Articles

At the beginning of the 21st century we have the ability to publish anything on the internet. By the time the grammar trolls pounce, the errors are out there going viral and confusing readers who blindly copy these errors thinking it’s correct usage. In the face of other global concerns, worrying about the English language may seem pedantic. Yet, now more than ever, clear communication is critical. Is the English language on the fast track to regressing to confusion and unintelligibility?

Writing clear and concise business communications with exactly the right tone is tricky at the best of times. But how do you get the right balance when communicating with your clients or staff about an invisible virus that's causing its fair share of disruption around the world? Discover 5 common traps when writing about COVID-19 and how to avoid them.  

At Concise Writing Consultancy, we frequently speak to frustrated managers who are spending too much time editing their team members’ reports. Sometimes this is a symptom of a team member’s poor writing skills. Often, it’s because the team member has submitted a first draft genuinely believing it’s close to the finished product, when actually it’s not. Find out how adding one simple step in the writing process can potentially solve a multitude of writing problems and keep your manager happy.

By the time we finish school we generally know how to put words on a page, but that doesn’t necessarily mean our words will communicate effectively. Several generations of native English speakers in Australia have never learned the basics of English grammar. There are others who have achieved top marks in English in Year 12 at school but are unable to write a clear and concise email or a well-structured business report. If the writing we learn at school is not teaching us the skills we need for business writing in the workplace, a do it yourself (DIY) approach could be risky business.

In the digital era, corporate and government sectors rely heavily on the written word to report on issues, communicate policy decisions, and email colleagues or customers. With such an emphasis on written communication, many organisations see the value of writing skills workshops. But are these workshops relevant for managers and senior executives? Our targeted executive business writing training will keep you ahead of the flock.

With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) now emerging in more and more countries worldwide, many organisations, including Amazon, Apple and Google, are restricting employee travel. Extra care choosing the right words in policies, emails, board papers, staff notices and other internal and external communications will help prevent stigmatisation. It could also potentially help contain the spread of the virus in your workplace. 

We Australians are renowned for being laid back. We're also very attached to the concept of a fair go. Although American culture and language is becoming ever more dominant in Australia, every now and then you do still hear these beauties (or ‘bewdies’ as we would say in the land down under). 

Underlining is still sometimes used in headings or to emphasise words in workplace communications. Doing so could make you, or your organisation, look like a dinosaur. Find out why.

When we have a lot to say about a subject, we may find it relatively straightforward to write down our thoughts. We know what's important to us and we know what we want to tell our reader. The danger is, we may end up with a lot of words on the page that fail to communicate anything to our reader or bring about meaningful change. A subtle shift in the way you write can change this perspective and give you a competitive edge.

If you’re pushed for time or you want to give your report or flyer a professional polish, contracting a professional writer or editor is a wise investment. Qualifications, experience and expertise fluctuates wildly between writers and editors, so it’s important to take the time to get the right match. Find out how to avoid some of the pitfalls of hiring a professional writer or editor.