Lesson 5 – BUSINESS ETIQUETTE Part 2

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the student must be able to:
• Identify business card, workplace and office party etiquette
• Familiarize the rules for each etiquette

INTRODUCTION:
This lesson deals with the things related to business etiquette

CONTENT:

Business Card Etiquette

Key Points
Just as dinner etiquette is important for having meals, business card etiquette is
important in establishing contacts. Handling business card is not as simple as it
seems. To display professional competence, it is important to know the right way of
handling not only your own business card, but those of others as well.
 Business card are the staple of business success. It is a representation of who you
are. When you present your card to someone, you are in fact, introducing yourself on
paper. It is an extension of your business image. As such, there are certain requirement
that your business card must meet if you are planning to effectively promote yourself.

Rules Must Follow

1. It should present essential information – your card should have, aside from your
name, important contact information and online addresses where people can
view your profile.
2. It should convey a positive, interesting, and professional image – if you have
weird-sounding email addresses for Skype or Twitter account names, then it’s
time to create a new one that would convey a more professional image.
3. It should have your own logo – a good logo should visually define what you sell
at a glance. If you are a student, an entrepreneur, a freelancer, or self-employed
you should still brand yourself with a unique typology or a particular front for
your name.
4. It should feature your catch phrase – if you work for a company, use the
company’s catch phrase. If you are self-employed, keep the catch phrase short
and witty.
5. Typeface and text size are easy to read – wacky and comic-looking fonts connote
informality and casualness.
6. There is good use of color – choose colors that best present the image of your
business, particularly if you are self-employed.
7. The back of the card is used wisely – a non-gloss white space where can jot down
notes about you.
8. It is the right size and shape – stick to the international standard size of 3.5 x 2
inches, which will ensure your business cards will fit in most card wallets and
holders and will not be tossed out.

Protocols of Exchange
1. Give the card in such a way that the person who is receiving it can read its
contents without having to turn it around.
2. Do not carry your cards loose in your pockets.
3. Always make a positive comment about a card when you receive it.
4. Your business card should be up-to-date.
5. Business cards should be exchanged at the beginning of the meeting.
6. During a social event, offering your card privately is fine, but do not do any
business-related talk.
7. Give and receive card with your right hand, which is the hand of discretion.
8. Never write on your card or on any card you receive in front of the giver unless
directed to do so.
9. Never leave your home or office without business cards.
10. Do not pass your cards out as if you are advertising an upcoming event.
 Workplace Etiquette

Key Points
Using good manners is fundamental to a healthy workplace. When your company
reflects good manners, it will not only stimulate your co-workers to act appropriately
but also make them expect nothing less from those around them.

Dealing with Colleagues

- once you start working, you are the first rung of the corporate ladder. From here on,
there is nowhere else to go but up; and the speed by which you climb that ladder
depends on not only your technical knowledge but also how well you can work with
your co-workers.

(1) Building Mutual Respect

➢ Ask before borrowing anything

➢ Respect your colleagues and their opinions
➢ Credit your co-workers for their contributions to a project
➢ Don’t fall asleep at your desk
➢ Don’t come to work sick
➢ Respect your co-worker’s private space
➢ Don’t put your colleagues or the company down
➢ Remember people’s names

2) Maintain a Productive Environment

➢ Keep your desk or workstation tidy

➢ Be careful when having conversations
➢ Aim for tranquil atmosphere
➢ Watch those smells
(3) Preserve Your Self-Respect

➢ Don’t swear
➢ Keep the rude jokes to yourself
➢ Don’t ask anyone to lie for you
➢ Run your errands yourself
➢ Watch what you talk about

Office Party Etiquette

- office parties, those annual events sponsored by your company, often carry a stigma
that leave many employees red-faced with embarrassment after they’ve realized they
they’ve thrown away that professional image they’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Tips

1. Alcohol – if you plan to drink more than the safety limit, appoint a driver or call
a taxi to take you home.
2. Attendance – if you are not a party person, plan to spend at least 30 minutes for
appearance’s sake.
3. Attire – remember to ask the party committee whether the attire is formal or
casual.
4. Behavior – don’t use the party to let loose and paint the town red.
5. Conversations – when you mingle with co-workers, keep the topic positive and
upbeat. Use the opportunity to thank colleagues for their help and contributions
in successful projects.
6. Interactions – an office party is not the time to kill your career by acting
inappropriately or illegally. Keep your hands to yourself, and don’t flirt.
7. Introductions – build your network and strengthen relationships by introducing
yourself. Keep your drink on your left hand so you won’t be offering a cold and
wet handshake throughout the evening.

REFERENCE/S:

• Personality and Soft Skills Development For Workplace Success. J. G. San

Miguel. Published in 2015 by C & E Publishing, Inc.