Ever feel uncomfortable about your social skills? Do you, for example, dread going to an interview dinner? Do you sometimes suspect that you make your coworkers feel uncomfortable? What's proper etiquette in today's workplace environment? Careers and business deals can hinge on proper etiquette and on the projection of a professional image.
"Experts say that most people decide to establish an ongoing relationship or not in the first four minutes they spend with someone," reports Dr. Kerry Strayer, organizational behavior specialist. Being polite and knowing proper etiquette can help you make positive first impressions as well as lasting relationships.
In this "Guide to Business Etiquette and Workplace Manners," Dr. Guffey covers 17 topics of interest to both workplace newcomers and veterans. To gauge your current level of knowledge of business etiquette, take Dr. Guffey's Preview Quiz. To sharpen your business etiquette skills generally, study what Dr. Guffey has to say on all 17 business etiquette topics. After studying the 17 topics, you may be asked by your instructor to take three posttests that will help you learn whether you fully understand the implications of the workplace manners discussed.
You can access a page devoted to a specific topic by clicking on the relevant link below.

Topics

Group 1

• Professional Image
• Introductions and Greetings
• Networking Manners
• General Workplace Manners
• Coping With Cubicles
• Interacting With Superiors

Group 2

• Manager's Manners
• Business Meetings
• Business Gifts
• Business Cards
• Dealing With Angry Customers
• Telephone Manners

Group 3

• Cell Phone Etiquette
• E-Mail Etiquette
• Gender-Free Etiquette
• Business Dining
• Avoiding Social Blunders When Abroad