American Work Culture

English: 5$ silver certificate, depicting American Indian (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The United States, the work environment is both professional and causal as well. Don’t be surprised if you see people bring their pets to work! The work culture and dress code here are different than in India. Schedules are flexible, and the atmosphere is informal .

OFFICE ENVIRONMENT

The office environment is informal, and there is no apparent hierarchy between managers and their subordinates. Employees are treated as equals, and independent views are welcomed.

United States (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

American work culture involves a lot of meetings. These meetings need not deal with big decisions, but are more like discussions, and are centered on the analyzing, planning and review of any project. Opinions and ideas are shared, and objections are made.

WORKING HOURS

Normal office timings go from 8 AM to 5 PM. You do need to maintain a minimum of 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Results matter more than anything; you must be able to deliver on demand.

TIME MANAGEMENT

Business Etiquette: Business Dining Skills

Palais-Niel couverts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ARRIVING AT THE RESTAURANT 

•When meeting someone at the restaurant wait in the lobby unless otherwise requested •The host should arrive at least 15 minutes early. •The host should check the table and request the change if the location is not satisfactory •It is proper to wait for your guests at the door •If coats need to be checked the host should pay the coat fee and appropriate tip. If the wearer of the coat will prefer to take the coat to the table, help your guest remove the coat if it seems appropriate •When the maitre d’ leads you and your guests into the dining room; your guests should proceed you in following the maitre d’. You lead the way if you are sitting yourself and your guests •If you are expecting more than one guest, it is all right to be seated with the first guest, after waiting for 10 minutes •Leave the table setting as is until all late guests have arrived •Always offer your guest the preferred seat •It is still considered polite for a gentleman to assist a woman with her chair unless she makes an obvious move to sit herself. He does not have to rise each time she leaves or returns to the table during a business meal •Enter your chair from the left side and exit from the right.

AFTER BEING SEATED 

Business Etiquette: Communicating Effectively

The Art Of Making Conversation

A good conversationalist is polite and cares about other people.

• He/she is well informed and could talk on a variety of subjects.
• Can move the conversation through topics to suit the person or group participating in the conversation.
• Includes other and does not monopolize the conversation.
• Knows the value of eye contact and uses it consistently as he gives you quality attention.
• Doesn’t interrupt, nor does correct another’s grammar or pronunciation in public.
• Knows how to accept and pay compliments gracefully.

 A skilled conversationalist understands that certain subjects are best avoided in casual conversation.

Business Etiquette: His Professional Image

Two suits, one navy blue and one grey, with ties, shirts and handkerchief on headless mannequins, seen from the breast up. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SUITS 

Most companies with rigid cultures encourage male employees to wear single breasted as supposed to double breasted suits.

No matter which style a man chooses certain buttons should be fasted when walking or standing. In the case of single-breasted jacket the top of the 2 button or the middle of 3 should be fastened. With the double breast every button should be fastened. 

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SHIRTS

 Long sleeve shirts for business with suits

White shirts portray the most formal look especially when accompanied by stays

Blue shirts give more casual appearance

Although many men don’t wear undershirt, they should. The reasons are three-fold: 1. Keeps a dress shirt from feeling itchy against the skin. 2. Preserves the shirt from perspiration. 3. Gives added body to a dress shirt. 

TIES

Business Etiquette: Her Professional Image

SUITS

 You can’t go wrong with high quality suits in Navy, Gray, Taupe, and Black tones.

 Bright Colors have a different function. They add fashion and flare

 Skirts length – should not be shorter than slightly above the knee and fall no lower than just below mid-calf.

 Although mini-skirts might be in fashion they have no place in a professional environment

BLOUSES

  

As with suits solid colors are the wisest wardrobe investment for blouses. While most blouse colors test well, choose colors that benefit the particular suit you are wearing. Ex: When wearing a light color suit,add an authorities look with a dark or bright color blouse.

 Always select blouses of high quality, colors and styles that are complimentary to you. 

HOSIERY   

Image consultants have found that woman who wear hosiery in their own skin tone portray a more conservative image than those who wear darker or color stockings.

Business Etiquette: Introducing Yourself

who are you ?

Sometimes good manners require us to introduce ourselves 

-When you find yourself among persons you don’t know at a business or social gathering
-When the person who was expected to make the introduction fails to do so or overlooks you
-When you are seated next to someone at a meal -When it becomes obvious that someone you have met previously is having trouble placing you say something like this: “ hello, I’m this. We met last spring at the web page workshop in Kashmir”

Remembering and Forgetting Names

Introducing Someone in a Business Meeting

Hand-shake at Hungarian-Soviet Friendship Memorial.  (Photo credit: Wikipe

Mention the most important person first (based on rank, not on gender)
“Mr./Ms Greater authority, may I present Mr./Ms Lesser Authority” 
However there is an exception to this rule your client outranks higher authority in your company, in this case you mention the client first. 

• For a proper introduction, say “May I introduce to you…..” and not “May I introduce you to….” “Jay, I would like to introduce Maya John, our CEO”
• When introducing people of equal rank, you might want to give preference to older people but it certainly isn’t necessary. 
• Introduce a man to a woman of equal rank 
• Names are not enough Supplying a nugget of information along with the name and title can serve as a conversation starter and make both parties more comfortable. Ex. “Jane is the auditor looking into the Microsoft matter…” or “ Maria is a lawyer with the Intel Corporation…”

Business Etiquette: How to Make a Powerful First Impression

Powerful First Impression

Together (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Make your first 10 words count:
 “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me”, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you Mr. Z”,  “Dev thank you for your interest in getting together”, “Jay, thank you for suggesting we meet today”, “It’s great seeing you again”

  Tune into others: Make eye contact, always wear a smile

  Your expressions demonstrate the confidence you have in yourself

  Be vibrant, be confident and people will respond positively

  Walk with a purpose

  Put some bounce into your step.

  Move with vigor and vitality

  Most of us enjoy being around high-energy people

  Be Impeccably Groomed

  Keep your hair neat and in a fashion that flatters the shape of your face

  Wear jewelry appropriately to the event and situation
 

        Shoes should be well maintained

§ MEN: Make sure a shirt fits properly by placing your index finger between the collar and your neck. If there is enough room to slip your finger comfortable into the space, you are not only assured of an excellent fit, you would also feel less compelled to unbutton the top button

MEN: when you are wearing trousers Wear socks that cover your calves when seated.

WOMEN: should be aware of poor impression made by hosiery with runners.  Always keep an extra pair of stockings with you when going to an important event.

Business Greetings and Introductions

 Shaking hands (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

• Stand Up
• Make eye contact
• Smile
• Say your name
• Shake hands

MEN: 

-Don’t wait for a woman to initiate a handshake

-Always offer a woman your full hand in a handshake.  Forget the business of shaking fingers.

-Avoid my hand over your hand handshake as this could be interpreted as a subtle form of one-upmanship

WOMEN

-Always offer a complete and firm handshake

Shake hands with customers and clients, even when you meet them outside the work place

-Avoid wearing an oversized ring on the right hand it can hinder others from giving you a firm

Handshake. Never stay behind the desk when meeting or greeting someone.  When shaking hands, the only thing that should be between the two of you is space
-Shake hands at both the beginning and at the end of a meeting Interviews