Profession Comm. Questions 6

Unit VI

Lesson 3: Social Business Messages

Introduction

Communicating in a social environment involves a knowledge of the cultures that you interact

with on a daily basis. The environment may be internal (involving coworkers and the culture of

the organization) or external to your organization (involving customers and other organizations).

Likewise, being aware of business etiquette is a necessity so that your communication does not

result in negative outcomes for you, your fellow workers, and your company.

An important communication function is networking, that is to say interacting with others

externally and internally. As much or more so than education and experience, networking can

help anyone’s career. Whether we like it or not, the majority of jobs are secured by networking

more so than a job application. Networking is about exchanging information about situations in

your line of work, sharing ideas, and helping others who may need advice or ask for help in

completing a project.

Networking

Networking is a forum in which contacts are developed both professionally and personally.

Business power and opportunities increase with the support and resources acquired by

networking. Networking groups help increase a customer base. The feedback from these groups

and the individuals who

compose them can help resolve issues that otherwise might be very challenging.

Networking online occurs at sites such as Linkedin, Biznik, Fast Pitch, Ryze, and dozens more.

Networking that occurs locally in the community is often fostered by volunteering at a variety of

services. Joining local business groups and other social organizations may change some business

practices with helpful and constructive advice from networking contacts. Through networking,

people encounter employees who want to work with them as they learn to share dreams of

success.

Communicating in Person

When communicating face to face, always be aware of business etiquette and interpersonal

communication. These skills can help or hinder credibility and persuasive abilities, especially

when promoting a business.

Business Etiquette

Business etiquette involves one’s conduct, the ways in which we speak to others, our

demonstration of respect for others, and several nonverbal communication habits such as

appearance, posture, and gestures. These habits are viewed in various ways by different cultures.

For example, in one culture, it may be appropriate to wear denims to a social gathering while in

another culture it is taboo.

We have to be aware of our hygiene while sharing a workspace with others. While smothering

others with too much perfume or the scent of aftershave lotion is certainly not a good idea, using

enough to encourage others to share our work environments in a comfortable way is very

appropriate. In any office, employees should always try to add to a positive work environment.

Speaking with others on the phone is another etiquette skill that requires professional conduct.

One’s tone of voice is very important when receiving and sending active voice communications.

Identify yourself whenever you answer a call, and do your best to assist the caller. If you have to

forward the call, explain what you are doing so that the caller does not believe he or she has been

cut off. If you take a message, be sure to retain the caller’s name, spelled correctly, and make

sure that the return call number is accurate.

Sending e-mail requires attention to etiquette as well. You must be courteous and respectful, and

the tone transmitted through all e-mail should never project anger or frustration. In fact, e-mail

should be read aloud, and if it sounds negative, consider calling the person by phone or visiting

and delivering your message in an interpersonal setting.

Communicating at Social Gatherings

When representing an organization at social gatherings, always follow the rules of etiquette.

Your appearance is of tantamount importance. Wear clothing and shoes that are both comfortable

and appropriate to the occasion. You must also avoid using powerful scents that could easily be

offensive to others.

The way that you interact with others in any social gathering is also extremely important. You

should be able to introduce yourself briefly, providing relevant information about your role in the

organization. If you have to introduce others, take the time to learn how to pronounce their

names correctly, and always be courteous and personable.

You may be seated at a table with others in your area of business. Knowing the basics of dining

etiquette is always helpful. As people speak, acknowledge that you are listening by verbal and

nonverbal actions. When you speak, look around to ensure that everyone understands—their

facial expressions might alert you to the fact that they do not understand something you have

said.

Conclusion

The pace of our lives today, and that means family, business, and social, does not allow for

generous elements of time to be spent on anything. As a result, we make judgements much faster

than we used to. We decide whether we like someone based on fewer elements than in the past.

In most cases, we have one chance to make a favorable impression for ourselves and the

company we represent. Today’s business personnel must be tech-savvy, dress savvy, and

internationally focused on manners and customs. Never has there been so much demanded of so

many in such a short period of time. Our social skills might be more important than our

education and experience because they are on display first and most heavily scrutinized before

anyone looks at a resume. If employees and businesses are not prepared for the social world we

live in, then we will be unemployed, and the businesses will be overtaken by more socially

aggressive institutions. Charles Darwin described the phenomenon in the middle of the 19th

century when he used the words “the survival of the fittest.”

Check for Understanding

(Answer Key is found after Review.)

Answer True of False

1. The skill of networking is the art of careful social interactions, managing interpersonal relations, and being a team member.

2. There are very few online networking sites today for a social-minded employee to explore.

3. Etiquette is a term that refers strictly to one’s tone of voice and choice of words in a business context.

4. If an employee represents his or her company at social gatherings, the most critical element is the physical appearance and demeanor.

5. With modern technology, the social aspects of business today have become less important.

Review

1. Communicating in a social environment involves a knowledge of the cultures that you interact with on a daily basis.

2. One of the reasons that networking is important is because the feedback you get from your contacts can help you resolve issues with which you are struggling.

3. When you send e-mail, you must be courteous and respectful. 4. When you represent your organization at a social gathering, your appearance is of

tantamount importance.

Answer Key

1. True - There is little or no separation between business and social. The most successful business personnel are great communicators and actively engaged at all times with their

peers and customers.

2. False – Today, there are dozens of very active networking sites such as Linkedin, Biznik, Fast Pitch, and Ryze. In fact, an employee not aware of these sites is fast becoming an

anachronism and will find it more difficult to find employment.

3. False - Etiquette in business refers to a body of tools: one’s conduct, the tone and manner of oral communication, respect for others, and a variety of nonverbal cues such as

physical appearance, posture, gestures, and more.

4. True - While an employee is not likely to talk to everyone at a social gathering, the physical appearance is on display as are the fundamentals of body language, and nothing

is more difficult to overcome than a negative appearance by a company representative.

5. False - In fact, with face-to-face communications possible all over the world, with meetings being held with software like Adobe, and with the ability to interview someone

on the other side of the world, today, the social aspects of business have never been so

critical or so demanding of those who carry out the world’s business operations.