Business Etiquette for Today’s Savvy Entrepreneur: What Does Your Handshake Say About You

Handshaking – The Ultimate Greeting
An  effective  handshake  involved  projecting  the  right  facial  expression,  giving   the  appropriate  hand  shake  and  a  sincere  greeting.

• A good, well-timed handshake with your smile is a sure way to stand out, whether you’re at the company picnic or an industry conference.

• Here’s how important it is: A prospective employee/business owner with the best handshake is more likely to get the job/contract, research shows.

• Even if you’re not a job-seeker, or entrepreneur a good handshake will grant you instant rapport when meeting someone new. With that in mind, here’s a refresher course on the business protocol of the perfect handshake:

• A handshake is a part of many social interactions. It’s a way to introduce one’s self, offer congratulations and even a way to conclude a business deal. A handshake is a gesture of goodwill.

The Three Step Process to Handshake:

• Step 1: Facial Expression
• Step 2: Shake hands
• Step 3. Greet the person

Be Friendly

You should always be ready to initiate a handshake, demonstrating your eagerness to meet the person. Although etiquette rules once dictated that a man should wait for a woman to offer her hand, that’s no longer the case.

• Focus on the person you’re shaking hands with.

• Look directly into the person’s eyes during the handshake.The right hand should always be free.

• Keep your grip firm and assertive but not too tight. General rule of thumb: Grasp as tightly as the other person does.The left hand should hold only one item.

• Two-handed handshakes are a sign of real affection, avoid them when meeting new people.

• Extend your hand with the thumb up and fingers out.

• Don’t extend your hand with the thumb down and fingers curled.

• Connect web to web.

• Shake from the elbow, not the wrist or shoulder

• Two smooth pumps.

• Shoulder to shoulder stance.

Handshaking faux pas:

• No  eye  contact/  no  smiles

• A  limp  handshake

• An  overpowering  handshake

• A  handshake  without  a  greeting

Tips to remember:

• Be ready to shake hands, regardless of your gender or the other person’s. He or she will remember that you extended your hand first.

Show Respect

• Make sure you’re standing when you shake hello or goodbye. It shows respect for yourself and the other person.

Be Direct

• Look the other person in the eye. Don’t allow the handshake to linger too long, but you can show an extra bit of sincerity by holding their hand a second longer after the last pump.

Always shake hands:

• When introduced to a person and when you say good-bye.

• When someone comes into your home or office to visit you.

• When you meet someone outside your business or office.

• When you enter a room, are greeted by those you know, and are introduced to those you don’t know.

• When you leave a gathering attended by friends and business associates.

• When you are congratulating someone who has won an award or given a speech.

• With those nearest you, your host, and with whomever you meet as you move around the room.

• When you are consoling someone.

• When entering a room those closet to the entrance.

Grace and Charm Insight: In the USA, in the business arena, gender doesn’t play a role.  A man or women may offer his or her hand first. In European countries, the woman offers her hand first, business or social.