Last night, I attended an etiquette dinner hosted by Dean John Navin and the Dicke College of Business Administration. While attending, the class of 2019 learned how to properly hold our glass, plate and napkin while networking. We learned proper ways to eat our dinner and different table talks that would introduce easy conversations. It was helpful and I was able to brush up on my etiquette techniques, but it was not something I would want to do frequently. Being professional while representing yourself and your company is essential to being a great business professional, but it is not the best way to do business.
Professional settings may be great for networking and for politics, but if you want to really get to know someone that you may be doing business with, a casual setting is a better option. In a casual setting, i.e. a restaurant, bar or on the golf course, it allows for a more comfortable setting and not as stress on being politically correct in how you hold your silverware. The conversation is more relaxed and it's easier to get to know someone's true character. There is not a constant buzzing of other people's conversations in the background so you can focus on your specific conversation. Handling of sensitive information is easier as well, especially in a secluded place like the golf course, where verbal interactions can contain information that not everyone needs to know.
Being able to act professional is important to any young college student looking for a job and for people who have been at their job for thirty years. Although it is a great skill to have, the most important settings to have business meetings and conduct deals are outside of the professional settings.
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