4 Proper Business Etiquette Tips for Startups
November 11, 2021
What are some proper business etiquette tips for startups?
- Be polite
- Do your homework
- Always be punctual
- Proofread all your correspondence
Starting a business is a mountain of a task even for experienced professionals. It involves a lot of hard work, time, patience, and another mountain to conquer: paperwork. To make your startup a success, you’d have to meet and do business with many people, and making a good impression is key. For that, we have prepared some business etiquette tips for startups to give you an edge when dealing with other people.
Be Polite
Being polite isn’t just limited to business, but it always goes a long way. It shows that you have respect for the person you’re talking with — and you should, regardless of position. A simple greeting would already start things out great for you. People will remember your presence as warm and inviting, instead of being snobbish. Imagine starting a meeting without the usual salutations. It could be dehumanizing for your audience.
You should also make the effort to say “please” and “thank you” whenever appropriate. Small things like these may seem insignificant, but the right people will surely take note.
It’s a great tip to make sure that every interaction with you is a positive experience for the other person. As a startup, almost everyone is already in a better position than you. By showing them respect, you might just gain back theirs.
Do Your Homework
As you start setting meetings and doing business with more and more people, the information you retain will start to get confusing. You might even get overwhelmed at times. Despite all that, it is your responsibility to keep yourself well-informed about the matter at hand and the people you are talking with.
For example, if you don’t remember the names of the people you talk to, then you would come across as both unprofessional and careless. Why should they keep doing business with someone who can’t even remember names?
You should also be in the right mindset when you’re in a meeting with someone. What exactly is the meeting about? Do you know all the facts about this? Make sure you do your homework before every meeting.
Always Be Punctual
Nothing proves your professionalism better than being punctual. In the Philippines, the concept of Filipino time has infiltrated some businesses. It shouldn’t. Being punctual isn’t just about following agreements, it’s also about respecting someone else’s time.
Try to arrive on time or earlier for every meeting that you have. It would make a good impression on your startup, and it will give you some extra time to prepare for the meeting ahead.
Proofread All Your Correspondence
All your emails, letters, or other ways that you get in touch with potential business partners and clients reflect who you are and the company you represent. It is only good business etiquette to make sure that they are free of grammatical or informational errors.
Much like punctuality, not being attentive to your correspondence’s details will make you look careless. Is that really the identity you want your startup to have?
Key Takeaway
Building a startup from scratch might be difficult, but if it succeeds, it will all be worth it in the end. Follow the business etiquette tips for startups in this article and it should give you a head start when doing business with other people.
Do you need more help for your startup? Benito Keh is an experienced businessman and a veteran entrepreneur — and he’s willing to share his knowledge with you! Just send him a message here and get that startup soaring to new heights!
