Business Etiquette Basics: How to Make a Strong First Impression

People decide a great deal about us in the first few minutes: whether we are confident, trustworthy and easy to work with. Most of that impression comes from small behaviours we rarely think about. That is what etiquette really is: a set of habits that put other people at ease.

1. Arrive prepared, and a little early

Being on time is the simplest form of respect. Aim to arrive five to ten minutes early for meetings and interviews. Know the name and role of the person you are meeting, and carry what you need so you are not searching for it at the start.

2. Master the introduction

• Stand up when you are being introduced or greeting someone.
• Make eye contact and smile before you speak.
• Greet in the way that suits the setting: a firm, brief handshake in most business settings, or a namaste where that is more comfortable. Follow the other person’s lead.
• Say your full name clearly, and add one line of context: “I lead the training team at…”

3. Remember and use names

Repeat a person’s name when you are introduced (“Lovely to meet you, Ananya”) and use it once more during the conversation. If you forget a name, it is better to ask again politely than to avoid the person.

4. Make small talk that goes somewhere

Good small talk is about the other person. Ask open questions, such as “What brought you to this event?” or “How did you get into your field?”, and listen properly to the answer. Avoid controversial topics, complaints and gossip, especially with people you have just met.

5. Meeting and email manners

In meetings, keep your phone face down and out of reach, let others finish before you speak, and thank people for their time. In email, use a clear subject line, a proper greeting, short paragraphs and a sign-off. Reply within a working day, even if only to say you will respond in full later.

6. Business dining, simply

• Wait for the host to sit or begin before you do.
• Keep your phone off the table.
• Pace yourself with others, and keep the conversation, not the food, at the centre.
• If you invited someone, you pay.

The takeaway

Etiquette is not about memorising rules. It is about attention: to time, to names and to how others feel. Practise these habits consistently and your first impressions will take care of themselves.