Business Etiquette For Dummies

356 Pages·2008·2.15 MB·English

by  Sue Fox

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Business
Etiquette
FOR
DUMmIES
‰
2
ND EDITION
by Sue Fox
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Business Etiquette For Dummies®, 2nd Edition
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
111 River St.
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2008924948
ISBN: 978-0-470-14709-2
Manufactured in the United States of America
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About the Author
Sue Foxhas provided etiquette products, educational material, group train-
ing, and private consultations to business professionals, celebrities, corpora-
tions, and educational institutions since 1994 through her company, The
Etiquette Survival Group, which has offices in California. She has set up many
Etiquette Survival consultants throughout the United States and internation-
ally. Before that, she was employed in the high-tech industry, with 10 years’
experience in sales, marketing, and event planning at Apple, Inc.
Sue has traveled extensively and is well acquainted with various international
cultures. Her travels have taken her to East Africa, Central America, and
Europe. Sue and her company have provided etiquette programs throughout
the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and India.
Sue is a professional member of the International Association of Protocol
Consultants (IAPC) and has an additional background in image consulting
and makeup artistry, with 20 years of fashion-modeling experience in televi-
sion and print.
Sue is also the author of Etiquette For Dummies,published by Wiley Publishing,
Inc. She is executive producer of The Etiquette Survival Kit,a series of educa-
tional videos and DVDs featuring dining and social etiquette and proper table
settings for adults and teens.
The Etiquette Survival Group and its affiliates MCE (Los Angeles, California)
and Global Adjustments (Chennai, India) have formed strategic alliances and
currently are developing etiquette and diversity products and programs.
They are working together to create a better understanding of people in
diverse business and social environments by emphasizing the importance
of respect, diplomacy, and civility in every aspect of life.
Sue and her businesses have been featured in many national and interna-
tional publications, including Woman’s Day, Vogue, Ladies’ Home Journal, Real
Simple, American Baby, Newsweek, Fortune, New York Magazine, US Weekly,
People, Los Angeles Times, theNew York Times, theWall Street Journal, New
York Post, Chicago Tribune, Washington Times, San Francisco Examiner, Boston
Globe, USA TODAY, Sunday London Times, Australian Financial News, Folha de
S. Paulo, Brazilian Daily News, Nikkei Business Journal, Times of India,and
The Hindu Businessline.
Sue’s media credits include radio interviews and feature stories on CNBC,
KRON-TV (San Francisco), Knowledge TV, San Francisco Mornings on 2,KOVR-
TV (Sacramento), ABC World News,ABC News with Sam Donaldson, KQED-TV
(San Francisco), CNET.com, and KABC-TV (Los Angeles).
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Sue is the mother of two grown sons, Stephen and Nathan, and she has two
grandsons, Joseph and Michael Fox.
Find out more about Sue and her business by visiting her Web sites: www.
susanannefox.com, www.etiquettesurvival.com, and www.etiquette
survivalgroup.com.
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Dedication
To my sons, Stephen and Nathan Fox, for their love and encouragement.
Author’s Acknowledgments
I’d like to express my sincerest thanks to the dedicated team at John Wiley &
Sons who generously contributed to the preparation of this second edition.
My continued gratitude goes to my acquisitions editor, Tracy Boggier, and my
project editor, Georgette Beatty, for their guidance and expertise.
Big thanks go to my copy editor, Kathy Simpson, for her meticulous editing,
and to the additional talent at Wiley, illustrator Liz Kurtzman and cartoonist
Rich Tennant, who helped shape this book.
My sincere appreciation goes to my technical editor, colleague, and friend,
Syndi Seid, for her editing expertise and knowledge. A special thank you to
my agent, Reid Boates, and my colleagues Millie Drum, Gayle Downs, and
Cheryl Dandridge for their generous assistance during this project. It has
been a privilege to work with all of you!
To my friend and business partner, Linda Cain, thank you for your ongoing
support and encouragement. My appreciation and gratitude go to all my col-
leagues, clients, students, and Etiquette Survival consultants, who motivate
me to continue in the quest of raising awareness about treating others
respectfully.
I gratefully acknowledge the love and support of all my family members and
friends. You have been there for me through thick and thin. Thank you! To
my two adorable grandsons, Joseph and Michael Fox, you bring me so much
happiness.
Finally, I would like to thank all of you who read this book. May we all strive
for a more civil society.
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Publisher’s Acknowledgments
We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration
form located at www.dummies.com/register/.
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and Composition Services
Media Development
Project Coordinator: Lynsey Stanford
Project Editor: Georgette Beatty
Layout and Graphics:Stephanie D. Jumper,
(Previous Edition: Tim Gallan) Laura Pence, Christine Williams
Acquisitions Editor: Tracy Boggier Special Art: Elizabeth Kurtzman
Copy Editor: Kathy Simpson Proofreaders: Laura Bowman,David Faust,
John Greenough
(Previous Edition: Ben Nussbaum,
Tamara Castleman) Indexer: Cheryl Duksta
Editorial Program Coordinator: Special Help:Alissa D. Ellet, Christy Pingleton
Erin Calligan Mooney
Technical Editor: Syndi Seid
Editorial Manager: Michelle Hacker
Editorial Assistants:Joe Niesen,
Leeann Harney
Cartoons: Rich Tennant
(www.the5thwave.com)
Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies
Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies
Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies
Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel
Kelly Regan,Editorial Director, Travel
Publishing for Technology Dummies
Andy Cummings,Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User
Composition Services
Gerry Fahey,Vice President of Production Services
Debbie Stailey,Director of Composition Services
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Contents at a Glance
Introduction.................................................................1
Part I: Conducting Yourself Gracefully
in the Business World ...................................................7
Chapter 1: Displaying Good Manners at Work................................................................9
Chapter 2: Making a Positive Impression on the Job...................................................19
Chapter 3: Working in a Diverse Environment..............................................................39
Chapter 4: Look Sharp! Creating Professional Style and Presence............................49
Part II: Building Better Communication Skills...............71
Chapter 5: The Art of Meeting and Greeting.................................................................73
Chapter 6: Making Polite Conversation.........................................................................83
Chapter 7: Improving Your Telephone Manners..........................................................95
Chapter 8: Sharpening Your Written Communication Skills.....................................107
Chapter 9: Keeping Up with Electronic Etiquette.......................................................127
Part III: Behaving in the Boardroom and Beyond ........137
Chapter 10: Minding Your Meeting Manners..............................................................139
Chapter 11: Engaging in Business Meals and Parties................................................147
Chapter 12: Mastering Dining Etiquette......................................................................163
Chapter 13: Attending Conferences, Trade Shows, and Special Events..................189
Chapter 14: Taking Part in a Variety of Social Off-Site Activities..............................199
Chapter 15: Marking Life’s Major Events and Passages............................................211
Part IV: Overcoming Work-Related Challenges............221
Chapter 16: Coming to Terms with Difficult People...................................................223
Chapter 17: Managing Office Conflict..........................................................................231
Chapter 18: Managing Ethical Dilemmas at Work......................................................241
Chapter 19: Handling Sexuality in the Workplace......................................................253
Part V: Doing Business on a Global Scale ...................261
Chapter 20: Pack Your Manners! Traveling for Business..........................................263
Chapter 21: Now You’ve Arrived: Adapting to a New World.....................................275
Chapter 22: Crossing Cultural Lines: Your Passport for Success.............................283
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Part VI: The Part of Tens...........................................313
Chapter 23: Nearly Ten College-to-Career Etiquette Tips.........................................315
Chapter 24: Ten Tips for Impressive Job Interviews.................................................319
Index.......................................................................323
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Table of Contents
Introduction..................................................................1
About This Book...............................................................................................2
Conventions Used in This Book.....................................................................3
What You’re Not to Read.................................................................................3
Foolish Assumptions.......................................................................................3
How This Book Is Organized...........................................................................4
Part I: Conducting Yourself Gracefully in the Business World.........4
Part II: Building Better Communication Skills....................................4
Part III: Behaving in the Boardroom and Beyond...............................4
Part IV: Overcoming Work-Related Challenges...................................5
Part V: Doing Business on a Global Scale............................................5
Part VI: The Part of Tens.......................................................................5
Icons Used in This Book..................................................................................6
Where to Go from Here....................................................................................6
Part I: Conducting Yourself Gracefully
in the Business World....................................................7
Chapter 1: Displaying Good Manners at Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Conducting Yourself with Class......................................................................9
Making a good impression..................................................................10
Working in diverse environments......................................................10
Dressing well.........................................................................................10
Communicating in the Business Arena........................................................11
Polishing your introductions..............................................................11
Mastering the art of conversation, in person and on the phone...11
Understanding business writing, online and off...............................12
Taking care when using technology...................................................12
Behaving No Matter Where Your Business Takes You..............................13
Meetings................................................................................................13
Business meals and parties.................................................................13
Conferences, trade shows, off-site activities, and other events.....14
Life’s major passages...........................................................................14
Overcoming Challenges at Work..................................................................14
Dealing with difficult people...............................................................15
Coping with conflict.............................................................................15
Managing ethical dilemmas.................................................................15
Handling sexuality................................................................................15
Traveling Near and Far..................................................................................16
Packing up and heading out................................................................16
Acting gracefully after you arrive.......................................................16
Minding your manners in different regions of the world................17
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Business Etiquette For Dummies, 2nd Edition
Chapter 2: Making a Positive Impression on the Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Surviving the Job Interview..........................................................................19
Soul searching before job searching..................................................20
Writing appropriate cover letters and résumés...............................21
Making the most of phone calls..........................................................22
Knowing what to wear (and what not to wear)................................23
Practicing for the interview................................................................24
Painting a rosy picture on the big day...............................................25
Sealing the deal.....................................................................................28
Being a Positive Part of the Workplace.......................................................29
Developing good relations with your peers......................................30
Developing good relations with your staff........................................32
Developing good relations with your superiors...............................33
Offering compliments and criticism..................................................34
Visiting Another Office..................................................................................36
Chapter 3: Working in a Diverse Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Respecting Physical Differences..................................................................39
Starting with a few general guidelines...............................................40
Dealing with specific disabilities........................................................42
Going the extra mile.............................................................................45
Respecting Racial and Ethnic Differences...................................................46
Respecting Gender and Sexual Differences................................................47
Chapter 4: Look Sharp! Creating Professional Style and Presence . . .49
The Essentials of Building an Appropriate Work Wardrobe.....................50
Sticking to basic colors and pieces....................................................50
Dealing with dress codes.....................................................................51
Defining “business casual” and “casual”...........................................52
Taking stock of what you have...........................................................52
Casual Workplace Wear for Women.............................................................53
Formal Business Clothes for Women...........................................................55
Suits........................................................................................................55
Skirts......................................................................................................56
Pantsuits................................................................................................56
Blouses and shirts................................................................................56
Stockings and pantyhose....................................................................56
Shoes......................................................................................................57
Accessories...........................................................................................57
Casual Workplace Wear for Men..................................................................60
Formal Business Clothes for Men................................................................61
Suits........................................................................................................61
Pants......................................................................................................63
Shirts......................................................................................................63
Socks......................................................................................................63
Shoes......................................................................................................64
Accessories...........................................................................................64