Most people think of office etiquette as simply being respectful and courteous to colleagues. There are other types of office etiquette that everyone should learn and follow to help ensure a productive and comfortable work environment. These include considerations involving telephone, email, conflict resolution, meeting and travel etiquette.

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Professional workplace etiquette

Professional workplace etiquette can create an enjoyable, productive workplace. Examples of office workplace etiquette include avoiding gossip, treating others with respect, dressing appropriately and keeping ones personal life out of office conversation.

I recommend: First Impression Management has more information on professional workplace etiquette.

Business telephone etiquette

The use of the telephone is an important component in conducting business and requires telephone etiquette. Lack of business telephone etiquette, such as failing to identify yourself and your company, failing to recognize receptionists and secretaries that direct calls and failing to end the phone call courteously, not only reflects negatively on your business, but also on you as a professional.

I recommend: Learn more about business telephone etiquette by referring to Essortment.

Email etiquette

Email is a popular and convenient way for professionals to communicate with others both within and outside of their organization. One drawback of email is that it is sometimes difficult to understand the 'tone' of the message, which can result in someone becoming offended. Email etiquette includes addressing only those individuals you are familiar with by their first name, being concise with your answers, not using abbreviations in your email and, perhaps most importantly, using spell and grammar check before sending your email.

I recommend: Refer to EmailReplies for more tips on email etiquette.

Business travel etiquette

Travel is a requirement for many business professionals. Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, or hosting someone as part of your business operations, familiarize yourself with the culture of your destination. One should learn the rules for meeting people, such as how to address the individual and rules of eye contact, conversation topics to avoid, negotiating tactics, pace of business, mealtime etiquette and protocol for receiving gifts.

I recommend: Refer to Executive Planet for travel etiquette information.

Conflict resolution etiquette

Conflict occurs in every office at one time or another and it is important to resolve conflicts before they disrupt the entire office. When resolving conflicts, there are some rules of etiquette to follow, such as listening to other points of view, taking time to 'cool off' before discussing the problem and not introducing people into the conflict that are not directly involved.

I recommend: Refer to MedicineNet for more information on conflict resolution etiquette and tips.

Business meeting etiquette

Business meetings often constitute a significant portion of one's work program and are instrumental in finalizing projects. It is therefore important that one follow proper meeting etiquette, such as being punctual, being prepared, ensuring any audiovisual equipment is set up and working properly, silencing your cell phone and not taking any phone calls or text messages during the meeting.

I recommend: Refer to LearnHub for business meeting etiquette tips.

Good manners and office etiquette go hand in hand, as they both involve presenting yourself in a respectful manner to imprint a favorable impression on others. This is essential in the business environment as when people have a favorable impression of you they are more likely to work with you or assist you when you are in a tight spot.

Proper office etiquette includes email etiquette, travel etiquette, interaction with co-workers and bosses and telephone etiquette to name a few. All of these add up to the way you keep your desk, your appearance and your physical and verbal behavior. You can obtain valuable career and personal support when you possess superior office etiquette skills. Some of benefits are as followed:

1. Proper office etiquette could lead to a promotion.

2. Being courteous to clients or potential clients makes them more eager to do business with your company or the company you are representing.

3. You gain respect by respecting others.

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Instruct on office etiquette using various forms of media

You can receive office etiquette information buy purchasing DVDs, videos or CD-ROMs. You can use these in the comfort of your own home or at the office. The benefit of these media devices is that you have the opportunity to view them whenever you like, as often as you like.

I recommend: Business Training Media lists DVDs that are available for purchase with titles that include Basics of Business Etiquette, Telephone Skills and Training DVDs involving conducting business in other countries. K Alliance provides training software that covers guidelines regarding professional appearance, conducting business in an office and developing positive relationships with co-workers.

Purchase books to find office etiquette rules

Literature is available to act in combination with or in place of media. Books have the same benefit as DVDs or CD-ROMs because you can purchase them once and use them repeatedly. Books give you the office etiquette list of rules and guidelines for creating and maintaining a respectable environment with the option of making notes in the margin if the book is for your personal library.

I recommend: Office Etiquette and Protocol, available for purchase at learnatest.com, is good if you are searching to improve your office wtiquette at a reasonable price. Pearson has book called Guide to Business Etiquette, which is typically a textbook for students, but any professional in need of improving their office etiquette can use it.

Receive personal training through an office etiquette provider

You can receive on-site training with an office etiquette provider. This is great for businesses wishing to train their employees. The various providers present a list of courses, on their websites, covered under their office etiquette training.

I recommend: First Impression Management has a class titled "Business Etiquette Training for Professionals," which is on-site training covering a wide range of areas including "understanding body language" and "listening skills". Business Training Works is another provider. Their Business Etiquette training covers such topics as "new hire business etiquette training" and "dress for success" as well as free training on such topics as "cell phone use" and "dining with the president." The Training Registry provides an office etiquette directory that lists the various office etiquette providers along with their modes of training.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Another way to ensure the practice of proper office etiquette is through the various signs that you can place around the office. These signs can offer reminders regarding the lunchroom, smoking policy and bathroom etiquette.

Office etiquette should be a part of any organization. While some may view an office etiquette provider as a waste of time, teaching someone manners they should already know, there are unfortunately individuals who do not have good manners. With advances in technology such as cell phones and email, there are certain “rules” pertaining to the use of those communication mediums that many are not aware of. Organizations must bear in mind that the behavior of their employees reflects on the organization as a whole.

The office etiquette directory of topics that are of interest to organizations include manners, dining etiquette, inappropriate cubicle decorum, dress code and networking. An office etiquette list of topics that should be an integral part of any organization includes those focusing on:

1. Email office etiquette

2. Business and office conduct

3. Conflict resolution

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research office etiquette that pertains to email

Email is becoming a very popular method for individuals in the business world to communicate with one another. Benefits of emailing include having documented dialog (such as the date and time stamps indicating when messages were sent) between individuals, not to mention the convenience of quickly sending documents, pictures and other correspondence. While some may view email as an informal method of communicating, there are still rules one should abide by such as using proper grammar and punctuation, avoiding the use of emoticons or typing in all capital letters (which indicates yelling).

I recommend: Emailreplies.com and IWillFollow.com provide information on email etiquette.

Read about office etiquette focusing on developing ones business and office conduct

Meetings remain an important element in conducting business. While it is true that individuals are meeting to discuss a goal, business plan or resolution to a problem, one's behavior and demeanor may play a larger part in making or breaking a deal, which stresses the need for office etiquette. For beginners, one must be cognizant of others, refrain from making ethnic, racial or even political jokes, be respectful to others and their opinions and perhaps most importantly, be on time.

I recommend: Office etiquette is important in the office when working with colleagues. While business meeting rules also apply in the office environment, there are other rules of etiquette one must follow, such as not taking extended lunches, leaving work early without submitting leave and engaging in inappropriate personal phone calls,which includes arguing and discussion of private matters, with significant others. Obtain office etiquette information pertaining to business and office conduct from The Protocol School of Palm Beach or The Lett Group.

Read about office etiquette focusing on conflict resolution for your organization

Conflict is inevitable in any organization with factors such as deadlines and individual personalities being some underlying causes. Mandatory conflict resolution training for employees should be part of any organizations office etiquette. For beginners, individuals need to recognize sources of conflict, understand that various behaviors and cultures exist within the workplace, learn to listen to the views of others and resolve conflicts that may arise professionally and in a manner that does not cause disruption within the organization leading to dissention, low employee morale and low productivity.

I recommend: Find office etiquette pertaining to conflict resolution on MindTools and The University of Wisconsin – Madison Office of Quality Improvement & Office of Human Resource Development website.