Into The Deep End of Leisure

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Features
The Entrepreneur’s
Etiquette Manual
As an entrepreneur, you will find yourself in different business environs at different times and
it is important that you understand how etiquette affects your chances of making the right
connections and the right deals.
By Elizabeth Oputa
As you go through your entrepreneurial journey, you need to be
aware of etiquette rules that guide how you behave in different
settings. You are likely to find yourself at several business
conferences. It is important that you make a good first impression at any
time you strike up a conversation while trying to build your network. You
should look organized.
The norm at these events is to have a cocktail hour or a buffet with a ton
of food available. One of the worst possible things that you could do is to
grab a plate and fill it up with food, then go and find the person that you
wanted to talk to and start engaging them. Now you’ll have that person
who is probably high-up in an organization or industry looking at you
struggle with your two hands full; one with your folder or your binder and
the other with a plate of you as you try to pick at it.
The proper thing is to make the meeting as seamless as possible, carrying
very little so that you can greet them with a proper handshake, without
food or gum in your mouth or anything that would cause things to fly out
when you’re speaking with the person.
Next, when you introduce yourself, it is key that already knows what you
want to say. Have your have 60 seconds elevator pitch at hand. While an
impression of you is already made within the first 3 seconds with your
looks, you should ensure that what comes out of your mouth is also
impressive. The elevator pitch is so called because it includes a run-down
of who you are and what you do in the time it takes to go from one floor
to the next. This could potentially help you in a way that’s genuine so that
the person knows exactly how they’re conversing with you or what will
happen next, or what is expected of them. People get tired if they have
to put in so much effort to understand the purpose of the conversation.
It is also important that you allow the person to speak. Make your brief
introduction and then ask insightful questions. Allow him or her do the
talking, and you’ll go a lot further in building a relationship as against
when you do all the talking. Someone can speak with you for 10 to 20
minutes and leave feeling a stronger bond than if you talked their ear off
the whole time. This applies at a conference, a dinner or anywhere you
are opportune to meet someone who could potentially be an asset to
your network.
Now to the dinner or lunch table. Please, ensure that what you order can
make it from the plate to your mouth without a hassle. You want to think
about rice as a safe option here. This may be a bit unpopular but you can
try eating before your business meetings. That way, you aren’t focused on
your hunger and what is going into your mouth. If your host insists, then
go for tea or coffee and perhaps, a muffin, depending on the restaurant
that you’re at. But don’t go there with an empty stomach.
Also, if there are less than 8 people at the table, wait for everyone to get
served before you dig in. If there are more than 8 people, you could start
after a good number have been served or if the host gives the go-ahead.
With regards to chivalry, the practice is to wait for the women to start first.
But that’s a whole other topic.
Let me wrap this up by saying that after your first meeting and introduction,
it isn’t proper to wait for a week before calling the person up. To build a
relationship with this person you’ve engaged, that you can do is reach out
within 24 hours. Tell them about the experience that you had with them
and why you want to continue moving forward. You may also be tempted
to start making requests immediately. You shouldn’t. Focus on giving
value and building the relationship. It is a marathon and not a Sprint.
Most times, they’ll be the ones to ask you to make a request. Work on
building long-term bonds because as important as that thing that you
need right now is, there’s something more important that will come later
and a stronger healthier relationship with the person will be a much more
value in the long run.
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