Should Women Use Smiley Faces in Business Communications?

Recently I was contacted by a writer for the business magazine “The Virago.”  She was writing an article about women’s business communication and how so many women fear appearing “too aggressive” in their communication. Many women she talked to apparently felt like they had to add a bunch of smiley faces to their emails in […]

Why the Change in Tone from Speaking to Writing?

Do you ever notice how many people in positions of leadership in the business world can be friendly and casual in person, yet when they email or post a memo to staff they adopt a very formal, cold tone? Isn’t that a bit odd and counter-productive to all the rapport building previously done to win […]

Threat vs. Collaboration: How Do You See Others?

We are hard-wired to default to the negative, whenever not enough positive information is available about a person or situation. In other words, we do not automatically trust in the good of people or the world, unless we have sufficient reason, past experience or ‘proof’ to do so. We cautiously default to the negative to […]

20 Common Grammar Mistakes That (Almost) Everyone Makes

20 Common Grammar Mistakes That (Almost) Everyone Makes Column by Jon Gingerich January 31, 2012 I’ve edited a monthly magazine for more than six years, and it’s a job that’s come with more frustration than reward. If there’s one thing I am grateful for — and it sure isn’t the pay — it’s that my […]

Organizing Our Thoughts for Quick Delivery and Impact

Hello fellow communication enthusiasts, Today’s tip is on organizing one’s thoughts better so that we can speak faster and easier to others, especially when we are put on the spot or in a fast-paced work environment. Think of your intended message as an iceberg, floating in the ocean.  We can see the tip from the […]

A Great Post on Defining A Business English Program

Author Paul Emmerson reflects on in-work and pre-experience Business English. What is Business English? A naïve question to be sure, but a good one to step back and ask from time to time. Below, in blue, is a nine-point answer to that question that I wrote along with my colleague Nick Hamilton back in 2000. […]

7 Deadly Sins of Email

Ok I know this video could have been ‘spruced up’ a bit, but the content is practical and right on the money. Ensure you are not abusing emails!

A Thank You Card is Classy

Today in the mail I received a Thank You card from Leon’s.  Inside contained a hand-written note from Mike, the salesman who sold me my sofa a few weeks back (see previous post Mike Does Right at Leon’s). I think it’s great that a company is sending out thank you cards, and I think it […]