UNDERSTANDING BASIC BUSINESS ETIQUETTES (7) - Telephone and Elevator Etiquettes

Okay, let's wrap up this series with telephone and elevator etiquettes. Because part of doing business means doing business over the phone.

Telephone guidelines can be very complex and too many, so we'll limit our consideration to a few do's and don'ts.

Don't take calls in the middle of a business meeting or a conversation with another person. Exceptions are when you receive an urgent call, but excuse yourself first before taking it. Likewise, set your ringer to silent or your phone to just vibrate mode when in a social conversation.
Never talk in intimate settings or places where silence is imperative. Examples of these are elevators, libraries, museums, restaurants, cemeteries, theaters, doctor waiting rooms, places of worship, auditoriums or other enclosed public spaces such as hospital emergency rooms or buses.

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Don't talk on a cell phone in a public place. A good rule to keep is the 10 feet rule - answer calls at least 10 feet away from the next person!
If you really have to take a call in public, step out or to a secluded area to take that call. You can also set your phone to voicemail when going out in public. If you really must take the call, answer briefly to tell that you're in a public place and that you would return the call as soon as possible.
Keep business calls within business hours. Just because it's a cell phone doesn't mean that you can call anytime.

On the flip side, good elevator manners are important in the workplace. It demonstrates that you possess self-control, that you are civilized, and that you care about and are capable of respecting others.

Here are a few elevator guidelines to remember...

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Face forward in the elevator. If you're going high up in the building then stand in the back. If only going a floor or two then stand near the door.
Common sense dictates that the people closest to the elevator doors get on first. If you want to be at the front when it's time to get out, go in and stand by the buttons, out of the way or simply go in last. If you are in the very front waiting for your floor, however, you show good manners if you move outside the doors to allow people to exit from the back.
Consideration of the entire group should always come before formal etiquette to one person, especially in an elevator.
If you're using the escalator or the stairs instead of the elevator, the man usually follows the woman.

In conclusion, remember that in all situations, business manners really do matter as you never have a second chance to make a great first impression.

Have an amazing day!
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Acknowledgement: Micheal N. Micheal (pioneer of #TheCommonSenseProject & #BusinessMonday)