In the age of social media, your bad manners, whether you are an individual or a corporation, can have more repercussions than you realise. I found this interesting post on The Event Planning website that sort of tackles some of the main issues with business etiquette. Most are event related but a few could cross over.
Failing to respond:
Whether its a business query or an event invitation or even a job application (unless it is one of those spammers), you should respond within 24-48 hours. In an era of smartphones, at least to say you when you can properly respond. If you are at an event, there is NO reason why you should not have an auto response to let people know that you are away for a couple of days and may not respond immediately. This not only reflects on you as an individual but on the company you work for since you represent them to your social and work circle.
Most large enterprises have a lot of these (response mechanisms) automated for their employees but if you are a small company, this attention to detail could be a good way to establish your reputation as a business (owner, employee) that respects the other person’s time and keeps the promises they keep.
Breaking promises:
You might think that this is not about manners but it is. If you have RSVPed for an event or made a promise to do something and for some reason you cannot keep that promise, it is very bad manners to keep the other party hanging. At least have the courtesy to let them know. As my father used to say, “Sh@t or get off the pot!” Don’t deny another person or company the opportunity because you did not care to let them know that you have changed your mind.
This also applies to being late for a meeting or an appointment. Things happen. Unless you are dying or dead, its just polite to let your host/guest know you’ll be late.
Language:
If you’re in a mixed crowd, its better to speak in the most common of languages so that you include everyone in the group. More often than not, English is acknowledged as the most common language of business and its fairer to everyone if you stay with this language in a group discussion (unless you have specified another language in advance). If you must speak another language to include someone, it is polite to let others know that you are just translating so as not to offend anyone.
Introductions and acknowledgements:
We all forget names and faces and feel embarrassed. As an older person, I just apologise for not remembering but these days its okay to say that unless you’ve done this to the same person more than twice. It costs nothing to introduce everyone you know and absolutely nothing to say to EVERYONE if you are in the same room. It does a lot to recommend you to others for being polite and courteous.
Remember the more people know you, the likelier they are to do business with you. The polite ones get respected because they respect others.
