When I downloaded the e-book (free) The Book of Business Etiquette by Nella Braddy Henney I was fully anticipating reading a not so enthusiastic interpretation of how to act during business meetings, how to handle difficult clients / clients, how to organize a proper meeting for clients, etc. Because, after all, books like this aren’t usually enthusiastic or captivating in the least, right? Well, I didn’t look at the year this book was written before I started. By the way, it was written in 1922.
I was a bit surprised at first as it described what I consider to be the ‘old days’ where meetings were held by writing letters, not emails, regular, old-fashioned, pencil-to-paper letters that were actually armored using the postal service, where sellers moved in football and by to train, where there were switchboards that were called to contact a person or company, etc. Yes, I have heard of these times, but I really thought the author was referring to these days as when the label was something worthwhile. After all, it only happens occasionally these days when a man opens a door for a woman or when courtesy and polite manners are used. outside of trying to get something that a person wants.
I really enjoyed how this book was written due to several aspects:
- It was tagged from the days when courtesy was still extremely important in business.
- Many, many examples are provided of (what appear to be) real life scenarios that people experienced and how they were handled.
- Various options were given on how to handle different circumstances, but the correct choice of how to handle the situation in a professional and courteous manner was pointed out.
- Even though the examples were from a different time and period, they still largely apply to today’s business world (with a few minor modifications).
- The author described in detail the appropriate dress and professionalism that a salesperson must adhere to when visiting their clients.
- Various situations from different parts of the business are described, such as in a department store (how to handle customers) and for the street vendor (how to handle difficult new customers).
This book also goes into detail about the value of courtesy, table manners, how to act on the phone and at front doors, and morals and manners. Additionally, the author describes how to learn what to do in unfamiliar circumstances, such as when there are more forks or spoons on the table than you are used to.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone in a travel or business environment because, although the situations described and the advice given for those situations are from the early 20th century, it can be, and still is, highly applicable in today’s business environment.