Tag Archives: business writing

Energize Your Email

By Phil Stella | Published: May 7, 2015

Every time you send an email to a customer, colleague or manager, it projects an image of your professionalism, competency and courtesy. That image should be positive whenever possible, or at least neutral, but never negative. Accept the reality that every email you send at work impacts your image. These simple suggestions will help you project your best possible positive image. Read More »

The Hamster Gets It

By Phil Stella | Published: November 2, 2014

‘The Hamster Revolution, Stop Info-Glut – Reclaim Your Life!, Mike Song, Vicki Halsey & Tim Burress, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., 2007.

A charming little tale about a hamster who learns about the Revolution and stops Info-Glut. Lots of simple tips about managing email.

Abbreviate Your Business Writing

By Phil Stella | Published: June 3, 2014

I’ve always advocated ‘Less is More’ in business writing. One simple method for achieving that result is … abbreviating.
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A Capital Idea for Punctuation

By Phil Stella | Published: April 2, 2014

Here’s this month’s addition to the ‘Mechanics’ section of  your Written Communication Tool Kit – Capitalization:

Capitalize

  • Proper nouns – The names of people, animals, places, days, months, holidays and publications.

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Start with the End in Mind

By Phil Stella | Published: March 1, 2014

Regular readers know that I often write about the importance of Audience Centricity – the single best strategy for getting into the ‘Workplace Presenters’ Hall of Fame’. So, if that’s your goal, the most critical component for creating a Best-in-Class Audience-Centered presentation is … to Start with the End in Mind, as Dr. Stephen Covey teaches us.
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Your Punctuation Tool Kit

By Phil Stella | Published: January 4, 2014

Time to add two simple but important punctuation marks to your Workplace Writing Tool Kits:
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Two More Punctuation Friends

By Phil Stella | Published: October 1, 2013

Good to know some readers still care about accuracy in their use of punctuation. Thanks for your positive comments. Here are two more little friends  to add to your Workplace Writing Tool Kit:
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Your Friend, the Colon

By Phil Stella | Published: September 1, 2013

I was pleased with reader reaction to my recent piece on contemporary punctuation guidelines. Several hoped there would be more. Not to worry … Today, get to know your friend, the Colon, when to use it and how to use it. But first, say hello to it’s little brother, the Semi-Colon. Read More »

Your Friend, the Comma

By Phil Stella | Published: July 31, 2013

Regular readers realize that I often rant about outmoded or irrelevant traditional grammar rules in the contemporary workplace. So, it might surprise you that I’d even know punctuation guidelines, let alone share them with readers. Will wonders never cease? That all said, get to know your little friend, the comma –  when to use it and how to use it.
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It’s Not My Fault!

By Phil Stella | Published: July 1, 2013

Why don’t business professionals write more effectively? Many reasons. I spend a lot of time working with clients in workshops and coaching engagements, helping them take away some of the pain they experience – and often cause – with workplace writing. They start out defining effective business writing, which is neither new, trendy nor complicated. Seems like everything old is new again. And they always get what it is, using descriptive terms like clear, easy to read, concise, simple, focused, etc.
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