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Courtesy,
respect and
consideration were simply referred to as good manners when we were
children. These were not mere niceties but the behavioural codes
that made visible the best qualities of our society.
In the corporate world,
etiquette and customer service are two of the most important
manifestations of how we regard each other: our clients, colleagues
and others with whom we interact on a professional basis. When we
fail in these areas, there is more at stake than the appearance of
incivility. We risk misunderstanding or offending others and, by
extension, jeopardizing important relationships and contracts that
are based on mutual respect and trust.
Customer service is closely
linked to etiquette but is usually related to the work environment
and company guidelines need to be kept in consideration. People’s
personal values and manners also determine the level of customer
service they provide.
The family plays an
integral part in establishing the values and the foundation of
etiquette in children but many households now consist of two hard
working parents who are too tired or time-constrained to teach their
children the valuable lessons that help build civilized, caring
characters. Left to find their own models of decorum, young people
take what they get. Often, what they get is information that
suggests that selfish and offensive behaviour can be rewarded. Some
reality TV shows, for example, do a very good job of being a very
bad influence.
Image Matters Ltd.
recognizes the shift in family roles, the glamorizing of negative
behaviour, and the loss of respect and consideration for others. We
aim to bridge the gap to ensure that society is aware of the
importance of etiquette and service in the hope that people’s values
will go beyond themselves to develop a more courteous, prosperous
society.
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