Meeting Etiquette In American Business
What are the etiquette standards for punctuality in a business meeting?
The punctuality etiquette for business meetings is that late is on time and on time is early. That's certainly my motto and many other's motto for punctuality, which tells a lot about your character. It's interesting, because every industry has a different level of punctuality. And without throwing rocks there's just some businesses where being late is normal. It's not a judgment on my part but in most businesses punctuality is vital because it reveals character. It's one of those unspoken behaviours and in fact, most of etiquette is based on behaviours. It's not something you say, except in the case of the business introduction, it's mostly minor little nuance things that one does that reveals ones character. And certainly punctuality is high on my list. I'm always on time. I don't know whether I inherited it, or it's characteristic, because my parents were always on time. I'm always early as it gives me time to park, find the place, freshen up, and really get myself in that frame of mind to knock on that door or give my card to a receptionist when I show up for a meeting. So, early is on time in business etiquette for meetings.
Can I be too early for a meeting?
I think it is possible to be too early for a meeting with business etiquette. I think 20 minutes, or anything beyond 20 minutes is too early. You're going to have to wait.
What is appropriate behavior while waiting for a meeting to begin?
Lets talk about the waiting room before a business meeting for a minute. Appropriate etiquette when you're in a waiting room is it's a time to do nothing. In other words, you don't answer or return phone calls, you don't dig in your briefcase, you don't clean out your purse, you don't read magazines, you don't watch TV, you sit and wait expectantly. And here's what I mean by expectantly - I sit in the middle of my seat, with proper posture, and wait, so that when someone comes around the corner to greet me, I look as if I were expectant. I think that's one good way to create rapport, but most people don't do that when in the waiting room for a business meeting.
What if I realize I'm going to be unavoidably late to a meeting?
If you realise you are going to be unavoidably late to a meeting, as certainly traffic is a problem in most metropolitan cities today, the best business etiquette is to call the person or their administrative assistant and ask if it's okay to continue to come and keep your appointment, even though you're going be 15 minutes late. If you see that you're going to be half an hour late or more, call the administrative assistant and ask if you can reschedule the appointment or if you can go ahead and come, as you're unfortunately delayed in traffic, which does happen. Indeed most people recognize that traffic is just part of life in a metropolitan city.
When is it appropriate to ask for the cell phone number of someone with whom I'm meeting?
If you're going to be meeting someone especially at a mutual location like a restaurant, it's always appropriate to ask for their cell phone number. I never leave the house unless I know that person's cell phone number, because I could be in the wrong restaurant, or I could be on the wrong side of the restaurant - that's happened to me before. They were there all along and I never knew it. If Id had their cell phone number I could have called them and just walked over onto the other side of the room. Always have their cell phone number as part of business meeting etiquette.
Is it appropriate to eat or drink during a meeting?
It's a good idea and appropriate to get coffee, water or snacks before the business meeting starts. A lot of people just have to have that extra attention so they get up and get coffee, snacks or food after the meeting starts, but it's just another way to draw attention to yourself, and it's not good attention, it's disruptive attention, so avoid doing that in a business meeting.
Does good business etiquette require me to serve food at a meeting?
If the meeting closes before a meal, then no, business etiquette does not require you to serve food at a meeting. But if the meeting is going to run into a meal time, or if a meeting is over in 2 hours, then it's a good idea, and good business etiquette, to serve snacks.
What if I spill something during a meeting?
With spilling something at a meeting, it happens and things happen in every meal. It's just amazing, and it's always going to happen. I've just accepted the fact that things always go wrong at a meeting and a meal. Just try not to make a big deal out of it, when you spill something at a meeting.
