The idea that people need to have feedback, appreciation and information is a good basis for understanding how and why excellent business communication is important and compelling for success.

In your very best relationship - whether your spouse, best friend, sister, co-worker - you can easily communicate with them a high value way. You telephone, email, write notes, make plans and generally stay in contact with them because you want the connection and the relationship.

In building very good relationships in business, it is absolutely the same. What is different in a business relationship is that you communicate with them and you don't always know them as well as a dear friend. However, they need the same attention that a good relationship needs. These needs are:

• Returning a phone call
• Following up on a request
• Listening intently
• Appreciative communication
• Clear communication with details and directions
• Doing what you say you will do
• Remembering what is important to them
• Valuing what is most important to them

Our communication styles and methods are being stretched to the limit by email, technology, lack of time and demands of on our ability to do so much in our days.

But there are rules of common courtesy that have NOT changed since the inception of humans dealing with each other in a high value way. If you want to be a remembered, trusted and respected leader, you will practice these courtesies with every business contact.

If you take the time to examine what is important to you, we think you will find that they are also the courtesies that you expect in all business communication – actually how you would like to be treated and communicated with.

Email - not only should you be returning emails in a timely way, but you need to set the context each and every time of why the email is important and what information it is that you want to deliver. Spam filters help, but in order to more easily control your email load, you need to be in more control of what you generate yourself. In business, be brief, be informational and be gone.

Cell phones - the ring tones that are available now are fun outside of the office, networking situations, client lunches etc. Put them on vibrate or shut them off. Take and make calls when you are with people sparingly. Most people are not interested in listening to your conversations no matter how stimulating you think they might be. If you need to take or make a call, excuse yourself and then make it brief.

Returning phone calls – We are not sure when it became ok to not return phone calls, but it is not ok. Whether you think you have time to return the call or not, find out what people need, make sure you are clear on whether you can help them or not and then get back to your own work. People who return phone calls are trusted and respected. You do not need to make the calls long. In fact, returning all calls twice a day instead of doing it piece meal all day long is a good way to manage your time more appropriately.

Here are some additional basics that will help you grow your own identity and brand which will identify you as a trusted and respected “up and coming leader”:

• Practice your handshake - ask a friend to shake hands with you and then give you
  feedback. Firm is good.
• Eye contact - learn to look at a person when they are speaking
• Body language - 55% of our non verbal communication is our body - watch what your body is saying about you
• Business card - get one and have them with you ALL of the time. Do include an
  address, email, telephone number, name and what you do – a title is very good. If
  your company does not provide a business card, get one for you anyway. The fast print companies all have programs you can easily and quickly make one for you.
• Holding doors - opening a door for someone is not just a guy thing anymore. Ladies, if you get to the door first, open it.
• Standing and greeting - if you are being introduced, stand, reach out your hand and
  shake their hand. This is not a gender issue. Women in the workforce can show respect by standing and shaking hands.

Below are additional resources to help you learn how to be a pro at Business Etiquette and Communication.

We are delighted to contribute to your substantial successes. Please allow to be a resource in continuing to grow your Leadership Excellence(sm).

• Communicate Clearly, Confidently and Credibly co-authored by Natalie Manor James and Brookfield Publishers (2004)
   
• Magnetic Leadership co-authored by Natalie Manor James and Brookfield Publishers (2004) www.NatalieManor.com/MagLead
   
• Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success by Brian Tracy Berrett-Koehler Publishers (2000)
   
• Paul Siddle is a business etiquette guru and there are several articles on his website dealing with business etiquette. www.ExecutiveProtocol.com/in_the_news/

My best to you