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There's no denying the paradigm shift in American corporate
culture to more relaxed and unconventional office environments. Google and
Facebook have been leading the way through their nap pods, bean bag lounges,
and on-site skate parks. Though this easygoing attitude has undoubtedly
improved morale, it's important to remember that casual doesn't mean
unprofessional, and according to Cindy K. Goodman, columnist for the Miami
Herald, "In business, manners still matter."
The way you interact with your colleagues and your clients
should demonstrate that you have taken into consideration how your individual
behavior affects the company as well as the feelings of others. Exhibiting poor
decorum can cost you a customer or even your career.
Executives can use the summary below as a valuable refresher
and also as good talking points during the next company meeting.
Work Hours &
Office Attire
As more and more companies opt for an informal work
atmosphere, traditional standards--such as dress code requirements and fixed
schedules--are falling by the wayside. This shift to a stronger emphasis on
comfort and convenience over formality is great, but be careful of becoming too
comfortable.
It may be a platitude, but that doesn't make it untrue: It
is always better to be overdressed than under-dressed.
Sure, you may encounter a little teasing if you show up on
your first day in slacks and a tie while everyone else is rocking T-shirts, but
few things in your professional life will be more embarrassing than being the
only one in jeans and sneakers in an office full of colleagues wearing suits.
Also, if you're in a client-facing role and you have an
in-person meeting to attend, make sure your attire is at least on the level of
your client's company's expectations. Not every company has adopted a lax dress
code policy, and you should respect that. And if you really can't manage a full
day without flip-flops, you can always change once you get back to your office.
Open-Concept Offices
Open floor plans have become increasingly popular over the
past few years. They've been touted as a way to encourage collaboration and
promote a more interactive workplace, unhindered by the typical cubicle walls
and closed office doors.
That being said, before starting a conversation, think about
the topic of discussion and the personality of your coworker(s). For example,
if you're reviewing sensitive information or your colleague is the more
introverted type, use a conference room.
Be aware of what your work associate is doing when you
approach their desk. If they're clearly in the middle of something, ask them if
you can schedule a time to chat; don't just start talking. And always approach
from the front--no one likes a sneak attack.
Mobile Devices
Smartphones and laptops have had a significant impact on the
way businesses operate. The ability to communicate with clients and colleagues
from nearly anywhere at any time has facilitated the power to quickly reach
resolutions and close deals. Indeed, mobile devices can enhance productivity.
However, this ease of access has also lead to an increase in the use of mobile
devices at inappropriate times.
We'll start with the most extreme example: Don't take calls
in the bathroom. It may sound obvious, but this happens entirely too often.
Even if the person with whom you're speaking doesn't hear the telltale sounds
(toilets flushing, etc.), the echo of your voice off the tile walls is a dead
giveaway.
Secondly, put the phone down while you're working. Multitasking
is often praised as a useful skill, but hundreds of scholarly articles argue
that attempting to focus on multiple projects simultaneously results in
decreased productivity and an increase in errors.
So while you may feel as if you're being especially
efficient by answering emails during a conference call, the reality is that
you're likely creating more work for yourself since you're not truly
concentrating on either task. Close your laptop, turn off your phone and
listen.
Finally, make sure you're using the most proper medium for
correspondence. Text messages are fine for minor FYIs--like letting your boss
know you're stuck in traffic, for example. However, important (and especially
bad) news warrants a phone call, or at the very least a detailed email.
Punctuality
While technology and innovation certainly have affected
workplace dynamics, there is one guideline that will always be of the utmost
importance: Be on time.
No matter your role at a company--from an intern to the
CEO--you should always arrive on time. Of course, there will be occasions where
high-priority tasks pop up unexpectedly, but there is no excuse for habitual
tardiness.
If you accidentally commit any of aforementioned faux pas,
don't fret; everyone makes mistakes! Simply acknowledge your error, apologize
and move on.
Credit: www.inc.com /
ElizabethDukes
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