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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

Work meetings are a waste of time, right? If you nodded in agreement, please reconsider. Sure, meetings can be inconvenient, and if we’re honest, a little boring. But meetings can also be an opportunity to highlight your leadership abilities and demonstrate that you are a team player. In fact, mastering meeting etiquette can help you advance in your career. How is it done? In your early career years, being prepared and punctual is key. At Spencer Crane Etiquette, we show the

Some think the thank-you note in business is outdated; others believe it's essential. Which is it? The truth is that the modern thank-you note plays a vital role in relationship building. Here are three simple tips to remember: 1. Email or Handwritten? Do you struggle with whether to send an emailed or handwritten note? Both are acceptable. In a sea of electronic communication, a handwritten note of thanks can help you to stand out from the crowd. But remember to consider you

You may be perfectly comfortable branding products or services as a part of your daily job, but did you know that your personal brand may be the most important brand that you need to promote? That's right; your personal brand can help you land your dream job, gain approval for a project you’re passionate about, or even get promoted. How can your personal brand do all that? By helping you to develop and maintain positive business relationships. Simply put, your personal brand

If you are in your early career years, the online universe is second nature to you. After all, you’ve been posting, tweeting, and sharing for most of your life. However, your new role as an employee requires that you take a second look at this potent communication tool to ensure that you present your best self to your boss and colleagues.  Read Your Organization’s Social Media Policy Be sure to read and follow your organization’s guidelines regarding what employees can and ca

1. I can manage two sets of dining manners - private and public; 2. Etiquette makes you inauthentic; and 3. Being nice is all I need to succeed. I encounter many etiquette myths, but none more than these three. Rooted in our natural resistance to change and a misunderstanding of what etiquette is and how it is used in the 21st century, these myths continue to cause confusion and to wreak havoc on the unsuspecting. Yes, there was a time in which etiquette was used to keep us