Snapshot: Communication breakdown
U.S. workers were asked: How do you most like to communicate at work?
Category: Communication
Prepare to take your tasks global
“What do I most need to be prepared for suddenly dealing with international cultures, people and ways of doing things? I’ve just landed a job with a big international marketing firm … I get a little nervous when they tell me about all the different clients and projects involving so many different countries.”
Acronyms and abbreviations
Acronyms and abbreviations are a great way to tighten up your writing and save yourself some keystrokes, but they’re only clear to insiders who use them on a regular basis. Good writers are careful to follow these rules for using acronyms and abbreviations.
Write an effective letter of complaint
Air your disappointment with a product or service by writing a letter that lets you vent while making your points clearly and effectively.
Fine-tune your body language
Your body language can often make a stronger impression than the words you say or the work you do, notes Caroline McMillan. This is true especially in the conference room. Here are a few tips.
4 ways to speak forcefully: Power presentations
Before you address an audience of one or 100, know your goal and prepare an outline to stay on track. Start with simple ideas and add complex points (evidence, details, case studies) gradually. Consider the pros and cons of four formats:
Make your writing far more readable
Is that a memo you’re typing or the Gettysburg Address? When documents look like one big block of text, it’s time to deploy formatting techniques to make your words more scannable and easier to digest.
Are double words allowed?
Microsoft Word’s grammar check alerts you when you repeat a word, but is repeating a word always wrong? Bonnie Trenga, author of The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier, says no. Here are several examples to illustrate when it’s perfectly fine to repeat a word.
4 tricks for sending clearer messages
Use these four techniques to polish your image as an effective communicator.
Most reliable interviewers: Admins
Bosses today value input from the receptionists and administrative assistants who come into contact with candidates during the interview process. What’s worth passing along to your boss?