George Bernard Shaw once said, "There is no accomplishment so easy to acquire as politeness and none more profitable."

Business events have always proven to be an effective source of making connections and growing business. Attending an in-person event can be a great opportunity for business professionals to meet and network with the leaders and influencers from their industry. But, do you realise that attending a business event is just not enough to build healthy relationships.

Well, the most valuable aspect of building long-term, positive, and healthy relationships at corporate events is by exercising good business etiquettes.

Business Etiquette:

It is the ability to present yourself to other people throughout all business interactions such that you make them comfortable around you and are taken seriously.

Importance of Business Etiquette:

In the corporate world, proper business etiquettes are important to ensure that meetings go smoothly and end in success. Maintaining good manners and decorum at business events is essential to make sure that you do not leave a negative impression of you and your company on your fellow professionals.

Adhering to good business etiquette helps you to set yourself apart professionally, thus creating a positive first impression at both corporate and individual levels. Through the practice of good business etiquette, you can earn respect and trust from key players in your industry and also learn to respect & appreciate each other more.

Recognising the importance of fostering new relationships for the advancement of a company, corporate events are held every year to bring peer companies together. So it is important for every professional to understand how to properly perform while attending these events that are wholly grounded in the ethics and principles of the business environment.

In this article, I would throw some light upon the top business etiquettes you should practice while attending corporate events.

1. Greetings/Introduction

We all know we only get one chance to make a positive first impression so always be confident and prepared when introducing yourself.

  • Always stand when you are introducing someone or you are being introduced to someone.
  • Offer a firm handshake with new acquaintances.
  • Introduce yourself by your full name - first and last, as it is memorable and powerful.
  • Make eye contact and put a smile on your face to look more genuine.

2. Corporate Dressing Etiquettes

The way you dress up reflects a lot about your personality, especially at the professional front. It’s always important to look stylish yet professional at a business event in order to make an impression on the fellow professionals in your industry.

  • Wear suits and dresses if you want to dress in proper business attire.
  • Wear trousers or khakis with long-sleeve shirts, blouses with blazers, slacks, or knee-length skirts if you want to dress in business casuals.
  • Your clothes should be clean, fresh as well as ironed.
  • The crucial thing to keep in mind is that your clothes should be well-fitted.
  • Wear a classic watch.
  • Polish your shoes.

Other things to keep in mind:

  • Men must trim the hair well and women must take care that their hair is not falling over their face so it is always a good option for women to tie their hair.
  • Pay attention to grooming; nails must be clean and short.
  • Fragrances should be subtle. Go for the fragrance that is light in smell.
  • Be conservative with make-up and accessories.

3. Networking/Conversation Etiquettes

  • Do your research about the speakers, companies attending the event, to get a basic level of understanding. By doing so, you can have a more interesting conversation around specifics.
  • Stand or sit up straight while conversing.
  • It’s important to have strong listening and conversation skills in group situations.
  • It is important to nod or smile when someone else is speaking. This shows that you are actively listening to them.
  • Do not interrupt people when they are talking. If you want to talk to someone, politely approach them as soon as they get out of the conversation.
  • Wait to speak until others acknowledge you.
  • Don’t cross your arms and stop crossing and uncrossing your legs.
  • Avoid the use of foul language and slang in conversations.

4. Dining Etiquettes

Dining etiquettes are important to any professional as it affects future attempts at building a long-lasting professional relationship. When dining with your prospective business partner or any professional, you should always follow the rules of proper dining etiquette as it speaks a lot about your character and professionalism.

  • Sit up straight but not stiffly at the table.
  • Mind your table manners, and acknowledge your place settings.
  • Avoid items that might prove messy.
  • Eat at a moderate speed.
  • Do not pick your teeth at the table.
  • Avoid using your mobile phone during the meal.
  • Do not leave the table during the meal except in an emergency.
  • Do not slurp soup from a spoon.

5. Always thank your host for the hospitality

Planning an event and coordinating every aspect of it involves enormous amounts of time and energy. In order to acknowledge that, you should always make sure to thank and appreciate the host of the event for putting it all together. Express a desire to get together again soon. This is a great way to build up relations and morale.