10 Business Meeting Decorum Guidelines

Applicable tips for any formal meeting

In the business world, how can business decorum (manners) be essential in building relationships with colleagues, clients, or customers?

How can improving your business manners ensure your chances of success?

Let’s talk!

Prepare well for the meeting. If you are using statistics, reports, or any other information make sure it has been handed out at least three days prior to the meeting.

1. Be prepared

Dress well - Appropriate business attire is required.

Punctuality is a must - Arrive in good time.

Your professionalism is linked to both of these.

2. Make a good impression

Strive to ensure that there will be no distractions during the meeting.

It is ill-mannered to use these devices while in a meeting.

3. Switch off cell phones and *PDAs

*PDA- personal digital assistant

If there is an established seating pattern, accept it. If you are unsure, ask.

Make sure that you are comfortably seated within hearing distance.

4. Observe proper seating arrangements

Acknowledge any introductions or opening remarks with a brief recognition of the chair and other participants.

Display courtesy to other members of the meeting.

5. Recognize the presence of others

When discussions are under way, it is good business manners to allow more senior figures to contribute first.

6. Let the senior figures go first

Even if you disagree strongly, note what has been said and return to the issue later with the chair’s permission.

Always wait for your turn to speak and ask permission before doing so.

7. Never interrupt anyone.

When speaking, be brief and ensure that what you say is relevant.

Be considerate of the time others give in listening to you.

Express what you have to say in a reasonable way and time.

8. Be clear and concise.

The chair must make the purpose of the meeting clear to the attendees, for example, how long it will last and what is expected of them, etc. Failing to relay the proper information is bad business decorum and could cause embarrassment.

9.Always address the chair unless it is clear that others are not doing so

It is a serious breach of business manners to divulge information to others about a meeting. What has been discussed should be considered confidential.

What has transpired in the meeting should always stay within the four walls of the room.

10. It is confidential.

Vocabulary Decorum dignity or good taste that is appropriate to a specific occasion

Statistics data, figures, numbers, information

Prior former, earlier, previous Appropriate suitable, correct, proper

Professionalism the skill, competence, or character expected of a member of a highly trained profession

Vocabulary Contribute to give something such as

money or time, especially to a common fund or for a specific purpose

Considerate mindful of the needs, wishes, and feelings of others

Established recognized, well-known

Divulge to reveal information, especially information that was previously

secret Confidential private and secret

Do you agree that comfort, trust, attentiveness and clear communication are examples of the positive results of demonstrating good manners? Why?

Why can poor manners in the workplace have a negative effect?

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