Business Etiquette This book teaches individuals how to represent their

 
I 
avoid 
being the kind of person who
interrupts people?”
Here’s the best answer I’ve come up with: One, two!
In other words, the next time you are listening to an-
other, simply count to two (or pause two seconds) before
responding to the person. By doing so, you will avoid earn-
ing a reputation as the person who steps on others’ sentences.

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Business Etiquette
Tip #73
Tip #73
Tip #73
Tip #73
Tip #73
Navigate marathon meetings with caution.
Navigate marathon meetings with caution.
Navigate marathon meetings with caution.
Navigate marathon meetings with caution.
Navigate marathon meetings with caution.
Let’s face it, it’s tough to get out of meetings that run
too long.
It’s good etiquette to announce beginning and end times
for meetings. If you’re running the meeting, making sched-
uling announcements will (usually) be no problem. If you’re
not running the meeting, then a tactful question or two to
the person in charge—well in advance of the meeting, if
possible—will usually help you identify the ground rules.
If you’ve been invited to a meeting that is running more
than five minutes beyond its predetermined schedule, you
can try to excuse yourself discreetly, yet this is sometimes
easier said than done. If you can point to a pressing com-
mitment for which you must prepare, do so in a positive,
polite manner, and see how far you get on your way to the
door.
When you can predict that a meeting will run for longer
than scheduled, let the person who is running the meeting
know before the meeting begins that you must leave at a
certain time. Explain the nature of your commitment and
then stake out a chair next to the door to make your exit an
easy one.
Suppose none of that works and you’re trapped in a
meeting that simply refuses to stop? You’ll need to do what-
ever you can to make it through the session “alive.” If there
are regularly scheduled breaks, take advantage of them.
Stand up, stretch, walk around, visit the restroom. If you’re
consigned to a marathon meeting that has no scheduled
breaks, suggest some! People function better when they are
able to take breaks.

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115
Meetings
What you say might sound like this:
“Wow, an hour and a half! Jim, what do you say
we break for 10 minutes? It may help us brainstorm
better.”
“While we’re between topics, how would people
feel about a quick intermission?”
“This is a critical problem and I know we want to
tackle it while we’re all at our best. We’ve been at this
since 4—may I suggest a break for dinner?”
Key point summar
Key point summar
Key point summar
Key point summar
Key point summaryyyyy
Š
Remember that arriving more that five to 10
minutes early will likely be considered a breach
of privacy.
Š
Can’t help being late? Make a serious effort
to phone ahead and let people know.
Š
When you do miss a meeting, make a point of
apologizing forthrightly, rather than making
excuses.
Š
Learn strategies for redirecting colleagues who
go off on tangents during meetings.
Š
Become an expert at praising the positive
intent of an abusive or attacking meeting
companion.
Š
When you can predict that a meeting will run
for longer than scheduled, let the person
spearheading the meeting know before the
meeting begins.

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Business Etiquette

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117
VIPs
Chapter 7
VIPs: Dealing With Key
Decision-Makers
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117 
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