Human interaction lies at the core of the business world. While technology has changed how we conduct many things, it cannot do away with the need for business etiquette, a code of ethical behaviour expected of each professional. Etiquette in itself may undergo a change with technological/philosophical shifts, but what remains constant is the need for respect and empathy! Orgs that foster respect and build emotional intelligence perform better.

• When people in professional settings ignore a simple greeting and acknowledgement, they lose out on building a relationship (and possibly a sales pitch). People feel respected when they are greeted, and if their name is known and used, it does make a difference.

• Something as simple as eye contact, a warm smile, a firm handshake and greetings/checking how they have been are some very basic social skills which leave a welcoming impact.

• We all like to feel good, don’t we?

• Maintaining a boundary between professional and personal life is imperative. It is nice to be on informal terms with your teammates/co-workers, but do be careful about the space in which you are interacting. For example, if your co-worker is taking an off for ‘personal reasons’ and does not feel like disclosing, please don’t go around asking “why?” until they voluntarily tell you.

• This applies to work breaks too. Just because there is an off-site does not mean you are with your college buddies. Maintain professional decorum at all professional touchpoints.

• This is more than a proverb; it is a fact of life.
• Whether an interview or a daily meeting with your team, or a client call, be ‘on time’.
• Brush up time-management skills, keep yourself organised and keep a handy to-do list.
• Be clear on timelines (commit with some extra time added but do not overcommit and underdeliver) and always keep your word.
• Deadline-orientated, punctual and trustworthy are the invisible (but acknowledged) adjectives one must cultivate in their bio.

• Please and thank you are simple phrases. Use them more often than not. It may sound like a school manners class, but they always add a soft touch.

• Use them before a request, and always say thank you after a task is done.

• This counts more than you realise and helps in making people around you feel respected.

• Be it a virtual or in-person meeting, don't cut off others in the middle. Give them a chance to complete their thought process, even if they are lower in the hierarchy.

• It’s rude to keep interjecting, no matter how relevant your point might be. If you must interrupt, use phrases like 'may I' to interject in the middle of the conversation.

• Pay attention while the others speak before responding, and respect each one's space to speak.

• Mobile phones can cause problems, such as people taking calls during meetings. It is good business etiquette to put your phone on silent mode before the meeting, or if you are waiting on an urgent call from someone, let the people in the meeting know.

• Acknowledge others whether in a meeting, while you pass them in the cafeteria or at a business dinner. A simple smile will do.

• Greet work colleagues according to local customs and acceptable, gender and religion-agnostic norms.

• Most importantly, wrap up the conversation as quickly as possible.

• This is as important as breathing!

• Focus on personal hygiene and grooming. Unclean, crumpled clothes, chipped fingernails, poor dental hygiene, matted, unclean hair and body odour are not how any professional should present themselves.

• Dressing appropriately for the office, professional events, and meetings is a must.

• Following the dress code means that you respect the decorum of the workplace.

• If you are unsure about business attire, involve a professional coach to draft one for you and your organisation.

• Firstly, respond to them.
• E-mail is an essential part of communication in the professional space. Ignoring them leads to ineffective communication.
• Reply and reply all buttons are to be used properly. Use ‘reply all’ only when necessary to keep everyone in the loop. Don't clutter inboxes for no reason!
• Personal e-mails with wedding invites and parties on the office e-mail are a big NO.
• Abide by any specific e-mailing rules that your company might have.
• Include a subject line; it helps your e-mail in not getting lost.
• No one has got time for essays; keep it short and sweet.
• Proofread, check grammar and spelling and keep your tone pleasant.

• Clean up in shared spaces, i.e., meeting rooms, kitchen, or other common areas.
• Show respect for shared items.
• If you have borrowed something as basic as a stapler, return it to the correct place. If the
• printer has run out of paper after you used it, replenish it.
• Keep restrooms clean after using them.
• Wash your coffee/tea mugs if they are from a shared kitchen.

• The key aspects of respect, active listening, saying please and thank you stay. However, there are some additional rules:
• Know when to switch on and off your camera. If your whole team keeps it on, you should too, unless there's some specific reason.
• Don't switch it on if there are a lot of people in your background or anything that might prove to be distracting.
• Mute yourself when you are not speaking, especially when there is noise in the background.
• Your body language is important on video calls. Sit straight, look alert and use non-verbal cues to show you are actively engaged.
• The best is to always join the meetings from a quiet and appropriate place. And no, you can’t attend them from the bathroom.
• Prepare yourself for the meeting. Do your bit of research: know the person and the agenda.
• Avoid too much chit-chat, and stay on track.
• Follow the professional dress code for virtual meetings.

• Order items in a similar price range to your dining companions.
• Wait to start eating until everyone has received their food.
• Give others equal opportunities for conversation.
• Pass condiments and dishes from left to right rather than reaching across the table.
• Chew with your mouth closed.
• Don't snap your fingers at your server.
• Don't blow your nose at the dinner table. Instead, excuse yourself to visit the restroom.
• After the meal, partially fold your napkin and put it to the left of your plate.
• Stay back and ensure the bill has been cleared.

• Do not come to work inebriated.
• Nopes, company funds are not for personal use.
• Any kind of sexual harassment is a big NO NO. Avoid ‘harmless flirting’ in any professional set-up.
• Read up about POSH guidelines and set up an ICC if there are 10+ employees in your org.
• All women employees, whether employed regularly, temporarily, contractually, on an ad hoc or daily wage basis, as apprentices or interns, or even employed without the knowledge of the principal employer, can seek redressal to sexual harassment in the workplace.
• Abusive language and foul behaviour from any team member are to be avoided at all costs.
• Save the gossip for personal events.
• Stay calm even in the worst of situations. Don’t let anger/emotions get the best of you.
• Be diplomatic. There will be people you will have to interact with at times - prospects, co-workers, or both whom you may dislike. Be kind and amiable anyway.
• Always be open to constructive criticism without reacting strongly. If you're closed off to it, you'll not only harm your professional rapport; you'll also lose valuable opportunities to improve.
• Be a little flexible. Sometimes you'll have to stay late, show up early, change plans, move meetings, and more to make things work. Unless this is happening constantly, accommodate these changes without raising a stink.

• Thanking a person where the 'thank you' is warranted is simple politeness.
• If someone has gone out of their way for you or performed a task that is not part of their job description, it is essential and makes for better interpersonal communication in the future.