How to Chair a Meeting: 12 Steps for Efficiency Business professionals are often in a position to chair a meeting. And, as busy leaders themselves, they know the importance of making sure the meeting runs efficiently to respect everyone’s valuable time, as well as their own. In addition to the pastries, fruit and coffee that may await attendees, those who chair a meeting will… Read More
Communications Etiquette: Responding to Work Emails, Phone Calls and Texts Responding to workplace communications in a timely way is part of good business etiquette. Nothing frustrates coworkers and business associates more than unanswered emails, non responses to phone messages or inappropriate responses to work emails and texts. Here are some tips to respond courteously and professionally to work emails, texts and phone calls to… Read More
How to End a Professional Email Businesses send millions of work emails daily. Often, however, the writer ponders how to end a professional email the best way. Consequently, part of good business etiquette is ending the email professionally. It gives an impression of you and your company or organization. As a business etiquette trainer, it was an honor to give an… Read More
Meeting Etiquette: Top 4 Meeting Pet Peeves and How to Avoid Them Meetings can be a way to focus on business issues, gather input and jointly solve problems. But, many people don’t practice good meeting etiquette. According to a recent report in USA Today,* attendees ranked the four meeting etiquette pet peeves below as the most annoying. Here are the faux pas and best practices to avoid… Read More
5 Power Words and Phrases to Use at Work Using power words and phrases at work helps inspire a more enjoyable workplace environment for everyone. Power words help motivate, encourage and build mutually respectful relationships with team members, clients and customers. Negative words can tear down, intimidate and discourage. Pick the power ones. It’s part of good business etiquette. You can’t go wrong with… Read More
How to Give a Great Handshake in Business A great handshake in business communicates a message of warmth, sincerity and trust. However, while a great handshake might not get you the deal, you don’t want to risk giving a poor one. For example, if your handshake is limp or just grips the fingers, it sends a message of weakness. If it’s a bone-crusher,… Read More
After-hours Work Emails – proper etiquette for responding You just sat down for dinner and your phone alerts you to a new work email. So, what is the proper etiquette for after hours work emails? Do you ignore them or respond to them? How do you draw the line between work and personal time? I was honored to be one of two business… Read More
10 Things You Should Never, Ever Say Over Text or Email 10 Things You Should Never, Ever Say Over Text or Email Before you hit the send button on that text message or email, read this list of things you should never communicate through a screen. I was honored to be one of the “etiquette experts” interviewed for this Reader’s Digest article. Using good “screen” etiquette… Read More
Should You Use Emojis in Your Business Email? 5 Tips You Need to Know Emoji Business Etiquette The question, “Should you use emojis in your business email?” is one of the most reactionary topics in my popular “Email Etiquette” training session. We all use email in business but rarely do employees receive any type of formal training in the do’s and don’ts of what makes business emails professional, including… Read More
Hot Tea Etiquette – 8 Tips to Appear Socially Refined Hot Tea Etiquette – 8 Tips to Appear Socially Refined While January is recognized as National Hot Tea Month, hot tea etiquette is important in business and social settings all year long. We’ve come a long way from the straight-laced Victorian tea times when afternoon tea was first established (and even the post-Edwardian period…think Downton… Read More