Communication

Speaking tips from the Academy Awards

By Arden / March 2, 2016 /

Did you watch the Academy Awards this year? I thought it was a bit of snooze. Chris Rock had some funny moments – I loved the Girl Scouts cookie sales part – and some important messages about recognizing black films and those who make them. But, overall it wasn’t the most exciting Academy Awards show…

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Step away from your phone

By Arden / February 19, 2016 /

Times are indeed changing due to our relationship with our digital tools. What once was impossible is now possible because of our smart phones. We no longer need to wait until we get back to our home or office to make a call, look something up online or send an email. Smartphones, as well as…

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A verboten topic

By Arden / January 23, 2016 /

“So, do you have kids?” Have you ever asked someone this question? Such a seemingly innocuous question. But, it’s actually a very loaded, potentially painful topic. A few days ago I received this email from a newsletter reader.

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Conversation tips to make your holiday mingling easier

By Arden / December 16, 2015 /

It’s the season of mingling and celebrating. That time of year when you may be attending holiday parties, family dinners and the company celebration. If these events fill you with dread, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with socializing with strangers or people they don’t know well even if they are family or coworkers. But…

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A festival dining table with food and decorations.

Avoiding Thanksgiving manners mishaps and misunderstandings

By Arden / November 24, 2015 /

I love Thanksgiving. Not only are turkey, gravy and all the fixings my favorite foods but I love being with family and friends celebrating our blessings. However, with most gatherings over meals there are often manners mishaps and misunderstandings. To keep the peace I thought it might be helpful to share answers to some common…

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The gift of presence: A Thanksgiving message

By Arden / November 17, 2015 /

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love the focus on gratitude and being thankful for the blessings in our lives. I love spending time with family that isn’t centered around gifts, rather that we share the gifts of our presence with each other. And I have to admit, I also love turkey, gravy,…

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How to check the time without appearing rude

By Arden / October 23, 2015 /

I’ve been thinking about time lately. More precisely, I’ve been thinking about how to politely check the time when meeting with others. Keeping track of the hour in the presence of another person presents a few challenges.

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Dinner party dos and don’ts

By Arden / September 18, 2015 /

As we approach fall, the cooler months are a wonderful time to have dinner parties and cocktail gatherings, especially around the holidays. My husband and I love to have friends over to dinner. Whether a casual spur of the moment get together or a planned out dinner party, it’s always nice to enjoy the company…

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Four ways to promote your business on social media without spamming your friends

By Arden / September 7, 2015 /

Do you have friends who post promotional messages on your social media sites? How do you feel about their actions? A Clise Etiquette Facebook fan asked me how to handle this. She wrote, “It seems that businesses that promote direct marketing (e.g. The Pampered Chef, Rodan & Fields, Jamberry, etc.) within people’s social networks are…

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Tick tock, the clock is ticking: The etiquette of working with service providers

By Arden / June 29, 2015 /

They say time is money. Sometimes it’s hard to see that, other times when you’re paying someone an hourly fee it’s very obvious. A client of mine, who works for a law firm, asked me to address the etiquette of working with service providers who charge by the hour and the etiquette service providers need…

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