This was ABLA’s fifth meeting of the 2008 Spring Semester. During this meeting ABLA members had the opportunity to hear from Mr. Rizwan Shah, District Manager Southwest In Store of Chase Bank. Mr. Shah’s presentation was entitled “Business Etiquette” and focused on how to differentiate and elevate oneself above their peers through outstanding etiquette in the professional setting. A detailed outline of Mr. Shah’s presentation can be found below.

Business Etiquette by Mr. Rizwan Shah

• How does one deal with people in the following places?

1. Place of work
2. Public setting
3. People like people who respect them, make them feel comfortable and welcome

• Etiquettes include the following:

1. Body language
2. Verbal and non verbal communications
3. Positive first impressions

• Etiquettes (cont.)

1. Proper handshake – a firm handshake is a confident one!
2. Acknowledgement of the other person
   • Through a firm handshake
   • It is a sign of respect
3. Business attire – dress for success
4. Professional / Business casual – dress at least business casual
5. Clean / pressed – it projects a professional look
6. Sharing Business cards – How and when to offer your business card?
   • The right and appropriate way in the U.S. is to wait until asked for
   • Read before putting it away – it is a sign of respect
   • Ask for it!

• Etiquettes – know your clients

1. Researching clients before meeting (company’s culture, products/service, history, etc.)
2. What are your client’s goals/objectives?
   • Selling a new product / product launch?
   • Existing products – lift over baseline? Meet baseline (in challenging economic conditions there is a growing issue to meet previous year’s sales results)
3. Know your competition
4. What are their hours?
5. Do you meet or beat them? (why/why not?)
6. What makes you better than your competition? Can you market around this difference?
7. Competitive intelligence
   • Mystery shop – market research gives you a competitive advantage
   • Purchase competitive data – copies of ads, articles, etc.
   • Interview new hires who recently worked for your competitors

• Etiquettes – NOs

1. No gossiping!
2. No staring
3. No pointing!
4. No blame game! You own the problem!
5. No putting your employer down in front of customers and other employers
6. No free time on company time!!!

The meeting ended with ABLA’s social Pizza Time.