Rules for appropriate business behavior have changed over the years. Even though some aspects, such as dress code, typically aren’t as formal as they once were, most companies still want people to follow some basic social norms. By behaving considerately, respectfully and honestly, nearly anyone can get along successfully in a complex society. Employers expect proper conduct for everything from job interviewing, dealing with customers, making phone calls, participating in meetings and resolving cultural conflicts. Running team-building exercises that include business etiquette games allow everyone to learn about appropriate behavior, practice techniques and learn how to rectify any unintended gaffes.
Starting off on the right foot prevents problems later on. It never hurts to be respectful and considerate. Sometimes, though, it can be awkward meeting people for the first time. Teaching people to respect rank and take responsibility for maintaining positive relationships helps contribute to a civil, positive and productive working environment. To conduct a role-playing game about introductions, ask all participants to write down something about themselves on an index card. A facilitator shuffles the cards and distributes one to each person, then chooses three people to start. The first person is considered more senior. The second person introduces the first person to the third person. If she forgets to introduce the senior person first, she’s out of the game. After the first introduction, the third person chooses someone to introduce to the first person. That chosen person selects another person, and this repeats until everyone has been introduced to the first person. The facilitator gives points to participants who show they know how to build connections. The person with the most points wins.
Awkward moments inevitably occur in the workplace. Preventing and recovering from these can be easier if you think about what to do when common occurrences happen. To conduct a game that practices this skill, divide a large group in half and set a timer for five minutes. Ask each team to come up with a list of embarrassing or stressful situations in the workplace. This might include forgetting someone’s name, receiving an unwanted gift from a client, noticing a colleague’s poor personal hygiene or using the wrong piece of silverware at a fancy workplace dinner. The team that creates a list with the most problems and solutions wins the game.
Social Media Relationships
Social media technology provides opportunities to extend workplace relationships into your personal life, though it may not always be appropriate to do so. The use of an application like LinkedIn receives approval and acceptance; however, business use of Facebook and Twitter can be used for customer interactions, but personal use is typically discouraged in the workplace. Disparaging and insulting remarks about clients, products and services are off limits. By using free online questionnaire tools, you can create a game by presenting scenarios of social media usage, including the correct use of salutations, proper spelling and grammar or appropriate use of shared online calendars.
Cultural Awareness Challenge
Particularly in global companies, learning and practicing business etiquette extends to researching practices in other countries. Create a scavenger hunt list of facts about countries where your company does business, and challenge your employees to spot effective ways of communicating and ineffective, or downright offensive, communication. For example, see who can find the most examples of promotional campaigns that don’t translate to other cultures. Summarize the activity by creating a list of techniques to avoid, such as writing messages using slang, idiomatic phrases, acronyms or rude visuals.
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