Businesses want loyal customers. Even though a customer is satisfied with the product, how he or she is treated will dictate if repeat business is done.
Customers are likely to permit the development of a positive customer relationship' and will do repeat business if they feel comfortable and valued by you and your organization.
A study by Harvard University, Carnegie Foundation and the Stanford Research Institute said success in business today is attributed to 15 percent technical knowledge and 85 percent people skills.
"It doesn't matter what business you're in". "It's a people business".
The new measure of success for the business world is about how we behave and how we handle others.
Business Etiquette is based on hierarchy and power, experts say. For example, a person of lower status should hold a door for superiors, clients, peers following closely behind and anyone loaded down with packages. In business, the client holds the highest position in any organization. "The client is more important than anyone in your organization, even if the client holds a lesser title than the executive in your firm," A person of lesser importance is introduced to the person of greater importance. For example, "President Bush, I'd like you to meet John Smith."
Stand up when being introduced to someone and shake right hands by keeping thumbs up and wrapping fingers around the hands when palms touch. Shake with a firm grip but do not try to crush the other person's hand. "Your handshake is your signature," "It speaks loudly of yourself. It is an unspoken act of respect." Since business etiquette is gender neutral, unlike chivalry-based social etiquette, it does not matter which gender reaches out to shake hands first.
You hold the door open for a woman if you would hold it open for a man in the same situation. When in an elevator, whoever is closest to the doors exits first. Men do not jam up elevators by trying to let the woman out first, unless of course she happens to be your CEO or your client.
Client entertaining is the number one reason companies send employees to etiquette seminars. The main problem with clients is that they talk with a mouth full of food. The most common question is who should pay the bill. The answer: Whoever benefits from the business pays, unless there is no clear beneficiary; then whoever does the inviting pays. They are all little things. The type of business being conducted prescribes what meal to eat. Urgent business should be discussed at a 45-minute breakfast. A two-hour lunch is a good time to entertain clients or establish contacts. Dinners are ideal for enhancing existing relationships or for providing a special treat for clients.
Knowing proper etiquette will help people communicate better and minimize insulting actions or behaviors, whether in the United States or doing business overseas. Since business is done on a global level, international business etiquette has become important to know as well.
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