Jun 24, 2019 | Effective Writing, Punctuation and Grammar
When do you use a dash? And why not a hyphen? The two marks serve different purposes, leaving many people puzzled. The traditional dash is what some people refer to as the em dash. It is thicker and longer than the hyphen, often called the en dash. The dash separates...
Jun 11, 2019 | Communication, Effective Writing, Managing, Persuasion
To persuade someone to comply with your request, use specific details, not vague statistics. Vivid description enables people to “see.” Your point is more compelling when you present the audience with information that has imagery, because people can...
Jun 3, 2019 | Communication, Effective Writing
Interviewing skills are not the domain only of reporters, police officers, or job recruiters. The ability to ask good questions is important for all business professionals, because the quality of the answers will depend on the questions. We ask questions every day...
Oct 2, 2018 | Communication, Editing, Effective Writing, Managing, Persuasion, Punctuation and Grammar
Managers and executives who want to motivate employees try various tactics: contests, free food, bonuses, and rousing speeches from a stage. But research shows that improving job performance can be as simple as explaining to them that their work has a meaningful...
Jul 2, 2018 | Effective Writing, Resource
Little, Brown Handbook, a simplified, comprehensive book on all aspects of writing. The Grammar Bible: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Grammar but Didn’t Know Whom to Ask, by Michael Strumpf. The Write Way: The S/P.E.L.L. Guide to Real-LIfe Writing,...
Jul 2, 2018 | Effective Writing, Resource
An essential way to become a stronger writer is to be conscientious when you write, to think about principles and techniques of good writing that apply to the type of communication you are composing. That knowledge comes in part from good resources: books, articles,...