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Tuesday, 02 Dec 2008
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Etiquette
For Meeting People In Business
by Lydia Ramsey
Meeting
new clients, colleagues or associates is an integral part of daily
business life. Follow these rules to help ensure that those critical
initial encounters will be the start of profitable relationships.
A
day in the life of every businessperson is made up of a series
of meetings and greetings.
Whether
you are making the initial contact with a client or a colleague,
you want to get off on the right foot. Doing so will make the
first encounter and subsequent ones go smoothly and easily.
Getting
off on the wrong foot can make for a difficult recovery. Save
your energy for later and use these simple strategies for a successful
start
1.
Stand up when you meet someone
This
allows you to engage the person on an equal level—eye to eye.
By remaining seated, you send a message that you don't think the
other person is important enough to warrant the effort it takes
to stand.
If
you find yourself in a position where you can't stand up (such
as being trapped behind a potted plant) offer an apology and an
explanation. You might say something like, "Please excuse
me for not getting up. I can't seem to get around the foliage."
2.
Smile
Your
facial expression says more than your words. Look as if you are
pleased to meet the other person regardless of what is on your
mind. Put a smile on your face for the person standing before
you.
3.
Make eye contact
Looking
at the people you meet says you are focused and interested in
them. If you are staring off somewhere else, you may appear to
be looking for someone more to your liking to come along.
4.
Introduce yourself immediately
As
soon as you approach people you don't know or are approached by
them, say who you are. Don't stand around as if someone else is
in charge of introductions.
5.
Include a statement about who you are when necessary
It
is not always enough to say, "Hello, I'm Mary Jones."
Give more information. "Hello, I'm Mary Jones. I work for
XYZ Corporation."
6.
Offer a firm handshake
Extend
your hand as you give your greeting. The person who puts a hand
out first comes across as confident and at ease.
Make
sure that this physical part of your greeting is professional.
Don’t offer bone-crushing grips or wimpy limp-wristed shakes.
If
you are confused about men and women shaking hands, don't be.
There once was a time when women didn't shake hands with men.
We are past that. Everyone in business shakes hands with everyone
else.
7.
Learn how to make smooth introductions
In
business you always introduce less important people to more important
people. The way to do this is to say the name of the more important
person first, followed by the words "I'd like to introduce..."
and then give the other person's name.
Be
sure to add something about each person so they will know why
they are being introduced and will have some information with
which to start a conversation.
8.
Know who the more important person is
The
client or the business prospect is more important than your boss.
Just hope your boss agrees.
9.
Pay attention to names when you meet people
It
is all too common to be thinking about what you are going to say
next and not focus on the other person. If you concentrate and
repeat the name as soon as you hear it, you stand a better chance
of remembering it later.
10.
Use first names of people whom you have just met only after they
give you permission
Not
everyone wants to be addressed informally on the initial encounter.
It is better to err on the side of formality than to offend the
other person right off the bat.
Your
goal within the first few minutes of meeting other people is to
make them feel comfortable and to put them ease so they will want
to do business with you.
When
you are confident of the rules for those critical initial encounters,
you will have a solid start for long-term profitable relationships.
©
2004, Lydia Ramsey.
Lydia
Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate
trainer and author of Manners
That Sell—Adding The Polish That Brings Profits. She
has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors'
Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman's Day.
For more information about her programs, products and services,
e-mail her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com
or visit her website: MannersThatSell.com.
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