Your attitude counts a lot in the business world. Your character is reflected by the way you present yourself. Business people often become prejudiced by the mere conduct of a person in a business meeting. So, you should ensure that you maintain your rapport by avoiding the business etiquette blunder.

The most common way of introducing yourself to anybody is a handshake and lack of confidence when you introduce yourself won’t lead you anywhere. You should never fumble while shaking hands especially at the time of an interview, if you fumble and shake your hands in a weird way, you will be judged as an undesirable candidate for the job. Your professional life will be filled with mini introductions to your colleagues, clients other career acquaintance. So, every hand shake should be done correctly. Whenever you are meeting someone, stand up to shake your hands if you have been sitting and make eye contact. Repeat the person’s name so that you will remember the name for later as well.

People often have the habit of drinking too much at business functions like dinners and holiday parties. This is considered as one of the biggest blunders. Do not drink too much, limit your pegs to one or two. This will because you will come off as unprofessional, will lead you saying things that you shouldn’t say during the party. So, it is better to minimize the number of drinks you have and the best, to avoid it.

It is suggested time and again that you should follow the basic table manners. Know how to use the silverware. The ladies at your table should be served first. Wait until everyone at the table has their food before you begin eating. You should never forget to keep napkin on your lap.

Another important aspect is following the e mail etiquette. Most of the people commit the mistake of writing e mails that are too casual or inappropriate. Learn how to convey the message in your e mail. Keep the e mail professional at the same time polite. In addition, avoid using your office email to send others in the office funny, cute, sentimental, personal or chain emails.

Last but not the least, people often become too casual with their superiors. They take the freedom given by their superiors for granted. Getting too much personal with your superior is of no use. In fact, it may affect your professional status. There are many instances of bosses coming too close to their employees. This is fair but basically, the relationship between the boss and their employee should be purely professional. Mutual respect matters a lot in professional relationship. Give your colleagues and your superiors the due respect.

Hence, don’t commit the mistakes and ensure a cordial relationship professionally!

Business is no more restricted to your workplace or cell phone. Much of the business is now conducted over food. So, it is very important to know etiquette when you dine with your clients as to build up cordial relationships with your clients. Follow these dining etiquette tips because many business deals can take shape over the dining table!

The choice of restaurant:
Since you are the host of the dinner, you are responsible for choosing the time of the meal and the location of the restaurant. The location of the restaurant should be suitable for your client. Make sure that the restaurant has parking facilities. Avoid a crowdie restaurant because it is impossible to conduct business at a noisy place.

Your guest’s preferences:
Ask your guest his/her preferences of food and place the menu accordingly. Consider the menu according to the tastes of your guest. Offer the seat preferred by your guest that will probably the one facing towards the room or facing the window.

The arrival of your guest:
Order drinks if they have not arrived yet. Keep the table untouched until your guest arrives.

Make the guests comfortable:
Ask your guests to order first and follow suite. Let them feel free to choose anything they like from the menu.

Order the right food:
When placing the order, make sure that you don’t order anything which can put out of action. Avoid anything that is difficult to eat with a knife and fork, or foods like spaghetti, where you can end up spilling sauce on dress. Make sure that you never talk with mouth stuffed with food which is a strict turn-off for your guest.

Proper coordination:
Coordination is very important at a business lunch. It will be really awkward if some people eat while other watch them eating. So, make sure that every one orders in a group, eats the same courses and finishes at the same time.

Discuss business:
Remember, the objective of the lunch is to discuss business. Had it been a dinner, you may talk business in a leisurely manner, probably after finishing off your main course. But since it is lunch, start talking business after you order.

Last but not the least…
Your business meal should give you positive result. So, you should always remember that you arranged the lunch to develop cordial relationships with your client, not with the food.