Business Etiquette Questions and Answers

Answering Questions About Business Etiquette

Business etiquette is important and tends to fall by the wayside from time to time. Here's the thing... you never really notice poor business etiquette until you’re on the receiving end of it. That’s why we are here to provide some insight into the most frustrating business etiquette topics. Use these tips to help your team make a lasting positive impression on your business partners, clients, and colleagues!

Be On Time

This one should be obvious. Showing up late sends a message that your time is more important that everyone else’s. If time management isn't your strong suit, try implementing practices that help keep you on task. Set alarms, plan ahead for traffic and other unforeseen obstacles, and don't over book yourself. With practice, punctuality becomes a habit!

Meeting Ettiquete

No one likes unnecessary meetings. In business time is money, so be mindful of everyone’s time. Don’t include people in meetings that are irrelevant to their role, and be sure to stick to your allotted time.

Dress Code

Many businesses have casual Fridays or are forgoing traditional professional dress codes all together. Don’t ruin it for everyone by exploiting these policies! If you wouldn’t wear it to Sunday brunch at your grandma’s, then think twice about wearing it to work. One way you can't go wrong is by proving your team with employee uniforms or corporate apparel with your company logo on it.

Professional Emails

An email is not the same as an instant message or text. It also doesn’t need to be a dissertation. Your email should get your point across in a professional, succinct, and informative manner. Check

Wordiness aside, don’t “reply all” unless your response actually needs to be viewed by everyone in an email chain. We all get enough emails as it is, so review the recipients before sending them. Also, don’t feel pressured to respond to an email received after working hours or on the weekend if it’s not essential. Read this guide for more professional email tips!

Personal Space at Work

Being close with your co-workers is great, but sometimes it can be taken too far. There’s no need to divulge intimate details from your personal life at work. The workplace is a professional setting and should be treated as such. Feel free to share stories from the weekend but save details from your love life or family issues for another venue.

 

Answering the tough Questions

Now that we’ve covered the major topics, it’s time for the rapid-fire round of business etiquette questions.

1. Should I add my co-workers on social media?

This is up to you. If your social media profiles represent you in a positive light, then you should be good to go. However, just remember that your online persona is often different than your professional one, and when lines become blurred with your coworkers, things can become uncomfortable. Overall, though, connecting with your coworkers can be a great way to make friends and boost team morale!

2. Can I Date a Co-worker?

Your employer probably has a policy on this, but the general consensus is that this is a bad idea. Workplace romance can influence business decisions and be detrimental to productivity, and more often than not it's best to avoid it.

3. How should I communicate when conducting business internationally?

Generally, you will want to err on the side of formality and use full names and titles to avoid unintentionally offending anyone. Always do your research. Additionally, connecting with colleagues who have previously traveled to your destination to learn about best practices!

4. Can I eat at my desk?

If your workplace has a breakroom or cafeteria, it's often a great place to chat and connect with your team members. However, at those times when you need to have lunch at your desk, choose a meal without a strong odor, and don’t throw your waste out into your personal trash bin.

 

5. When should I pick up the bill?

For business meals or outings, the general rule of thumb is to cover the bill if you were the one that did the inviting.

6. Can I use my phone at work?

Your employer might have a policy on this as well. If not, try to only check your phone during downtime. Also, don’t bring it into meetings, and make sure the ringer is always off.

7. Is it a good idea to give employees gifts?

If you feel uncertain about whether giving gifts to employees is a good idea, you're not alone! However, we're here to let you know that giving corporate gifts has many professional benefits! Giving employees branded corporate gifts is a great way to extend a professional thank-you!

 

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