Meeting Manners point 5

The final point in this series is - Pay attention – each person speaking deserves your attention. This means reread point 4, no playing with your pen, no doodling, no staring out the window - all bad habits – and they give the impression that you are not paying attention. Keep side-bar conversations to a minimum or not at all.

When we act well it follows that we will do well.

Meeting Etiquette #4 - Turn off the Blackberry

I know it’s difficult but the cell phone, blackberry and any other PDA device should always be turned off or on “silence” mode. If you must take a call be sure to leave the room for your conversation. You send a very clear message that other things are more important than the meeting or the participants. That’s really not okay! And it’s rude.

Meeting Manners the Count #2

Introductions – if there is administrative staff always greet them, people don’t like to be ignored; be friendly and respectful. The same is true for each participant who is attending the meeting, greet the ones you know and be sure to introduce yourself and shake hands with those you do not know.

Meeting Manners that Count

It's easy to think we just have to show up at the weekly meeting to make an impression - think again. There are frequently made mistakes that should be avoided and they do have an impact on the impression you leave with others attending the meeting.

Arrive on time, sounds like common sense, think of how many meetings you have attended where the group had to wait for someone or worse yet stop the meeting in progress and have to recap for the late comer. I don't know about you but that never makes me happy! It is rude and disrespectful to the other participants to arrive late and disrupt the meeting.

What are your thoughts on "late arrivals"?

I will write more on meeting manners throughout the week because I think it is such an important aspect of business etiquette.