Can You Afford What Rudeness Is Costing Your Business

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Can You Afford What Rudeness Is Costing Your Business?


Summary

Take a quick etiquette quiz to discover how rudeness might be affecting your business’s bottom line.

Introduction

Have you ever considered how rudeness could be impacting your business's profits? What happens when you or your team lack proper manners? Do you know how many clients are turned away by employees more interested in chatting with each other than with a customer intending to purchase a product or service? Consider how often people might hang up because they were put on hold without notice. What impression does an employee give when greeting a client dressed inappropriately for a business setting? Do your employees understand that using a client’s first name without permission can be more offensive than friendly? Are they courteous to each other, respecting personal space, and working as a team, or do they resemble castaways on a reality show?

In today’s fast-paced business world, where ‘not having time to be nice’ is a common excuse, it’s easy to miss crucial details that can grow your business, increase profits, and build lasting client relationships.

The Etiquette Quiz

Test your business etiquette knowledge with this quick true/false quiz. Share it with your employees, too.

1. Business etiquette is based on rank and hierarchy. True/False
2. If your business card has incorrect information, draw a line through it and write the right details. True/False
3. Business casual means dressing slightly less formal than professional attire. True/False
4. In today's relaxed business environment, it’s unnecessary to ask a client’s permission before using their first name. True/False
5. Callers mind holding for information less than holding for a person. True/False
6. Smiling or making eye contact with customers is optional unless you feel like it. True/False
7. Handwritten notes have no place in the business world. True/False
8. A man should wait for a woman to extend her hand first in business settings. True/False
9. Complete the "To" line last when composing an email. True/False
10. Small talk around the office is a waste of time. True/False
11. People can hear you eating, drinking, and chewing over the phone. True/False
12. If your cell phone rings while with a client, look to see who’s calling but don’t answer it. True/False

Answers

1. True. Always defer to the senior or highest-ranking individual.
2. False. Outdated business cards are unprofessional. Get new ones printed.
3. True. Business casual should still look professional.
4. False. Always use titles and last names until told otherwise.
5. True. Clients can wait for information but not endlessly for a person.
6. False. Every client deserves a genuine smile and eye contact.
7. False. Handwritten notes make you stand out.
8. False. Both men and women should be ready to shake hands promptly.
9. True. Completing the "To" line last prevents mistakes.
10. False. Appropriately timed small talk builds relationships.
11. True. Mouth noises are amplified over the phone.
12. False. It’s rude to check your phone. Turn it off and check later.

Conclusion

If you struggled with any of these questions, your employees might too. To ensure your team represents your business well, provide them with the essential etiquette skills. If you haven't offered business etiquette training recently, now is the time. Don’t let rude behavior cost you business.

Make sure your team knows how to handle clients over the phone, understands the importance of attentiveness, respects other people's time, and can deal with difficult situations gracefully. Remember, good manners aren’t innate; they’re taught and occasionally need refreshing.

©2006, Lydia Ramsey. All rights reserved. Reprint rights granted if the article and by-line are published intact, with all links live.

You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Can You Afford What Rudeness Is Costing Your Business .

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