From the category archives:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts from 2006 to 2015, workers aged 55-64 are expected to rise by 36.5%, but the most dramatic surge will be among workers aged 65+, who are expected to increase an incredible 80%:
Certainly, this supports the need to keep all business skills, including business writing, honed across our careers.
Career development [...]
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The BBC published a funny list of 50 reader submitted office-speak phrases that most infuriated business people.
Here are my picks from this article that best illustrate most common problems.
Redundant Phrases
“Here in the US we have the cringe-worthy and also in addition.”
“The business-speak that I abhor is pre-prepare and forward planning. Is there any other [...]
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David Silverman wrote a wonderful column last week for the Harvard Business Publishing Blog, entitled “Why is Business Writing So Bad?” which bemoaned overwritten, bloated language, so common in business writing.
Here is a fun and illuminating test David presented to rewrite a bloated phrase to clarity. Can you rephrase this bloat to three words? (Answer [...]
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Brian Clark, author of the wonderful Copyblogger blog clarifies 27 commonly misused words.
Being New England born and bred, I still have to stop myself from adding an “s” to toward and afterward, as “towards” and “afterwards” are New England colloquialisms. Do you misuse any of these words?
You keep using that word. I do not [...]
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Don Tapscott, the author of Grown Up Digital, explains how millennial workers (whom he calls the “net generation”) and baby boom workers find discord in the workplace as they intersect, primarily due to their differing relationships with technology. This communication impact will be felt more and more. It has become an important consideration as workforce [...]
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Erin McKean, the editor and chief of the Oxford American Heritage Dictionary, presented at TED (Technology, Education and Design), the annual conference that brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).
Her presentation is very relevant to business writers (and anyone who [...]
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“I have lived a long life and had many troubles, most of which never happened.” – Mark Twain
For all of us reading this blog, despite recent hysterical headlines to the contrary, this quote by Mark Twain rings true. While our world economy is admittedly shaky, if you are reading this, you almost certainly have [...]
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Last week, I wrote about voice in your business writing, and held up Michael Katz of Blue Penguin Development and Sarah Palin as both having distinctive voices (albeit very different). Voice is writing tone that displays a definite and well-defined personality.
I’ve received requests to provide a few more examples, so here they are:
Andy Rooney uses [...]
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Voice:
Admire or detest her, Sarah Palin has an evocative voice, as does Michael Katz of Blue Penguin Development. Palin’s voice oozes snark, and Katz emits authenticity and humor. A reader feels a clear impression of both personalities in their writing and speeches.
Good business writing needs to be clear. It also should reflect your natural and [...]
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One of my students told me this morning that he believed business writing “in this day and age should be casual instead of formal.”
This is a common belief, but it is incorrect. Business writing should be clear, not casual. Tone will vary, and should match the reader and purpose of the document.
When writing to a [...]
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