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Home » Business And Finance Articles » Business Etiquette

Business Etiquette

Business etiquette is in essence about building relationships with people. In the business world, it is people that influence your success or failure. Etiquette, and in particular business etiquette, is simply a means of maximising your business potential.

If you feel comfortable around someone and vice versa, better communication and mutual trust will develop. This comfort zone is realised through presenting yourself effectively. Business etiquette helps you achieve this.

Business etiquette revolves around two things. Firstly, thoughtful consideration of the interests and feelings of others and secondly, minimising misunderstandings. Both are dependent upon self conduct. Business etiquette polishes this conduct.

Business etiquette varies from region to region and country to country. For the international business person, focusing too deeply on international business etiquette would leave no time for business. However, there are some key pillars upon which good business etiquette is built.

Behaviour

Your manners and attitude will speak volumes about you. They will point to your inner character. If you come across selfish, undisciplined or uncouth your relationship is unlikely to prosper. Appropriate business etiquette promotes positive traits.

Honesty

A reputation for delivering what you say will deliver goes a long way in the business world. Remember, a reputation for integrity is slowly gained but quickly lost. Understanding a particular country's business etiquette provides a framework in which you can work without fear of crossing boundaries in terms of agreements, promises and contracts.

Character

Your character refers to what you as an individual bring to the business table. Proper business etiquette allows you to exhibit your positive qualities. For example, knowing when to be passionate and not emotional or self-confident without being arrogant. Just through learning another's business etiquette you demonstrate an open-mindedness which will earn respect.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity and consideration underlie all good business etiquette. Being prepared for foreign ways and methods and responding thoughtfully is achieved through experience and business etiquette know-how. By avoiding misunderstandings and misinterpretations through business etiquette you lay foundations for a strong business relationship.

Diplomacy

Avoiding thoughtless words and actions protects you from negative consequences. Impulse often leads a business person astray. Business etiquette encourages the careful thought of the interests of others and choosing acceptable forms of expression.

Appearance

Dressing appropriately, standing and sitting in the right place at the right time, good posture and looking physically presentable are all elements in making a good impression. Business etiquette teaches you how to suitably present yourself and what to avoid.

Analysing, understanding and implementing the above will help you recognise what business etiquette is and how it should be employed within the business world.

For the international business person business, etiquette acts as a key. It locks the doors of poor communication and misunderstandings and opens doors to successful business relationships.

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Checks And Balances

Checks are basically written for the transfer of funds from the account of a check holder in a bank or any other depository institution. The purpose of checks is similar to that of money, easing transactions.

One needs to keep in mind certain things to avoid problems on a later date. Take care that you use a proper pen, preferably use an ink pen. All the information should be filed in carefully. Look out that the numerical and written check amounts match. In case of cancellation of a check, be sure to keep an account of it. That will help you in matching and reconciling your accounts. When you sign, sign in a legible manner since a scrawl is easier to copy. Draw a line once you are through filling the amount of a check. The line ensures that the blank space cannot be filled later.

The banks have a certain set of rules and regulations in order to protect themselves against frauds. In order to cash a check at times you might even have to give your thumbprints in case of getting a check encashed at a bank other than where you have an account. The state law does not enlist the means of identification of a person. It is up to a bank to decide the means of verification. In most cases it is the ID of a person. The banks have the liberty of refusing a check that could have been issued by the Government also at times. This is again done by the banks to protect against the risk. The customer might be a trickster and once the check is encashed the bank never gets to see that person again. Moreover, a bank might not have the requisite cash for offsetting the credit. The banks may be ready to go that extra bit for their own customers but not in case of non-customers. A bank is also not obliged to pay for a stale check dating more than six months, with the exception of a certified check.

In the case of bad checks the state law imposes a criminal penalty. A bad check means refusal of payment upon the presentation of the check, which is in the knowledge of the issuer. The penalty ranges from a misdemeanor to a Class D felony, depending upon the amount of the check. A customer has a right to stop payment on the check by giving the bank a clear notice that it has reasons to stop it. An oral order has to be backed by a written complaint within a period of 15 days. The order for a stop payment holds good for six months.