The Question & Answer technique was my new hammer but – as tempting as it was – not every communication needed to be hit on the head with it. Read more
A time for absolute clarity
There have been times in my working life when it wasn’t enough for me to get my facts right. I had to present the information in a way that was unimpeachable. My writing was going to be analysed minutely for any signs of a mistake. It was stressful to write under those circumstances, but I picked up several tips to help me avoid the most frequent pitfalls. Read more
Public speaking (Part 3): Encapsulate
Ideally, you will finish on something which reflects the essence of your talk, so that the audience regards the presentation as complete. You will signal your ending clearly, so that the audience knows it’s time for them to show their appreciation. And you will leave them wanting more. Read more
Writing an article
One of the great joys I have obtained from writing articles over so many years is the opportunity it gives me to vary my style (or my “voice”) according to the outlet I am writing for. When I started article-writing in earnest, my day job demanded that I communicate with clients in the formal style beloved of my employers. So the chance to be “me” – and to explore who I might be – generated a wonderful sense of freedom. Read more
Writing a report
Over the years, I have found that lots of writers initially baulk at the idea of using the Question & Answer technique for a full-blown report. But once they see how I do it, they realise that my approach deals very satisfactorily with all their concerns and their objections rapidly subside. Read more