Corporate Etiquette



Etiquette means manners practiced in a particular environment. Corporate or Business etiquette is one which is adopted in every business keeping in mind the ethics and integrity. It varies from country to country, industry to industry and culture to culture. But the basic business etiquettes remain at core level. Corporate etiquette is sometimes called business etiquette and it is a set of ordinarily agreed upon rules for behaving in the business environment. Essentially, it focuses on manners for the corporation and its individual players. Etiquette is nothing but manners to be followed in a given cultural environment. Every culture has its own etiquette. But overall the etiquette is universal with certain characteristics and qualifications that run across all people like a common thread. Business etiquette is also an etiquette that has to be adopted in every business keeping ethics and integrity in view. It varies from culture to culture and from country to country and from industry to industry. All the differences are only superficial in nature with the commonalities of basic business etiquette being at the coral level. Etiquettes are of different types. It has to do with the way an individual interacts with customers and other businesses. When etiquettes is observed, the corporation has the opportunity to present a seamless, mannered front to the rest of the world, which can increase the respect the world gives it, resulting in a potentially more profitable corporation. Some of the subjects that corporate etiquette might address include the polite way to interact with others. Specific behaviors and manners attached to the way people speak in person or on the phone may change how others perceive a corporation. Written communications are equally important any anything from an email to a formal letter may be governed by certain rules, according to etiquette specialists.

Interaction is not limited to verbal or written communication. Many groups that specialize in teaching corporate etiquette also teach proper manners for dining with clients or other businesses. People may not know these rules automatically and they benefit from instructions in table manners and appropriate dining conversation. 

Other topics are often taught in corporate etiquette classes or in books. These could include how to show sensitivity to cultural differences and how to place people of other cultures at their ease, since many businesses operate on a multinational level. Some etiquette rules might suggest ways to begin and end conversations, how to introduce guests, or how to dress for the corporate world and for any more formal occasions.

Some of the basic etiquettes are:

·        Maintenance of personal hygiene

·        Dress code

·        Handshake

·        Telephone etiquette

·        Email etiquette

·        Dining etiquette

·        Giving Business card

Apart from these basis etiquettes, one thing that books or classes don’t always cover in corporate etiquette is individual rules or protocols that apply to a specific company. These rules may fall under the idea of applied ethics, where behavior is based on a certain moral code the company has expressed. When we talk about business ethics, usually we’re speaking about standards of behavior in the workplace as well as with customers and partners.

Etiquette and business etiquette is essential to survive and succeed both at the personal and professional level. It has paramount significance and importance at the corporate world either to make or break the business deals. Therefore, it is mandatory to stick to the basics of all etiquettes to become a successful professional. In the growing corporate world it is getting increasingly important to maintain etiquettes defining the business impression.