Top 10 Communication Gaffes in Business

John Walston
January 26, 2009 | COMMENTS

You'd think everyone you work with would know better than commit these business communication sins. But I suspect you can put at least one colleague's name to every one of the following:

1. Using your cell's speakerphone when you're in public. Not only is it annoying, but hearing both sides of the conversation generally confirms for everyone that you're not as bright as you think you are.
2. Not turning off the ringer on your cell phone while in the office. Once is forgiven in my office, twice may get you killed.
3. Forwarding a list of jokes (especially tasteless ones) to others in the office. Don't you have anything original to say?
4. Sending any e-mail or snail-mail message that begins "Dear Sir or Madame.” Even spammers don't do this anymore.
5. Hitting "Send" before reading what you wrote. Unless you do, you're dramatically increasing your chances of getting fired (or at least embarrassed).
6. Using smiley faces or emoticons in business correspondence.They aren't cute or funny. And they say you're not serious about doing business.
7. Forgetting that all e-mail sent from your business e-mail address is "business." There are plenty of lawsuits out there that will back this up.
8. Using "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" as your ringtone. Not everyone shares your taste in music.
9. Answering your phone during a business meeting. No, it doesn't mean you're more important than the rest of us.
10. Hitting "Reply All,” particularly when you're making a snarky comment. Need we say more?

This article was posted on John Walston's No Bull Business Blog and is reprinted with permission.