Workplace etiquette: In a mtg. In a group

Business meeting etiquette

• Be punctual. If you are late, apologise briefly but sincerely and immediately give total attention to the meeting. Those who wish to leave early should ask their seniors’ permission beforehand. Leave quietly, with an ‘excuse me’ and catch the eye of the person who is talking at that point.
• Dress well — it gives a good impression.
• Always remember to switch of your mobile phone.
• If there is an established seating pattern, accept it. If you are unsure, ask.
• Do your homework; get all your facts and figures in order. Go prepared.
• Acknowledge any introductions or opening remarks with a brief recognition of the chair and other participants.
• When discussions are underway it is good business etiquette to allow more senior figures to contribute first.
• Never interrupt anyone — even if you disagree strongly. Note what has been said and return to it later with the chair’s permission.
• When speaking, be brief and ensure that what you say is relevant.
• It is a serious breach of business etiquette to divulge what has been discussed at any meeting with a third party — consider it confidential.
• Thanking the person who organised the meeting is not only good etiquette; it is also a sign of respect.

Keep competition within the organisation healthy

• A team tends to behave like a human body, accepting what is part of it and rejecting any alien tissue. People are accepted if their behaviour mirrors the group norms.
• Faults and blunders usually take place due to lack of communication. Find out the cause of the mess-up and solve the problem so that it is not repeated.
• Curb your annoyance and control your temper.
• Do not strive to pull a colleague down just to get the approval of the boss. This will backfire on you in the long run.
• Back-stabbing and petty talk is not only unpleasant, it is in poor taste.
• A secure and efficient worker never grudges another’s success. Envy and jealousy among co- workers ruins the working environment for everyone. The following notice, seen on several office walls, gets the point across