MINDING your manners at work is increasingly important with technological advances and global business says Morgan & Banks’ John Banks. Mr Banks said many people were now unsure just how to behave appropriately.
“Emails are becoming more prolific and it is so easy to convey a ‘tone’ when you are in a hurry or trying to be brief,” he said. “Realise that the words you use may not convey what you precisely mean.
“Also, never use capitals because that is tantamount to shouting. Do not use email to resolve a conflict or continue a conflict.”
Mr Banks said mobile phones were still the biggest bugbear at present.
“People must use phones sensibly, switch them off, divert them and be aware of the effect when the phone rings at inconvenient times,” he said.
“Punctuality has always been important but never more so than now when long traffic delays are making it harder to get to meetings on time.
“Business lunches can be offputting with people arguing about who is paying the bill. It is always the host who pays – that is the person who arranged the appointment.
“On the subject of food – remember not to lick fingers, brush crumbs off the table, consume too much alcohol, smoke or order hard to eat dishes,” he said.
