I don't know about you, but I am tired of being in large meetings or luncheons and hearing a cell phone ring during the speaker's address. I am even more tired of seeing people actually answer the phone and whispering to the person who called as they exit the room. I think it is rude, and it happens all too often. I wonder, sometimes, if most people have forgotten the basics in business etiquette.

Not long ago, I was sitting in the office of one of our vendors in a first-time meeting discussing a project that his business was completing for our company. During our conversation he answered a phone call and within several seconds was deeply involved in that conversation. While I wasn't too shocked that he had answered the phone, I was amazed when he was still on the phone 10 minutes later and that he had, in the meantime, put his feet on his desk and reclined into his chair. It appeared to me that he had forgotten that he had a client sitting right in front of him.

In meeting with a different vendor, I couldn't help but notice that the same person who was trying to sell me something looked like he had just stepped through a tornado. His clothes were not pressed, his shirt was partway untucked, his hair was not clean, cut and combed, and he didn't smell like he had recently taken a shower.

Both of these people I mention above are owners of small businesses, and both of these vendors will not likely get any future business from our company. Frankly, they didn't care enough about winning our business to make me want to care about giving it to them. I have learned that there is a strong correlation between those who cannot handle basic manners and acceptable business deportment and those who are unable to handle the needs of a typical client-business relationship. It all comes down to professionalism.

Entrepreneurs need to think about the way they are positioning themselves in front of clients or potential clients. What type of nonverbal messages are you sending from the very first time you meet with them? Are you the type of person who has to move all of the trash off of the passenger seat when one of your clients tries to get into your car, or do you make a special trip to the car wash to ensure that your client has a clean car in which to ride?

While some may scoff at etiquette as being a "soft skill" that doesn't deserve your time, my guess is there are many who would profit greatly from reading one of numerous books written on the subject. For example, "The Etiquette Advantage in Business," written by Peggy and Peter Post of the famous Emily Post family, has more than 500 pages of etiquette techniques that range from how to format business letters to which utensils to use at a formal business luncheon.

Even if you believe that you already have a fair amount of knowledge on the subject, you will find many great tips within these books. You may not know, for example, that wearing a conference name tag on your right lapel, as opposed to your left lapel, ensures that people can readily see your name when you meet and shake right hands.

The reality is you need to dress and act the part of one who cares about winning the business of your clients. This is one aspect of your business that you can easily control. Don't let a competitor take your clients just because you didn't know how to appropriately play the business game. Be professional.

And, please, turn off your cell phone when you go into a large meeting.