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When I was a young professional, I worked at a firm that loved to celebrate: Someone passed the bar? Let's celebrate! Someone getting married? Let's celebrate! Won a case? Client in town? Nice summer day? Let's celebrate! You get the idea. These celebrations were known as "balcony parties" and they were not only fun but also a great opportunity for staff to mingle with stakeholders in a low-pressure, genuine way. Still, these parties were work functions, and I approached them

It’s Monday morning, and you're finally making a dent in your to‑do list. Then you get pinged for an unscheduled Zoom meeting. In 10 minutes. You glance around your room, surveying the pile of laundry on your chair, realizing you're still in your PJs — and you forgot to update your software last week. You hop on the call with your camera off, feeling frazzled and hoping your audio doesn't glitch out. Video meetings move fast, and impressions form faster. Here are seven habits

Updated 2026 Imagine: You're at a networking event and someone you've never met turns to you and says, "So, have you been to this event before?" You smile, you have something real to say, and the conversation takes off naturally. No awkward silences. No reaching for your phone. That is what small talk looks like when you are prepared for it, and it is a skill that everyone can learn. For early-career professionals navigating client events, recruiting dinners, team gatherings,

It's official. Businesses are embracing the remote work model. According to experts, 40.7 million American professionals will be fully remote in the next five years. What does this mean for young professionals? This means that your online meeting etiquette needs to be flawless from day one because online meetings could be the primary—or only—face-to-face communication that you have with your boss and colleagues. But no pressure, right? :-) At Sencer Crane Etiquette, we show

'Tis the season! The holidays are around the corner. Are you struggling to find the perfect gift for your boss? Yes, your boss. In today’s modern business world, it’s possible to buy your boss a holiday gift without appearing desperate – or worse, if you consider a few tips. At Spencer Crane Etiquette, we show the young professional how modern business etiquette can boost her confidence and give her an edge over the competition. Before deciding what to buy your boss, conside

Updated: 2/17/26 Quick Reference Question: When you're dining with your boss, client, or colleagues, who should pay the bill? Throughout your career, you'll attend business meals at everything from casual sandwich shops to high-end restaurants. Regardless of venue, here's what you need to know about one of the most common questions in business dining. "More business decisions occur over lunch and dinner than at any other time, yet no MBA courses are given on the subject." — P