A Manager's Guide to Business Meeting Protocol

Meeting etiquette is key to good business, as face-time allows for clear communication and effective decision making. As an organizer it is your job to make sure the meeting is productive. Following the below listed business meeting protocols will assist you in obtaining your business meeting goals and objectives.

Determine the objective - A clear goal will set the tone for the meeting and determine its direction. Your goal should be specific and measurable. If you're expecting attendees to brainstorm, ask each participant to arrive with a list of ideas.
Ask yourself if a meeting is actually necessary - Meetings can be expensive. To calculate the precise cost, multiply the hourly wage of each person present by the length of the gathering. If your objective can be met through e-mail, conference call, Skype, or even a quick one-on-one discussion, skip the meeting altogether.
Invite decision-makers -The most effective meetings involve stakeholders to ensure decisions can be made immediately. If a key decision maker is unavailable, ask a subordinate to attend. Ideally, this person will be able to speak for their supervisor and at the very least take notes and report back.

Set a time limit and stick to it - Time is money. Attention spans are short and time is valuable. The most productive meetings start on time and end on time.
Prioritize the agenda - To ensure that the highest priority objectives are met, discuss the most pertinent issues first. That way, if someone needs to step away or leave the meeting early, you'll still have accomplished your main goals.

Wrap it up clearly - At the end of the meeting, quickly reiterate any decisions, deadlines, and clarify any follow-up action required. All meeting participants should understand exactly what is expected of them. Schedule any follow-up meetings immediately.

For more information about our Business Etiquette & Professional Development Training, please visit our website: www.itsallaboutetiquette.com or contact us at 480-510-6346.

Table Manners Your Six-Year-Old Should Know

Table Manners Your Six-Year-Old Should Know

Children do not learn proper table manners overnight. It takes years of repetition and consistent training to refine their skills. Parents have eighteen years to help shape their child’s table manners so there is plenty of time to patiently work with them. Expect lots of errors and missteps. Use gentle guidance and never scold or embarrass. Just kindly correct and continue eating.

The following is a list of table manners that your child should have a good grasp of by age six:

• Wash their hands and face before sitting down to the table.
• Sit down in their proper seat and put their napkin in their lap.
• Wait to begin eating until everyone is seated and has been served.
• Say, “Excuse Me,” and ask permission to leave the table.
• Elbows do not belong on the table.
• Mouths should stay closed while chewing and pieces should be bite sized.
• “May I please” and “Thank you” should be used when children would like food and never reach across the table.
• It is never kind or polite to make negative comments about what is being served for dinner.
• Before getting up at the end of the meal say, “May I please be excused?”