Professional and Polished Business Etiquette for Secretaries & PAs

"Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot." -  Clarence Thomas

Etiquette is different for everybody. What one person thinks is acceptable, another finds offensive. Our views on etiquette are shaped by a multitude of factors, for example: our parents, our culture, our traditions, our values and our experiences. The safest way to ensure that you don't inadvertently offend colleagues, clients or superiors, is to discover the etiquette "norms". These are generally accepted "Codes of Good Practice" when it comes to communicating and operating professionally in a business environment.

"Politeness and consideration for others is like investing pennies and getting dollars back." -  Thomas Sowell

They say "its not what you know but who you know" when it comes to furthering your career. While this may be the case in some situations, it is far truer that an elegant, polished and professional manner will see you go much further than simply hoping you bump into someone influential! By presenting yourself in an elegant fashion, by knowing the do's and don'ts of communication, by knowing how to conduct yourself at various business functions or meetings and by always responding appropriately in conversations, you will discover that your star will begin to shine - attracting the attention of the right people, furthering your career prospects and making you indispensable to your organisation.

By attending this course you will discover the 4 main areas where business etiquette becomes vital for Secretaries and PAs:

1. Conduct

• Knowing that your conduct directly affects your manager's credibility
• Always greeting visitors in a friendly, courteous, appropriate and professional manner
• Managing your emotions carefully - especially anger, to appear calm and professional at all times

2. Communication

• Learning the basics of formal communication and when it should be used
• Using formal business communication to maintain a professional business environment
• Discovering how to communicate professionally when writing emails, talking on the telephone or conversing face to face
• Avoiding slang, swear words, abbreviations and acronyms
• Discovering the art of networking and making polite conversation

3. Organisation

• Creating the right first impression by having a clean and organised workspace
• Keeping all confidential files or personal items out of sight of visitors
• Remembering important dates, events and names to appear super organised and professional

4. Dress

• Ensuring you know what your company's dress code is and that you always adhere to it
• Avoiding tight or revealing clothing at all times
• Choosing clothes that flatter your figure, and look respectable and corporate
• Paying attention to personal grooming and hygiene