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Business Etiquette for Professional Managers

Apr 18-2013   



By Shiyao Liu & Hai Bin

On the afternoon of April 27th, Mr. Tony Qian Liu, Director of BiMBA International Program, delivered a lecture of “Business Etiquette for Professional Managers” at Wanzhonglou, National School of Development. This lecture was hosted by Crystal Fang from Career Development Department (CDD).

As China is increasing its international stature and enhancing its outside communication, it becomes more and more important for Chinese business people to pay attention to their business etiquettes. This lecture provides generous help for MBA students and encourages them to confidently enter into international business stage. 

It is said in the Analects of Confucius, “not to learn, not to legislate”. At the beginning of the lecture, Tony introduced the historical origin and development of etiquettes to the audience and explained the differences between Chinese and Western etiquettes. Ever since the ancient times, Chinese etiquettes have emphasized the differences between the king and the ministers, the older and the younger, whereas Western etiquettes focus more on the mutual respects and equality between two parties, as Tony said.  

Next, Tony illustrated to the students the similarities and differences among business etiquettes, social etiquettes, and diplomatic protocols. Although all of them are “etiquettes”, the purpose of business etiquettes is communication, concerning more about practicability. Social etiquettes, on the other hand, aims at promoting communication and developing further relationships, therefore, it encourages gentlemen to show “Gallantry Spirit”. When it comes to diplomatic protocols, equality is emphasized because diplomatic protocols serve for the communication and dialogues among countries.

Tony then moved on to introduce specific etiquettes requirements in a business occasion. From choosing the appropriate way to extend greetings, such as handshake, wave, bow, and cheek-to-cheek, to keeping a decent manner in a business environment, such as stand up, queue, and use a lift; from facilitating smooth communication in a business talk, such as learn to listen, learn to praise, and frequent eye contact, to organizing oral language and adjusting body language, such as not argue and fewer petty actions; from the techniques of making a telephone call and writing an email, to dressing properly in a business occasion, such as match the color and fit the body; and in the end,  the right way to eat western-style food.... Tony showed the audience the “dos” and “don’ts” in business etiquettes by vivid examples and humorous explanations. Laughter continued during the whole lecture, and some students were still consulting Tony after the lecture. 

Tony has rich experience in foreign affairs. He used to work for three years in Europe and has over ten years’ international trade experience. He received business training (including business etiquettes training) at the California State University. Currently, he works with BiMBA and is responsible for designing and teaching Chinese business courses targeting at the students from overseas business schools and the managers of leading companies. Meanwhile, he teaches “Business Etiquettes” to the doctors and masters candidates of CCER, PKU.

This event is the 6th one of the Career Development Lecture Series. Prior to today’s event, CDD organized a series lectures and events on communication skills, resume writing, group interview techniques, interview preparation and entrepreneurial path, all of which received enthusiastic responses from students.

Business Etiquette for Professional Managers

Apr 18-2013   



By Shiyao Liu & Hai Bin

On the afternoon of April 27th, Mr. Tony Qian Liu, Director of BiMBA International Program, delivered a lecture of “Business Etiquette for Professional Managers” at Wanzhonglou, National School of Development. This lecture was hosted by Crystal Fang from Career Development Department (CDD).

As China is increasing its international stature and enhancing its outside communication, it becomes more and more important for Chinese business people to pay attention to their business etiquettes. This lecture provides generous help for MBA students and encourages them to confidently enter into international business stage. 

It is said in the Analects of Confucius, “not to learn, not to legislate”. At the beginning of the lecture, Tony introduced the historical origin and development of etiquettes to the audience and explained the differences between Chinese and Western etiquettes. Ever since the ancient times, Chinese etiquettes have emphasized the differences between the king and the ministers, the older and the younger, whereas Western etiquettes focus more on the mutual respects and equality between two parties, as Tony said.  

Next, Tony illustrated to the students the similarities and differences among business etiquettes, social etiquettes, and diplomatic protocols. Although all of them are “etiquettes”, the purpose of business etiquettes is communication, concerning more about practicability. Social etiquettes, on the other hand, aims at promoting communication and developing further relationships, therefore, it encourages gentlemen to show “Gallantry Spirit”. When it comes to diplomatic protocols, equality is emphasized because diplomatic protocols serve for the communication and dialogues among countries.

Tony then moved on to introduce specific etiquettes requirements in a business occasion. From choosing the appropriate way to extend greetings, such as handshake, wave, bow, and cheek-to-cheek, to keeping a decent manner in a business environment, such as stand up, queue, and use a lift; from facilitating smooth communication in a business talk, such as learn to listen, learn to praise, and frequent eye contact, to organizing oral language and adjusting body language, such as not argue and fewer petty actions; from the techniques of making a telephone call and writing an email, to dressing properly in a business occasion, such as match the color and fit the body; and in the end,  the right way to eat western-style food.... Tony showed the audience the “dos” and “don’ts” in business etiquettes by vivid examples and humorous explanations. Laughter continued during the whole lecture, and some students were still consulting Tony after the lecture. 

Tony has rich experience in foreign affairs. He used to work for three years in Europe and has over ten years’ international trade experience. He received business training (including business etiquettes training) at the California State University. Currently, he works with BiMBA and is responsible for designing and teaching Chinese business courses targeting at the students from overseas business schools and the managers of leading companies. Meanwhile, he teaches “Business Etiquettes” to the doctors and masters candidates of CCER, PKU.

This event is the 6th one of the Career Development Lecture Series. Prior to today’s event, CDD organized a series lectures and events on communication skills, resume writing, group interview techniques, interview preparation and entrepreneurial path, all of which received enthusiastic responses from students.