Business writing

Showing gratitude can help build a work culture where people feel valued and respected.

Is there anything you can do before the black swan hisses?

Give it to me as a one-page memo! Many managers have received this directive from their bosses when preparing to present an idea. Ronald Reagan was famous for asking for one-page summaries and today many executives follow that example. It is good practice because it challenges the petitioner to reduce his idea to its barest […]

It pays to be careful with your words.

Have a specific reader in mind.

“People think that the first draft is the big event and that revision is cleaning up afterward. But the first draft is really setting up the chairs, tables, and cups, and revision isn’t cleaning up after the party, it is the party.” “All first drafts are terrible. I don’t care if you’re Hemingway.” “What comes […]

Professor, My name is Patrick, I was in Professor Bob’s capstone course where you came in and spoke to us about your book and your experiences in the business world. I graduated in May and have entered the Brand Licensing industry. I noticed that you recently worked with Krusty Krab. I was hoping you could […]

“Sent from my device” is no excuse for typos.

Clarify your feedback process.

Lists are your friend.

It makes documents easier to draft, organize, visualize, and share.

Use storytelling.

Read your work out loud.

Can you explain your idea in one sentence?

When I teach writing, my students always make the same mistakes. Semester after semester I present them with a list of errors they will make, and they make them anyway. You know what’s next: another list of things to please, please stop doing. But this time, as a quiz — you know, for fun. 1. […]

Quickly.

Simple changes could make them much shorter and clearer.

Put the paper down.

It's called the "one-idea rule" - and any level of writer can use it.

The "backloaded business sentence" must. Go. Away.