WorkTalk

03/06/2023

The erasure of Jews from American life

04/01/2022

Here's an April Fool's definition of emojis. Enjoy!

English, like any language, is a body in constant motion. We maintain a system of grammar and syntax to give it an understood structure and clarity, yet we also recognize that language adapts as times and people change. GrammarBook.com has always advocated for proper principles of grammar in daily f...

07/08/2021

Writing "I wanted to..." or "I'd like to..." weakens our impact.

I wanted to let you know that I am your new sales representative... I wanted to tell you that I appreciate your help with this project... I'd like to thank you for your suggestions... Do

11/03/2020

https://mailchi.mp/worktalk/the-november-kindness-challenge-4798286

10/19/2020

The November Kindness Challenge

As we approach November 3 and beyond, many of us may feel stressed and emotional. As trusted advisors and friends, our job is to stay above the fray and strive to be the better person.

From now until the end of November, let’s commit to expressing kindness in all our communications, whether we agree with the other person or not.
Every Monday until November 30, I will post one idea from Worktalk that may help you keep a friendly, even tone in your messages. Here’s today’s tip:

Empathize: Put yourself in the other person’s place.
Tempting as it is to assume that the way we see the world is the only possible right way, we benefit from remembering that other people have their stories, too
When a person expresses an opinion or thought you find maddening, pause for a moment. Please take off your Virtual-Reality headset and put on theirs so that you see the world the way they see it. Once you look at the world through their eyes, you might understand their actions a little better. You don’t have to agree with them but see it from their side.

Please share this post on all your networks to remind friends that kindness counts. If you’d like to receive weekly tips until November 30, write to [email protected]

09/04/2020

Here, in remarks drawn from his letters, essays, novels, and speeches are 10 of Mark Twain's most memorable observations on the writer's craft.

08/17/2020

https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-a-communications-medium-email-ranks-low-and-sows-doubt-11597334537?st=9rw8kzebpf529pl
A recent study confirms suspicions that email is a less credible medium than video chat and phone.

Face-to-face meetings, video chats and phone calls all beat email when it comes to perceptions of authenticity, a study shows.

06/18/2020

https://www.inc.com/david-finkel/how-to-streamline-communication-with-your-remote-workforce.html?inf_contact_key=054b39861850013e5c9bbc45cb431d7dc9b359cd3c30ad03dee6fdfba69fa879

David Finkel shares some useful tips on prioritizing and standardizing email communications.

Having to go through 100 emails a day to find key updates isn't a good use of anyone's time.

06/12/2020

We lose influence when we annoy people. Sending a long email chain with "see below" at the top is a likely way to offend.

How often has someone forwarded you a long email chain with the words “See below” stuck to the top? It’s maddening! What precisely in the seven emails below are you supposed to be seeing? When people forward an email chain with the words see below at the top, they run many risks: not achieving...

06/09/2020

Something as simple as changing an opening and closing can make your emails more appropriate to the current situation.

Ending an email with ‘All the best’ or ‘Regards’ seems too detached right now. What can we say that seems genuine and compassionate?

06/04/2020

https://www.wsj.com/articles/people-who-type-two-spaces-after-a-period-just-cant-win-11591199528?shareToken=st5f4ca7f3b15245b58ecf6cb2b75373af

The double-spacers are doomed to extinction. Unless you're writing on a typewriter, use one space after a period.

Two-spacers say the extra room after a sentence is easier on the eyes, but the one-spacers keep gaining ground.

06/01/2020

Feeling stressed? Take a break from writing business emails and pour out your heart in expressive writing. You may feel your burdens lift.

“Expressive writing”—recording your deepest thoughts in short sessions—can help relieve stress and boost health.