Texting can be a wonderful and convenient way to communicate, but in business, it poses new questions of etiquette and protocol – the when, what and how to use it wisely.
Keep these simple text etiquette tips in mind to ensure you’ll never annoy others or embarrass yourself.
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The way you conduct yourself through social media is a direct reflection on who you are as a professional. Yes, your reputation is on the line every time you send a tweet or post a photo to your Facebook page. Everything you share online can potentially be captured for the entire world to see!
To easily avoid gaffes and maintain your professional dignity and social grace, follow these 6 “Rs” of social media manners:
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Coworking – where professionals share one workplace environment – has become an increasingly popular style of work in recent years. A coworking space is typically in an enhanced “coffee shop” type setting, but with more multi-functional workspaces. Unlike a typical office environment, those who are coworking are not usually employed by the same organization. They are working independently, but in very close quarters. Just as in a traditional office setting, it’s important that members of a coworking space understand the etiquette of working side-by-side.
To get the most success out of your coworking experience, here are seven etiquette tips:
Does your coworking space carry a loud din of noise? Are most people having normal-toned conversations, meetings or phone calls? Or do you find it to be more library-like, where people speak in whispers or conduct quiet meetings in closed-door conference rooms? Observe and then match your sound level to that of your coworking space.
If you are at a shared table, use just one chair and keep your items contained to your space. Also, people are there to work, not to fill you in on the Wi-Fi password. The coworking staff is there to help with items like finding an outlet to charge your computer or fixing problems with the printer or coffee machine; however, know your boundaries. The office manager of the coworking space is not your personal assistant.
Wear headphones to drown out the noise, and to help you concentrate on your tasks. As much as you love your tunes, avoid humming or singing along with the music. When someone is wearing headphones or ear buds, it’s a sign that they do not want to be disturbed.
Did you just take the last cup of coffee? Make a fresh pot! Refrain from leaving dirty dishes in the sink. If you spill something on your desk, take the time to thoroughly clean it up. Eat your lunch in the break room rather than at your desk to prevent crumbs and other sticky residue from getting on work surfaces. At the end of your workday, pack up your things, put trash and recyclables in their respective bins and leave your space as nice as or better than you found it.
If you forgot to bring your own coffee mug, use a disposable cup rather than using someone else’s ceramic mug. Refrain from eating or drinking anything from the fridge, unless you put it there. Just as if you were headed to a traditional office, bring along everything you will need for the day – including snacks!
Take advantage of the networking opportunities that coworking offers. Make a point to get to know the others sharing the space. Coworking spaces often host events for members—giving everyone a chance to socialize, get to know their projects, products and ideas. That person sitting next to you might be someone who is looking for your expertise, or who could help you on a project you’re working on.
Also, do your best to get to know the owner of the space. Owners are always interested in learning about the companies and individuals who are utilizing their facility. You’ll likely create some excellent, mutually beneficial professional relationships.
Have you ever worked in a coworking space? If so, I’d love to hear your additional tips!
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The Victoria Day and Memorial Day long weekends are almost here! Both holidays offer extended time to enjoy fun, outdoor cookouts with family and friends. Want to make your BBQ a great success?
Here are some tips to ensure that your outdoor grilling is a success:
I wish all of you fun in the sun and an enjoyable holiday weekend. Cheers!
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We all have a few interesting stories regarding things we’ve witnessed in public washrooms. Those experiences sometimes having you shaking your head – really! Nonetheless, it is important to be respectful of others anytime you use a public space, especially if you are at work or a conference where colleagues can observe your behavior. Here are some of my tips to ensure the utmost in courtesy and cleanliness in this most necessary and vital of places.
My mantra is to leave things as nice as (or better) than you found them. Today’s building design regulations, such as automatic faucets, soap, towel dispensers, and seat covers, have made huge strides in improving public restroom cleanliness and hygiene. That, combined with proper restroom etiquette will make it a more comfortable, approachable place for all.
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Achoo! The familiar sound of flu season! The flu is spreading like wildfire through offices, schools, and entire communities this time of year. Whether you’re the one who’s sick or the one trying to remain healthy (while working in close proximity to those who are not), being considerate of others is key to reducing the chances of sharing the flu bug.
If you are sick:
If you are well, but work in close proximity to someone who is sick:
What additional tips do you suggest?
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Ah, the water cooler. It’s not only where can you grab a drink of water at work, it’s also where you’ll likely get all of the latest news from your fellow colleagues. With so many people quenching their thirst for both, it’s a high-traffic locale that certainly demands proper etiquette. To avoid becoming a topic of discussion at this most communal of places, here are some good etiquette tips to follow:
Form a line – First come, first served. If people are simply conversing and seem oblivious that you are waiting to fill your cup, politely ask, “Excuse me, may I please get a drink of water?” They’ll quickly make way for you.
Bottle vs. Cup – Observe and be considerate of others around you. If you are filling a gigantic water bottle and someone is waiting to fill his or her small water glass, take a break and let that person go in front of you. It will only take a short time for them to get their fill.
Avoid touching the water nozzle/spigot – Refrain from touching these with your fingers, lips or even the edge of your water bottle. With cold and flu season in full swing, it’s important to avoid and prevent the spread of any germs.
Replace the empty jug – If you were the lucky one to get the last glass of water from the cooler, then you are the lucky one responsible for replacing the jug. If you aren’t fit to lift a 5-gallon jug, find a friendly colleague who is willing and able to help you.
Replace the disposable cups – If you were fortunate enough to get the last cup, take a moment to refill the stock. Your thirsty co-workers will thank you!
Put trash in the trashcan – If you are using a water fountain, refrain from spitting out your gum or leaving any other garbage, such as used cups, in or on the receptacle. Leaving gum, spit or any other trash in a water fountain basin would be very discourteous to other users
Find a sink – Need to dump your old coffee? Rinse your soup bowl? Wash your hands? These are tasks that require a proper sink basin and drain. Be considerate of your co-workers and keep the water fountain and cooler clean and neat for the soul purpose of obtaining a drink of beloved H2O.
Clean up spills – If you spilled some water, grab a few paper towels and clean it up. Not only are you kindly removing your mess, you are also removing a potential hazard.
Following these simple rules will go a long way for maintaining your professionalism and respect in the workplace. Cheers to you!
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With boxes of heart-shaped chocolates filling the shelves at every grocery store, and carts filled with red roses at every florist’s stand, Valentine’s Day is a day that is hard to go unnoticed.
In the busy lifestyles that we all lead, it’s no surprise how many romances begin at the office water cooler. Although romance is in the air this time of the year, it’s good to keep a few etiquette cues in mind if you ever find yourself in an office romance.
Find out what your company’s policies are on the topic of office relationships. Some companies are more traditional and have zero tolerance when it comes to “fraternization,” whereas other companies are more lenient.
You’re at work, not on a date. While it’s tempting to flash a smile across the boardroom, public displays of affection are inappropriate in a business setting. Bottom line: hands off until you’re off the clock! Engaging in PDA is rude to your fellow coworkers and it also shows a lack of professionalism and respect for the organization.
Companies put a lot of time and resources into building their employee’s communication skills to ensure they are able to be productive and efficient in their work. However, when it comes to communicating romance in the office, its best to stay away from in-person and online “intimate” conversations.
As tempting as it is to send a quick and flirtatious e-mail to your office sweetheart, remember that you are on company time and companies have access to employee e-mails. The risk of accidentally sending a department-wide e-mail that was only intended for your new love interest is a scary thought! Getting the “pink slip” for this reason is simply not worth it.
Revealing to a colleague why you’ve had an extra twinkle or two in your eyes may seem innocent, but be careful when it comes to discussing any details about your office romance. If you really need to share, be very careful in choosing your office confidante. If you have decided to go against your company’s dating policies, we strongly recommend keeping the details of your relationship to yourself. Gossip spreads fast, even in the most modest and conservative offices!
When sharing any relationship details, keep in mind that the other person in the relationship is also your confidante’s coworker. Think about how work relationships would be affected by sharing details of your love life with coworkers.
Being within close quarters of each other at work can be an invitation for trouble. Requesting a department change for one of you might be the best option. The goal is to keep everyone in the game happy – especially the company.
If you work in separate departments, keep it this way. While keeping each other company during lunch is okay, frequent water cooler or restroom breaks will raise eyebrows.
Though there are complications to consider before you commit to an office romance, it can be an exciting time of your life. Especially during this time of year when love is in the air!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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According to the National Elevator Industry, elevators in the United States make 18 billion passenger trips per year and on average, each elevator carries 20,000 people in that timeframe. That is a lot of trips with a lot people in a very tight, awkward space. And I wonder how many of those trips are spent in silence? Crammed into a tiny box, we zip from one floor to another, staring forward, trying our best to ignore the fact that we’re shoulder to shoulder with complete strangers!
While I’ve already written about elevator etiquette in the past, here are some additional surefire tips on how to make the elevator experience less awkward for everyone:
Do you have any interesting elevator etiquette tips you’d like to share? Please leave a reply and share!
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“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it” ~ William Arthur Ward.
Many people are forming good habits in the New Year, such as exercising and eating right. I encourage you to add just one more – a simple daily dose of gratitude. It is an amazingly rewarding way of cultivating kindness, and January is the perfect month to start this new habit—it’s National Thank You Month!
Thank you notes can be sent anytime to anyone to let them know you appreciate them. Here’s the bonus: the amount of effort required to show gratitude is easier than exercising and eating right. In fact, one of my goals last year was to send at least one card a day. I thanked people not only for their gifts, but also for other kind gestures like taking the time to meet for lunch or for showing good leadership skills or supporters of my work. I was, and continue to be, successful in my daily thank you note endeavor. I know what you’re thinking – that you have no time to craft, much less send, a personal note. I use Send Out Cards (which I truly love!). You choose a card template, enter a quick personal message add your own photo, and then simply click SEND. Send Out Cards takes it from there by printing and mailing your heartfelt meaningful message for you.
Just think how delighted one would be to receive your beautiful, personalized note from you.
In addition to sending thank you notes, here are some other quick tips for celebrating National Thank You Month:
Take note of the warm feelings you get from expressing gratitude. Be thankful, not only in January, but throughout the year to those that mean the most to you. Letting people know just how important and special they are takes just a bit of effort, yet has massive rewards.
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