The Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Etiquette

by Mitchell, Mary

• ISBN13: 9780028636153
• ISBN10: 0028636155
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-11-01
• Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.

Summary

You're no idiot, of course. You know that "casual Friday" doesn't mean your Beavis and Butthead T-shirt and a red vinyl miniskirt, and that fanny-patting doesn't say "good work" to a colleague. But when it comes to the rules for conducting yourself in today's workplace, you get nostalgic for the days when the only rule at a business lunch was "Stop after three martinis." Don't cancel that teleconference just yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Etiquette has something to teach every smart professional about protocol in the modern workplace. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get:

Table of Contents

Part 1: First Thing	1	(46)
A Brief History of Etiquette in the United States	3	(10)
The origins and evolution of good manners. American manners and ``Old World'' manners.
Etiquette in the Business World	13	(14)
How to deal with the everyday problems of business relationships, from big things such as dealing with criticism, to little things such as doors and elevators.
Greetings and Introductions	27	(12)
Make that good first impression by knowing the rules for greeting people and introducing them. Techniques and taboos for things as ordinary and important as shaking hands, introducing yourself, and handing out business cards.
The Job Interview	39	(8)
Take the tension and dread out of this most important encounter. How to get ready, what to expect, and how to react. How you look, what you say, and how you follow up.
Part 2: In the Arena	47	(62)
A Fact of Office Life: Meetings	49	(14)
Your relations with the boss, your colleagues, and your staff. Moving through the business day with poise and confidence. Knowing the ins and outs of the business meeting and avoiding disasters.
Business Attire and Accessories	63	(10)
Eternal Verities. Living within The Code, written and unwritten. Planning for the taking advantage of different situations and different climates. Interpreting ``formal'' and ``semi-formal.'' Proper accessories for particular situations and particular outfits.
Assembling a Wardrobe	73	(36)
How to assemble a wardrobe flexible enough to respond to any professional and social situation---without bankruptcy. Grooming and makeup tips from the experts.
Correspondence
Beyond e-mail. Do's and don'ts of letter writing. Style and structure. The thank-you note and condolence letter. Personal notes, personal and business stationery, paper, printing, invitations, and appearance.
Part 3: Making Contact	109	(56)
How We Communicate	111	(10)
The basics: voice and body language, personality types, and learning styles: Fighting fair, and listening to the boss.
Making Conversation	121	(10)
It's not just ``chat''---how to be a ``good conversationalist.'' Openings, listening, prompting.
Speaking in Public	131	(8)
Podium panic: Four questions to ask yourself, how to begin well and end strong, and how to handle the Q & A session.
Communicating by Telephone	139	(12)
An old friend has new tricks: basic rules for voice mail messages, cellular phones, speaker phones, and car phones. How to handle telemeeting manners: wrong moves, wrong costumes.
Nethics and E-Mail	151	(14)
Navigating netiquette and Internet pitfalls. Staying secure on the Web, adding professional touches, and using e-mail correctly.
Part 4: Dining and Entertaining	165	(108)
Table Manners
How to avoid the most common errors. Dealing with foods from hell, and using utensils, napkins, and place settings correctly.
Dining for Dollars	179	(10)
It's not just a meeting with food: Setting up and carrying off a successful dinner meeting. Getting the work done. Understanding the anatomy of a restaurant.
The Formal Dinner	189	(18)
Do's and don'ts for formal dinners. Navigating the seatings, the courses, the wines. Understanding continental vs. American style, high tea, toasting, and the grand banquet.
Entertaining	207	(12)
It's your turn. How to calm the heebie--jeebies, get started, and get help with the invitations, guest list, style, food, and drinks.
Part 5: Beyond the Office
Travel	219	(16)
How to be a ``good'' traveler. What's expected in hotels, luxury and otherwise. Security and etiquette on planes, trains, and ships.
The Global Stew	235	(18)
Learning regional and national customs and behavior aboard. Dining pitfalls, giving and receiving gifts, and interpreting gestures and handshakes. Practical and cultural considerations when dealing with the disabled in the workplace.
Sports Is Serious Play	253	(10)
Practicing etiquette and sportsmanship. The special etiquette of the links, the slopes, and the racqueteers, as well as considerations for running, biking, and yachting.
Rites and Passages	263	(10)
What is expected of your at funerals, religious services, confirmations, and Bar Mitzvahs. How to perform the duties of the wedding guest.
Index	273