I originally wrote this article that was published by The Planner and an incident at a recent luncheon reminded me to revisit the topic of proper tech-etiquette.
The business environment is the perfect setting to observe evidence that a number of etiquette practices remain unchanged, several are carelessly untrained or forgotten, and in the case of technology, the strongest proof that protocols need to frequently adapt. As I was developing this article others were eager to share stories with me, I will share two that prove that while we allow ourselves to become instantly accessible; we are unmindful to how discourteous we can be to those around us.
Example A - A client booked a 2 hour appointment with his financial account manager and during the scheduled time the client answered his cell phone and proceeded to conduct business over the phone. This one action interrupted the valuable time of the account manager and forced the meeting to go beyond the allotted time and caused a delay for the next scheduled appointment. If he was being charged an hourly fee by the financial account manager my bet is; he wouldn’t have taken the call.
Example B - While giving a speech during a luncheon, the keynote speaker was distracted by a woman sitting at the table directly in front of his podium. She received and sent continuous messages with her BlackBerry ™ device. It was uncomfortable for the speaker and the other guests at the table because sadly she was his colleague.
Here are a few basic guidelines and suggestions on tech-etiquette to implement within the business environment.
1. Inform the appropriate person prior to the beginning of a meeting, luncheon, etc. that you are expecting an “urgent” call. Sit nearest the door. Use ‘vibrate’ only. (Because ‘vibrate’ can be distracting, keep your phone worn on your body or below table level and leave the room before taking the call.) Only leave to answer the one expected call.
2. Never respond or check messages in meetings, luncheons, trainings, appointments, business conferences. Turn off all devices or transfer calls to voice mail. (Step away to a private area after the event or during a break to respond.)
3. Remove wireless earpieces.
4. Keep conversations short and at a low volume when there are others within a hearing range of 10ft. (e.g. Standing in line-ups, during intermissions)
5. Never place your BlackBerry™ or cell phone – that is not turned completely OFF –on a conference, meeting, training, dining table, or on someone else’s desk. (Leave ‘ON’ only if everyone understands that you need to be reached by someone who has not yet arrived.)
Staying connected with your clients, associates, and resources is important to the strength of your business, by being an exemplary model of proper tech-etiquette you can further enhance your image and those you represent. Don’t forget that when you leave the office for the day, for your own sake and that of your friends and family, leave the office in your pocket.
