Successful people posses three common characteristics:
1) They are competent in their skills
2) They are confident in demeanor
3) They are considerate of others.
They are three Cs of Success. Etiquette directly affects the last two characteristics – confidence and consideration. When we know the behavior others expect of us, we turn self-consciousness into self-confidence, thereby allowing us to show consideration for others. We create an atmosphere that free us to then focus on being competent in our jobs. This is especially important as companies streamline and downsize their labor force to reduce costs. Being successful is now more competitive than ever.
People usually form their opinion of us in the first thirty seconds of seeing us by judging our appearance, our visual communication and our speech. They evaluate our inner qualities later.
Packaging ourselves with (a) the right code of behavior (b) the proper attire, (c) appropriate speech and (d) good body language may determine whether we get the job we want. The wrong packaging of us may not mean the loss of our jobs, but it can reduce our job security in today’s climate of downsizing.
The business codes are a set of etiquette rules. We seldom enjoy playing a game without first learning the rules. Nothing builds confidence like knowing the rules of the game.
Meeting and greeting in business involves the six Ss:
1) Stand
2) Smile
3) See
4) Shake
5) Speak
6) Say
Learning and using the six Ss allow us to focus on other people. It also portrays confidence. Making a good impression requires that we show more interest in the other people than ourselves. We all know people who remember names and always seem relaxed and affable. We like and remember those people.
The six Ss are:
1) Standing – for senior personnel and when greeting or meeting others shows respect and deference.
2) A Smile – by one person usually encourages one from another. It takes only twelve muscles to smile, but takes seventy-two to frown.
3) Seeing – into a person’s eyes means we are friendly, that we are interested in the other person.
4) Shaking – in general, hands is always the proper greeting for many people. Our handshakes should be firm (not crushing) and dry. The web between our thumb and index finger should meet the web of the other person’s hand. If necessary, we should wipe our hand before extending it.
5) Speaking – our name slowly and distinctly is important.
6) Saying – the new acquaintance’s name back to him or her when we are introduced helps us remember it, and people like to hear their name used in a friendly way.
In a competitive world, the businessperson who makes an impeccable impression will be the one who gets the job, makes the deal or gets the big promotion.
Written by,
William Wing Wai Lee, AICI
Treasurer of the AICI Hong Kong Chapter
Imagio
17H Block 8 Kornhill Garden
Quarry Bay, Kowloon
T: 9238 9203
wmailto:willbill_@hotmail.com
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