Business etiquette for women: rules of conduct and dress code. Etiquette requirements for business clothes for women Business etiquette for the appearance of a woman

Ethics is understood as a set of norms of human behavior, and if this definition is extended to the professional field, then business etiquette will consist of the principles of behavior of people engaged in entrepreneurial activities.

What is business etiquette?

From how a person observes the rules and conventions of business etiquette, his image as a businessman depends. Thanks to this, it develops positive image in the eyes of partners, acquiring the color of personal charm. The principles of business etiquette include:

Honesty and Integrity. A businessman who has deceived once will no longer be trusted, and his reputation will deteriorate forever.
Freedom. It is not customary to interfere in the affairs of your competitors and partners.
Tolerance. In relations with partners, rough edges and conflicts cannot be avoided, but if you behave tactfully and delicately, you can smooth out sharp corners and come to a consensus.
Justice. This principle of business etiquette is based on the recognition of a person's individuality, an objective assessment of his personal and.
business culture. That is, every businessman must be a cultured person.

Business Etiquette

The norms of behavior and relationships of people in the workplace are of great importance, because business etiquette is the same secular, but with military elements. Here, subordination comes to the fore, while less importance is attached to age. Here are some of the hard and fast rules:

“Time is money” is what experienced businessmen like to say, who value punctuality in partners most of all. If a person cannot organize his own time, then how can you build cooperation with him?
Compliance with trade secrets. An employee applying for a position in a new company and disclosing confidential information obtained at the old place of work will simply be turned away.
Do business. By career ladder those who work are promoted while others go about their business.
The basic rules of business etiquette include receiving delegations according to the protocol. It is necessary to know how to properly meet, introduce and accommodate people, taking into account the peculiarities of national traditions.

Business workplace etiquette

A person can be sloppy in everyday life and even see some kind of organization in chaos, but at work he cannot afford this. business etiquette in professional activity is built on the order in the workplace, because it is a reflection of the order in the head. It is not forbidden to have some of your personal belongings, for example, a framed photograph of a family, but each item should have its own specific place, and in general they should all be kept in order and clean, because this is the key to productivity and personal comfort.

business correspondence etiquette

business phone etiquette

Talking on the phone is a whole art, and sometimes with one phone call you can solve something that could not be achieved during preliminary meetings or negotiations. telephone etiquette provides for the removal of the handset after the second or third ring. At the same time, the caller begins the conversation with a greeting, introduces himself and introduces the interlocutor to the problem, devoting 45 seconds to this. It can take from 1 to 2 minutes to discuss the situation itself, and 20–25 seconds are allotted for the conclusion. If a final decision has not been made, then it is worth agreeing to call again at a certain time.

Business gift etiquette

Every person has birthdays, anniversaries, other solemn dates, and not only relatives, but also colleagues congratulate him. The etiquette of a business person imposes its own restrictions on this process, but you still need to be able to choose a present for business partners that will allow you to demonstrate attention and respect, gratitude and interest in cooperation. Business etiquette provides for the division of corporate gifts into the following categories:

Corporate souvenirs - gizmos with a slogan or company logo.
Printing products - notepads, organizers, pens, posters, etc.
VIP gifts. Such products are made to order, taking into account the nature, hobbies and other passions of a particular person.

Business etiquette for women

Although gender differences do not come to the fore, they are also taken into account. The basics of business etiquette are such that a man greets a woman first, but if she goes in the company of men, she is the first to greet a colleague walking alone or in the company of another woman. The representative of the weaker sex gives the first hand to the man and you should not expect that someone will open the door in front of her, skipping ahead - this is always done by the one who is closer to her, and she pushes the chair herself.

Etiquette in clothes for women

The appearance of a woman is identified with her abilities, so untidiness and unkemptness are unacceptable. A bright flashy image is not welcome as a challenge to society. The ideal choice is a concise color. Business etiquette imposes its own restrictions on many things, the length of the skirt should reach the knees, and a woman is also obliged to wear tights or stockings even in extreme heat. Shoes are welcome with heels at least with a closed toe and heel. Hair should be kept in a neat hairstyle, accessories used to a minimum and matched in harmony with clothing.

Hat etiquette for women

Initially, it was used to show respect and reverence, and later the functions of the hat were revised. The rules of etiquette for women are less strict than those for men. At work, a lady can do her direct duties without taking off her headgear, if this is part of a professional job. Etiquette business communication provides for the presence in the hat at public events - tea parties, dinners, during the performance of the anthem and the raising of the flag. But if the headgear is intended for the cold season, then it is removed indoors.

Business etiquette - manicure

Well-groomed hands are part of the image, which cannot be ignored. Women's etiquette includes regular visits to the manicurist. Peeling varnish can spoil the whole impression, so if it is not possible to update it, then the coating must be erased. Nail design should be chosen in concise, discreet colors. All kinds of decor in the form of rhinestones, stucco, etc. are excluded. The ideal option is, which can be reversed. Mixing no more than three discreet shades is allowed.

Etiquette - a woman in a car

A car is no longer a luxury, and transportation in the 21st century with its fast pace of life is a good help. Etiquette for women has not bypassed this aspect. The car must correspond to the social status. Being an ordinary employee and driving to work in a luxurious convertible is not accepted, as well as using an inexpensive car of a successful business woman. It is not customary to get into a luxury car while wearing sportswear, and driving an SUV in an evening dress is also inappropriate.

For a woman, the way of getting into the car is of great importance. First, you need to lower the pelvis into the chair, and after that, transfer both legs to the car. Get out of the car in the reverse order: put your feet on the pavement first. If a woman plans to travel to company car with the driver, it is recommended to take a seat in the back seat diagonally with him. If she is not traveling alone, then you can’t sort things out, swear and quarrel, raise “heavy” topics, and this also applies to talking on the phone. It is also impossible to distract the driver from driving a car.

We spend a third of our lives at work. And sometimes we don’t even notice how much business success and career advancement depend on our behavior, demeanor and ability to behave. Yes, yes, not only the mind, ingenuity, experience and professional quality influence the attitude of superiors, customers, customers or business partners towards us. Much is determined by the reputation, which is precisely the sum of the implementation (or non-compliance) of the rules of business etiquette. Statistics show that 70% of transactions and negotiations fail precisely because of the inability to behave in certain situations, non-compliance with the rules of business communication. But these rules are quite simple and will help win over another person, avoid mistakes or smooth them out in accessible, generally accepted ways.

Business etiquette includes both verbal communication and telephone conversations, e-mail. Moreover, it must be borne in mind that the rules of conduct at a meeting and at a meeting in an informal setting may differ, but nevertheless, they are subject to the general code business ethics. There is also such a thing as a corporate style of behavior. But even certain requirements put forward to employees by some companies almost never run counter to the following general rules business etiquette:

As you know, only the high authorities are not late, but only the high authorities are late. In all other cases, being late causes a sharply negative attitude on the part of colleagues, clients and partners, since they delay work or negotiations and indirectly indicate that a person who does not come at the appointed time cannot be relied upon.

2. Know how to time

When planning your time, take into account the problems that may arise in the process of performing certain tasks. If you are constantly in a hurry and jumping from one issue to another without completing the matter, then the risk of making a mistake increases markedly. As a result, colleagues, management and clients may doubt your competence and serious approach to work.

3. It is better to remain silent than to say too much

Speech in this case it's not about trade secret but about informal conversations. Work is not a place for personal conversations. Such conversations easily become the subject of gossip and are more likely to spoil the microclimate in the team than to make it more sincere.

4. Decorate your workplace

Photos, postcards, calendars, a cup and a saucer, flowers, soft toys, etc., of course, are very uplifting, but they do not always correspond to an office setting. Therefore, in the workplace it is better to limit yourself to the items necessary for work. Well, one or two knick-knacks will be quite enough so that colleagues do not consider you too pedantic.

5. Dress appropriately for your surroundings

There is a lot of controversy about the importance of a dress code. There are also plenty of tips on how to dress in the business world. In general, suits and skirts / trousers with blouses (strict and opaque), closed shoes, stylish and discreet jewelry are welcome; not welcome - tight-fitting, open bright outfits that cause accessories and sandals. The main rule business style in clothes this is - clothes should be chosen with taste and correspond to the ideas about the dress code that is accepted among your colleagues or partners.

6. Follow the chain of command

In some companies, the appeal to "you", in the American manner, is accepted. But when communicating with clients or representatives of other organizations, it is recommended to communicate only on “you”. At the entrance of a client or superiors, it is customary to get up from your seat. But when solving business issues with colleagues, in order to save time, it is not necessary to get up from the workplace.

7. Remember names and surnames

Not knowing the names and surnames of colleagues and clients is extremely ugly. But it is even worse, not remembering them exactly, to call a person by someone else's name. If you forgot the name of the interlocutor, it is better to apologize and ask him about it. Well, when meeting with a delegation, it is simply necessary to prepare in advance: learn not only the names and surnames, but also the positions of the people with whom you will meet.

8. Write well

A letter written in literate language evokes much more positive emotions than a clumsy, misspelled message. Often on how correctly, interestingly and even skillfully done business proposal, the chances of concluding one or another contract also depend. Always sign letters and, if possible, include the address and phone number of the company you represent in your signature.

9. Be brief

Before you call or write a letter, think carefully about what exactly you want to communicate. Your information should be as concise and clear as possible - save someone else's time, and in return people will save yours.

10. Don't be afraid to ask again

Sometimes telephone conversations greatly spoil the quality of communication. If you didn’t hear or misunderstand something, it’s better not to remain silent, but to politely ask again even if. If telephone communications is completely hopeless, ask the interlocutor to call back (if he called himself) or dial his number. When talking on the phone, remember that the one who started it should end the conversation.

11. Greeting

It is accepted that the first greeting at the meeting is pronounced by the subordinate, and the hand is given by the superior. executive. If you are meeting with a client on “your territory”, you yourself should be the first to extend your hand when meeting and parting. In business circles, it is customary to shake hands, regardless of gender. The only exceptions are informal dinners, where a man can kiss a woman's hand.

12. Exchange business cards the right way

Hold Business Cards in perfect order - they form an opinion about both you and the company you represent. Handle other people's cards very carefully, do not allow yourself to casually stuff them into your purse or pocket immediately after they have been given to you, do not crumple or twist business cards in your hands. Never impose your business card! If you were handed a business card, the rules oblige you to hand over your own.

13. Be businesslike

During business meetings and negotiations, it is very important to demonstrate a businesslike attitude with all your appearance. Keep yourself confident, but not defiant, do not cling to stationery, a business card or purse, sit on a chair entirely, and not on the edge. Do not slouch, do not pinch and do not lower your head down - your posture should be moderately free and moderately restrained. You should not sit cross-legged with your arms crossed on your chest or fingers clasped - such a position causes distrust and indicates your unwillingness to dialogue.

14. Look

Try to look your interlocutor in the eyes. However, it is important not to overdo it here: the gaze should not be fixed, and one should not linger on a person for more than a few seconds.

15. Do not use "feminine" tricks

Do not flirt during business negotiations, do not straighten the folds in your skirt, do not pull your hair. Men who are insensitive to your charms will consider you frivolous, frivolous and will beware of doing business with you. The one who instinctively follows your lead and agrees with what he was not really going to agree with, will later probably reconsider his decision and is unlikely to maintain a good attitude towards you.

16. Speak clearly

17. "Good" and "bad" words

As studies have shown, the words and phrases “nothing”, “always” and “make a mistake” cause negative emotions in people, therefore it is better to avoid them in negotiations, and in general in business communication. But such concepts as “experience”, “achievement”, “active”, “impulse”, “planning” and “personal” should be used as often as possible.

18. Be polite and reserved

Even in the heat of a discussion, never interrupt your opponent, know how to listen, respect other people's opinions and try to understand a different point of view. Don't get irritated and don't allow emotions to be more important than the subject of discussion, otherwise you will not only spoil the impression of yourself (and the company you represent), but also derail the negotiations.

Business woman ... In recent years, this phrase has become unusually popular, because there are so many business and successful women that it is much more difficult to find, for example, a housewife than a business woman. However, as practice shows, not all business women are equally successful. That is why it is necessary to follow simple, but at the same time very effective rules, which can be described as business etiquette for women, which will help you gain trust and respect from partners and superiors.

A successful woman is sometimes born, and sometimes becomes due to life circumstances. The first can be easily distinguished from the rest already in childhood: they strive for authority among their peers, often make friends with boys, study well and try to achieve their goals in any area, they absolutely do not accept gender differentiation and different attitudes towards them. The second category of such women come to understand the need for their own personal and career improvement due to usually negative life circumstances: an unsuccessful marriage, the need to raise a child, etc.

But no matter how you come to understand that you can build your own career and deserve significant success in your field of activity, your skills, communication style and behavior need to be improved. The etiquette of a woman's dress is also very important. We offer you the basic rules of business etiquette, which will surely come in handy more than once. After all, only such a serious attitude to the little things will allow you to achieve success.

Communication style

Whether you are in business negotiations with important partners or simply present at the next planning meeting with your superiors, your posture should simultaneously express a sense of self-confidence and respect for the person with whom you are talking, whoever he may be. Even if your subordinate is in front of you, you should not sit in a waddle or stand on your legs wide apart with a hunched back - your success largely depends on how your employees and colleagues perceive you. If the bosses are in front of you, they should understand that you are confident enough in yourself, therefore, for example, do not sit on the edge of the chair, modestly looking down, but at the same time respect him, this very bosses, and will listen to his recommendations, so don't sit in a completely frivolous posture.

The best option is to keep your back straight and gesticulate in your comfort zone, that is, about half a meter away from you. If you have a lady's bag with you, then it is better to put it next to you or carefully place it behind you: if it is on your knees, you will get the impression that with the help of it you close yourself from the outside world.

The look should also be appropriate: express goodwill and interest in the interlocutor. You should not closely examine the speaker, otherwise it may be perceived as impudence on your part. To make it comfortable for your interlocutor to communicate with you, at least sometimes look away from his eyes. During business communication, you must not betray your emotions, so try not to look at the lower half of the face of your partner, boss or subordinate.

Try to keep an eye on the tone of your voice as well. Speak loudly enough and confidently, but in no case go over to screaming or screeching. It is better to dwell on a chest calm voice, which, as a rule, inspires confidence. In the speech itself, make pauses: haste in this case has not yet helped anyone. And it’s just impolite and completely unproductive to speak so quickly that your interlocutor simply won’t be able to think over and analyze what he heard. In addition, people who speak quickly are usually perceived as frivolous and frivolous.

Often, the moment of greeting causes particular discomfort, when women do not understand if they should shake hands or raise it so that the man with whom they are going to negotiate, for example, can kiss her according to traditional secular etiquette. If you are meeting a particular person for the first time, try to raise your hand so that it can be shaken and kissed at the same time, give your business partner the right to choose. To make this gesture look completely at ease, you can practice it in front of a mirror in advance.

And, of course, watch your gestures, because it is your gestures that can say a lot more about you than you yourself would like. First, your gestures should be smooth and measured. If you are used to big and sweeping movements, you can again practice in front of the mirror until smoothness becomes a habit. Secondly, if you want to gain the trust of the interlocutor, hold your palms so that he can see them. In order not to make the interlocutor feel as if you are trying to seize power over his thoughts and actions, do not clench your palms into fists and do not cut the air with them, as if you want to protect yourself from the words and thoughts of the other speaker.

Little secrets of a big boss

If you really want to achieve career heights, create a small set of rules for yourself, which then strictly adhere to. You can derive similar rules for your own life experience or take the advice of experienced business sharks.

Even if you have subordinates and consider yourself the boss, if you want to become a truly successful business woman, try to use your prerogative as little as possible and be punctual, no matter what the rank of the person you go to meet. This is how you show your respect for everyone, and this attitude is expensive and usually rewarded a hundredfold.

Do not talk on personal topics with people with whom you are going to do business or already have business relationship. Even if on corporate party a glass of wine turned her head, a real successful lady will be able to restrain herself and keep silent and never say too much.

The workplace should remain so, even if deep down you are a very romantic and sweet woman. Remove all funny toys, trinkets, beautiful photo frames from your table - all this does not contribute to the working mood and characterizes you in the eyes of your superiors and subordinates as a frivolous and frivolous nature.

If you don't have a very good memory for names and faces, you'll need to practice it. This is not just banal etiquette: the image of a business woman, even such a trifle as the fact that you will remember the names of all your employees and colleagues, should emphasize that you always have time for everything, you are always in the center of events.

Train yourself to keep track of every little thing, for example, the literacy of business notes that you write to colleagues, or banal wishes have a good day and like bon appetit. It is from the little things that a holistic view of you is formed not only as a person, but also as a business woman and a valuable employee.

The appearance of a business woman

As you know, they usually meet by clothes, and even if you are a promising and successful woman, business partners, when they see you for the first time, will evaluate your abilities precisely by your appearance. successful woman cannot afford to look untidy, to walk around with disheveled hair or a rumpled skirt. The style of a self-confident and working woman should be thought out to the smallest detail and at the same time meet business etiquette in clothing.

First of all, you will have to give up bright and flashy colors. If you want to be noticed, and for this you put on a suit not in traditional business colors (black, white and gray), but, for example, in red, make sure that all the details in your outfit are in harmony and do not contrast much.

A classic outfit that meets the etiquette of a business woman's dress is a white blouse, an English jacket and a lined skirt. It is preferable that the fabric from which the suit is made has a textured pattern .. At the same time, instead of a skirt and blouse, a woman at work may well afford a strict knee-length dress.

AT recent times It is customary to wear black suits only for important and, in a sense, solemn business events. So, for example, for a meeting with a top manager, it is better to choose a gray suit or dress, but for an important conference where you have to read a report, you can also afford a black outfit.

The etiquette of the business world does not allow shoes made of suede and bright leather, such as crocodile. It is preferable to stay on classic shoes with a small heel made of genuine leather calm tone. If you choose skirts or dresses, then be prepared to wear flesh-colored tights or stockings regardless of the season.

Watch your hands: nails and skin should always be in perfect condition. But with varnish and nail color, you can experiment: whether to apply it or not depends entirely on you, but the use of bright and attention-grabbing shades is also unacceptable. to business women's bags fairly loyal requirements are made: they must have clear rigid contours and include A4 documents. If the latter is not possible, you will have to additionally purchase a special case or folder.

Such strict restrictions are often not to the liking of women who are used to always being in the center of events and attracting people's attention with their appearance. But a smart woman will always find a way out of this situation: office style can always be diversified with an interesting scarf or any other accessory that will successfully harmonize with your business suit and at the same time slightly distinguish you from other female employees.

Talk 0

Business etiquette for women and communication rules

The etiquette of business communication between a man and a woman involves several components, which we will consider in more detail below.

The difficulty for a woman is sometimes caused by the very greeting. She may be confused, not understanding, to shake a man's hand or raise it so that he can kiss his hand, as is customary according to the rules of secular etiquette. If you are meeting this man for the first time, then give your hand so that you can kiss it and shake it. This will give some freedom of choice to your interlocutor.

An important component of business behavior is the style of communication and behavior with partners, management or subordinates. With whomever and in whatever situation, it is necessary to behave in such a way that the interlocutors have a sense of respect and trust towards you. It doesn’t matter who you are talking to, whether it’s superiors or subordinates, in no case should you take a dismissive pose, and also don’t sit on the edge of a chair. In this case, you will demonstrate to the management your uncertainty and confusion. It is best to sit deep in a chair and keep your back straight.

Watch your gestures. Do not wave your arms in all directions, but if you cannot do without gestures, then do not go beyond a radius equal to half a meter around you. Gestures should be smooth. During the conversation, keep your palms in sight, thereby you can gain the trust of the interlocutor. Do not put the bag on your knees in front of you, as this will serve as a signal of your inner closeness. It can be removed to the side or behind the back.

Now let's move on to the look. He must be friendly and show interest in the conversation. For comfortable communication, look from your partner’s eyes to something else, but at the same time, do not lose eye contact for a long time, as this will be perceived as a loss of interest in the interlocutor. It is also unacceptable to scrutinize the communication partner, this can be perceived by the interlocutor as your impudence and bad manners. Do not show brightly colored emotions, both positive and negative.

Equally important in negotiations and meetings is the timbre of the voice. Shouting, and even more so screeching, is a violation of business etiquette. The voice should sound confident and loud enough so that everyone in the room can hear it, and not outside it. Speech should be measured with obligatory pauses, otherwise colleagues and partners will not be able to catch the essence of what was said and will perceive you as a frivolous and frivolous person.

Business etiquette for women and dress code

Business etiquette also imposes certain requirements on the image of a woman. There is a saying “they meet by their clothes, but see them off by their mind”. Believe me, if you do not look decent, then few people will want to do business with you, no matter how smart and professional you are.

The dress code of a business woman is quite strict. It should look stylish, fashionable and at the same time in accordance with all the rules of the dress code.

The suit must be of a classic color (black, grey). Moreover, recently it has been customary to wear a black version for more significant and solemn events, and leave a gray suit for everyday workflow.

A classic option for work is a combination of a white blouse, a fitted jacket and a straight-cut skirt or pencil skirt. But you can replace it with a dress with a strictly cut, the length of which should not be above the knee. It is also worth being ready to wear flesh-colored tights at any time of the year.

Shoes must be closed. This is a classic model of shoes with a stable and low heel. In summer, you can wear models with an open heel. Shoes must be chosen from genuine leather, the color of which should not be bright and flashy.

When creating the right look for a business woman, do not forget about makeup and manicure. The skin of the hands and face should be well-groomed. Makeup is best done in nude shades, but you should not overdo it with them either. There should be a minimum of cosmetics on the face in order to only emphasize the natural beauty. Nails should be short and neat. Their color should not distract the attention of interlocutors from communicating with you.

On the Internet, it is easy to find information on this issue, which can be downloaded for free.

Video on the topic of the article

If you think that business etiquette is just the rules of behavior in the office, then you are deeply mistaken. The rules of business etiquette are relevant today more than ever, this applies to already experienced "business sharks" and those who are at the beginning of their careers and take their first steps in this "mine" field. Probably, many of you can give an example of large unsuccessful or broken deals, the outcome of which was a foregone conclusion at the preparation stage due to the unprofessional actions of negligent employees. In each company, legends are told about such cases, passing from mouth to mouth in order to warn others from similar mistakes. In order not to become the heroine of such office "horror stories", let's get acquainted with the main points of business communication etiquette. We hope that our advice will help you avoid missteps and be at your best in any situation (and if representatives of the male business community also take them into service, we will only be happy!).

Careful preparation for the event is half the success

Tuning in the right way from the first seconds of communication

To begin with, we note that it is unacceptable to be late for meetings, planning meetings and meetings. It is necessary to prepare for such events in advance, having thoroughly thought out the plan for holding. Coordinate your ideas with colleagues participating in the event, and, if necessary, with the boss. Remember that the success of the entire transaction depends on how successful the business negotiations are. Think over your appearance, find out more information about the company, whose representatives will sit down with you at the negotiating table. Make a rough plan of the meeting, outline the main issues for discussion.

And here are the basic rules that are customary to observe at the very beginning of the reception.

1. Acquaintance of delegations, as a rule, begins with the introduction of the head of the party that receives guests. Then the arrived leader calls himself, after which the parties can introduce the rest of the participants to each other, while the junior employees are introduced to the senior ones.
2. After the greeting, you can shake hands (usually with the right hand). There are a few unspoken rules for shaking hands that you should try to follow:

stretch your hand first if you think it's acceptable, it's not forbidden by etiquette;
the elder gives a hand before the younger;
if you were given a hand, shake it, even if it is not very pleasant for you, otherwise it can be assessed as a sign
disrespect. Needless to say, such a gesture will definitely not add to the chances of success in business negotiations.

3. If you are exchanging business cards, make sure that there are enough of them in advance, as well as that all data is clearly and understandably indicated. The exchange of business cards requires compliance with certain rules:

junior meeting participants give business cards to seniors;
men give business cards to women first;
it is considered unacceptable to use a business card on which any data has been corrected or crossed out.

The first person to give a hand is the one who is older in age.

Rules of conduct during official negotiations

1. When addressing negotiating partners, be sure to call them by name and patronymic, the same rule applies to your colleagues who are present at the meeting with you. Even if you have a friendly address for “you” in your office, you should communicate formally in business negotiations.

2. When discussing the proposals or developments of other employees, try to call them by their first and middle names, since the use of pronouns in the third person “she” and “he” is not accepted in business communication.

3. During the conversation, let your interlocutor express his thought completely, without interrupting or inserting his own clarifications.

4. Be sure to watch your emotions. Business negotiations are not the occasion to show your feelings. Remember how professional poker players, in order not to reveal their intentions, play with a deadpan face, for which there is even a term “poker face”. Real "sharks" of business, concluding big deals and those signing contracts with a large number of zeros have long adopted such a facial expression - there is no need for the counterparty to know about your mood and possible experiences.

5. If possible, do not speak in raised tones, let your conversation go smoothly and calmly. However, the overly quiet, “conspiratorial” tone of the conversation should also be avoided so that others do not get the impression that you and your interlocutor are up to something.

In negotiations, you should refer to colleagues and other participants exclusively in you

Generally accepted rules of business correspondence

A few years ago, communication, especially business communication, on the Internet was not as developed as it is today. Well, the progress of the achievements of science and technology is bearing fruit, and this is simply wonderful - the delivery time of mail to the addressee is reduced by tens, or even hundreds of times, it takes a matter of minutes to correspond and send important papers. And even though electronic communication does not have dozens of years in its history compared to traditional by mail, for it already has its own rules of etiquette.

E-mails have a "Subject" line, in which it is customary to briefly state the content of your message.
Mandatory is a greeting - at the beginning of the letter, and farewell - after the end of the text.
If the letter you are sending is official, lines of different colors, various emoticons and signs of expressing your emotions like brackets and dashes will be inappropriate in it.
Remember that the recipient will read your letter from the screen, so for convenience it is better to break it into paragraphs, so it will be easier for visual perception. The basic rules of regular writing - indenting the first line, maintaining capital letters at the beginning of a sentence, and others - should be preserved in an email.
It is business email etiquette to save the text of the email you are replying to.
When signing the letter, do not forget to indicate, in addition to the name and surname, your position and contact phone number.
It is customary to write a response to an e-mail no longer than two days. If you reply later, be sure to apologize and explain your silence. Remember that if you do not answer within a week, then the addressee may take this as a refusal to continue communication.
Today, applications such as ICQ and Skype are widely used for business communication. If you also allow their use, you can provide a link to your data at the end of the letter.

Communication via the Internet requires compliance with a number of rules

Correspondence on paper

Traditional letters have not yet been canceled, and they are still used for work correspondence. Here are the basic rules for such an exchange of documents:

use your organization's letterhead only when absolutely necessary;
at the beginning of the letter, do not forget about the greeting, after the text - about the farewell (in official document it may not be, a short “Respectfully yours” will suffice). The name, surname, position and telephone number of the person responsible for compiling and sending the letter are required;
if the letter is written on letterhead, then you can not put the seal of your organization on it. In other cases, the seal is placed if there is a signature of the head (or a person entitled to sign documents);
at the top of the letter, the name, surname and position of the addressee are mandatory.

In more detail, the rules of business correspondence are observed by clerks and secretaries, to whom you must transfer your letter. Having studied its content, such a specialist will indicate the subject of the letter, as well as assign it a unique outgoing number.

For a formal letter, use letterhead

Subtleties of communication with business partners by phone

For telephone business negotiations, as well as for ordinary telephone communication, there are generally accepted rules.

1. Remember that on the other end of the wire you are not seen, but only heard. Speak clearly, loudly and clearly. Leave aside emotions and possible fatigue, speak kindly and affably.
2. The caller should not wait too long. Three rings is the maximum that can be heard before you pick up the phone. If you yourself call someone, do not rush to hang up until you hear four or five beeps.
3. Start a conversation with a greeting, then ask if your interlocutor is ready to communicate and if he can devote enough time to you. If you are busy, you can ask to schedule a time to call back.
4. If you call, then you will have to end the conversation. Try not to wait until your interlocutor interrupts communication, speak briefly and to the point.
5. In the event that the secretary picks up the phone, you will have to explain to whom you are calling and for what reason. Be prepared for this by giving the position, first and last name of the specialist you need, as well as briefly describing the subject of your call.
6. Try to exclude from your practice calls to work phones "on personal matters." Use work breaks or mobile numbers for this.
7. If you promised to call back, be sure to do so. Write down in a business notebook about this call, and your partners will certainly consider you a responsible and obligatory person.
8. During telephone conversation it is considered unacceptable to chew, talk with other employees of your office, interrupt your interlocutor.
9. If telephone communication leaves much to be desired, noise and interference interfere with your conversation, invite the interlocutor to continue negotiations later. And don't forget to call back!

The person who called should start the conversation

Rules of conduct during a formal dinner

Indeed, what else is so well suited for Russian businessmen who are used to solving the most significant issues "without ties" as business lunches? A relaxed atmosphere that allows you to tune the interlocutor to the wave you need, tasty, conducive to good mood food - and now the long-awaited agreement is concluded.

However, today it is not enough just to feed a business partner tasty, it is also important not to forget about the rules of business etiquette at the restaurant table.

So, you have decided to invite your future partner to a business lunch. What is important to know when preparing for such a meeting?

Want to show your interlocutor more respect? Find a restaurant for lunch as close to his office as possible.
When ordering a table, try to find out more about your partner's tastes and preferences - what kind of cuisine he prefers, what drinks and what dishes. Failed to get the information you need? In this case, it is better to opt for a traditional restaurant with a variety of dishes suitable for every taste.
Come to the restaurant before the interlocutor - this will once again show respect for him.
Do not order foods with unfamiliar names, or those that are inconvenient to eat, such as lobster or snails.
An office can also be used for a business lunch, but in this case it must have an appropriate room, for example, a meeting room. Be sure to order a special service staff, it is unacceptable to use secretaries or other employees for this.

To please a business partner, invite him to a restaurant located near his office

A business lunch does not exempt you from the generally accepted rules of good manners at the table:

hold the fork in your left hand and the knife in your right;
if there is a pause during lunch, you can put the knife and fork on a plate, crossing over each other. If you fold them in parallel, then for the waiter this may mean the end of dinner;
it is customary to put a cloth napkin on your knees, and get your lips wet with paper after eating;
if you are going to use a toothpick, then you should not do this at the table.

Of course, lunch is an informal meeting, but one should not forget about its main goal - reaching an agreement, signing a contract, closing a deal. Therefore, when talking on abstract topics and using jokes, try not to deviate from the main thread of the conversation. And, of course, observe tact and correctness in everything, not allowing personalities, and not allowing personalities.

Yes, all the subtleties of business etiquette cannot be described in one article, just as it is impossible to give exhaustive instructions on the behavior of an employee in the office in a few lines. However, in the hands of each person is his own career, and in order to get its worthy development, you must constantly learn, improve and strive to comprehend the intricacies of business etiquette.

In negotiations, you are the face of the company!

In negotiations, you are the face of your company, and how you can conduct them depends not only on the successful completion of the transaction. How profitable you can present your office in the eyes of partners can become important step to move up the winding career ladder, you just need to learn to feel like part of a team and be ready to solve a common cause. Good luck!