Expert canvasses importance of protocol, diplomacy for top managers

Tope Adaramola being presented with certificate by the Managing Director of Europrotocol, Mrs Dusha Vidanovich after the training.

Chuks Udo Okonta

Business managers and top executives have been advised to imbibe trainings in protocol and diplomacy to achieve desired heights in their chosen professions.

Director, Public Relations Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance (NCRIB), Tope Adaramola, said this while recounting his experience after attending training on international diplomacy and protocol, organised in London by the European School of Protocol.

Adaramola, who is also the Chairman Ogun State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), noted that the challenges of forging social and business relationships across international borders have called for corporate executives to continually apprise themselves with knowledge about cross cultural relationship and protocol.

He said what distinguishes professionals in contemporary times was not the knowledge about their businesses only, but also social etiquette and respect for other persons across cultures.

Tope Adaramola (5^th left) and other participants at the training in London.

Adaramola noted that there was significant knowledge gap in the area of protocol and diplomatic etiquette in Nigeria and called for a change of attitude.

"Many forget that we may never have a second time to make the first impression, hence the need to get it right with people at first contact," he said.

The training was attended by participants drawn from Italy, Australia, UAE, Malta, among others.