Many people consider etiquette to be something you use when you’re at a fancy dinner or meeting dignitaries, but etiquette is more than just knowing how to navigate a place setting or how to introduce your business partner.
“Etiquette is all about behaviour. It’s about knowing the right behaviours so you are comfortable in all situations and you make other people comfortable.” Jodi R.R. Smith.
I would add that the essence of Etiquette is respect. It is about respecting others but also yourself.
But now, how would business owners benefit from it? When you are building a company, you are building a brand. And if a business owner wants to stand out from the competition, create a reputation of excellence, then working on your image is necessary and Etiquette is essential. Also, to maintain a harmonious atmosphere within the company, having your staff trained is probably a good idea as it would allow good relationships among the staff but also between the staff and your clientele. 
In this 3-part series, I’ll give you one of the three most important Etiquette skills needed as a business owner: Mastering the manners. There are rules in business just like there are in social life. For example, you know that when someone gives you something, you must say “thank you” to be polite.
Here are 7 rules of manners you need to know:
1. If you have a business meeting, you must arrive on time. Arriving late is a way of saying “my time is more precious than yours”. I will never forget a quote I once heard: “Being on time is the politeness of kings” and I absolutely feel this. What could be more honorable than a king or a queen showing respect to others?
Now, I understand that life is full of surprises and we might not always be able to fulfill our engagements. But we are in 2019 and efficient communication is made easy with phones and emails.
Do whatever you can to arrive a little earlier (15 minutes) but if you are stuck in traffic, then call, text or email and advise that you are late but on your way.
2. When you introduce people, the highest-ranking person is introduced to others in order of their rank.
For instance: “Mr. Regional Manager, let me introduce you, Mrs CEO.” Then “Mr branch Manager, this is Mrs. CEO” and so on.
The only exception to this rule is when a client is present the client is always introduced first.
3. Always carry business cards with you as you never know who you might run into. Keep them neat. I like to store them in a cute little business card holder that I keep in my purse. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date. If it isn’t, order new cards as it would not be proper to scribble on it.
4. When you are introduced to someone it is proper to stand and extend your hand in greeting. It is expected that a handshake is accompanied by eye contact. Make it firm enough to show confidence without crushing bones with your hand fully into the other person’s hand.
5. As the host of the meal and meeting, it’s your responsibility to arrive early and make sure your table is ready. You should ensure that guests are greeted at the entrance of the restaurant or hotel, and make certain that you introduce guests to one another. 
*Remember, the guest of honour or the most important (or highest ranking) guest should have the best chair, which is the chair that faces the door of the restaurant. Be careful with alcohol and make sure you do not lose control of yourself.
6. Keep it professional by staying away from Emojis. Keep the email concise and make sure the grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct. It is good practice to reply to each email message as soon as possible; within the first 24 hours, if not the same working day.
7. Avoid gossiping at all costs. It makes you look bad for spreading it and harms others. This disease can be found in every company and makes damages. If you are being part of the conversation and something negative about a person comes up, take the initiative of stopping it. You could say something like “That is not fair to Janet, she isn’t here to defend herself” and switch subject immediately. People will understand that you are not someone who talks behind people’s backs and will be seen as respectable and reliable. 
Once you start applying Etiquette tips into your business, you will assure a relationship of trust with employees, customers and business partners leading to a reputation of excellence.
See you next month for the second most important Etiquette skill needed as a business owner: The body language!
