Category Archives: Rants & Raves

Why I Hate (2)

By Phil Stella | Published: February 9, 2021

I recently got a document from a client asking me to ‘review and comment on two (2) different versions of the plan’. I’m not making this up – people still think they need to tell readers that the word ‘two’ means ‘# 2’. Really? Most workplace readers know that and reminding them can be insulting or annoying. It is to me. Read More »

Why I Hate Hearing ‘Cleveland, OH’

By Phil Stella | Published: January 12, 2021

I regularly ‘attend’ networking or business events in Cleveland (zoom meetings these days), where people introduce their businesses. Lots of them mention that they’re located in Cleveland, Ohio or Lakewood, Ohio or Beachwood, Ohio, etc. I hate that. Read More »

Why I Love Verbs

By Phil Stella | Published: December 4, 2020

I Love Verbs – I really do. They’re strong, dynamic, action words compared to nouns, which are static things with no power or energy. Read More »

Why I Hate “Work/Life Balance”

By Phil Stella | Published: November 15, 2020

This month’s rant is about a cliché we all hear and many of us use – ‘Work/Life Balance’. I understand and love the concept …  but I hate the words used. So please humor this incurable wordsmith a little. Read More »

Why I Love Caller ID … and So Should You

By Phil Stella | Published: October 7, 2020

 I love Caller ID – I really do. Here’s why – my business phone is a simple residential line and the number is published. Yes … I still have a land line. Read More »

Why I Hate ‘So …’

By Phil Stella | Published: September 7, 2020

When did ‘so’ become the new ‘ummm’? Listen to any TV or cable talk show when the host asks the guest a question. Most of the guests start the answer with ‘So … ‘.  Perhaps a little less annoying than ‘umm’, but this vocalized pause gets old fast if each answer  begins that way. While ‘so’ is an actual word, it doesn’t add any meaning or context to the message. It just sits there … like a different version of ‘Um … ‘ Read More »

Why I Love ‘How …’

By Phil Stella | Published: August 2, 2020

If you typically answer the phone or greet customers with ‘ … can I help you?’ – nothing wrong with that. It’s short, courteous and prompts an answer. Good for you. But the answer could be ‘no’, since that’s one of the implied choices in this ‘closed’ question. Read More »

Why I Hate ‘Multiple’

By Phil Stella | Published: July 4, 2020

When did ‘multiple’ become the new ‘many’? ‘Multiple’ means ‘very many of the same thing.’ But so do ‘ many’, ‘several’ and ‘numerous’. These words are just as clear or clearer than ‘multiple’ without so many other meanings and sounding a little pompous. 

So, the next time you find yourself about to write or say ‘multiple’, try using ‘many’ instead. Better yet – shift from vague to specific by using a number, like ‘four’. I’d love that choice.

 

Why I Hate Unidentified Callers

By Phil Stella | Published: June 1, 2020

How often do you get calls where your Caller-ID indicates ‘unidentified caller’,’unknown number’ or ‘cellular call’? Happens to me a lot and I hate it. Actually, I should be glad I have Caller-ID to screen theses probably junk calls and help me ignore them. They usually don’t leave a message, either. And the few that do ask me to call them without indicating who they are or why they want me to reply. DUHHH! Read More »

Why I Love Uncommon Phone Courtesy

By Phil Stella | Published: May 6, 2020

Here’s a simple phone technique that will differentiate you from most other people when you make a simple call. It works very well whether you’re following up on meeting someone at a networking event, returning a call or simply asking a question: Read More »