ETIQUETTE TIPS FOR THE
BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL
By Aisha Atta, Swan Elite Ltd.
In my work as a Personal Development and Etiquette Consultant, I come across many smart
entrepreneurs and business persons who unwittingly compromise their prospects for commercial
success through a lack of attention to detail.
Detail is the hallmark of professionalism, and reveals
confidence, training and expertise that must come
across in the way you portray yourself to your client,
your competitors, and indeed your potential market.
can radically affect the listener’s appreciation of your
skill, sophistication and capabilities. However, the following key areas are helpful in distinguishing oneself
within this narrow window of opportunity:
Polite Conduct
Good manners are universally appreciated, but the term
“good manners” is subjective: the particular context of
culture, gender and society is a crucial pivot of what is
polite, respectful or socially acceptable.
Measured respect and hospitality should therefore translate into your social and business interactions, guided
by what you understand of your audience’s cultural, religious and gender boundaries. The business arena does
not remove the fundamental values and beliefs of an individual; it merely tempers the intensity and primacy of
such aspects under a common understanding normally
called “business culture” or “professional norms”.
The business arena seldom provides a second chance to
correct an unfavourable first impression, therefore it is
essential to deliver the most positive impression right
from the start. If you consider that it takes between 7
- 30 seconds for the average person to arrive at such a
“first impression”, the discerning professional must consider how to best to create a perception of your compeBeing courteous and respectful to ALL people regardtence and utility to an audience.
In this brief period of time, your appearance is key, and less of their gender, status or position, is not only a
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