Q: I work in an office that requires meeting over lunch at least twice a week. Recently, I can’t help but notice my friend, and coworker, chewing her food with her mouth wide open. I want to say something, but I don’t want to offend her. Should I mind my own business? A: You say she’s a “friend”, ... [ Read More ]
Elevator Etiquette: Being a Courteous Passenger
Cramped in a small, moving space with strangers calls for a special code of conduct. Follow these tips to keep the elevator moving smoothly and your fellow passengers comfortable. Don’t crowd the doors. Let others exit before attempting to enter. This means not forcing your way in as people are ... [ Read More ]
Spring Wardrobe Staples
Your professional wardrobe doesn't have to be boring to communicate credibility in your field. You can wear clothes that send the message of “office confident,” and still show off your unique style. With warmer weather knocking at our door, now is the time to do an inventory of your closet and ... [ Read More ]
New Professionals: Seven Tips for Hosting a Meeting
Hosting a meeting can be a daunting task, even for a seasoned professional. For those just entering the workforce, speaking in front of your peers and keeping your coworkers on topic may seem overwhelming. Effectively leading a meeting is an important skill in the corporate world. To create a ... [ Read More ]
St. Patrick’s Day Etiquette: Co-Workers Going Overboard or Just a Little Fun?
Save the kisses for your pet. Imagine how your best client would feel meeting you for a business lunch, wearing a beautifully tailored business suit, while you show up wearing jeans and a "Kiss Me I’m Irish" t-shirt! Silly outfits are best left for the kids at Halloween in the “privacy” of your own ... [ Read More ]
How to Deal With an Unresponsive Boss
Q: I have been in my current job for almost a year, and in that time I have had difficulty talking to my corporate boss about issues that concern me. Part of the problem is we work in two different cities and when she’s in town, she’s always rushed, distracted and taking calls on her cell phone. She ... [ Read More ]
Ask the Etiquette Expert: Right Person, Wrong Name
A: Most people find it uncomfortable to correct someone addressing them by the wrong name, when doing so actually saves them from the additional embarrassment that comes along with referring to you by the wrong name in front of other friends and colleagues. Letting it go only makes the situation ... [ Read More ]
Business Etiquette: Three Attributes Employers Value
An article on Forbes.com refers to a Stockholm-based employer branding firm, Universum, which compiled a list of data citing traits that employers value. Among them: Professionalism, Confidence, and High Energy. How do you display these attributes in a job interview when you are feeling nervous and ... [ Read More ]
Office Essentials: Details of a Beautiful Workspace
Most of us spend a great deal of time at our office desk, often hidden behind piles of documents and files, not to mention collections of pens, reading glasses (me!) and mail. Wouldn't life be grand with a workspace that you loved, and were inspired by every time you walked in? Here are a few tips ... [ Read More ]
How You Say It Matters: Pronunciation & Slang Faux Pas
You’ve heard it from your mother and your boss, “It’s not just what you say, but how you say it that matters.” Never is this adage more important than in business, when your professional image is on the line. This is especially true when it comes to pronunciation. Mispronunciation or a lack of ... [ Read More ]
How to Reach Your Goals: Inspiration from Winter Olympians
Watching the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics is always inspiring, and Sochi 2014 was no exception. It’s enough to bring out strong feelings of patriotism and awaken dreams within us as viewers! What I enjoy most about the Olympics is hearing the personal stories of triumph, challenges, defeat, and ... [ Read More ]
Social Media Etiquette: 10 Years of Facebook
Last week your Facebook news feed was inundated with videos of your friends' Facebook history. I did one myself and loved it. I have really enjoyed seeing how life for my friends and colleagues has evolved throughout the years. After all, sharing moments with family and friends is what originally ... [ Read More ]
Business Etiquette: Tips to Increase Your Productivity in the Workplace
From finishing the final proposal, to dealing with stacks of orders sitting on your desk, when work starts piling up it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here’s how to tackle your workload without going under: Rise and shine. Start your day off on the right foot. Instead of waking up and immediately ... [ Read More ]
How to Have it All Together – There is No Magic Bullet
This week, after posting my Bouncing Back from Failure blog, I received several heartfelt emails from people sharing how timely a topic this had been for them. One person even asked me to share my “magic bullet” on how to have it all together. There is no magic bullet! When you are reading a ... [ Read More ]
Business Etiquette: Rebounding from Failure
At almost every stage in our careers, there will come a time when we take on a project that fails miserably. We beat ourselves up and hang on to the upsetting emotions far longer than necessary. We all know that failure is a necessary part of life, the way we learned at five that the oven was hot, ... [ Read More ]