Business Etiquette and Professionalism
Every South African business career eventually collides with a colleague or client whose sense of etiquette runs on a completely different clock.
About the course
This 1-day Staff Training workshop uses four-tier personality typing to build self-awareness, then tackles cross-cultural communication, generational differences, and monochronic vs. polychronic approaches to time. Delegates also cover professional email, phone manner, and shared office etiquette, including confidentiality. The result: fewer avoidable friction points across a genuinely diverse workforce.
What it covers
Etiquette and manners
• Defining modern etiquette and its relevance to South African business culture.
Personality
• Exploring overlaps between culture, etiquette,and personal preferences.
• Four-tier personality typing for better self-awareness and team understanding.
The Etiquette of Cross-Cultural Communication
• Defining culture and business culture.
• Overcoming reluctance in cross-cultural interactions.
Gender and Etiquette
• Understanding true gender equality alongside polite behaviours.
Generational Differences
• Identifying influences on each generation.
• Bridging etiquette gaps through insight intogenerational actions.
Grooming
• Linking good grooming to respectful etiquette
Self and Time Management
• Comparing Monochronic and Polychronicapproaches.
• Addressing current business challenges in time management.
Making Introductions
• Handling meetings, greetings, farewells, and introductions professionally.
Keeping a Professional Client Relationship on Site
• Avoiding pitfalls when spending extended time at client premises.
Sharing Office Space
• Do's and don'ts for harmonious shared workspaces.
Have a Professional Telephone Manner
• Balancing informal and professional phone etiquette.
Ensure Professional Electronic Communication
• Step-by-step guide to typing emails, including format and length.
Keep Your Written Communication Professional
• Maintaining professionalism on social media platforms.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this 1-day workshop, participants will be able to:
• Understand modern etiquette in the context of South African business culture.
• Recognise how personality, culture, gender, and generational differences influence workplace interactions.
• Apply strategies for effective cross-cultural communication and conflict resolution.
• Maintain professional grooming, time management, and client relationships.
• Conduct introductions, meetings, and farewells with poise.
• Share office space respectfully and uphold professional standards in telephone, electronic, and written communication.
• Discern personal, societal, and business behaviours to interact with ease and confidence in any professional function.
“Kept the pace alive and dealt with relevant issues in an open and engaging manner. ~ Lucinda”
How we run it
Backed by Staff Training's expertise, this workshop provides practical insights into etiquette and professionalism tailored for South Africa's diverse workplaces. Enhance your ability to navigate cultural nuances, reduce conflicts, and build stronger professional relationships in just one day.
Elevate your professional presence and contribute to a more inclusive work environment!
Unit standard alignment
| Unit standard | NQF | Credits | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 114959 | 2 | 4 | Behave in a professional manner in a business environment |
| 243193 | 1 | 4 | Practice good health and grooming habits (historical) |
| 242815 | 4 | 5 | Apply the organisations code of conduct in a work environment |
A credit-bearing SETA version is available on request.
Run it for your team
We can adapt Business Etiquette and Professionalism to your industry and your people’s real situations, and run it at your premises, at our venue or as a virtual workshop. We agree the outline with you before you order, and the rate per delegate drops as the group grows.