Netiquette rules / From nice to necessary

Communication between people underlies certain rules of conduct, and this applies to the Internet as anywhere else. Although some consider the World Wide Web a free-for-all, one should always keep in mind that impolite behavior or overly informal conduct can be offensive or even hurtful.

  Tip 1

"There is no second chance to make a first impression" goes the saying – and this also holds true for communication within the eTrade Center. The first contact will provide a first impression about quality and as such can affect the character of ensuing communication. Your first e-mail should therefore contain your entire name, all contact data, the reason for contact and a short introduction. E-mails like "Hi Henry, please send me information on your project. Regards, J. S." are neither adequate nor sufficient. Does J stand for Jane or Jack? Which project? Keep in mind that Henry is likely to get more than one e-mail per day! And how should Henry know who you are? The following could be taken as a 'minimum guideline': "Hello Henry / Dear Mr. Ford, I saw your message at the eTrade Center and would like to get further details about ... I am an engineer from Switzerland... Please contact me by phone or mail. Kind regards, Jack Sullivan, Zurich. Phone +41..."

  Tip 2

„English, please!“... unless, of course, you are looking for local business partners in your own language (e.g. an importer in Buenos Aires looking for customers in Montevideo or in Madrid). As soon as your target group becomes international, English is the lingua franca. Asian or US American companies are unlikely to react to your adverts if they are in German or Spanish only.

  Tip 3

The eTrade Center is an international platform and a meeting place for different cultural circles. Please bear in mind that communication ways and methods may differ between these cultures, and that written statements from trade partners and customers can be interpreted and understood differently, too.

  Tip 4

Phrase your messages comprehensibly and politely, and keep in mind the interests of the person you are communicating with.

  Tip 5

All messages and entries that violate our Terms and Conditions, and any illegal, fundamentalist, religious, political and/or racist input will lead to the removal of your profile.

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