Open Office Etiquette
Business Etiquette: Culture is a company’s personality. This includes the way employees interact with each other, their attitudes and of course the way they communicate…whether by email, text or in-person.
Over the next decade, we will continue to see change due to demographics, talent pool and of course, our ever evolving technology.
Today, working in an open work environment…one with few walls, is becoming more prevalent.
How do you maintain common courtesies in such a space? How should your employees communicate in a way that fosters growth and builds relationships that will take your company forward and your team?
Finding employees and leaders with good communication skills can be a challenge.
Do not fall into this trap if you are a company that takes pride in your company’s culture. Do not fall into this trap if you are an employee.
Good communication skills are paramount now.
If you are a leader, know the importance of providing guidance to your team.
What Am I Hearing From HR and Corporate Leaders? What Requests Am I Receiving from the Frontlines?
Should you guide your employees to text across the desk to another team member if they have a question? What about sending an email? Is it a waste of time for the team member to get our their chair to over to another and ask the question….start an in-person dialogue?
How about headphones? Yes, this promotes a quieter work space but what is the cost of inhibiting a conversation between two individuals?
Tips for Working in an Open Office Environment
1. Honor the work space. This is a space to get things done, to meet deadlines and to create. Keep space between you and others that are concentrating. If you would like to have a conversation with a co-worker (in fact we encourage this), go to an area where you can easily converse without disrupting the team.
2. Take your personal calls outside the work area.
3. Stay out of someone’s bubble. Do not stand over someone as they are working. Always ask if this is a convenient time to have a conversation.
4. Use perfume/cologne sparingly in an open work area.
5. Take a break and step away from your desk during meal times. Your tuna on rye may sound good to you but not so much to a co-worker.
6. Keep your space neat and clean and follow your company’s guidelines on personal items.
7. Do not chew gum at your desk. The sound of this can be annoying to others.
8. Do not pound or over exaggerate the way you type on your computer.
9. If you are sick, work from home.
Have You Received Our FREE GUIDE, POLISHED OR NOT? Click the image below to receive this PDF to pass along to your team
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About Lisa Richey, founder of The American Academy of Etiquette
I bet you know first-hand the issues that many companies are facing in the workplace. The lack of conversation skills, maybe an employee doesn’t understand they have a certain reputation and need guidance to tweak and change it, or employees are not living up to the stated dress code. You may have a strong desire for your staff to be “likeable “or want them to connect with the many generations that are your vendors, employees and clients.
HR professionals and sales organizations, contact me to speak on topics such as personal branding, how to build stronger and better relationships with clients and colleagues, ways to connect the multi-generations that make up the workforce and of course how to dine with ease and grace during a business meal.
Many of my clients comment that my delivery is engaging, informative and makes an immediate difference within an organization.
From Portland, Oregon to the Middle East, I have delivered my popular programs to hospitals, financial firms, universities and management consulting companies. I have helped thousands of people to become more polished, professional and powerful.
My broad base of clients includes Deloitte, Ernest & Young, Siemens, Starz Channel and The Ministry of Bahrain. The audiences have ranged from a group of 12 up to 250. I am available for corporate in-house training or conferences.
If you are interested in learning more about a business etiquette training session for your team, I invite you to have a conversation. You may use this link to schedule a call me.
Praise for The American Academy of Etiquette
Lisa came into our organization and provided our professionals with an excellent, relevant and interactive presentation as it relates to professionalism, dressing for success, and bringing etiquette back into our everyday lives, both personal and professional. Lisa has great energy and really captivates her audience during her presentation.Deloitte and Touche
~ Maureen O’Reynolds, Senior Manager, Deloitte and Touche, Stanford, CT
Lisa was fantastic! She brought to life the importance of relationship development in the workplace and provided practical guidance to our team in how to best develop meaningful relationships with clients and prospects. Lisa has a warm and engaging personal presence and has made a real impact on our team.
~ David Crossed, Navigate Consulting, Wayne, PA
Lisa’s training was a great investment for our team and a fantastic person to work with. In addition to basic manners, Lisa raised our awareness on how our behaviors shape how we are perceived and how to master the art of human connection. In a business where relationships mean everything, Lisa provided our team with very practical tools to develop a polished, professional and authentic personal brand. I highly recommend Lisa’s program.
~ Amy Weeden, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Propeller. Portland, OR
The workshop was very valuable for my both personal and professional aspects of life. Lisa Richey provided us with an excellent, relevant and interactive presentation. It was AWESOME and such a great learning experience
~ K. Al-Matter, Senior Training Specialist, ASAS, Saudi Arabia
The business etiquette training offered by the American Academy of Etiquette is perfect for any company aspiring for greatness through professionalism. Lisa was effective, likable, and relatable. Favorite Topics include:d dining etiquette and improving your personal brand. We highly recommend this training
~ Gary Osorno, President, Accutrans, New Orleans, LA
Lisa Richey recently presented an etiquette workshop for students at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. The workshop was very detailed, very well presented, and allowed students hands-on experience practicing their new skills in dining etiquette. Lisa was a confident, accomplished, and charismatic presenter and I’d recommend her highly.
~ Heather KrasnaAssistant Dean and Director Office of Career Services Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, NY
Have you read our article on Adaptability in the Workplace? Click here to learn more.
