Business Etiquette or Swag for days?

Yes, I must admit it. I am a millennial. I, like many other millennials, are the "kids our parents warned us about". We lack understanding of traditional authority, we loathe our government, many of the institutions around, and many aspects of the cultures we have been born into. We hate technology, yet we are so reliant on social media and information systems have made us so powerful. Our parents' generation despises us for nonconformity, yet in many ways members of our age group's nonconformity have brought us so many great  new inventions, ideas, lifestyles and new approaches.

With regards to business etiquette, I completely lack many of the things discussed on page 53's list of "etiquette" suggestions in Business Communication Today, 12th edition, Bovée and Thill. My spelling sometimes is questionable, and while I have polished grammar after review, I often submit things without proofreading. I also curse a lot, don't dress up everyday (if I am unseen in a cubicle especially), express my emotions and concerns rather than dress them up, and particularly don't care if I waste a subordinate's time with an email. I am also 100% okay with this. Millennial are slowly deteriorating the so-called "business-culture " and all of its formality. While I think "business etiquette" is an okay reference point for decision making and business conduct, I agree with many millennials who interpret these as unnecessary or even restrictive. This goes along with the business framework in general, with its high power distance and lack of employee participation in idea-generation. Google is one example of a company that is allowing for new innovation and idea generations thanks to its informality and avant-garde approach to business etiquette. Below is an article that details exactly how Millennials are changing the business world.


http://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2013/12/16/10-ways-millennials-are-creating-the-future-of-work/

I do think there are a lot to learn from learning business etiquette. I am an entrepreneur and for that reason it is crucial that I learn exactly how to act around customers and investors. Many of these folks are old-school and like to see well-dressed, well-spoken, professional young men, as it sets us apart and gives them confidence that they are making a wise decision. However, with my subordinates, I will take a much more millennial approach. I hope I can give employees the freedom to dress how they want as long as it isn't seen in a negative way, I also encourage creativity in communication. If my secretary emailed me information in haiku form or in $w@q language I would be thrilled (as long as it wasn't in an urgent situation; there IS a time and place.) Below is a list of good etiquette tips that I particularly like, however I believe that all of these can be broken without reprimand.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robasghar/2014/04/22/27-etiquette-rules-for-our-times/