Email Etiquette – 3 Ideas for Effective Email Subject Lines January 23, 2017 | Rachel Wagner The first part of each New Year I receive an influx of email inquiries about my business etiquette services. Companies and organizations are planning their professional development for the year, and I’m always thrilled to share how I may serve them. However, in these inquiry emails, several things catch my eye, including the lack of… Read More
Teenager Manners – How should teenagers address adults? It depends… January 10, 2017 | Rachel Wagner How should teenagers address adults? With titles and forms of address such as Mr. and Mrs.? First name? It depends…on the part of the country you live in, how well the teenager knows the adult, and how the adult prefers to be addressed. Addressing adults with courtesy is part of good everyday manners and good… Read More
Toasting Etiquette Tips for New Year’s Eve December 20, 2016 | Rachel Wagner New Year’s Eve means it will soon be time to gather with your nearest and dearest. And a high point of the festivities is to raise a glass of bubbly to toast in the New Year. Here are five etiquette tips to help you kick off the New Year with style: A few minutes before… Read More
6 Ways to Be Positively Polished at the Office Holiday Party December 9, 2016 | Rachel Wagner Tis the season for workplace holiday parties. They’re a great way to unwind and get to know co-workers better. But, employees have to remember that it’s still a work event. Even though it’s called a party, it’s not the time to let loose. You’re on stage, being observed by coworkers, supervisors, and maybe even a… Read More
Texting Etiquette – 10 Telephone Tips For A Text Message Era November 21, 2016 | Rachel Wagner Millennials prefer texting, but phone skills remain essential. If you’re a Millennial, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that boxy thing on your desk by now. It rings and you can talk on it. But, you can’t text on it or download apps. Is it still a necessary part of your office gadgets? Yes, it’s still a relevant… Read More
How to Eat Oysters on the Half Shell June 15, 2016 | Rachel Wagner A lovely tray of oysters on the half shell was beautifully presented to our table as an appetizer on my recent birthday dinner at the spectacular Summit Club in Tulsa. As an etiquette expert, I want to always feel I know what’s correct for any situation. But, I will admit… I committed a faux pas… Read More
People Skills, Professionalism and Protocol Important for Career Success and Advancement June 14, 2016 | Rachel Wagner People skills, professionalism and protocol are never out of style. They’re important for career success and advancement. And, National Business Etiquette Week, annually the first week of June, is a good time to reflect on how to sharpen these skills. Even if your company does not provide personal professional development workshops, take the initiative yourself.… Read More
Etiquette | Social Media – 5 Ways to Be Appropriate at Work February 4, 2016 | Rachel Wagner While it’s true that most employees know proper etiquette for using social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, there are many who don’t. In fact, a recent survey from email security firm, Proofpoint, finds seven percent of organizations have fired an employee because of activity on social media sites. Ouch! And another 20 percent said employees have been disciplined… Read More
Etiquette tips – How to Write a Thank-you Note January 5, 2016 | Rachel Wagner Etiquette Thank-you notes are an important and timeless aspect of business and social etiquette. They’re a gesture of your gratitude and respect. They should be sent to anyone who gives you a gift, hosts a party, has entertained you for dinner or overnight, or went the extra mile for you (I.e., your cat sitter also… Read More
Holiday Gift Giving Etiquette For The Workplace December 2, 2015 | Rachel Wagner To give, or not to give in the workplace: That is the question. Just one of the questions, actually, since the whole area of holiday gift giving in the workplace can be tricky. Before you make your list (and check it twice) consider these five common gift-giving dilemmas, with expert advice on how to handle them… Read More