Our Co- Workers and Guests …

The best Business Etiquette calls for treating people cordially. It helps to know that the word comes from the Latin cor, meaning heart. To behave cordially is to behave with sincerity and empathy, from the heart.

• Make it your business to talk to peers, subordinates and clients/guests in positive ways. Volunteer a compliment, congratulations or thanks.
• Bosses, do not treat people as valuable, only if and when they perform for you. As soon as you enter the Office, greet everyone you encounter, from the dispatch clerk, to the CEO. If circumstances permit, make small talk. ‘’Rita, how’s your daughter doing?’’
• Be a good host. During the Business day, we ‘’entertain’’ many guests, including customers, vendors and colleagues.
• Greet your guest. If he is someone you see every day, for example, your colleague, a simple ‘’Good morning, Hello, Hi, Hey …Come in and have a seat’’ will do. If he is someone you see not very often, for example, a customer, you may add a handshake. Come out from behind your desk to greet the person. Do not wait at a spot and let the person walk all the way over to you. Even if you are the more ‘’superior’’, you show humility by taking a few steps towards the person.
• If the customer/ guest is there for a meeting, take responsibility for your guest. Offer tea or coffee if available. A pen and paper if needed. Lead the guest through the meeting. Always escort outside guests to the exit or elevator.
• When you are a guest in someone’s Office, be punctual and do not overstay your welcome. If you have reached the end of a scheduled appointment, or your host indicates it is time to leave, make moves to depart. Should you need more time, offer to reschedule. ‘’ Yusuf, I know you have other appointments. Can we continue this tomorrow at the same time?’’.
• To the extent possible, avoid interruptions during meetings or discussions, show your guest that you value his or her time, and that what you are discussing is important to you.
• Let your incoming calls go unanswered, and do not make any calls until your guest has left your Office.
• If someone comes to your door, deflect the interruption: ‘’Tayo, I’m with Celia at the moment. Can I drop by your Office in an hour?’’.
• However some interruptions are simply unavoidable. If you must take care of something or someone apart from your guest, apologize and briefly explain the nature of the interruption. Apologize first, before you answer the call, or attend to the other issue.

 

Key learning point: The best Business Etiquette treats people cordially, that is, ‘’from the heart’’.