• Extend your right hand
• Grip the other person’s hand
(webs of both hands meet)
• Shake hands 2-3 times
• Smile and make eye contact when
shaking hands
 Handling Handshakes
• Don’t use the wrong handshake:
– The limp fish
– The bone crusher
– The fingertip grasp
– The Dutch treat
– The Godfather
 The Business Card
• Have your name card ready
• Keep them in good condition
• Keep them in a case
 The Business Card
Presenting your business card:
• After you have introduced yourself and have
struck up a conversation
• Present your card with:
– right hand (Western practice)
– both hands (Eastern practice)
• Present it so that print is right way up for your
receiver
 The Business Card
Receiving business cards:
• Reciprocate way card is presented
• Look at the card a while
• Thank him for it
– Repeat his name and check pronunciation, if
necessary
– Acknowledge his company
– Ask about duties of his position
• Keep it in an appropriate place
 Business Entertaining
• People
– who to invite
– Colleague-client ratio
– Spouses
• Meal
– Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner
– Type of cuisine
• Money
– Budget
– Where to hold it
• Power play
– Who sits where
 Seating Arrangements
Basic principles:
• First, decide where the host sits – at the head, centre
or facing the door.
• The most important / senior guest sits to the right of
the host.
• When in a group, spread out the seating, alternating
guest and host.
• Seat those who need to talk to one another next to
each other.

Activity 3 (p.9)
 Seating Arrangements
Western practices:
• Alternate males and females if spouses are
invited.
• Couples do not sit together.

Activity 3 (p.9)
 Seating Arrangements
Eastern practices:
• Couples sit together.

Activity 3 (p.9)
 Body Language
Leakage:
• Nervousness
• Aggressiveness
• Rudeness

Activity Worksheet