On suits, handshakes and name tags

Over 50 AUBGers attended the Business Etiquette presentation by Kristina Krantcheva, founder and director of CM Consulting. Krantcheva talked about the dos and don’ts of business protocol, Bulgarian and international business manners, and answered students’ questions. The event was organized by the AUBG Business Club on February 10 in the New Academic Building Auditorium.

CM Consulting is the first Bulgarian company to offer specialized training, seminars and consulting in the field of business etiquette and international protocol. “The first impression you create is crucial. People usually need from four to six seconds during which they judge your social standing, job and ambitions. That is why business attire is an important part of the business etiquette,” Krantcheva said.

“The handshake is also an important point during business meetings,” Krantcheva said. People shouldn’t squeeze too hard or too loosely. A good handshake should be firm and done with the thumb pointing upwards and one’s body straight towards the other person. “People should know the value of a good handshake as it represents their character,” she added.

Women should wear bags on their left arms so that handshaking with clients is done appropriately. “Follow a person’s lead, if he is unable to extend his arm or is disabled. If he doesn’t shake, then you don’t as well,” Krantcheva said. Name tags are worn on the right side so that during a handshake people could read each other’s names.

“I found the part about the proper handshake extremely interesting, since I have never even imagined in my life that there is a special way to do this very simple but at the same time very important gesture,” AUBG Business Club President Lachezar Stoynov, said. “The eye contact is also an important part of the business etiquette.

People shouldn’t stare at other individual’s mouth, hair or other parts of their bodies. Instead, people should fix a point between the other person’s eyes and look at it if they find it inappropriate to look him directly in the eyes,” Krantcheva said.

The language people use is of great importance. Slang is totally inappropriate. Krantcheva said businessmen should refer to other people by their last name unless they are invited to do otherwise. “In the business world men aren’t obliged to open the door for the ladies,” Krantcheva said.

“Gentlemen should be polite with ladies anywhere, no matter business, school or party,” student Shider Popov said.

Black suits are not always considered official, Krantcheva said. Shoes are important and representative element of one’s character, she added. Shoes should always be polished and carefully chosen. “Men’s black shoes are universal, while brown ones are appropriate to wear until 6 o’clock.”

“The watch is the most important man’s accessory. It makes a good impression on your business partners or future employers,” Krantcheva said. She added people should pay attention to details. “No plastic pens. It is not appropriate to use a cheap yellow-blue pen. Better buy a stylish one and use it always instead of the common yellow pens.”

“The lecture was very interesting and informative. A person who presents himself well really does become an object of admiration,” student Radomir Matev said. “I think she was able to give some extremely valuable lessons,” Stoynov said.