Everyday Business Etiquette

Get Ready!

It’s an age-old command that to this day is shouted in playgrounds when children are about to compete.  You can bet that any worthy competitor you encounter, anywhere, pays heed to this command.

Preparation, or readiness, is a valuable key to success.

When you know in advance you’re about to participate in a competition you have the luxury of time to get ready.  Given sufficient time you can sharpen your know-how and put the odds of enjoying success in your favor.

Everyday Business Etiquette serves up customized information which has been boiled down for your quick and easy assimilation.  It’s the kind of information you need to be prepared to meet career-affecting challenges.

Remember, the business world thrives on competition.

You competed to win your job and you compete to hold your job.  Your company competes to win and keep customers or clients.  Every day, all kinds of goods and service providers compete for your money and even as one brand beckons to you, another tries to woo you away.  Competitors are constantly jockeying to attain or maintain a winning position.

When you’re promoted or have a new job within the company, you’re walking in unfamiliar territory.  You want to be at your best because there’s always a rival waiting who would like to take your job!

When you occasionally travel to distant places to conduct business, or help to host dignitaries who are important to your company’s success, you’ll be called upon to act in new and different ways.  You’ll want to be at your best because your performance is closely tied to how well your company or your boss fares. If you should fall short of expectations, management is likely to be on the lookout for a more capable employee.

It’s nothing personal.

Someone who counts you out isn’t generally motivated by personal bias. It’s a simple fact that sterling behavior is desirable, rewarded and helps you to carve out and keep your place in the winner’s circle. Less-than-sterling behavior puts everyone at a disadvantage.

An excellent command of business etiquette, knowing what is correct and knowing how to behave at all times, enables you to position yourself up-front. Strive to be the best you can be and all contenders had better make way for you!

Get Set!

Review the following “Special Times” blueprints for success. If you’re suddenly faced with a challenge, such as a request to entertain business people from another country, and you have some understanding of what may be expected and how to act and react, you’ll feel your confidence level rise. Instead of feeling awkward and thinking “problem” when you observe these people coming through the door, you’ll think “opportunity,” and be ready to rise to the occasion.

When you know you’ll soon confront a specific challenge (e.g., a job interview), turn to precise information to help you get ready. To best utilize this information:

Adapt the blueprints to your circumstances.

Visualize yourself following the guidelines; “rehearse” the situation.

Use “spreadsheet” conjecture to evaluate results. “If I do this, then I can expect that. If that, then this.”

Fine-tune your plan.

Read “On-the-Career-Path Tips.” Strategies are explained and you’ll be directed to not-to-be-missed chapters that discuss related topics. If, for example, it’s the first time you’ll be attending an industry convention you probably should read Chapter Three: Dining-Table Etiquette You Didn’t Learn at Home and Chapter Ten: Introductions.

In no time at all, you’ll be primed and ready to Go!