It's officially back to school and families are transitioning into a new season. Here are a few simple back to school tips to ease you into the scheduled, structured days of ABC's. 1. Update your family tech rules. Summer “screen time” will no doubt change with the start of the school year. ... [ Read More ]
Mannerly Tips on How to Accept a Compliment
Have you ever given someone a compliment, such as, “You did a great job on that project!” only to get a response like, “Yep, I know…” or, “Of course I did.” Suddenly your sincere gesture of kindness has turned into a comment you wish you could retract. Telling someone you like his or her jacket, ... [ Read More ]
Business Etiquette: Closing Out Summer Internships
If you are a college student who spent your summer working at your first internship, there is a right way and a wrong way to wrap things up before you return to your college studies. I’m sharing my thoughts, hoping you already put my intern etiquette tips (Ten Etiquette Tips for Summer Internship ... [ Read More ]
10 Things Your Employees Won’t Tell You
Even if you think you are the best boss in the world, your employees may have a few ideas filed away under "room for improvement". Here are 10 things your employees won't tell you: 1. Your employee won’t tell you that your meetings run too long and most are a waste of time. He or she ends up ... [ Read More ]
Boss Etiquette: Can You Be Friends With Your Boss?
Due to popular request, I am reposting a blog that obviously hit home with many of our readers… You have a good job in a successful company. Even better, the boss seems very cool, the kind of person you’d like to hang out with and be BFF's with outside of the office. Word of caution…beware. The ... [ Read More ]
Business Attire: Small Details Make a Lasting Impression
When you are dressing for success you must pay attention to everything. Small details make a lasting impression and are vital to your finished look: The length of your pants. Ladies, the standard hem rule for a full length pant is ¼ to a ½ inch from dragging the ground. The front hem should ... [ Read More ]
Business Etiquette: Reducing Email Clutter
My recent post about virtual workforce communication included highlighting a few tools to help reduce email clutter and increase efficiencies, including Skype, IM, and SharePoint. The topic of reducing email clutter and the art of the business email is a topic worth further discussion, especially ... [ Read More ]
Wardrobe Etiquette: Summer Office Attire
With the spike of summer heat comes an opportunity to adjust your summer office attire for the rising temperature. Keep in mind that every work environment has a different definition of what’s appropriate, so the first rule of thumb is to check your office policy. When in doubt, look at what ... [ Read More ]
Business Etiquette: Tips for Success in a Virtual Workforce
I was recently quoted in an online Forbes article written by Steve Cooper, a Forbes writer and also the co-founder and editor of Hitched, an online lifestyle magazine for married couples. If you read the article, Master Your Virtual Workforce With These 6 Tips, you will note that we have been ... [ Read More ]
Business Success and The Art of the Trapeze
Last week I surprised my 13 year old daughter with a private trapeze lesson. It sounded like something fun and out of the norm, and it was a great excuse to visit Austin, one short hour away. After arriving in the parking lot where the trapeze “rig” was located, I told her about the surprise. She ... [ Read More ]
Body Language Etiquette: Nonverbal Messages
During an interview, your mouth is not the only thing that is speaking. Your body language is saying a great deal about how you are feeling and what you are thinking. In order to ensure your nonverbal messages are aligned with your words, be aware of the following gestures that are all signs of ... [ Read More ]
Business Etiquette: Misused and Outdated Terms and Phrases
I grew up riding a bike with high handlebars and a banana seat and thought nothing of asking my best friend, Joe Harris, to give me a “pump” home. I would sit against the “sissy bar,” between the tall front handles, or behind Joe, perched on the long, narrow seat. While I fondly ... [ Read More ]
Fashion Etiquette: Defining Business Casual
There are few terms that cause as much confusion in the office as “Business Casual.” A recent study found that nearly 90 percent of workplace dress codes have become less formal over the past 10 years. Now some employers are trying to reverse the declining trend and finding it difficult to get their ... [ Read More ]
St. Patrick’s Day Etiquette
Is there such a thing? Of course there is – there is an etiquette to everything, and a big part of it is simply behaving in a manner that allows others to be comfortable around you. Many of us look for opportunities to celebrate special holidays any day of the year. This year, St. Patrick’s Day ... [ Read More ]
Job Interview Etiquette: Follow-up Letter Q and A’s
The job interview isn't over when you walk out of the interviewer's office. The next step is following up. Just like the resume and cover letter that got you this far, the follow-up letter is another opportunity to differentiate yourself from other candidates. The interviewer is not only evaluating ... [ Read More ]