Business Changes But Some Things Stay The Same

I’ve been asked to talk at a conference about how business has changed in the last ten years. Boy oh boy, where do I start?

It made me think about the changes in how businesses run today. But it also made me think about some consistencies. What are those things that have actually NOT changed? Where are the foundations of solidity in the way we work? Well, I was thinking about the way we behave in business and how businesss etiquette teaches us a set of ways on how to behave and how to present ourselves.

So here are some ideas of how business, in many ways, stays the same:

With so many people working around you, you have to understand one thing – these are the elements you need to care for. Never underestimate, bad mouth or insult anyone.

Be respectful and courteous and ready to apologize for any mistake that you make.

Be diplomatic where required and try not to let personal biases influence your decisions.

Be respectful of your boss and make sure that you always inform him/her of any changes in your project. Never surprise your boss.

You don’t have to make friends with people and invite them for drinks, but building a cordial relation goes a long way in the business world. Make it a point to interact and ask about them and their families.

Talk with your teammates about how you can all make the workplace easier to cope with. That way, you share ideas and make plans for working together in harmony.

As far as the language is concerned, don’t use language that is considered crass, abusive, coarse or insulting. If you view yourself as professionals, you need to ensure that you use formal language that does not insult or cross the territory into being too personal.

Always be on time for appointments, never late. Etiquette states that time is a major issue. Being late makes for a very bad impression and can affect the image that colleagues and bosses might have about you.

Show the right level of balance when it comes to social media use. Etiquette states that we are at work for business, but 9 or 10 hours a day of hard grind can be demotivating. Have a specific guideline for social media use, but ensure people understand it.

So, although I am talking about the changes in business at the conference, there are still some stabilities that exist, still some areas where consistencies matter, and we musn’t lose sight of the fact that these act as good solid foundations for businesses, which actually support the changes that take place.

Thanks again

Sean

Sean McPheat

Managing Director

MTD Training