7. FINE TUNE YOUR HANDSHAKE.

The first move you make when meeting your prospective client is to put out your hand. There isn’t a businessperson anywhere who can’t tell you that good business handshake should be a firm one. Yet time and again people offer up a limp hand to client. You’ll be assured of giving an impressive grip and getting off to a good start if you position your hand to make complete contact with other person’s hand. Once you’ve connected, close your thumb over back of other person’s hand and give a slight squeeze. You’ll have beginning of a good business relationship.

8. MAKE INTRODUCTIONS WITH STYLE.

It does matter whose name you say first and what words you use when making introductions in business. Because business etiquette is based on rank and hierarchy, you want to honor senior or highest ranking person by saying his name first. When client is present, he is always most important person. Say client’s name first and introduce other people to client. The correct words to use are “I’d like to introduce...” or “I’d like to introduce to you...” followed by name of other person.

9. NEVER LEAVE THE OFFICE WITHOUT YOUR BUSINESS CARDS.

Your business cards and how you handle them contribute to your total image. Have a good supply of them with you at all times since you never know when and where you will encounter a potential client. How unimpressive is it to ask for a person’s card and have them say, “ Oh, I’m sorry. I think I just gave my last one away.” You get feeling that this person has already met everyone he wants to know. Keep your cards in a card case or holder where they are protected from wear and tear. That way you will be able to find them without a lot of fumbling around, and they will always be in pristine condition.

10.MATCH YOUR BODY LANGUAGE TO YOUR VERBAL MESSAGE.

A smile or pleasant expression tells your clients that you are glad to be with them. Eye contact says you are paying attention and are interested in what is being said. Leaning in toward client makes you appear engaged and involved in conversation. Use as many signals as you can to look interested and interesting.

In business environment, you plan your every move with potential clients. You arrange for appointment, you prepare for meeting, you rehearse for presentation, but in spite of your best efforts, potential clients pop up in most unexpected places and at most bizarre times. For that reason, leave nothing to chance. Every time you walk out of your office, be ready to make a powerful first impression.

7.WRITING THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL. E-mail is meant to be brief. Keep your message short. Use only a few paragraphs and a few sentences per paragraph. People skim their e-mail so a long missive is wasted. If you find yourself writing an overly long message, pick up phone or call a meeting.

8.FORWARDING E-MAIL WITHOUT PERMISSION. Most everyone is guilty of this one, but think about it. If message was sent to you and only you, why would you take responsibility for passing it on? Too often confidential information has gone global because of someone’s lack of judgment. Unless you are asked or request permission, do not forward anything that was sent just to you.

9.THINKING THAT NO ONE ELSE WILL EVER SEE YOUR E-MAIL. Once it has left your mailbox, you have no idea where your e-mail will end up. Don’t use Internet to send anything that you couldn’t stand to see on a billboard on your way to work next day. Use other means to communicate personal or sensitive information.

10.LEAVING OFF YOUR SIGNATURE. Always close with your name, even though it is included at top of e-mail, and add contact information such as your phone, fax and street address. The recipient may want to call you to talk further or send you documents that cannot be e-mailed. Creating a formal signature block with all that data is most professional approach.

11.EXPECTING AN INSTANT RESPONSE. Not everyone is sitting in front of computer with e-mail turned on. The beauty of Internet communication is that it is convenient. It is not an interruption. People can check their messages when it suits them, not you. If your communication is so important that you need to hear back right away, use phone.

12.COMPLETING THE “TO” LINE FIRST. The name or address of person to whom you are writing is actually last piece of information you should enter. Check everything else over carefully first. Proof for grammar, punctuation, spelling and clarity. Did you say what needed to be said? How was your “tone of voice”? If you were least bit emotional when you wrote e-mail, did you let it sit for a period of time? Did you include attachment you wanted to send? If you enter recipient’s name first, a mere slip of finger can send a message before its’ time. You can never take it back.

E-mail makes everything easier and faster including making a powerful business impression and establishing positive professional relationships. The businessperson who uses technology effectively and appropriately will see results of that effort reflected in bottom line.