by Jody Bruner
Have you noticed that everyone is telling stories lately? Google “storytelling in business,” and you’ll find marketers telling brand stories, trainers using stories to drive their points home and structure learning events, leaders telling stories to inspire and motivate, and presenters telling stories to bring dry content to life and engage their audiences. Read more →
by Brittany Moor
I was recently talking to a new client about writing skills training for their team. Her organization had run similar training before, and she told me “it could have included more detail.” So of course, I asked her to tell me more! She said she was looking for a more targeted approach this time. So, I asked again: “Tell me more. What does a targeted approach look like to you?” Read more →
by Jody Bruner
We’re updating our annotated list of references in our writing skills manual and thought you may find some inspiration. Below you’ll find a collection of some of our favorite books that explore everything from ESL grammar to texting and email. Read more →
by Brittany Moor
In today’s digital world, more and more of our conversations are happening through a screen. Between emails, texts, instant messages and social media, we often struggle to convey tone and meaning with just our words. Read more →
by Jody Bruner
In business, we’re often offering or asking for help. But in your communications, do you offer to assist instead? Read more →
by Jody Bruner
Business readers are impatient and often scan when they read, so writers need strategies to make important information leap off the page. Read more →
by Brittany Moor
I studied science in university, and I had to write a lot. My university experience was filled with lab reports, research papers, formal and informal scientific presentations, proposals, essay questions… the list goes on. To achieve top marks, I was taught that my writing method should mimic the scientific method: present my conclusions and recommendations at the very end of my document. When I started working in the real world, I began to realize this method didn’t work as well as I thought, and I struggled to present myself as a credible professional. Read more →
by Lesley Nevills
Have you ever had to read a message several times just to understand it? We’ve all been on the receiving end of emails like that, and our impulse is to hit delete. But what if that email includes information you need, or it comes from someone you can’t ignore?
Many writers fall into the trap of writing in a vague and bureaucratic style because they think it makes them sound more formal or professional, but it confuses and challenges the reader. So, if you don’t want your readers to hit delete, use a modern written communication style that engages your reader with a friendly, conversational tone. To be effective, let your human voice come through.
Who would you prefer to work with – Writer A or Writer B? Read more →