What’s the difference between the rising star whose career is picking up speed and his counterpart who can’t seem to get the engine to turn over?

According to Hilka Klinkenberg, the basics of professional etiquette are really quite simple. First, understand the difference between business etiquette and social etiquette. Business etiquette is genderless. For example, the traditional chivalrous etiquette of holding the door open for a woman is not necessary in the workplace.

Second, your guiding principle should always be to treat people with consideration and respect. Klinkenberg cites this basic decency as a frequent casualty in today’s workplace.

Here are a few of the specific dos and don’ts of business etiquette you are likely to encounter during your workday.

Introductions

The proper way to make an introduction is to introduce a lower-ranking person to a higher-ranking person. For example, if your CEO is Mrs Jones and you are introducing administrative assistant Jane Smith to her, the correct introduction would be “Mrs Jones, I’d like you to meet Jane Smith.” If you forget a person’s name while making an introduction, don’t panic. Proceed with the introduction with a statement such as, “I’m sorry, your name has just slipped my mind.”

Handshakes

The physical connection you make when shaking hands with someone can leave a powerful impression. A firm handshake made with direct eye contact sets the stage for a positive encounter.

Women take note: Always extend your hand when greeting someone. Remember, men and women are equals in the workplace.

Electronic etiquette

E-mail, faxes, conference calls and cell phones can create a veritable landmine of professional etiquette.

E-mail is so prevalent in many of today’s companies that the transmission of jokes, etc, often constitute more of the messages employees receive than work-related material. Remember that your e-mail messages are an example of your professional correspondence and should not include smiley faces.

Faxes should always include your contact information, date and number of pages included.

Conference call etiquette entails introducing all the participants at the beginning of the call so everyone knows who is in attendance. Be aware of unintentionally interrupting someone or failing to address or include attendees because you can’t see them. And finally, don’t put anyone on the speakerphone until you have asked for permission to do so.

Cell phones can be a lifesaver for many professionals. Unfortunately, if you are using a cell phone, you are most likely outside your office and may be preoccupied with driving, etc. Be sensitive to the fact that your listener may not be interested in a play-by-play of traffic or the other events you are experiencing during your call.

Even if you have impeccable social graces, you will inevitably make a professional blunder at some point. When this happens, Klinkenberg offers this advice: Apologise sincerely without being too effusive. State your apology like you mean it, and then move on. Making too big an issue of your mistake only magnifies the damage and makes the recipient more uncomfortable.