Does your behavior and that of your employees reflect the standards of proper business etiquette? It’s important for every small business owner to periodically step back and take a look at his or her actions – as well as the behavior’s of others who represent the company – to make sure that the right message is being sent to customers and others in the business community.

Grammar – Assessing the way that you speak and the way that you write is an essential part of any business etiquette check up. Use poor grammar – whether on the phone, face-to-face, via email, or in any other form – and people won’t view you in as positive a light as you prefer. The communication skills of every person who represents a company play a role in forming the organization’s image.

Appropriate Conversation Content – When you are communicating in a professional environment, it’s important to keep the topics of conversation on professional subject matter. It’s not acceptable to tell jokes with the potential to offend, make snide remarks, or burden business contacts with your personal problems.

Handshake – Even in the age of instant electronic communication, the way professionals shake hands still has a powerful impact on how other people react to them. Too firm and you’ll be viewed as aggressive. To light and you’ll be seen as week. Clammy? You might just be nervous, but people might think it means you’re being less than truthful. What does your hand shake say about you?

Manners – Do you exhibit proper manners? Do you treat other people politely and respectfully? When dining with a business associate (or anyone else, for that matter!), do you use proper table manners. Do you refrain from smacking gum at people? Make sure that everyone who represents your organization knows how to act in a professional setting and pay close attention to make sure that each member of your team is putting that knowledge to work every day.

Time Allocation – When you are with a customer or co-worker, do you give that person the proper attention? Do you stop typing when a coworker enters your office to ask you for a favor? Yes? Good. When you are on the phone with a customer, do you ask him or her to hold so you can answer your cell phone? That’s something you shouldn’t do. You also shouldn’t read or send text messages while you’re having a conversation with another person.  Doing so is disrespectful of the other person, as well as being just plain rude.