Business Principles: Meeting Etiquette

Our attitude, disposition, presence, and attire say a lot about who we are and whom we represent.

When we are in a meeting with a client or potential client, the above can make or break their impression of us or our impression of them.

We all know that there is a competition for our attention.

However, the person, or the matter we are focused upon while in a meeting also says a lot about who we are.

There are a number of visual clues that can indicate who or what our priorities are:

• A PDA/messaging device sitting face up in front of us so we can see its messages.
• A PDA/messaging device that is left in vibrate mode.
• Sending a text message while the meeting is going on.
• Answering or initiating a cell phone conversation.
• And so on...

There are legitimate client, or other, needs that may necessitate giving some of our attention to our devices while in the meeting such as:

• A client's server being nursed back to health.
• A client data recovery going on.
• A client critical situation of some sort.

A courtesy to the others in the meeting would be to ask everyone before the meeting starts if they would please excuse a possible interruption because we have a critical situation on the go. An additional courtesy would be to give a short reason for the possible interruption.

These simple courtesies will go a long way towards winning a deep respect from those present in the meeting with us.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists

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