Lession 1:Introduction

Having a brief understanding about what is business etiquette and our teaching objective, we would like to start teaching the business etiquettes countries by countries. Before we start, since different etiquettes applie to different contexts, we would identify the formal and informal business meetings and respective general etiquettes .

Fomal Meetings
A formal meeting refers to a preplanned meeting with predetermined set of topics that participants would discuss at the aim to achieve or compromise on objectives. It includes conference, trade fairs and communication in workplace. Followings are some guidelines.

Dress code

• Wear suit and keep it pressed, cleaned and with finished seams. Revealing too much cleavage, back, chest, feet, stomach or underwear is no acceptable.
• Wear a conservative tie and a white shirt or blouse are widely acceptable. The cuffs need to be fastened.
• Wear black or brown shoes and polish them until they shine. No scandals.
• Groom hair, moustaches, beards and nasal hair. Female may also shave legs and armpits.
• Trim fingernails
• Wear a pair of earrings with one earring on each ear. No fussy jewelery.
• Make up but not in a ski-slope way ( 3-inches of powder on top of a 6-inch base).
• Apply some cologne and perfume, but not overdo it!

Business card

• Prepare plenty of business cards with accurate personal contact details. Translate the cards into foreign language if needed.
• Exchange them at the beginning or at the end of the meeting
• Read through , comment on and clarifing the information before putting it away.

Behaviors

• Be punctual so do not keep people waiting and abuses their time.
• Switch off the mobile phone
• Ask if there is an established seating pattern before taking the seat.
• Acknowledge any introductions or openings with a brief recognition of the chairman and other participants.
• Allow senior management to contribute first when discussions are under way.
• Note what has been said and return to it later with the chairman's permission but never interrupt anyone - even if you disagree strongly.

Informal Meetings

On the other hand, informal meetings refer to those generally not planned well in advance. The atmosphere is more relaxed and may not necessarily take place in the office or meeting room. It includes business dining, giving gift, gesture, etc

Table manners

Gift giving

Episode: Based on the research we have done, many organisations would do businesses in China, Japan, USA, and India and so we would like focus on evaluating business etiquette in these places.