PRDV104: Professional Etiquette

While this quick online guide is aimed at non-Americans, it provides a basic overview of business etiquette in the American culture. This article demonstrates that the Golden Rule (treat other professionals as you want to be treated) is the easiest and most effective way to handle most business situations that you are unfamiliar with. Click on the link above, and read the brief article about American business culture. As you read the article, pay special attention to the values and guidelines listed and consider how they match up with your own work experiences. Although every work environment is different, there are some common workplace policies that everyone should be aware of, such as respecting your elders.

Read this article. These simple guidelines will help you establish a professional image in the workplace and avoid behaviors that others will find offensive or distracting. Treating others the way you wish to be treated (i.e., the Golden Rule) is a good rule of thumb for workplace behavior, but you may discover a few courtesies in this reading that you may not previously have considered.

Read this article. You will find that this article mostly focuses on behavior in the office, but it also provides a few suggestions for luncheons and company events. This list of "do's" and "don'ts" of office etiquette will serve you well in any type of workplace situation, whether in your office cubicle or at a business luncheon. Overall, the important guideline to consider is that professionals treat others with courtesy no matter where they are or what type of event they are attending.

Take this quiz about business etiquette. Get out a scrap sheet of paper, and write down your response to each quiz question. At the bottom of the page, you will find a link to click for the quiz answers and explanations. Check your answers after completing the quiz. Note that there may be more than one correct answer for each scenario. Use this quiz to discover your current understanding of various business etiquette scenarios.

Before you read this article, take out a scrap sheet of paper and write down some of the qualities you might look for if you were an employer. Then, read the article. In this article, you will discover some of the key traits that define a professional in any field. See how your list matches up to the traits found in this article. First, professionals are competent, because they are educated and trained in their specialty. Second, professionals are honest and garner respect from their colleagues in addition to giving respect to others. Third, professionals are accountable for their actions, because they have a strong work ethic and discipline themselves.

Read this section. You will note that the details of business communication, such as grammar, spelling, punctuation, and intended meaning, are important to consider any time you send a message.

Read this article on key elements of nonverbal communication in the workplace. Pay special attention to section 2, which deals with different types of handshakes and advises on which ones to avoid. In addition, section 3 offers useful tips on focused eye contact, including when to look, where to look, and how long to look.

Read this article about nonverbal communication in the workplace. This article gives a nice overview of how your body language, facial expressions, and other nonverbal expressions affect others. Optionally, to learn more, you may click on the embedded links on this webpage and read the associated content.

Review this online presentation on technology in the workplace. This is your introduction to the use of technology in the workplace and how it has changed the way we do business. There is an arrow at the bottom of the screen; continue to click the right arrow until you have read all 4 pages of content. Pay close attention to the last section, titled "Effect on Nature of Jobs." It is important to consider how new technologies have changed your own work environment and the way you perform your job.

Read this article on proper use of workplace email. This article covers creating appropriate subject lines, making your point, specifying the response you want, being a good correspondent, and using pointers for internal email. Note the good and bad examples of email writing in each category.

Although this source is intended for a receptionist position, the insight given about how to take and make phone calls can be applied to any position. Please click on the link above and read the entire article. As you read, take note of any of the phone etiquette rules you have broken in the past and consider why it would be helpful to follow these tips from the perspective of the professional on the other end of the line.

Read sections 18.1, 18.2, and 18.3 to learn more about cultural awareness and diversity in the workplace.

Read this section to learn more about international communication.

Click on the link above to access Executive Planet's guides to business culture in various countries. When you click on a particular country, you will have access to helpful information about the selected country, including the language, government, safety issues, proper dress, entertaining, etc. Select three countries to investigate. You may want to bookmark this website for a starting point in approaching any future international business trips.