In planning the perfect business dinner, most guests know that it’s not just important to have a seat at the table—it’s also about where you are seated at that table. Proper placement of guests is a vital component of any dinner event, especially when it has to do with a formal business occasion. When devising a seating chart, a host must take many things into consideration, including the position of honor, where to place international guests and details such as place cards and proper greetings. Knowing these finer points will help guests feel respected and held in high esteem and the host will be remembered for executing a most successful event.

Glossophobia –It’s the dreaded fear of public speaking – one of the scariest and most common phobias we all have – 75% of the population, in fact. First and foremost, think about the word presentation and, instead replace it with the word “conversation.” When we change our mindset of what we are doing, we automatically become more relaxed. Instead of thinking of performing, think of yourself as informing…. sharing some information that is useful to your given audience.Here are some other things to consider in enhancing your presentation skills:

“No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care”- Theodore RooseveltI have long thought that our profession could benefit from a more sophisticated approach to the “Protocol Gift”.

Ways to celebrate your workplace superior and to ensure your gift of gratitude is one that is treasured and remembered for years to come.

Remember the last time you were talking on your phone at the dinner table—ignoring your guests—your elbows were firmly placed right beside your plate, and you laughed so hard your gum fell out of your mouth? Well, we have three words for you: LET’S STOP THAT! In our never-ending quest to spread the word on social etiquette and eradicate bad manners from our world, we have some gentle reminders on seven offensive behaviors that we all might want to erase from our lives.

No matter your station in this life, there is one thing that we all have in common—our humanity. And because we are all human, we’ve all experienced moments of imperfection, faux pas, and public embarrassment. But just like children learn after falling off their first bike, the most important thing is getting right back up and starting over again. So when it comes to some of life’s most embarrassing moments, don’t run and hide, take it like a woman (or man) with these solutions for a quick recovery.

Even though good manners cost absolutely nothing, using them can be one of your most valuable assets in the workforce. Having good manners and using them to guide your own behavior and your professional relationships sounds simple enough but often people underestimate the value of this personal commodity. Most important, good manners show you have respect for yourself, your coworkers and colleagues, as well as your office environment. #MannersCostNothing

As we once again lead up to the next election, we offer up some thoughts on how we can all work to enhance and improve political discourse—no matter what side of the aisle you sit on.

We offer up 10 more reasons to attend and be part of an incredible opportunity to meet, learn and network with others inspired to create professional relationships through cultural understanding, communication and respect!

To ensure you always present your sharpest virtual image to your colleagues and associates, here are some helpful tips to remember the next time you go live from your living room:

Reminder there are rules of protocol to follow when displaying the flag to show the honor and respect it deserves.

July is Cell Phone Courtesy Month. By using good manners and etiquette, you can become a true patriot of protocol as you communicate on your mobile devices this and every month.

Candace Johnson has earned the top spot in our recent musically-themed contest to celebrate National Business Etiquette Week with her winning entry—an etiquette-inspired rendition of the current hit “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus.

With National Handshake Day being celebrated June 27, brush up on the protocol and etiquette of a good handshake so you will know how to properly extend your hand in any social or business situation.

When it comes to social media, most of us know there is a distinct defining line between our personal and professional profiles. While it may be perfectly acceptable to post a funny “face swap” video of you and your toddler, putting that same video on your LinkedIn profile might lead people to question your professionalism. But to help you keep your business (and sometimes personal) profiles on-brand professionally, here are some essential rules to follow:

In honor of National Business Etiquette Week (NBEW), we wanted to take this opportunity to provide a better understanding of our graduates and the amazing things they are doing! Jeannie Vaage is a 2013 graduate of PSOW. Here's what she shared with us!

During National Business Etiquette Week, we are putting a tuneful twist to this year’s celebration with our theme of Business Etiquette: The Soundtrack—with musical reminders of some of the most important business etiquette tips every professional should know.

In honor of National Business Etiquette Week (NBEW), we wanted to take this opportunity to provide a better understanding of our graduates and the amazing things they are doing! Liz Bryant is a 2018 graduate of PSOW. Here's what she shared with us!

In honor of National Business Etiquette Week (NBEW), we wanted to take this opportunity to provide a better understanding of our graduates and the amazing things they are doing! Omar Alvarez is a 2017 graduate of PSOW. Here's what he shared with us!

In honor of National Business Etiquette Week (NBEW), we wanted to take this opportunity to provide a better understanding of our graduates and the amazing things they are doing! Stayce Wagner is a 2011 graduate of PSOW. Here's what she shared with us!