Business Etiquette

Test your Business Etiquette

Test Your Business Etiquette by gradview.com. Find out how well you would handle yourself at the office, meals and social functions by answering 18 questions. After completing the questionnaire, get your score and explanations for each answer.

Business Etiquette and Protocol by Manners International. See if you know how to correctly answer such questions as "What is the proper time to arrive for an appointment?" or "Can I exchange business cards while dining?"

Value of Business Etiquette

Don't Order the Duck by Robin McDowell, The Associated Press. This short article alerts you to the importance of business etiquette--including table manners and sensitivity to foreign customs--in landing a job and furthering your career.

What Do America Online and Dennis Rodman Have in Common? by Nancy K. Austin, Inc. Magazine. The author criticizes businesses that treat customers rudely and believe that business courtesy is not important to their success.

Basic Guidelines for Business Etiquette

Note: The articles below offer different insights on the same topics. So, it's worth your time to review as many of them as time allows.

Manners Mom Never Taught You by Etiquette International. A brief guide to business conduct when shaking hands, communicating by telephone, e-mail and correspondence, general office etiquette and business entertaining.

Business Etiquette by Ravenwerks. This primer offers concise advice on many aspects of business conduct, including meetings, phone, e-mail, how to treat guests and new employees, table manners and making introductions.

Business Etiquette in the Age of McDonald's posted at Baby Boomer News. Advice on making introductions, handshakes, dining, paying the bill, small talk and telephone manners.

Is Business Etiquette Dead? by Ken Blanchard, Executive Edge. Good advice on business courtesy, including when and when not to take phone calls, how to leave voice mail messages and handling work interruptions.

Aspects of Business Etiquette

Six Tips on Gender Relations in the Business Arena by Etiquette International. For example, "At business functions neither men nor women are helped with their chairs unless they need it."

Business Etiquette For Company Holiday Parties by United Press International. Ten mistakes to avoid at office parties, such as drinking too much, talking too much about yourself or about business and not introducing yourself to senior managers.

The Cubicle Lifestyle by Bob Rosner, ABCNEWS.com. Five tips for behaving in a cubicle-based office are discussed, such as keeping your voice lower in your cubicle, not barging into another person's cubicle and avoiding the speakerphone feature.

International Business Etiquette

F*I*R*S*T G*E*T G*O*O*D by Etiquette International. "FIRST GET GOOD is a simple anagram of the eight aspects of international etiquette and the four guiding principles of international interactions to help you prepare for an international business trip." Gain practical advice and insights about business conduct in other countries. Some examples:

In most countries (other than the United States and Germanic countries), it is important to build relationships before conducting business
Personal space (an invisible bubble around you that you don't want someone to cross) varies by country, so it's possible to stand too close -- or too far-- when having a conversation.
Jokes may not be interpreted in other countries the way you intended, so it's safer not to make them.

Directory of Countries by The-Bag-Lady.co.uk. Learn about some of the social customs in approximately 200 countries. Here's how:

From the menu, select "Countries A-Z"
Select a country from the menu.
Check the category, "Social Profile" and then click the button, "Build Your Country Profile!"
Once the profile appears, scroll down to the section, "Social Conventions."

Gestures Around the World by Web of Culture. Find out what gestures mean around the world. This will help you avoid body language that would be misinterpreted or considered rude in that country. For example, a strong handshake is expected in business introductions in the United States but would be considered uncultured in France.