Business manners
We live in a business world but many people forget the first word is still “business.” We have to mind our manners. Having good manners will help you in business. Any time you make contact with a client or perspective client, you are making a mini-presentation of yourself, representing your company, service or products.
People skills are very important, in many cases even more important than technical skills. Here are some examples:
1. Address individuals by their title: The proper way to address a client is to greet them using their honorific or title followed by their last name. It is up to the client to ask you to call them by their first name.
2. In business, the proper way to refer to a woman is “Ms.,” regardless of their marital status.
What is Business Ethics?
Most ethical dilemmas in the workplace are not simply a matter of what is right or wrong. Society dictates a set of rules. Businesses in general are working on the basis of an ethics that settles different interests. The standards and values within companies can be characterized as mutual respect.
Some people say there's always a right thing to do based on moral principle, and others believe the right thing to do depends on the situation. Many professionals in ethics say that new ethical principles are based on legal matters, and that what becomes an ethical issue of today is then later made into a law. Values that say how we should behave are said to be moral values, values such as respect, honesty, fairness, responsibility, etc.
Benefits of Business Ethics
The following list describes various types of benefits from managing ethics in the workplace:
1. Business ethics makes society better.
2. Ethics programs help maintain a moral course in times of fundamental change.
3. Ethics programs make teamwork stronger and raise productivity. Attention to ethics in the workplace helps employees face reality, both good and bad, in the organization and themselves.
4. Ethics programs help avoid criminal acts and can lower fines.
5. Ethics programs promote a strong public image. The fact that an organization regularly gives attention to its ethics can portray a strong positive to the public. People see those organizations as valuing people more than profit.
Personal manners of an employee are still important and can make a difference. An employee who is considerate and helpful is remembered in a positive way. On the other side, a rude employee gets talked about for days.
1. Use of names -- Get the names right and use them. Know the employees names because it makes them a person and tells them that you cared enough to know what to call them. Saying "hey you" only turns out to be a negative. Part of getting the name right is in some cases asking people what they would like to be called.
2. Clear up issues right away - Making someone wait to be talked with about an issue, unless perhaps there is an emergency, is wrong. In most cases there is time to clear up issues right away. Sure sometimes there needs to be an investigation but usually only for the big issues. Most issues can be handled right away and what is the point of making someone wait anyway. It is best to deal with issues in a timely manner.
3. Answer e-mails - It's just rude not to answer an e-mail. If you don't want to discuss the subject of the e-mail, just say so. Or if someone is asking for something and you do not want to or can't answer the person, simply answer it with a no. Not responding to an e-mail leaves a bad impression. Ignoring the e-mail does not make it go away but instead may give the impression that you don’t like a person.
4. Help people - Yes help the customers but also help co-workers. Not just the ones in your department but help out people in other departments when possible. It leaves a great impression and builds a reputation of being a team player. Just now and then help someone out in the company.
5. When you meet someone - Greet the person, shake hands, smile, have a short pleasant conversation, and make the person feel important. Ask the person if she or he needs a drink. Don’t miss the most basic of manners with saying "Please" and "Thank you". Be gracious in every contact. This is a great way for business meetings. But it is also something that should happen when dealing with employees.
6. Be the example - employee notice what the manager says and the actions the manager takes. Asking people to do things should not only be stated but should also be something the employees see in the manager. If a manager wants superb customer service then that is what the manager must give to everyone.
Having manners is about being polite and considerate. It is acknowledging that treating people with respect is extremely important.
Answer the following questions:
- What are the new ethical principles based on?
- In business the proper way to refer to a woman is…..
- What’s important to know?
- How to greet your partner when meeting?
- Whom should you help at work?
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Зразок анкети
(Sample Application Form) Personal
NAME Victor Klemenko
ADDRESS 10 Petrovskiy st., Ap.7
PHONE NO. (044) 313-26-41 (home)
DO YOU HAVE A VALID DRIVER'S LICENCE Yes No
MARITAL STATUS married NO. OF DEPENDENTS 1 daughter
EDUCATION higher
Name of School Year graduated Course Taken or Degree
Kiev University 1990 Economics
LANGUAGES
Russian Excellent
Ukrainian Good
English Fair
EXPERIENCE (Give present or last position first)
COMPANY Alpha, ADDRESS 17 Proezdnaya
TYPE OF BUSINESS/INDUSTRY EMPLOYED (Month & Year)
Information technologies From March 1990 To July 1995
POSITION(S) HELD SUPERVISOR'S_NAME
Manager Alexander Bach
DESCRIBE YOUR DUTIES
Negotiations, purchase of equipment
WHY DID YOU LEAVE?
The company has moved to Sevostopol
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