Business Etiquette: Gaining That Extra Edge

Fear of embarrassment from doing or saying the wrong thing is one of the most common sources of stress in a business or professional setting.

If you have had some awkward moments where you aren’t sure which fork to use or which side plate is yours, or if you’ve ever had to make small talk with some VIP and been lost for words, you know just how agonizing such moments can be. However, what can be even more damaging to your career are those things you aren’t aware of, the social gaffes you aren’t even aware of making.

This workshop will reassure you that you can handle most of those socially difficult moments, and perhaps give you that extra edge in areas that you’d never thought of before.

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

  • Become more skilled at networking, from making introductions to shaking hands and using business cards appropriately.
  • Be better prepared for both formal and informal meetings, even if you aren’t presenting.
  • Dress appropriately for every business occasion.
  • Feel comfortable when dining in business or formal situations.
  • Feel more confident of your business communication in every situation.
  • Have that extra edge that establishes trust and credibility.

Course Outline:

Introduction and Course Overview

You will spend the first part of the day getting to know participants and discussing what will take place during the workshop. Students will also have an opportunity to identify their personal learning objectives.

Fear of Embarrassment

Fear of embarrassment from doing or saying the wrong thing is one of the most common sources of stress in a business or professional setting. We will look at some of the causes of embarrassment and some solutions.

Test Your Business Etiquette

As a pre-assignment, participants were asked to complete a quiz on etiquette. During this session, you will review our suggested answers; be prepared for some debate!

The Handshake

During the important first few minutes of a new relationship, a handshake is usually the only body contact between two people. We will discuss and demonstrate the five factors of a good handshake.

Business Card Etiquette

The exchange of business cards is a common ritual when meeting a new person. We will discuss some things to keep in mind when giving and receiving business cards.

The Skill of Making Small Talk

Being able to small-talk successfully is one of the most crucial skills a businessperson can develop, but it’s also one of the hardest. We’ll discuss some basic do’s and don’ts of small talk.

Do You Remember Names?

There are four keys to remembering names. We will discuss and practice each of them.

Making that Great First Impression

During this session, we will discuss some ways that participants can make sure their first impression is perfect.

Dress for Success

It’s always difficult to know just how to dress, particularly if you’re meeting new people. We will cover some basic guidelines and the details of particular dress codes. We’ll also talk about what the color of your clothes says to others.

Business Dining

This session will focus on the do’s and don’ts of business lunches. If possible, we recommend that you have participants practice an actual business lunch.

E-mail and Telephone Etiquette

How a businessperson presents themselves over the phone and via e-mail is just as important as their in-person impression. We’ll discuss some key points of telephone and e-mail manners in both a small group and a large group setting.

Workshop Wrap-Up

At the end of the day, participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and fill out an action plan.