Stocks are inanimate objects, and the best investors have rather ruthless images. It would therefore be normal to conclude that etiquette and the values of stocks are entirely unrelated. True, junior analysts assigned to wealthy private banking customers are careful not to tread on any exotic toes, but by and large, stocks revolve around numbers, charts, and figures.
There are exceptions, and they seem to become more common by the day. Financial institutions may be conservative, and decades of experience is certainly a virtue when it comes to picking stocks, but the entry of women in to the investing space, globalization, and the emergence of new economic sectors, have contributed to making etiquette unexpectedly relevant in modern times. The trend is stable enough for top investors to become literate in the customs of polite circles, and to be aware of their business implications as well.
Sectors in Which Emotional Intelligence Builds Values for Stocks
Business etiquette has universal importance (Casperson, 1999). There is no business without customers, and everyone expects to be treated with courtesy. There was a time when this could be taken for granted, but increasing competition has brought business etiquette in to new focus. Governments and top professionals continue to enjoy monopolistic privileges, so bureaucrats, busy doctors, and celebrity attorneys may continue to get away with rudeness, but most of us need to be courteous to stay in business. In fact, the very success of any business that requires service and excellence, such as in fashion, hospitality, or catering, results in etiquette becoming an element of competitive advantage.
Etiquette is largely a matter of learning, and receptive people can learn quickly through their powers of observation, by using common sense, and by accepting feedback from colleagues (Casperson, 1999). However, a basic attitude of kindness, as well as consideration for others, is difficult to replace through training alone. Therefore, the best organizations, especially ones that rely on high doses of Interactive Marketing, will look for appropriate attitudes, and for basic etiquette literacy when hiring new recruits.
Is Etiquette Relevant for Stocks? (Part 2)
