Bio

Arden Clise is an expert in the field of business etiquette and customer service. As an author, speaker, trainer, and coach, Arden helps companies have a competitive advantage through confident, polished, and courteous employees.

Author of Spinach in Your Boss’s Teeth: Essential Etiquette for Professional Success, Arden also wrote regular business etiquette columns for the Puget Sound Business Journal, and 425 Business magazine. She has been quoted in several national and international publications including Real Simple magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and China Daily USA.

Prior to becoming an etiquette consultant, Arden worked for several Northwest organizations including Washington Mutual Bank and Salal Credit Union and has more than 25 years of business experience in marketing, management, event planning, and public relations.

Speaking Topics

Spinach in Your Boss’s Teeth and Other Etiquette Dilemmas

Have you ever wondered what to say to a client with spinach in her teeth, or which bread plate is yours at a crowded table? Maybe you’re not sure how to introduce someone whose name you forgot. Perhaps you wonder how to gracefully exit a conversation at a networking event. In this interactive presentation, these questions and more will be addressed. You will learn practical skills you can use immediately to feel more confident and at ease in many business and social situations.

Digital Diplomacy: Email, phone, instant messaging, virtual meeting and conference call etiquette

Most business communication and interaction now take place over digital devices and means – cell phones, social media, virtual meetings, email, and voicemail. It’s important your employees know how to effectively and courteously communicate through these tools. The program covers the dos and don'ts of professional electronic correspondence, whether between colleagues or clients.

New Etiquette for the New Work Norms

The workplace we knew has changed due to the pandemic. Today we have hybrid work schedules, hot desks, new ways of greetings others, and different attire expectations. Inclusivity is more important than ever, whether it’s making sure remote workers feel engaged or including employees who are often excluded or marginalized. Much has evolved and so have the etiquette rules that guide us. Make sure you and your employees are ready for these new work norms to build productive relationships with coworkers and superiors and seal more client deals.

The Art of Running More Effective, Efficient and Inclusive Meetings

Meeting fatigue is real, so how can you keep your meetings on course and productive? In this useful presentation, you’ll discover how to facilitate virtual or in-person events that actually accomplish something where participants feel engaged, valued, and heard.

Customer Service Excellence

How your staff interacts with your customers or clients can directly impact their individual goals as well as your team’s and company’s performance. This seminar will equip your employees with the skills they need to create a positive, memorable experience for every customer and prospect, and increase your bottom line.

Virtual Meeting Etiquette Essentials and Best Practices

Virtual meetings have become the new norm for staying connected with employees, coworkers, and clients. However, your staff’s lack of knowledge of these tools could prevent them from having productive meetings and representing your brand well. Whether your employees are virtual meeting newbies or pros, participants will learn video meeting etiquette essentials, best practices and interactive techniques to effectively, professionally, and courteously communicate virtually.

It's Not Just Lunch, It's Business: Dining Etiquette for Everyone

A lot of business is conducted over a meal. Deals are signed, partnerships are formed and job offers are made. Companies know an employee’s dining gaff or lack of confidence could cost them deals or alienate VIPs.

Our essential dining etiquette seminar will teach employees the critical skills they need both as a host and a guest at a business meal. Participants will be more relaxed and confident, leading to greater success with the business at hand. For the seminar to be most effective, an onsite luncheon or dinner is encouraged.

Making Great First and Lasting Impressions

Business is made or lost on first and ongoing impressions. Employees who present themselves with polish, confidence, and courtesy will seal more client deals and build productive relationships with coworkers and superiors. The skills your employees learn in this training will give your company a competitive edge.

Effectively Managing Remote and Hybrid Employees

The COVID-19 pandemic made remote work not only a reality but a viable option for today’s workplace. However, managing remote and hybrid employees has some unique challenges that can lead to workers feeling uninformed, excluded, and disengaged. This training will help you navigate managing remote and hybrid workers so that the employees, manager, and team are happy, connected, and productive.

• How managing remote and hybrid employees differs from managing in-person employees
• How to build fairness and flexibility into your work group
• The importance of setting clear expectations that work for the employee, manager and team
• Making sure your employee’s technology needs are addressed
• Steps for building a more connected and collaborative mixed team
• Meeting dos and don’ts to avoid virtual meeting burnout and proximity bias
• The importance of staying connected without micromanaging remote employees