There are various attributes Employers look for in potential employees especially at the hiring stage. One Chief Executive Officer once remarked whenwe were in an interview “A successful candidate should be able to market him /herself to me.” He further commented that only in that way would he receive the assurance that he/she would effectively market the business to more customers. As the Panellist present there, we all looked at each other sarcastically, wondering what form the interview was to take that day.

Clearly, the CEO was right although most of the Panel Members were taken aback by his remark at the time. Business etiquette, grooming and deportment are now crucial issues which may make or break businesses. Corporate leaders choosing to ignore business etiquette whether social or corporate may do this at their peril. Every aspiring business owner has now realized and understands that deportment, grooming and business etiquette are critical components of a successful and impressive business.

But, what do these terms mean? Business etiquette is generally viewed as that connecting link between the academia and technical skills. Broadly, it goes beyond the professional attitude and includes also appearance, the ability to impress and stand out. Authors /gurus of business etiquette, grooming and deportment have   this to say, “A Manager has to dress with style, walk with a presence, eat and entertain with elegance.” Managerial employees need to know that the impression they make when meeting someone for the first time influences greatly the decision to build a relationship with you.

Deportment and elegance defined simply means understanding the how of carrying oneself. This includes a few issues which Managers need to be mindful of like   sitting positions in a chair, social media and technology etiquette which look at how one uses their mobile phones, how they talk, voice projections etc. Here I am not talking of the ability of Managers to operate   basic functions on their mobile gadget, this may be farfetched but just appreciating how to project one’s voice as critical attributes that build to the whole debate of deportment and business etiquette.

Businesses have realized the growing need  of empowering Managers on the current thinking in business and  that every Manager deserves an edge that will help them to succeed.

Corporate dressing is not new though in business as IT may be part of an organization culture, but leadership now needs to know that it’s not just the dressing. The how encompassing dressing, sensibly that it instils confidence in a person. Imagine how it feels when you go to work with a wrinkled corporate dress or shirt. Managers need to be educated that such a feeling takes away the self in a person. It is crucial that organizations train Managers on the need to dress according to one’s body type, weight and complexion. Corporate dressing plays an important role in enhancing one’s personality and the need to wear clothes that fit well cannot be over emphasized. Too tight and revealing clothes make you popular at the workplace for wrong reasons. Dressing formally and correctly helps you create   an impression for both you and the business. No matter how expensive   the business suit you don as a Manager, if you are not clean, employees make a fun of you and even giving you nicknames. Sometimes employees even talk openly about you using pseudonames without you realising.

It is paramount therefore that personal grooming (PG) defined as that art of cleaning and maintaining one’s body parts be instilled in  every Manager irrespective of gender and nature of profession. PG if neglected can ruin one’s personality: think of bad breath, long uncombed beard, long and uncleaned nails or sweating armpits- these take away all the respect from a Manager. For male professionals it is important to shave regularly, trim moustache and beard and ensure hair is combed properly all the time. I have realized that wearing perfumes is not a practice openly embraced by a number of men, yet a simple deodorant will help a lot.

For women professionals, the hairstyles you choose matter, the amount of makeup you wear and the dresses and trousers you wear leave a lot of lasting impression of you as a Manager. Female managers need to smell good and wear shoes which they can walk with ease. Some of the hair styles, shoes and dress types you choose results in you being ridiculed.

Also, how you carry yourself as a Manager and even how you sip hot beverages communicate silent messages about you and you are judged on these. While this may sound very personal, but in the business world these are increasingly taking a centre stage.

In industries like the hospitality industry, grooming and etiquette are prerequisites one needs to have that is why grooming is more than a profession but rather a lifestyle, that requires personality, charm and enthusiasm and must be lived. For Managers positive first impression goes beyond   how one looks (appearance) and what we do (body language) and the way to communicate hence making these an integral part of your professional intellect makes a Manager whole.

With the growing emphasis on quality and employee empowerment, organizations need to increasingly realize that attracting and retaining customers   begins and ends with their employee representatives. Managerial personnel need to understand that they have a critical role to satisfying and retaining clientele so winning the battle is critical. Fellow employees judge you on these characteristics and when we get to know about it, it pulls our confidence down as failing to master our business   etiquette skills takes away from you that full control over   how others perceive you.

Now that business etiquette is being viewed as a strategy for success especially as customers   become more demanding and expecting more sophisticated   services, organisations just need to make   business etiquette their life blood. Sadly, in this day and era, no business sector can expect to really flourish without the aid of professional etiquette. Business etiquette has become that lubricant that keeps heavy machines working smoothly and quietly hence preventing breakages and ensuring production.

Therefore, training Managers on business etiquette ceases to be only an imperative but also creates that fluid work environment that respects individual rights and become the real masters behind easy team work and customer satisfaction and exceptional business reputation.

Emmanuel Jinda is the Managing Consultant of PROSERVE Consulting Group, a leading supplier of Professional Human Resources and Management services locally, regionally and internationally. He can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.tel: 263 773004143 or 263 4 772778