Promote your Professionalism with Good Manners

We often hear that manners maketh the man or woman. Having good manners makes sense in this commercial competitive environment. The main point to remember is minding your manners is to show consideration for others.

Good Manners

• Treat everyone with the same courtesy and respect
• Shake hands firmly (web to web) while making eye-contact
• Dress and behave professionally
• Be punctual
• Prepare for each appointment
• Follow up each appointment with a letter or call
• Bring only materials required for the appointment
• Turn off cell phones and pagers while in a meeting
• Give and receive business cards respectfully (use both hands with Asian cultures) with the printing facing the person receiving the card.  When receiving the card, take a moment to look at it
• Respect your clients’ and colleagues’ time
• Record all relevant data about your client
• In defining goals at work, state clearly what you want and what you do not want
• Discuss any problems with a clean tonality so not to sound defensive, aggressive or apologetic
• Turn problems into opportunities; be solution oriented

Good manners are cost and time effective because they:

• Improve customer service
• Increase quality of life in the workplace
• Enhance team building and relationships
• Indicate respect for self and for others
• Reflect high values and integrity
• Encourage feedback and negotiation
• Boost productivity and profitability
• Contribute to company moral