Business Card Etiquette

When doing business abroad it is important to understand the local culture. Culture includes areas such as a country’s norms, values, behaviours, food, architecture, fashion and art. However, one area of culture that is important for the international business person is etiquette.

Understanding business etiquette allows you to feel comfortable in your dealings with foreign friends, colleagues, customers or clients. Knowing what to do and say in the right places will help build trust and open lines of communication.

One aspect of etiquette that is of great importance internationally is the exchanging of business cards.

Unlike in North America or Europe where the business card has little meaning other than a convenient form of capturing essential personal details, in other parts of the world the business card has very different meanings.

For example, in Japan the business card is viewed as a representation of the owner. Therefore proper business etiquette demands one treats the business card with respect and honour.

Below we have provided you with a few examples of international business card exchange etiquette that may help you on your business trips abroad.

General Business Card Etiquette Tips:

•Business cards are an internationally recognised means of presenting personal contact details, so ensure you have a plentiful supply.

•Demonstrating good business etiquette is merely a means of presenting yourself as best you can. Failure to adhere to foreign business etiquette does not always have disastrous consequences.

•When travelling abroad for business it is advisable to have one side of your business card translated into the appropriate language.

•Business cards are generally exchanged at the beginning of or at the end of an initial meeting.

•Good business etiquette requires you present the card so the recipient’s language is face up.

•Make a point of studying any business card, commenting on it and clarifying information before putting it away.

Business Card Etiquette in China

•Have one side of your business card translated into Chinese using simplified Chinese characters that are printed in gold ink since gold is an auspicious colour.

•Ensure the translation is carried out into the appropriate Chinese dialect, i.e. Cantonese or Mandarin.

•Your business card should include your title. If your company is the oldest or largest in your country, that fact should be highlighted on your card.

•Hold the card in both hands when offering it.

•Never write on someone's card unless so directed.

Business Card Etiquette in India

•If you have a university degree or any honour, put it on your business card.

•Always use the right hand to give and receive business cards.

•Business cards need not be translated into Hindi as English is widely spoken within the business community.

Business Card Etiquette in Japan

•Business cards are exchanged with great ceremony.

•Invest in quality cards.

•Always keep your business cards in pristine condition.

•Treat the business card you receive as you would the person.

•Make sure your business card includes your title. The Japanese place emphasis on status and hierarchy.

•Business cards are always received with two hands but can be given with only one.

•During a meeting, place the business cards on the table in front of you in the order people are seated.

•When the meeting is over, put the business cards in a business card case or a portfolio.

Business Card Etiquette in the UK

•Business card etiquette is relaxed in the UK and involves little ceremony.

•It is not considered bad etiquette to keep cards in a pocket.

•Business cards should be kept clean and presentable.

•Do not feel obliged to hand out a business card to everyone you meet as it is not expected.

The 7 P's of Business Phone Etiquette

Etiquette is in essence about proper conduct and presenting yourself favourably. Demonstrating good etiquette is important if one seeks to be successful. An area in which this is essential is the business phone call.

Millions of business phone calls are made every hour and day. Business people that interact solely over the phone yet never meet still form strong opinions of one another. Practising good business phone etiquette helps encourage clear lines of communication, build rapport and avoid misunderstandings.

Most of us can recollect a phone call that left us feeling frustrated or irritated. How much of this could have been attributed to poor phone etiquette? Here we explore a few simple examples of areas within business phone etiquette that should be employed when making or receiving calls.

All successful business interaction needs preparation. The phone call is no exception. It is important to know who you are calling, the most convenient time to do so, the reason for your call and what you can do for them. Be structured, short and sharp.

If the caller is not known to the receiver it is important that the purpose of the call and the caller’s credentials are established immediately. A simple introduction followed by a sentence or two not only shows good phone etiquette but allows the receiver to set the forthcoming information within a context.

Particularise your intention behind the call. Do not assume the receiver understands why you are calling them and what you expect of them. Expand upon information and specify the purpose of the call.

Pass on information that the receiver will understand, appreciate and find useful. Waffling and speaking generically will lose attention and generally reflect poorly on the caller.

Good business phone etiquette demands professionalism at all times. When speaking to someone you do not know avoid informal speech or personal questions. Once a relationship has been built it is considered polite to enquire about weekends, children or other non-sensitive personal matters.

Privacy and security around furtive issues must always be borne in mind on the phone. If it is imperative that sensitive discussions take place over the phone, business etiquette requires that you confirm with the receiver whether this is appropriate.

Be patient. Demonstrating good business etiquette relies on your staying calm, cool and collected under pressure or when facing a testing situation. Your ability to stay patient earns respect and avoids rash actions or decisions.

Although there is much more to business phone etiquette than the above 7 P’s you will find they can go a long way in contributing to an improved understanding of how to use the phone effectively in the business world.

International Business Etiquette

"To have respect for ourselves guides our morals; and to have a deference for others governs our manners." Lawrence Sterne, Irish novelist & satirist (1713 - 1768)

Etiquette, or good manners, is an important part of our day to day lives. Whether we realise it or not we are always subconsciously adhering to rules of etiquette. Much of the time these are unwritten; for example giving up your seat to a lady or elderly person, queuing for a bus in an orderly fashion according to who arrived first or simply saying "please" or "thank you". All are examples of etiquette; complex unwritten rules that reflect a culture’s values.

Etiquette accomplishes many tasks. However, the one noteworthy function that etiquette does perform is that it shows respect and deference to another. By doing so it maintains good interpersonal relationships. Ultimately, it could be argued, etiquette is about making sure that when people mix together there are rules of interaction in place that ensure their communication, transaction or whatever it may be goes smoothly.

We all now how we or others feel when a lack of etiquette is shown. If someone jumps the queue, does not thank you for holding the door open for them or forgets to shake your hand, we naturally feel disrespected and perturbed.

International Business Etiquette

Keeping the above points in mind, now consider the complexities of working on the international stage. Modern business is global and demands people travel to foreign countries and mix with foreign clients, colleagues or customers. Each one of those cultures will also have their own etiquette rules, many of them unwritten. When two or more different cultures mix, it is easy for small etiquette mistakes to be made that could have negative consequences. Just as you may have felt annoyed when a foreign businessman did not shake your hands upon greeting you, imagine how your Chinese client must have felt when you wrote on his business card or your Indian colleague reacted when you flatly rejected an offer of a meal. Sometimes, not understanding the etiquette of another culture means you show a lack of manners and as Lawrence Sterne said, a lack of deference. This can and does lead to soured relationships, lost deals and in the end poor business results. Anyone working on the international stage needs to understand international business etiquette.

International business etiquette manifests in many shapes and sizes. Throughout the world people from different cultures have varying etiquette rules around areas such as personal space, communication, gift giving, food, business meetings and much more. For those wanting to make a good impression and understanding of international business etiquette is crucial. By way of introducing some of the key areas within international business etiquette we shall look at the following common areas...

Business Card Etiquette:

When you exchange business cards (even if you exchange them) do you simply pass it over and forget about it? In many countries the business card has certain etiquette rules. For example in the Arab world you would never give or receive a business card with your left hand. In China and Japan you should try and use both hands to give and receive. In addition it is always good etiquette to examine the card and make a positive comment on it. Whereas in the UK it may be OK to sling the business card into a pocket, in many countries you should always treat it with much more respect such as storing it in a business card holder.

The Etiquette of Personal Space:

How close do you stand to people? Is it impolite to touch somebody? What about gender differences? In the Middle East you may get very touchy-feely with the men, yet one should never touch a woman. A slap on the back may be OK in Mexico but in China it is a serious no-no. Touch someone on the head in Thailand or Indonesia and you would have caused great insult. Without an appreciation of international business etiquette, these things would never be known.

The Etiquette of Gift Giving:

Many countries such as China and Japan have many etiquette rules surrounding the exchange of business gifts. International business etiquette allows you an insight into what to buy, how to give a gift, how to receive, whether to open in front of the giver and what gifts not to buy. Great examples of gifts to avoid are anything alcoholic in Muslim countries, anything with four of anything in Japan and clocks in China.

The Etiquette of Communication:

Some cultures like to talk loudly (US and Germany), some softly (India and China); some speak directly (Holland and Denmark) others indirectly (UK and Japan); some tolerate interrupting others while speaking (Brazil) others not (Canada); some are very blunt (Greece) and some very flowery (Middle East). All will believe the way they are communicating is fine, but when transferred into an international context this no longer applies. Without the right international business etiquette it is easy to offend.

By way of conclusion we can state that etiquette helps maintain good relations with people. When dealing with people from a shared culture, everyone knows the rules and there is not much to think about. Those that lack etiquette are branded as uncouth and rude. However, this is not the same when working on the international stage. Someone may very well come across as being rude through a lack of etiquette but this may be because in their culture that behaviour is normal. As a result international business etiquette is a key skill for those wanting to be successful when working abroad. Through a great appreciation and understanding of others’ cultures you build stronger and longer lasting business relationships.

Doing Business in China: Tips & Etiquette

American companies are rightfully nervous about doing business with China. Chinese culture is a complex mix of nuance and meaning. Most Americans don't grasp these subtleties and some have paid a dear price for not having adequately prepared before they set foot on Chinese soil. In contrast, some Chinese view Americans as rich and powerful from whom they have the right to exploit. It is not the easiest business climate in which to stage negotiations.

Establishing trust between the two cultures starts first with forging a good working relationship based on common interests. Americans tend to get right to business. It's our nature to push boldly into action, and while that usually works here at home, such an approach in China will almost always fail. For example, informal conversation usually opens business meetings. Discoursing on such subjects as how you're adjusting to the weather, where in China you have visited, and your impressions of the city you are visiting, allows both sides to grow more at ease as the talk turns to business.

Recommendations on doing business with China

A 4,000-year-old society is bound to have thousands of cultural nuances but here are 12 tips for successfully conducting business in China:

1. The Chinese enter a meeting in protocol order and they expect that the first foreigner to enter the room also is the delegation head.

2. The leader of the visiting delegation sits to the right of the Chinese host.

3. The Chinese approach to business is subtle and indirect; be prepared to discuss intelligently non-business topics (like the Great Inventions of China).

4. In making introductions, note that the family name (surname) precedes the individual given (personal) name, and that married women do not use their husband's name.

5. When speaking on business matters speak slowly and introduce pauses in your presentation to allow the interpreter to keep up.

6. Direct, negative responses are considered impolite. When in doubt, say "maybe" and clarify later.

7. Devise, share and stay on an agenda. Surprises are considered quite rude.

8. Banqueting is an art and very much a part of the business process. Drinking plays no small part, but you should not feel compelled to imbibe. Do participate in and return toasts with soda or some other beverage.

9. Theirs is a gift-giving culture. Seek expert opinions regarding taboos, government restrictions, etc.

10. Conducting business will almost certainly happen over lunch or dinner. You will be served by your Chinese counterparts. These are gestures of courtesy and respect from your Chinese hosts.

11. Tipping is not a common practice and can even be considered an insult.

12. Chinese etiquette calls for leaving some food on your plate when you have finished eating lest your host continue serving you. You will not offend your hosts if you decline to sample some of the more exotic local fare.

Remember, your goal is not friendship in the western definition -- in fact such personal relationships are very difficult to establish. Rather, your measure of personal regard is defined by the working relationships you establish.

Just as you would hardly undertake an expedition without a guide, you would be wise to engage the services of an expert in Chinese customs before conducting business. Select consultants who offer cross-cultural programs led by experts with hands-on experience in specific business areas. For example, PALS INTERNATIONAL has a team of China experts that offers a full spectrum of needs, ranging from corporate briefings and cross-cultural training to negotiation simulations. Our consultants also can address intellectual property concerns and commercial supply chain risks in commercial, environmental, terrorism and criminal areas.

Etiquette is Essential, Also at Work!

If someone seems dated arguments are wrong because not only are issues highly sought by both young people and by employers who see the class as the flagship of good managers and good education key to successful in life and work. There are numerous courses in various flake training institutions which aim to provide at least the basic rules of behavior as a corollary matters in vocational training and business.

The etiquette was born as a manual of behavior in the middle of the '500 per patient work of the bishop of Sessa Aurunca Galeazzo Florimonte. In recent years, industry experts have had to keep pace with the times and especially with the technology, especially in more young but not only introduced behavior, gestures and customs that only a few years ago 'was unthinkable. So in these training courses is undertaken with particular attention to the theme of the phone: no screaming or shouting nowhere, especially not when you're waiting for the museums, bars, crowded places or at least within near of any other person. For women the basic rule must be to not refer makeup or hair (even if this advice applies not only to women!) Slammed in face to anyone mirrors, brushes or any other useful object.

But the etiquette courses for managerial behavior goes beyond the simple taking into account parallel disciplines such as dress, gestures and all that is defined by specialists para verbal or non-verbal language. As for the countless clothing are spread out on a daily advice, tips but inevitably clash with the prevailing fashions becoming archaic and bigoted. A brief summary was not the pants "knees" that in addition to being stylish lose any utility, it is good to be brisk in the work but it's important not to overdo it, the same for skirts too short, especially if combined with not so long-limbed physical characteristics. Indeed for women the rule to follow is always the finesse and class, so no mesh too tight or too loose, no ties to unmatched shirts, if not you have a tie that combines and do not want to invest in this go out without.

But at the table during a business lunch, that the rules of etiquette are unleashed in all their pride to make it, that "tell me how you eat and I'll tell you who you are" has always been right especially with customers and suppliers, where even when we least expect are under consideration. So never eat greedily, chewing with his mouth open or making noise, place your elbows on the table or keep the phone on the table. And last, but fundamental rule to be respected, never use the toothpick. Some small ideas which, if known, can be put in place without problems!

Business Telephone Etiquettes

The telephone has become an indispensable tool in businesses today. Cell phone technology is rapidly changing. It is imperative to know all the rules while talking on a phone for business purposes. Business telephone etiquettes should be taught to all members of the organization. This will leave a good impression of your organization on both the callers and the called.

When you pick up the phone, greet the person depending on the time of the day. While calling you should introduce yourself and give the name of your organization if you are working in one. Use short phrases and simple words while talking on the phone. Long-winding sentences will lead to disinterest and poor comprehension in listeners. Avoid the use of casual words and slang. Sales people could call you. It is not compulsory to hear out an entire sales pitch. One can ask the salesperson's name and business and politely express disinterest in the business or products. Further you can request your number to be removed from the calling list.

Proper customer service is an integral part of business telephone etiquettes. There should be screening of calls by possibly the receptionist before forwarding it to the concerned person. There should be facility to leave a voice message on the phone if the person is not able to take the call at that particular time. If the phone gets disconnected due to some reasons then instead of waiting for the call, callback the person right away. You should avoid multitasking like handling different phone calls at one time. There should be proper scripts for inbound and outbound calls.

If you dial a number that is wrong, apologize promptly and disconnect. One ought to dial carefully and in proper lighting to avoid calling a wrong number and causing inconvenience to others. Etiquette demands that both the caller and receiver should write down information when required. Before making a call or taking one, be sure to have something to write upon. In case the conversation is confidential you should speak from a private room where no one else is present. In case this option is not available speak softly and at the volume not audible to neighboring colleagues. Ideally you should not put a person on hold. You ought to ask permission before putting the person on hold. Unauthorized persons should not be permitted to use the phone. This may have a detrimental effect on the reputation of your organization.

You should never eat food or chew gum while talking on the phone. It causes unpleasant sounds and could possibly irritate the user. Do not talk on the phone while driving. This is not only dangerous but will also divide your attention. Speak softly. Make sure the volume of the phone is not very high as well as speech should be able to be distinctly heard. The correct way to answer the telephone is ‘hello’. Simply answering "yes" is a an inappropriate and terse response.

You should never be rude to a caller no matter whatever provocation. You should always conduct yourself in a professional business like manner. Speak clearly and slowly when taking a business call. You should not mumble or have slurred speech. Keep phone calls brief and friendly. You ought to be mindful of different time zones. Try to call during the day as far as possible. Calls before 9am and after 9pm should be avoided. You should also be careful in calls where cultural differences come by. Complimentary words and phrases may be considered derogatory in other cultures.

Finally following good business telephone is the responsibility of every person in the organization. These are simple and effective but inexpensive methods to enhance the image of your organization.

Proper Business Etiquette

Business in ancients times was mostly confined to trade. Trading between countries was crucial to a country's growth and prosperity. Hence, a country used to determine the quality of the traded items, and not only the value of the item but the representation of the traders mattered too. Etiquette is just not confined to the use of the right type of fork at the dinner table. It involves everything which has to do with saying the right things, dressing the right way, to doing the right thing. In other words, being at your best behavior. Proper business etiquette is just about following etiquettes at your workplace. Contrary to many people's beliefs, proper etiquette has nothing to do with being upright and stuffy, it's rather being smart and well cultured. Showing everyone that you have a polished and sophisticated side to you would get you one notch up on others.

What is Proper Business Etiquette?

Before we proceed any further, let us gather ourselves to find the answer to the question, what is proper business etiquette? You know, proper business etiquette has everything to do with good manners and appropriate habits. So what kind of behavior can be constituted as good for workplace? For this, let's take a look at some dos and dont's of work etiquette which you might be doing unconsciously at your workplace.

Proper Dressing Sense

Everyone seems to like commenting on other's dressing sense, but how a person dresses up in a office has real significance in the corporate world. A sleek and smart look would make a favorable impression rather than a tardy and messy appearance. What to wear and what not to wear at office is a important question as this whole arena has become ambiguous due to constantly changing fads. Sticking to formal wear is the only way, one can exhibit proper business etiquette in dressing. Women should avoid wearing too loud colored clothes or even sleeveless blouses and short skirts are not advisable for those who want follow professional dress code. For men, formal shirts with full sleeves and an uncreased attire would do the trick for exhibiting proper business etiquette in dressing.

Proper Business Phone Etiquette

Many a times, a phone call seals the fate of a business deal and it's important that you excel at the art of pleasant conversation. If you are not required to say any specific company's intro, then make sure that you give out your name or designation while answering any business call. The key thing in the business telephone etiquette is to carefully fetch all the information from the client. Profanity or aggressive tone during telephone conversation can cause a big dent to your company's image, it's but obvious that you should refrain from such behavior if you are concerned about etiquettes at work. Pay attention to what the person on the other end of the phone is saying. Do not interrupt him/her because interrupting someone who is speaking has always been considered rude even it reeks of being chivalric.

If you are transferring any call, kindly inform the person that you are doing so as this is the rudest thing people complain of when they call any customer service. Never in any instance, slam down your phone, remember that you wouldn't like this to happen to you. Other thing you got remember concerning telephone etiquettes is that if you have told someone that you will give him/her a call, then you should keep your word and courteously call that person even if there is no further progress in the matter concerned. These are just some of phone etiquettes, be it business or home it should reflect in voice and conversation on phone.

Proper Business Email Etiquette

Business communication is just what every one wants to master and perfect. Though emailing can be done even by a 3 year old, exhibiting proper business email etiquette can be just a tad difficult. Still the whole ballyhoo over email etiquettes is uncalled for. The first commandment ofbusiness email etiquette is never to make spelling and grammatical mistakes. Include all the details in the email so that you do not have to reply to queries again and again. Make sure that the tone of the email is proper and is actually what you wanted. To find out that tone of the email is appropriate, you can read the email aloud. Business letters and likewise, business emails are supposed to be formal and devoid of any errors. But unlike business letters, business emails have a scope of being light and crisp and can express pleasant disposition of yours. Write correct names and addresses because the client or customer wouldn't appreciate anything less than that. If you are sending an attached file of considerable size, then ensure that your email would actually reach the desired destination without bouncing.

Also read more on business ethics.

Proper business etiquette is a must to climb up the ladder of success in the corporate world. These etiquettes are just not about having your grammar right, instead it's about you being in your Sunday best and showing grace and courtesy even in your manners.

Business Dining Etiquette

Business dining etiquette rules have always been important in every person's corporate life. There may be many occasions in your professional career when you will be dining with your office colleagues either in a restaurant or home. You should remember that even though you are out of your office, your actions and ways of behavior are under observation.

By displaying decency, elegance and smartness, you can prove several points to your seniors who might be present with you. A good knowledge of these business dining etiquettes can earn you a tag of a disciplined and civilized person. This in turn can guarantee a lot of respect and admiration in the society. The business dining etiquette tips and suggestions mentioned below will help you a lot.

Important Business Dining Etiquette

The most important of all the business dining etiquettes is to reach the location where you are supposed to dine with your colleagues on time. By doing so, you prove that you are punctual and care for others. In case if you think that you would not be able to reach the venue at the right time, you should call one of your colleague and inform him about your late arrival. As far as possible, also tell the reason why you will be coming late. At the venue of the dinner, if you reach before time, you should wait for your colleagues to arrive. If you arrive late, then you must apologize for the same.

Business dining etiquettes also include wearing decent clothes for the dinner. It can be very irritating and frustrating for the other people dining with you if you arrive in untidy clothes. Be well groomed and follow the dress code as far as possible if you are dining at a restaurant.

Table manners are to be followed while you are eating your food. Wash your hands well before you sit for your dinner. Do not start eating before the rest of your colleagues-it is expected that all of you start together. While dining at a restaurant, do not order too much food at the same time. Do not make noises while you eat your food. Avoid speaking very loudly while eating as this can be quite disturbing for your colleagues and also the other people dining at the restaurant. As far as possible, avoid talking while you are eating your food. Also know about business etiquette.

Mobile phones can be the biggest interruption during a dinner. You should keep your mobile phone switched of or on the silent mode to avoid any kind of disturbance to your colleagues while dining. If at all you get a call, then you should say 'excuse me' and then attend the call. It would be good if you ask your colleagues whether they liked the food or not. Attend all of your colleagues and not a few of them. Interacting with just few colleagues may not go down well with the other people dining with you. Avoid eating too fast or two slow and try to maintain a moderate pace.

The business dining etiquettes do not end here. Once you finish your dinner, you should be seated on the table and wait for your colleagues to finish their dinner. This shows that you care for them and are well mannered.

Meeting Etiquette

Etiquette is nothing but a set of rules which are accepted by the everyone, for the smooth functioning of the society. Proper etiquettes are expected in all of the social activities and interactions. Of course etiquette is different for every occasion. For example tea party etiquette will obviously be different from meeting etiquette. Formal etiquette is expected on both the occasions, however, there is quite a difference between those etiquettes. Let us take a look at meeting etiquette, starting from the silent dress code to posture.

Meeting Etiquette Rules

There can be different kinds of business meetings, like a formal meeting with the management or one with the colleagues, however the etiquette are almost for each formal meeting. This etiquette is something that everyone is aware of. Read more on formal etiquette rules.

Punctuality: It might sound cliché, but punctuality is one quality which needs to be followed throughout life. Punctuality is a crucial factor when it comes to formal meetings. In fact, you should not be on time, you should be present at the venue at least five minutes beforehand. Being late is not only considered rude but also reflects the nature of the person. If you do reach late due to some reason, go and sit on your place without disturbing the proceedings. If you are organizing the meeting, start it on time, irrespective of the attendance. Do not make the present members wait only because some members are late. Read more on workplace etiquette.

Dressing and Mannerism: You are supposed to dress for a meeting, so it has to be formal attire. Dress like a professional, T-shirts and jeans are out of a question when it comes to a meeting. There won't be any dress code mentioned, however, you are expected to dress in clean and neat clothes, also pay attention to your footwear. Make sure that your socks are not torn or have any holes, polish the shoes before the meeting. Talking about manners, keep your cell phone switched off during the meeting. If it is not possible to switch it off, keep it in your pocket, on silent. Do not keep it on the table as the vibration will disturb the meeting.

Listening attentively is also an important etiquette, if at any point you do not agree with the chair, wait for him to finish and then put forth your opinion in a modest tone. Every person present does get a chance to express his views, wait for your chance. Do not get aggressive for anything, it is considered rude and offending. Read more on workplace etiquette guidelines.

Be Prepared: All meetings generally have an agenda, you will get to know when you are supposed to participate in the meeting. Do not waste your and others people's time beating around the bush. Speak only about the concerned topic, in short and simple sentences. Do not go on talking as there are also other people who wish to talk, be precise and wrap your presentation within a certain time. Be prepared for questions that might be asked about the topic, if you cannot answer a certain query, honestly tell the person asking, do not give vague or rude answers. Also carry a pen, pencil, notepad, laptop etc. with you. Read more on business etiquette.

Summarization: When the meeting ends, summarize the meeting by giving a short account of the happenings in the meeting which include plans that were put forward, accomplishments, any suggestions etc. Also decide the time and place for the next meeting. Do not rush out, thank everyone for coming if you are the organizer or thank the organizers otherwise. Read more on professional etiquette.

These were the meeting etiquette rules. So now that you know what exactly is expected of you, behave accordingly and make a good impression in front of your boss!

Meeting Etiquette

Etiquette is nothing but a set of rules which are accepted by the everyone, for the smooth functioning of the society. Proper etiquettes are expected in all of the social activities and interactions. Of course etiquette is different for every occasion. For example tea party etiquette will obviously be different from meeting etiquette. Formal etiquette is expected on both the occasions, however, there is quite a difference between those etiquettes. Let us take a look at meeting etiquette, starting from the silent dress code to posture.

Meeting Etiquette Rules

There can be different kinds of business meetings, like a formal meeting with the management or one with the colleagues, however the etiquette are almost for each formal meeting. This etiquette is something that everyone is aware of. Read more on formal etiquette rules.

Punctuality: It might sound cliché, but punctuality is one quality which needs to be followed throughout life. Punctuality is a crucial factor when it comes to formal meetings. In fact, you should not be on time, you should be present at the venue at least five minutes beforehand. Being late is not only considered rude but also reflects the nature of the person. If you do reach late due to some reason, go and sit on your place without disturbing the proceedings. If you are organizing the meeting, start it on time, irrespective of the attendance. Do not make the present members wait only because some members are late. Read more on workplace etiquette.

Dressing and Mannerism: You are supposed to dress for a meeting, so it has to be formal attire. Dress like a professional, T-shirts and jeans are out of a question when it comes to a meeting. There won't be any dress code mentioned, however, you are expected to dress in clean and neat clothes, also pay attention to your footwear. Make sure that your socks are not torn or have any holes, polish the shoes before the meeting. Talking about manners, keep your cell phone switched off during the meeting. If it is not possible to switch it off, keep it in your pocket, on silent. Do not keep it on the table as the vibration will disturb the meeting.

Listening attentively is also an important etiquette, if at any point you do not agree with the chair, wait for him to finish and then put forth your opinion in a modest tone. Every person present does get a chance to express his views, wait for your chance. Do not get aggressive for anything, it is considered rude and offending. Read more on workplace etiquette guidelines.

Be Prepared: All meetings generally have an agenda, you will get to know when you are supposed to participate in the meeting. Do not waste your and others people's time beating around the bush. Speak only about the concerned topic, in short and simple sentences. Do not go on talking as there are also other people who wish to talk, be precise and wrap your presentation within a certain time. Be prepared for questions that might be asked about the topic, if you cannot answer a certain query, honestly tell the person asking, do not give vague or rude answers. Also carry a pen, pencil, notepad, laptop etc. with you. Read more on business etiquette.

Summarization: When the meeting ends, summarize the meeting by giving a short account of the happenings in the meeting which include plans that were put forward, accomplishments, any suggestions etc. Also decide the time and place for the next meeting. Do not rush out, thank everyone for coming if you are the organizer or thank the organizers otherwise. Read more on professional etiquette.

These were the meeting etiquette rules. So now that you know what exactly is expected of you, behave accordingly and make a good impression in front of your boss!

Business Dinner Etiquette

A formal dinner always seems to intimidate people. Amateurs or those experiencing this for the first time are often found to be hesitant and seem to be at loss. However, if one follows a certain set of rules and remembers certain things, he/she can confidently face business dinners without being nervous. Let us have a look at these etiquette and rules.

Business Dinner Etiquette Rules

One is expected to follow certain codes of conduct right from arrival, dinner to departure. Here are business dinner etiquette tips for the same.

Arrival

The rules and etiquettes for a business dinner begin right from the time you arrive as a guest or a host to the event. The following are the simple rules that one should keep in mind as business dining etiquette.

• Arriving on the scheduled time is very important during a formal function. If you are the host, it is advisable to reach the venue earlier to check the arrangement and the menu.
• If you are going to be late as a guest, call up the host and inform him well in advance.
• As a guest, Do Not ever get a gift or flowers for the host during a formal dinner.
• The gentlemen are always expected to escort the ladies and also help her remove coats or raincoats and pass it to the attendants.
• The host is required to assist the guests in sitting arrangement or inform them where they need to be seated.
• The guests, on the other hand, should not be seated before they have been informed about the sitting arrangement. However, they can be seated in case there are placards placed on tables.

Dinner

Table manners always play an important role in making a positive impression. Specially these manners and etiquettes are much needed in formal functions and dinners. Here are formal dinner etiquettes that one needs to follow as a host or a guest.

• One should not place bags, cell phones, etc. on the dining table. The napkin should be placed on the lap.
• The guests should not begin the meal before everyone's served. The hosts, on the other hand, should begin eating when everyone is served as the guests follow the hosts.
• With a proper table setting, one should begin with the outermost cutlery and work one's way in. if in doubt, follow the host.
• In the European style, the the food is cut with the knife in the right hand, and eaten with the fork in the left. Whereas, in American style, the food is cut with the knife in the right hand and then eaten by switching the fork to the right hand.
• The used cutlery should never be placed on the table; rather place them back in the plate.
• It is advisable to maintain a proper pace that matches with the rest of the diners while eating.

Departure

Of course, the bill or the check is collected by the host and dealt with discretion. It is also a proper business dinner etiquette for the host to pay for the business clients. In a uber-formal dinner, the gentlemen are expected to assist the ladies when they rise from the chair. Once the guests have left, the host must thank the waiter or the assistant in the hotel for the service and leave. Read more on business etiquettes.

Read more on:

• Dining Etiquette
• Fine Dining Etiquette
• Guest Etiquette

These were some business dinner etiquette that one needs to follow when hosting a formal dinner or being a guest. So the next time, do not get intimidated, a bit of practice and following these tips will help you attend these events confidently. Good luck!

Finding Opportunities:

Finding Opportunities: Re-examining Personal and Organizational Strength in Challenging Times BY JON MUELLER

As 2009 dawned, instead of the kind of high hopes and fresh starts the beginning of a year typically brings, the economy was crashing harder each day. Businesses crumbled, people lost jobs, and nearly everything lost value as spending froze and budgets dried up. 800-CEO-READ was intimately affected, as the company painfully let staff go in the downsizing of an already-lean group. Around the world, reality became surprisingly bleak, and no one seemed to have any solid answers.

Despite being bombarded by negative news regarding the economy, a counter-attack seemed to be developing and people started to come out of their temporary collective daze. Instead of giving in to the pessimism, people began to address the issues, rethinking what it means to run a business, manage a group of people, and develop and apply personal skills. For many, individuals and businesses alike, this crisis became an opportunity for change, for chasing dreams, even for just waiting out the storm as they planned for something better. Which is not to say there haven’t been painful decisions made, that there haven’t been casualties, but if change is the only certain thing, then the challenge is to transform dire circumstances into dramatic successes.

In January, Martha Finney released her timely book Rebound: A Proven Plan for Starting Over After Job Loss to encourage just such a thing. The book seemed eerily prophetic in some ways, but nonetheless offered an immediate salve to the wounded. For many, finding a new job was not at all in the plan, but the advice and insight in Finney’s book was miraculous in its ability to provide current and profound advice to those that needed it unexpectedly quick.

Rebound not only plunges headfirst into tactical advice, but also addresses financial and emotional issues, like how to manage spending during unemployment, how to explain your job loss to your children, and other issues that are often overlooked in the more common discussions about beefing-up one’s resume, networking, and refining the interview process. Those critical skills are covered, too, but it’s Finney’s knack for understanding and addressing the broad scope of the situation that makes her book stand above the rest.

In Search of Excellence

The "Greatest Business Book of All Time" (Bloomsbury UK), "In Search of Excellence" has long been a must-have for the boardroom, business school, and bedside table.

Based on a study of forty-three of America's best-run companies from a diverse array of business sectors, "In Search of Excellence" describes eight basic principles of management -- action-stimulating, people-oriented, profit-maximizing practices -- that made these organizations successful.

Joining the HarperBusiness Essentials series, this phenomenal bestseller features a new Authors' Note, and reintroduces these vital principles in an accessible and practical way for today's management reader.

What Should I Do with My Life?

The bestselling author of "Bombardiers" and "The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest" traveled the world in search of people who had found meaningful answers to one of life's greatest questions: What should I do with my life?"

In "What Should I Do with My Life"? Po Bronson tells the inspirational true stories of people who have found the most meaningful answers to that great question. With humor, empathy, and insight, Bronson writes of remarkable individuals--from young to old, from those just starting out to those in a second career--who have overcome fear and confusion to find a larger truth about their lives and, in doing so, have been transformed by the experience. "What Should I Do with My Life?" struck a powerful, resonant chord on publication, causing a multitude of people to rethink their vocations and priorities and start on the path to finding their true place in the world. For this edition, Bronson has added nine new profiles, to further reflect the range and diversity of those who broke away from the chorus to learn the sound of their own voice.

Influence The Psychology of Persuasion (Revised)

"Influence," the classic book on persuasion, explains the psychology of why people say "yes"--and how to apply these understandings. Dr. Robert Cialdini is the seminal expert in the rapidly expanding field of influence and persuasion. His thirty-five years of rigorous, evidence-based research along with a three-year program of study on what moves people to change behavior has resulted in this highly acclaimed book.

You'll learn the six universal principles, how to use them to become a skilled persuader--and how to defend yourself against them. Perfect for people in all walks of life, the principles of "Influence" will move you toward profound personal change and act as a driving force for your success.

Toyota Production System

In this classic text, the inventor of the Toyota Production System and lean manufacturing combines his candid insights with a rigorous analysis of Toyota's attempts at lean production to explain how lean principles can improve any production-oriented endeavor.

In this classic text, Taiichi Ohno -- inventor of the Toyota Production System and lean manufacturing -- shares the genius that sets him apart as one of the most disciplined and creative thinkers of our time. Combining his candid insights with a rigorous analysis of Toyota's attempts at lean production, Ohno's book explains how lean principles can improve any production-oriented endeaver. A historical and philosophical description of just-in-time and lean manufacturing, this work a must read for all students of human progress. On a more practical level, it continues to provide inspiration and instruction for those seeking to improve efficiency through the relentless elimination of waste.

Big gains await developing countries if they raise their energy productivity, research by the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) has found: they could slow the growth of their energy demand by more than half over the next 12 years—to 1.4 percent a year, from 3.4—which would leave demand some 25 percent lower in 2020 than it would otherwise have been (Exhibit 1). That is a reduction larger than total energy consumption in China today.

Policy makers and businesses in developing regions must not be deterred from boosting energy productivity (the output they achieve from the energy they consume) because of the present weakening economic environment and falling oil prices; these do not affect the long-term projections in the study.¹ Time is of the essence: developing economies will install half or more of the capital stock that will be in place in 2020 between now and then. Every building or industrial plant constructed without optimal energy efficiency represents a lost opportunity to lock in lower energy consumption for decades.

The development paradigm that brought China two decades of rapid growth and lifted millions of people out of poverty is reaching the limits of its utility. Well before the US credit bubble imploded, China’s leaders recognized that this old economic model, with its heavy reliance on exports and government-led investments, was straining at the seams.¹ The global recession that followed Lehman Brothers’ collapse put the model’s drawbacks into sharp relief. When exports plunged, factories closed, and millions of Chinese migrants lost their jobs, Beijing responded with a $600 billion stimulus package and a torrent of new lending by state-owned banks.

But those remedies, while highly successful in restoring short-term growth, risk aggravating structural distortions that made China’s economy vulnerable to external-demand shocks in the first place. As the global crisis ebbs, China’s leaders realize more clearly than ever that they must unleash consumer spending to achieve sustainable growth. Stoking Chinese consumption has vaulted to the top of national—indeed global—policy agendas. But how, and how much, can it be raised?

To answer that question, the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) considered three scenarios for Chinese consumption rates over the next 15 years: a base case (no new action to raise consumption), a policy case (full implementation of proconsumption measures already announced), and a stretch case (a push beyond the current agenda to implement broad changes in the economy’s structure).

The rough guide to marketing success used to be that you got what you paid for. No longer. While traditional “paid” media—such as television and radio commercials, print advertisements, and roadside billboards—still play a major role, companies today can exploit many alternative forms of media. Consumers enamored of a product may, for example, create “earned” media by willingly promoting it to friends, and a company may leverage “owned” media by sending e-mail alerts about products and sales to customers registered with its Web site. In fact, the way consumers now approach the process of making purchase decisions means that marketing’s impact stems from a broad range of factors beyond conventional paid media.

These expanding media forms reflect dramatic changes in the way consumers perceive and absorb marketing messages.¹ As a result, some strategic-marketing frameworks—such as the popular “paid, owned, earned” one—are in serious need of updating. Many marketers use this framework to distinguish different ways of interacting with consumers, forms of financing, and measures of performance for each contact. Yet the paid, owned, earned framework increasingly looks too limited. How, for example, should a marketing strategist for a company react to requests from other companies to purchase advertising space on its product sites? How should a company deal with online activists when they take hold of a product or campaign to push a negative emotional response against it?

It’s one thing for a CFO to understand the technical methods of valuation—and for members of the finance organization to apply them to help line managers monitor and improve company performance. But it’s still more powerful when CEOs, board members, and other nonfinancial executives internalize the principles of value creation. Doing so allows them to make independent, courageous, and even unpopular business decisions in the face of myths and misconceptions about what creates value.

When an organization’s senior leaders have a strong financial compass, it’s easier for them to resist the siren songs of financial engineering, excessive leverage, and the idea (common during boom times) that somehow the established rules of economics no longer apply. Misconceptions like these—which can lead companies to make value-destroying decisions and slow down entire economies—take hold with surprising and disturbing ease.

The United Kingdom should make itself the European location of choice for multinational corporations, give its cities more power to determine their economic destinies, and unshackle its education and health sectors so they can take advantage of the potential for international growth.

These are among the recommendations of a new report, From austerity to prosperity: Seven priorities for the long termpublished by McKinsey’s London office and the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI). The report identifies critical areas the United Kingdom must tackle in order to build a stronger economy:

1. Productivity growth has been encouraging (exhibit), but overall levels are still 17 percent below those of the United States and 10 percent lower than Germany’s. The United Kingdom should promote improved productivity within sectors rather than trying to change the economy’s sector mix. Removing regulatory barriers, lifting land use restrictions, and improving the quality of management and the skills of employees are essential to the effort.
2. Multinationals may account for less than 2 percent of UK businesses, but they drive overall economic growth. Government should work with leading multinationals on a ten-year plan to develop the skills of the workforce, ensure access to international skills through open immigration, improve the physical and social infrastructure, and create certainty about future taxation and regulation.
3. Transport and energy infrastructure will require more than £500 billion in investment over the next 20 years. But private investors will participate only if there’s greater regulatory certainty and if returns improve.

Short-term doldrums aside, the world’s corporations would seem to be in a strong position to grow as the global economy recovers. They enjoy healthy cash balances, with $3.8 trillion in cash holdings at the end of 2009, and they have access to cheap capital, with real long-term interest rates languishing near 1.5 percent. Indeed, as developing economies continue to pick up the pace of urbanization, the prognosis for companies that can tap into that growth over the next decade looks promising.

Yet all those new roads, ports, water and power systems, and other kinds of public infrastructure—and the many companies building new plants and buying machinery—may put unexpected strains on the global financial system. The McKinsey Global Institute’s (MGI) recent analysis finds that by 2030, the world’s supply of capital—that is, its willingness to save—will fall short of its demand for capital, or the desired level of investment needed to finance all those projects.¹Indeed, household saving rates have generally declined in mature economies for nearly three decades, and an aging population seems unlikely to reverse that trend. China’s efforts to rebalance its economy toward increased consumption will reduce global saving as well.

What must a school system that performs poorly do to become good? And what must a system with good performance do to become excellent? In a new McKinsey report, How the world’s most improved school systems keep getting better, we attempt to answer these questions.

We analyzed 20 systems from around the world—all with improving but differing levels of performance—and examined how each has achieved significant, sustained, and widespread gains in student outcomes, as measured by international and national assessments. The report was based on more than 200 interviews with stakeholders in school systems and an analysis of some 600 interventions they carried out—two strands of research comprising what we believe is the most comprehensive database of global school system reform ever assembled. It identifies the reform elements replicable for school systems elsewhere, as well as those elements that are context specific, as they move from poor to fair to good to great to excellent performance.

It’s been ten years since multinationals first began turning away from joint ventures in China as the preferred way to take part in the world’s hottest growth story. Many joint ventures failed to endure, and as multinationals gained experience in China, and foreign investment restrictions loosened, multinationals found it easier in many sectors to start a business from scratch—or to acquire an existing one outright—than to negotiate, establish, and manage a joint venture in the long term.

No longer. China’s hot growth has boosted valuations and increased competition for outright acquisitions of Chinese companies that are often less interested in being acquired. That makes joint ventures a more appealing option, and so does a growing pool of healthier prospective Chinese partners. All this is prompting some multinationals to reconsider the joint-venture approach as an alternate avenue for getting a stake in the continuing strength of China’s economy.

For almost 40 years, the US consumer goods sector was among the safest of havens for investors. It rewarded them with annual returns well above the market average—second only to those of the energy sector—and in a bumper period from 1985 to 2002 outperformed the S&P 500 index by almost 20 percent annually. Since then, the sector has barely outpaced the index, despite persistent attempts by companies to find winning strategies. While inadequate cost controls and a failure to deliver significant value from a wave of mergers and acquisitions haven’t helped, one factor is the dominant culprit for the current malaise: the industry’s response to changing commodity prices.

With the number of mergers and acquisitions expected to rise over the next few years, many companies are looking for ways to improve their M&A skills—especially their ability to assess and integrate target companies successfully. We’ve all heard about deals where the stars seemed aligned but synergies remained elusive. In these cases, the acquirer and target may have had complementary strategies and finances, but the integration of technology and operations often proved difficult, usually because it didn’t receive adequate consideration during due diligence.

One reason is that executives from IT and operations often aren’t included in the due-diligence process, preventing them from offering valuable input on the costs and practical realities of integration. Executives can’t hope to forecast the savings from merged supply chains, for example, without a deep understanding of what’s required to integrate two companies’ information systems. Too often, this key information is overlooked.