Etiquette for Meeting People in Business
Posted in Office Etiquette
When meeting people both your nonverbal and verbal behavior help to define your social skills. Using effective handshakes, good eye contact, and making the proper introductions show proper etiquette.
Handshakes
Develop a comfortable handshake and keep it consistent.
Handshakes should not be too hard but not too soft.
Make a solid handshake than show confidence.
Usually the person with the most authority initiates the handshake.
Eye contact
Make eye contact with the person you meet. Eye contact shows respect for the person and business situation. Also, It shows confidence and good interpersonal skills.
Introduce yourself or others
Authority defines whose name is said first. Say the name of the most important person first and then the name of the person being introduced.
You should introduce people in the following order: younger to older, non-official to official, junior executive to senior executive, colleague to customer
When introduce someone you should remember names for future reference.
Provide some information about the people you are introducing to clarify your relationship with that person. ‘’Let me introduce you Paul, the human resources director of ….’’
Always carry business cards. Your business card is one of the most valuable networking tools you have in your quest for increased referrals.
During conversation with peoples
Maintain eye contact and listen closely. Do not interrupt or finish another person's statement.
Be well-informed and able to talk on a wide range of subjects. Stay informed on major news events around the word.
Be interested in what other people do for a living.
Be able to flow from one topic to another with ease.
Do not pretend to be an expert on topics that you are not.
Do not correct another's grammar or pronunciation in public.
Keep the conversation flowing; try to avoid an awkward silence.
Be diplomatic in situations where you are too busy to carry on a conversation.
Avoid discussing: health or illness of yourself or others, sensitive topics such as religion, politic etc, money, tragedies, gossip and sex.
