#10 Business Etiquette

The etiquette of business is the set of written and unwritten rules of conduct that make social interactions run more smoothly. Office etiquette in particular applies to coworker interaction, excluding interactions with external contacts such as customers and suppliers. Both office and business etiquette overlap considerably with basic tenets of netiquette. These rules are often echoed throughout an industry or economy.

W6M: Coming up with a great Marketing Strategy and great Creative is just the start. You also have to prove to the client and your coworkers that you are competent and professional. Here are a few small tips that may be helpful.

• Dress: Friday is usually casual at work. Wear what you want. However, keep in mind that your client may call a meeting or drop by at any time. If they are in a suite and tie, are you going to feel comfortable meeting with them in your shorts and flip flops.


• Proofing: Even if you are presenting the greatest campaign ever, the only thing the client will remember is that glaring spelling mistake you made. They pay you a lot of money not to make mistakes. With that said, don't be too critical of my spelling, no one is paying me for this blog.


• Email Attachments: Nothing makes me crazier than forgetting an attachment or adding the wrong one to an email. Make sure to double check your attachments before sending to the client.


• Email Content: Try to be short and concise when writing emails. Paragraphs should be broken up. Bullets should be used when possible.


• Signature: It's important to always have your Name, Title, Address, Phone, Fax and Email address on your signature.


• Voicemail: When you call someone and leave a voicemail, start the message with your name, company name and phone number. Then a short message followed up with your name, company name and phone number again. This gives them a second chance to write down your info. If they have to rewind and play again, your info is at the front of your message.


• Answering the phone: Even with caller ID, I always answer the phone by saying my name first. Introducing yourself when you answer the phone sounds more professional.


• Gossip: Careful what you say. Careful what you email. Its hard to bite your tongue some times, but try.


• Websites: Careful what sites you visit at work. Large companies restrict what sites you can visit. Smaller companies don't typically block sites, but they do monitor sites. Most companies have software that can monitor if you are on a work related site or not.


• Office All Emails: Try to avoid sending out non-work related emails to the entire office. If you feel that you need to share with the entire office, I would recommend putting your email in the To: line, then Bcc: Office All. That way you can avoid Reply Alls.


• Reply All Emails: When someone does send out a Mass Email, try to avoid Reply Alls. Not everyone on the original email wants to hear what you have to say. People busy at work are especially overwhelmed with emails, don't add any unwanted emails.


• Log Time: Ad Agencies get paid by logging their time against specific jobs. Make sure to log your time accurately. Even if you are on a retainer, this will help you determine how profitable a client is. Also, try to log your time daily. Trying to log your time once a month will result in many inaccuracies.