Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Apply professional business etiquette across various settings and cultures
• Demonstrate appropriate professional appearance and personal branding
• Navigate business social situations with confidence and grace
• Utilize proper communication protocols in different business contexts
• Apply dining etiquette for business meals and formal events
• Understand and respect international business customs and protocols
• Handle difficult social and professional situations tactfully
• Build professional relationships through appropriate networking etiquette
• Represent their organization with professionalism in all interactions

• Early-career professionals and recent graduates
• Sales and business development representatives
• Executives and senior managers
• International business travelers
• Client-facing professionals and account managers
• Administrative and executive assistants
• University students preparing for corporate careers
• Professionals transitioning to more client-facing roles

This course employs a practical, hands-on methodology with real-world scenarios from various business contexts and cultural settings. Participants will analyze case studies of professional etiquette successes and missteps in corporate environments. Group activities will include role-playing exercises, simulated business meals, and networking practice sessions. Individual exercises will focus on personal image assessment, communication style refinement, and cultural awareness development. Mini-case studies will examine specific protocol challenges such as international business meetings, executive dining, and cross-cultural negotiations. Syndicate discussions will explore the relationship between professional etiquette and career advancement, developing personal action plans for ongoing professional development.

Professional Presence and Image

• Business attire standards for different industries and occasions
• Grooming and personal presentation best practices
• Dress code interpretation and adaptation
• Personal branding through professional image

• Confident body language and posture
• Appropriate eye contact and facial expressions
• Professional vocal qualities and speech patterns
• Managing personal habits and mannerisms

Business Communication Etiquette

• Professional greetings and introductions
• Business conversation starters and topics
• Active listening in professional settings
• Tactful disagreement and opinion expression

• Business email etiquette and formatting
• Professional letter writing and memo protocols
• Social media professionalism
• Document preparation and presentation standards

Meeting and Office Etiquette

• Punctuality and preparation standards
• Meeting participation and contribution etiquette
• Boardroom behavior and seating protocols
• Virtual meeting etiquette and best practices

• Workspace professionalism and organization
• Respecting hierarchies and reporting relationships
• Confidentiality and discretion in workplace conversations
• Professional boundaries with colleagues

Business Social Etiquette

• Business event attendance protocols
• Effective introduction and conversation techniques
• Business card exchange customs
• Following up after networking events

• Appropriate business gift selection and timing
• Cultural considerations in corporate gift giving
• Receiving gifts graciously
• Corporate policies and ethical considerations

Dining and Entertainment Etiquette

• Restaurant selection and reservation etiquette
• Seating arrangements and protocol
• Ordering food and beverages appropriately
• Handling the bill and payment discretely

• Place setting navigation and utensil use
• Table manners and dining conversation
• Wine and beverage etiquette
• Handling dining mishaps gracefully

International Business Protocol

• Major cultural frameworks and their business implications
• Communication style differences across cultures
• Time perception and meeting pace variations
• Relationship building across cultural boundaries

• Business customs in major global markets
• Greeting rituals and physical contact norms
• Negotiation styles and decision-making processes
• Gift-giving and entertainment expectations

Challenging Situations

• Handling ethical dilemmas with integrity
• Managing conflicts with professionalism
• Apology and accountability protocols
• Graceful exit from uncomfortable situations

• Self-assessment and etiquette refinement
• Staying current with evolving business norms
• Mentoring others in professional conduct
• Building a reputation for professional excellence