International Business Etiquette

Network effectively at trade shows and mixers; networking is about building relationships, representing your company with a strong personal image, and preparing with the right attitude, tools, and attire.

Practice finger food etiquette by taking small portions and avoiding double dipping. Hold your drink in the left hand to keep the right hand free for handshakes.

Learn to make a confident impression by mastering posture, eye contact, and a friendly introduction, then join groups politely, greet everyone by name, and share your company when appropriate.

Master cross-cultural business card etiquette with the two-handed Japanese method or the one-handed European method, ensuring the print faces the recipient, keeping cards in a protective case and showing respect.

Wear a name tag to show professionalism and purpose in business settings. Place it high on the right shoulder so the eye follows the handshake.

Develop effective networking through small talk, open-ended questions, and thoughtful listening, while avoiding controversial topics; manage time, exchange cards gracefully, and focus on building relationships.

Lead with a confident introduction by maintaining steady eye contact, smiling, and using the triangle gaze between eyes and forehead to establish rapport and convey focus and integrity.

Introduce yourself with eye contact and your first and last name, listen for names, pronounce them correctly, apologize for mispronunciations, and follow western business etiquette with titles and first-name use.

Master the professional handshake as the universal business greeting by learning proper grip, palm-to-palm contact, body alignment, and two to four pumps, while avoiding awkward or aggressive grips.

Learn to introduce yourself with clarity and give a firm, web-to-web handshake with two to three pumps and eye contact, while avoiding inappropriate grips and recognizing cultural differences.

Develop a winning attitude by mastering workplace etiquette, respect, and soft skills to build teamwork and rise in a busy office.

Master the art of introductions by presenting the senior executive first, introducing the junior, and adding context to act as an icebreaker, while respecting rank and client priority.

Learn the fundamentals of meeting etiquette by acting as chair, sending a clear agenda at least three days in advance, keeping time, summarizing decisions, and following up in writing.

Develop essential telephone etiquette for professional communication by greeting callers with company and name, speaking clearly and warmly, and handling holds, transfers, and timely voicemail and callbacks.

Practice smart phone etiquette in business by using a courteous voice, brief calls, and minimal disruption, while keeping personal matters private and turning devices off in meetings or performances.

Explore email etiquette for business, from formal salutations and clear subject lines to concise messages, proper signatures, and timely responses across time zones.

Understand social media as a universal business communication tool, and learn to craft professional LinkedIn profiles. Think before you post to protect your credibility with employers and networks.

Learn how body language and nonverbal cues shape first impressions by examining posture, eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures, and avoid pitfalls like self touching and fidgeting.

Learn essential business etiquette rules and strategies to project confidence, show the right attitude, and fit into a company culture during job interviews and hiring.

Prepare for a job interview by researching the company, practicing body language and conversation skills, and asking insightful questions to assess fit.

Present yourself professionally in a job interview with early arrival, organized documents, appropriate dress, company research, and a confident handshake, posture, eye contact, and follow-up focusing on the organization's needs.

Recognize that rules of business etiquette evolve with technology, act accordingly, and show respect through your image, words, actions, and gestures to make a lasting impression.

Take the free personal impact quiz to self-assess your business etiquette, personal image, and conduct, and explore the corporate trainers toolkit for soft skills.