Etiquette is a concept that never fails to make people cringe. And why not? It does sound a lot like a fake, or a façade, or even maybe a sense of pretense that goes against our individuality, freedom, and personality. And even those in business also carry the same reluctance to implement a company dos and don’ts in business. But why should you be concerned about etiquette? Well, it is for the simple reason that lead generation campaigns are dependent on it. After all, you are not generating sales leads from the company itself. You are generating business leads from other people. And what better way to earn those B2B leads if you can follow some semblance of etiquette to make the other party feel better and create a good impression on you?
There are five practices that you should never forget:
1. Sending a thank-you – whether you send it through e-mail or an actual card, always remember to send one to anyone you have done some transactions with. For example, your company conducted an interview and the interviewee really gave you his time. Let them know that you appreciate their effort. Not only will this keep you in good graces with the prospect, you can establish your firm as professional. This will make B2B leads easier to get.
2. Remember the name – yes, as a manager, or even as a telemarketing agent, you need to take note of the name. That is one of the most important points to remember when you are trying to generate more business leads. Imagine how your prospects will feel if you forget their name after you just spoke with them. Embarrassing, right? So memorize it. Better yet, take note of it.
3. Keep quiet in the elevator – after a meeting with your prospects, never talk to your partner about how it went while you are in the elevator. You cannot believe how some of these are actually monitored. It is even more embarrassing if there are also others with you. You never know, you might be riding with a major decision-maker, and you might say something bad enough.
4. Pay attention – when someone is doing business with you, turn off your phone or computer and pay close attention to what they are saying. While it might be important to check your e-mail, you will have nothing to lose if you listen for a few minutes to the speaker. And it will encourage the speaker to share more with you.
5. Do not be judgmental – we all have our own quirks, errors, and imperfections. That is why it is never good to talk badly about others. You may feel that you could have handled a situation better than what your colleague did, but keep it to yourself. He also did his best. What is important is that you give your best at the task given to you. That is the thing that counts.
Do you think these etiquette pointers will do your business good?
