1. Business etiquette knows no gender. Though your mileage may vary, men holding doors open for women may not work well in the workplace. I personally hold the doors for everybody. :-)
2. Always treat others with consideration and respect.
3. Introductions:
   • introduce the lower-ranking person to the higher first (e.g. "boss, I'd like you to meet subordinate...")
   • it's better to bollix up an introduction and then try to fix it than to not make the introduction at all
4. The firm handshake with direct eye contact is best. There are limitations, however:
   • Persons with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or some other repetitive stress disorder. A firm handshake causes them pain! And why should they confess their health profile to someone they've just met? If this is you, simply refuse the proffered hand with the words "sore hand," and maintain the direct eye contact with a smile. Sophisticated business contacts should have no trouble with such a response.
   • Handshakes aren't used everywhere. While a firm handshake may be expected in a big city in the USA, in Japan business associates bow instead. If you're doing business internationally, find out what's appropriate in the local culture.
5. Electronic etiquette:
   • just because you can doesn't mean you should
   • professional communication should not require emoticons ("smileys") for the audience to grasp its meaning
   • faxes should include full contact info and number of pages, and should not be sent unless asked for
   • conference calls should start with complete introductions, allowing all participants to identify later speakers
   • cell phone calls should not be made if you can't concentrate on the caller (for whatever reason)
6. If you make a mistake in etiquette, apologize without excessive groveling and move on. Don't make a big deal of it.

The way you handle these issues strongly effects your ability to make a convincing argument, to the extent that your audience is more likely to listen to you if you're not a jerk. :-)

Signs Improvement is Needed in the Etiquette Climate

• The boss ignores the staff.
• Employees are misdirected.
• A colleague needs your help a little too often.
• Nobody volunteers for anything.
• There's a fair amount of complaining and whining.
• The boss is unclear on expectations.
• Morale is low.
• We don't see an exchange of "pleasantries" (except in certain "qualified situations") because of caution around "strangers."

How to Encourage Improvement in the Etiquette Climate

• Recognize there's a problem.
• Take personal responsibility.
• Have high standards.
• Avoid personal criticism. Of anyone.

References

Bryant, S. "Business Etiquette You Really Need to Know."monster.com, 2000.
Ms. Demeanor
Koucky, S. "A Cry for Civility." Machine Design, 03.22.2001.