Etiquette At Workplace

1. Proper etiquette at the workplace generates efficiency.

2. Establish cordial and respectful relations with your staff, without being bossy.

3. When you are introducing your staff to someone, use their full name.

4. Generally, you never ask your secretary to do some work that you yourself would shun.

5. Do not use the first name of your seniors unless you are specifically invited to do so.

6. When you are visiting someone at the office after fixing up an appointment, do not be late, and if you do arrive late, apologise and explain.

7. Present your card when you tell the receptionist your name and work.

8. Do not remain standing if your host is sitting.

9. Leave at once after the meeting is over.

10. Send a 'Thank-you' within 24 hours of the meeting.

11. If you reach a door first, regardless of gender, you should open it, go through it, and then hold it to make sure that it does not hit the person following.

12. If a senior executive is present, allow him/her to reach the door and go through it first.

13. If you see someone laden with things, regardless of gender or status, hold the door for him.

14. If you are the host, open the door for your guest and motion them to go in first.

15. Always thank the person who holds the door for you.

16. When you use a lift, if you get into it first, hold the door until all have entered.

17. If you happen to be near the control panel, ask the others what floor they need, and press the button, accordingly.

18. Smoking, once considered sophisticated, is now known to be offensive and dangerous. Hence always seek the permission of those around you before lighting up.

19. It is quite acceptable to politely tell someone to stop smoking in your presence, or to smoke elsewhere.

20. When you do not see an ash-tray, do not smoke.

21. When you speak to someone on the telephone, what you say, how you say it, and the tone of your voice are very important in creating your first impression.

22. When you speak on the telephone, speak clearly, but not too loudly.

23. Avoid chewing, eating or drinking while speaking on the telephone.

24. Try to receive the phone as soon as you hear it ringing.

25. Always identify yourself, with both your name and company or department.

26. Place your calls whenever possible.

27. When a person at the other end is asked to wait while you finish speaking to someone on the other line, make sure that you do not keep him waiting for too long, or politely tell him that you will call him shortly as you are busy on the other line.

28. Every business call should begin with the caller introducing himself, identifying his company, and informing about the who the call is intended for, thus saving the rime.

29. Try to place your calls when it is convenient for the other person, not when it is a rush hour for either of you or when the person is just about to leave office.

30. If your call gets disconnected, your must promptly call back, whatever the circumstance.

31. The way you end a call is always remembered by the other person. Always try to end on a positive note.

32. During business calls, never say "see ya", or "Later", just say "Goodbye", and allow the other person to hang up before replacing the receiver.

33. If the other person is wasting your time with useless talk, politely excuse yourself stressing on your busy schedule, and that you will get in touch with him at a more leisurely hour.

34. When you are not able to reach a particular person after repeated tries, it is always a bonus to get to know the persons secretary's name. Addressing the secretary by name scores a lot of points, like gaining confidence and courtesy (the secretary normally acts as a gatekeeper and by his/her becoming your ally, you can reach the boss quicker).

35. The voice mail is a very good and useful tool for conveying information within your company.

36. The message on the voice mail should include the journalists five Ws— who, what, when, where and why.

37. Before recording your voice on an answering machine, be specific and brief.

38. If you are answering, then give your full name, the reason for your call, the best time you can be reached and your complete telephone number.

39. When you organise a board meeting, be cordial and formal towards the board members.

40. Always arrive on time at the meeting, and do not dash back to your office before the meeting has ended.

41. Offer to help the head of the organisation with access to special information or contacts.

42. Ensure that everything is in place, and nothing is missing.

43. Always thank the volunteer who organised the meeting.