Austria's 'Mr. Good Manners', Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer, conducts seminar in Business Etiquette

MODUL Career has recently introduced extra-curricular seminars, workshops and webinars this semester to aid students and alumni in improving their personal and professional skills.

On October 23, 2013 MODUL Career was proud to welcome Mr. Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer who conducted a workshop in ‘’Business Etiquette’ for a select number of students.  In addition to being a famous Austrian business coach, Mr. Schäfer-Elmayer also runs his own dancing school in Vienna. He has been an expert in this arena for more than 25 years and holds up to 100 seminars per year in English and German.

The seminar covered subjects such as introducing people, appropriate greeting and table manners, dress code, invitations, table orders, and how to improve sensitivity. The participants were actively involved in role playing and learned that the prerequisites for a successful meeting are an open mind, interest in other people, and listening to what others have to say. The seminar began with a three course meal during which the students learned how to properly eat dinner in a business setting.

First impressions are extremely important, with body language being an integral component, emphasized Mr. Schäfer-Elmayer. He also stressed that it is advantageous in day-to-day work to address others appropriately, giving the example that in general business situations, the higher ranking person will ultimately decide which form of address should be used. Business is often conducted over lunch or dinner, so students learned that it is customary etiquette for a gentleman to open the door for a lady, allow the lady to proceed and then help her take her seat. At the end of the meal, a gentleman should pull out the lady’s chair with both hands.

MODUL Career’s mission is to create engaging and interactive high quality programs that are held in   an intimate setting with a maximum of 20 participants, allowing for practicing, group work, and role playing.  This series of workshops will continue in the next semester, taught by renowned and experienced trainers.  MODUL Career is looking forward to more students and alumni taking advantage of this unique opportunity!