Six months after graduation, I find myself thinking back to my experiences in the corporate world as an alumni and not thinking of life as another semester finished. Life after college is one that leads a transition into maturity not only in business, but in finding yourself. Only now can I write my insights about the great Terry Talk that was administered by Jill Walton, Director of Undergraduate Student Services and Corporate Relations at the Terry College of Business, in a panel of UGA alumni as a student that is forever grateful for his education. In this event, Jill asked questions regarding how to behave after living outside the hedges. Business etiquette was stressed in it’s importance of common sense must know-how.
In dealing in the business world, one must understand that company phone calls are screened and you should understand the guidelines in a corporate culture. People quick to return phone calls are the one’s who are really operating telecommunication. Phone calls need to be returned same day and texting is not professional; lol. Don’t have personal conversations either on work calls and e-mails. Keep your conversation civilized, but conversational. Politeness is key and don’t bad mouth. Finally, call if you are going to be late.
“If a tree falls in the forest, see who sees it.”
E-mail has taken over written letters. There is now an etiquette for effectively marketing your e-mails correctly to your intended audiences. You also need to be genuine to show professionals that you are a person that cares about their business. E-mail is always the quickest appropriate medium of quickness, but hand-written letters are thinking outside of the box. E-mail has become known as the rock star of direct marketing because it is the most cost-effective and most trackable. Click-through is higher for consumer products and financial services. Marketers are moving from mass-emailings to much more targeted and personable approaches by using demographic data. E-mail should not be confused with texting. Don’t shorten words and be grammatically correct– yup– spell check.
How about a book of letters for follow-ups? Voice-mails need to be used as a tool for getting your message across. Thank you notes mean more than you think and keep that little shred of moral fiber you need in your contact with someone. Communications are important in establishing rapport. Develop your style, but don’t agree with everything. Bring out your personality instead. Face-to-face time has always been better for getting a message across too. Even when your on an elevator, strike a pose. Kids are a really great barrier also in the fact that more business professionals have a family.
“Everybody’s favorite topic is themselves.”
Yet, I look at my experiences and understand why Jill Walton is where she is. Her acquired knowledge of life skills contributes to the members of the UGA society. As a mentor she has taught me to always stay positive even in an economy that is in the situation such as ours. Genuinely love people and creating relationships. Memories are the things that matter in life and true friends are few and far between. Have a self-depreciating human factor of yourself by thinking in terms of non-profit association with people and exchanging ideas to strengthen communities.
Final Thoughts:
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”—Ghandi
Related Reads:
- 7 business etiquette books to download on Android (agbeat.com)
- World-Class Business Etiquette™ (prweb.com)
- Guide To Basic Korean Etiquette (asiahotels.com)
- The New Rules Of Business Etiquette (forbes.com)
- Guide To Basic Chinese Etiquette (asiahotels.com)
- Smartphone Etiquette for the Classic Dinner Date [Infographic] (mashable.com)
- Hints from Heloise: Readers sound off on dressing-room etiquette (goerie.com)
- Affordable Etiquette 101 with Where IS Your Mother? (savings.com)
- Voicemail Etiquette (hongkongetiquette.com)
- Voicemail Etiquette (hongkongetiquette.wordpress.com)
