Technology has changed our lives forever. We can now communicate with virtually anyone, anywhere at any time. Technology, however, also has created a new set of rules for business etiquette. Here are some dos and don’ts you need to know.
The New Business Etiquette
Some believe this new business etiquette to be generational in nature; that since those who are younger grew up with technology, it is only them who make these faux pas. Since I have personally experienced people of all ages make these mistakes, I say age has nothing to do with it.
Examples Business Etiquette Faux Pas
Let me give you some examples. I was in the process of making a major purchase. The product I was buying is irrelevant, just suffice it to say it was a large ticket item and I was comparing many competitive products and talking to many sales people before I finally made my purchase.
In one instance, the sales representative's cell phone rang during our conversation. He took the call, and to my surprise, he chatted for several minutes while I waited. Not too long after that call was done and we started talking again, his cell phone rang again. When he answered a second call, I literally walked out of his office. Remember, one prospect face to face is worth two on the smart phone.
This was not a young rookie either. Although he told me on several occasions he had 30 years of experience, I kept thinking he had 1 year's bad experience repeated 30 times!
Another sales representative kept saying he answers his cell phone 24/7, 365 days a year. Seriously? You will really take my call at 8:00 am Christmas morning? Not only did I not believe this, but I also started to question all the other claims he made about customer service during his sales presentation.
A New Set of Rules for Acceptable and Unacceptable Business Behavior
Just like your cell phone, texting during meetings is also inappropriate. It doesn't work to hide your phone under the boardroom table either. Everyone in the meeting sees you looking down and it is very obvious that you have lost focus.
Web surfing while dining, be it with business associates or friends is also not acceptable. Besides, isn't the whole point of social networking to connect with people? It's more effective to connect with the person sitting across from you rather than tweeting about who you are with.
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Some other business etiquette tips to remember are:
- When you are using a speaker phone or hosting a conference call, you should announce who else is in the room.
- When you meet someone, make eye contact, smile, and give them a firm hand shake. Gentlemen, don't dislocated the person's shoulder by shaking too hard. Ladies, the palm of your hand should be perpendicular to the ground, and your hand should not bend at the knuckles.
- When you are introduced to someone, always call them by the name you are given. Don't assume that you can shorten Susan to Sue or Thomas to Tom.
The basic business etiquette tips are simple and probably well known; be on time, dress appropriately, and respect those around you. However as the way we do business evolves, so must the way we conduct ourselves. Yes, technology has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for us. However, just because you can doesn't mean you should!
Aim Higher!
Susan A. Enns, B2B Sales Coach and Author
Schedule a free sales coaching strategy session with Susan here.
“… what I can tell anyone, is simply this – If you want to learn and understand sales, talk to Susan.”
For more common sense sales tips that can have an immediate impact on your results check out our training books Action Plan For Sales Success, Action Plan For Sales Management Success and Ask the Sales Coach – Practical Answers to the Questions Sales People Ask Most.
