Protocol & Business Etiquette
Overview
First impressions shape relationships with clients, partners and official guests. This protocol and business etiquette course gives professionals the knowledge to plan visits, receive delegations, organise official events and behave with confidence in formal settings. Small errors in precedence, seating or communication can embarrass an organisation, while careful protocol builds trust, respect and a consistently professional reputation over time.
The programme covers official and business protocol, precedence and seating, visits and ceremonies, gifts and correspondence, dining etiquette and cross-cultural courtesy. It suits protocol officers, public relations staff, executive assistants and anyone who represents their organisation, in companies or government bodies. Participants leave with practical checklists, greater confidence in formal situations and a plan to strengthen protocol practice at work.
Who should attend
Protocol and ceremonies officers, public relations and media staff, executive assistants, office managers, event coordinators and staff who receive visitors in ministries, municipalities, embassies and companies.
Training methodology
Interactive presentations, practical exercises, case studies, group discussions, role-plays where relevant, and a personal action plan that participants apply in their own work.
Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the principles of official and business protocol
- Apply rules of precedence, seating and forms of address
- Plan official visits, meetings and ceremonies in detail
- Demonstrate professional etiquette in meetings and dining
- Adapt courtesy and communication to different cultures
Course outline
- Purpose and principles of modern protocol
- Differences between official and business protocol
- Role and duties of the protocol officer
- Personal image, dress codes and grooming
- Forms of address and official titles
- Review of common protocol mistakes
- Rules of precedence in official settings
- Seating plans for meetings and conferences
- Seating arrangements for formal dinners
- Flags, name cards and table arrangements
- Handling last-minute changes with discretion
- Exercise: preparing a seating plan for VIPs
- Planning official visits from invitation to departure
- Receiving and accompanying delegations and guests
- Organising signing ceremonies and official openings
- Coordinating with security, media and venues
- Preparing programmes, briefs and protocol checklists
- Workshop: planning a full delegation visit
- Etiquette in meetings and formal introductions
- Professional communication by phone and email
- Dining etiquette and hosting business meals
- Giving and receiving gifts appropriately
- Official correspondence, invitations and replies
- Role-play: hosting a formal business lunch
- Cultural awareness in international business relations
- Gulf, Arab and Western business customs compared
- Avoiding offence through gestures and language
- Managing protocol for mixed international delegations
- Evaluating events and improving protocol procedures
- Personal action plan for protocol excellence
Upcoming dates and fees
No public dates are scheduled for this course at the moment. It can be delivered in-house for your team at your premises or in a city of your choice, or scheduled on request in London, Dubai or Istanbul. Contact us for dates and fees.
training@british-skills.co.uk · +447700100602 · www.british-skills.co.uk/training-course/protocol-business-etiquette