It's Almost Fatal! Business Etiquette Blunders To Avoid

While working on Wall Street, I saw many business etiquette blunders; some of which are forgivable in a general business setting, however many of the most common business etiquette blunders leave a lasting negative impression that are not easily forgiven or forgotten, but can be corrected.

  As a transplant to Cleveland, I recently attended a business networking event where a major bank was one of the sponsors. A representative from the bank was called upon to say a few words on behalf of the bank, and I was very embarrassed for the company because of the way the employee was dressed. Frankly, I don’t remember anything she said, because I was so focused on, and embarrassed by her physical appearance. There was a wardrobe malfunction and undergarments were visible as she stood addressing the audience.  

As employees we are goodwill ambassadors for the company in which we work and we owe it to our company and ourselves to project the best image possible by enhancing our professional and business etiquette skills.
 
Here are a few of the most common, major etiquette blunders we make on an ongoing basis.  Number one is communication - research has proven that 55% of the total impression others have of us is communicated nonverbally. That is our physical appearance, how we look and behave.
 How we look and what we wear should be a reflection of where we want to go professionally, not of where we are. Remember, it’s better to wear a tie and remove it if you don’t need one; rather than to need one and not have it.  

Casually speaking….
During the summer months employers seem to be the most challenged with the way employees dress and behave. Business casual dress has become so relaxed and casual, that employees are now coming to work in their weekend and party wear, and this affects productivity; because the way we dress affects the way we behave. We want to look good and feel cool, wearing as few clothes as possible in the summer time; but we must ask ourselves, is the way we look communicating the wrong message to our clients and other employees? Are we losing business, productivity or the respect of others because of the non-verbal message we are sending
Tip: Be as well dressed as the best dressed person at any event.  

 In major industries such as the financial, legal, sales, medical and services industry, communication and the way we dress is even more important since ‘trust’ is determined based on other’s first impressions of us.     Within the first five to seven seconds of an initial encounter, people form 10-15 different impressions of us, including if we are trustworthy.

Therefore, the second fatal business etiquette blunder to avoid is giving a wrong first impression because of how you are behaving, what you are wearing or saying. It is worth knowing that people also form first impressions based on how you speak; 38% of the total impression others have of us is communicated by the way we sound. Do you speak too much or too loudly on the phone in the office, with clients or at social gatherings? 

Attitude is Everything
Do you know that clients do not care how much we know until they know how much we care about them and their concerns? The next very important major etiquette blunder to avoid is having a bad attitude toward ourselves and others. Our attitude reflects on the quality of customer service we give, and it determines our level of success as individuals and as a company.
 If you have a bad attitude and say the right words to your customers it will not benefit your business; because a person’s attitude is more important than the words they say. This may surprise you, but only 7% of the total impression others have of us is communicated by the actual words we say.     Tip: Be mindful of your attitude; that is your thoughts, words, actions, and habits because these become character and our character determines our destiny. We should make it a point to have a good attitude about life and our business every day.  
 Our next Minding Your Image article will deal with Networking. If you want to learn more about Business Etiquette or have Sharon Joseph conduct a training program for your business, contact her at 216 452-7434 or email her at SAJ@sharonAjoseph.com.  
Sharon A. Joseph, DTM is the CEO of SAJ Consulting Services. A former Wall Street Executive, she is a Business Consultant; Life and Career Coach and Professional Speaker. She specializes in developing and presenting business etiquette and other leadership training programs.  You can listen to Sharon as she host her weekly Radio program “Beyond Who You Think You Are” starting on Monday June 17, from 6-7pm on www.VoiceitRadio.com