How relevant are manners in the modern age? Now I'm not
just talking about basic table manners such as not eating
with your mouth full - but what about some work place
consideration?
We spend so much of our time with our colleagues at work,
so it pays to get along. We may need to be aware of some
of the little things that can get on others nerves and what
we perhaps need to take note of. Here are a few business
manners tips.
1. Say hello, smile and greet others warmly when you get to
work. Take a minute to ask how their weekend was. We spend
a lot of time in the workplace, often more than with our
families so it makes sense to enjoy each other's company.
Significant friendships and relationships begin at work.
2. Respect each other's personal space. Especially in an
open plan situation where talking loudly or eating hot
smelly food may be off-putting to your work colleagues. How
does your desk look? Covered in papers or any kitsch
paraphernalia?
3. Speaking of eating (one of my favourite pastimes) do you
get to work and then decide to have breakfast at your desk
and on the company's time? Why not arrive early and use the
kitchen, which is what it's for, or better still breakfast
at home.
4. Shared spaces - like the canteen and bathrooms. Do you
make an effort to tidy up after yourself?
5. Another occasion when we're eating on the company's time
might be at networking event. Do you spend all your time
chasing around after the hors d'oeuvres or at the bar?
That's not what you're there for. You're there to meet and
mingle and build relationships
6. What would we do without our mobile phones? Well I'm
sure we'd survive and find other ways of communicating. But
what about when we are communicating and sharing time with
a client or colleague - do we keep our phones switched off
and give that person we're with 100% of our undivided
attention? I've seen people at restaurants supposedly
sharing time together yet both are talking on their mobile
phones!
7. The greeting - do we kiss? Shake hands? Just nod and
hope for the best? It is confusing but why not just shake
hands with everyone you meet whether you are male or female
and if in any doubt - please leave the kiss out.
These are just a few observations, but I think it is
important to remember that "good manners means good
business".
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Sue Currie, the director of Shine Communications
Consultancy and author of Apprentice to Business Ace - your
inside-out guide to personal branding, is a business
educator and speaker on personal branding through image and
media. To learn more about how you can achieve recognition,
enhance your image and shine, sign up for free monthly tips
at http://www.shinecomms.com.au/subscriber.html
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