As a corporate executive, you will have to be in tune with certain official procedures when it comes to visiting people in their offices or being visited by them in your office. As everywhere else, manners play an important in these official procedures.

When you call on someone you are the guest in that person's office, and when they call on you, you are the host.

Rules to remember as an official visitor

First, a guest is punctual and does not pay surprise visits.

When you arrive for an appointment, give your name to the receptionist or secretary along with the name of the person you are to see.

They don't take over someone else's space by spreading papers, briefcase or handbag all over the person's desk.

Guests also do not overstay their welcome. When your scheduled time is up, don't assume the host's schedule is so flexible it can accommodate you for another hour. Reschedule if you need more time.

Don't go wandering all over the office or disrupt the schedule of your host's office staff.
Try not to touch personal belongings or papers that belong to the office.
Be polite to everyone including the receptionist and the assistant who leads you into the office.

Rules to receive a visitor

When a visitor arrives for an appointment at your office, you or your assistant should greet him in the reception area and show him to your office.

The host's responsibility is to greet the guest and to make the visitor feel comfortable.
When a visitor enters your office, stand up to greet, regardless of age or gender.
Get up and come around from the desk to shake hands with the person.
Indicate where you would like the person to sit.