Punctuation Is a Sign of Respect
Punctuation provides structure and organization to written language. Has your smartphone gotten you into bad habits where it comes to punctuation? If the answer is yes, then your reader can think one of two things: The writer doesn’t know any better, and this is the best s/he could do; The writer does know better, and […]
Revising and Proofreading
So, it is over. You have finally finished the first draft! A quick proofread and you can be done, right? Not quite. Whether you are writing a proposal, a grant application, a college essay, or putting together the speech for the next quarterly meeting, there are a couple of crucial steps to take before you are done. […]
It’s an “Inside Job” — Internal Customer Service
What is Internal Customer Service? You are valuable and so are your coworkers. You all deserve to be in a positive work environment, where people are treated with respect.
Choosing the Right Word
Choosing the right word will guarantee that you will convey exactly what you mean, whereas choosing the incorrect word can sound wrong or can change the meaning of the statement. When do you use “input” or “enter”? What about the difference between “back-up” or “replacement”? How about “fix” or “resolve”? Ensure that words and expressions you […]
Vocal Quality Matters
Your Voice’s Quality & Power How you use your voice can determine the success of your presentation. This includes your vocal quality and use of pauses or silence. The information in this week’s email applies to Public Speaking as much as it applies to your small-group interactions and phone calls. The listener can learn a […]
Listening is Inter-Reactive: Tony Levin on Listening
An expert in his field, he makes his living on his ability to listen and respond appropriately. We asked him to help us this is Tony Levin on Listening.
Us and Them or We and They
Disunity means that people have chosen sides. It becomes “Us and Them” or “We and They”. They have drawn lines and decided who is on their team, and who is on the opposing team. This is most easily classified as simple, destructive conflict. Yes, LACK OF UNITY= CONFLICT. When in conflict, participants lose perspective (the […]
Accuracy with Language
Express opinion and fact in the correct settings to make your point effectively. Let’s talk about Accuracy of Language! It’s important to be precise with our words, especially when sharing opinions. Imagine you’re chatting with friends about a movie. Instead of declaring, “That movie was the worst!”, try saying, “I thought that movie was really bad.” […]
Numbers When Writing
We use numbers all the time. However, do you ever think about how you use numbers when writing? It is time to make a habit. Follow the accepted standards (listed below). Always make sure that number use in a document is user-friendly–easy to understand. Spell out numbers one through nine. One, two, three, etc. Use figures […]