How to improve business writing? I find that my writing style is too simple and the partners always ask me to “wordsmith” my deliverables. I don’t make spelling or grammatical mistakes, it’s just a style issue.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Business writing should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. Sounds like people who don’t know how to write well are suggesting that you “fluff up” your content with BS jargon and fancy language. Bad idea. Give them copies of “The Elements of Style” and the “AP Style Guide” and find a diplomatic way to tell them they’re wrong. 😀

like

Thank you. I just got a copy of The Elements of Style.

Read. A lot. WSJ, NYT. Do it for your first 30 while drinking coffee or something.

likehelpful

Nah this isn’t what OPs superiors are asking here. They basically want what’s in their brain but for someone else to write it, which is as annoying as it sounds. Best bet is to find an older project that has same/similar text from this manager and adapt it to current project.

like

1) Study the writing they have approved.
2) Determine the key points that differentiate from your writing.
3) Apply to your current writing style
4) ask for feedback on how it matches their expectations
5) iterate

helpfullike

The AI idea is a good one also you will develop it over your career and get much better.

like

Put it through one of those writing AIs.

Depends where you work. My first instinct is to write emails in short-form, straightforward, bullets so it’s scannable. But, my firm loves narrative style emails.

In general, I think taking a top-down approach is consistently accepted as ideal business style writing. Start with the most important thing/input needed, then offer the details

after you write it cut 30% of the words out and vary your sentence structure. remove jargon.

Use active voice. And get the book Weekend Language. You can convey complex concepts simply, but it's different than simple words.

Related Posts

Does anyone know the starting salary for Premier Banker at Wells Fargo @?

likehelpful

Just moved to NYC & in-need of some medication 🌳 any tips on finding a plug without being creepy or alienating the few acquaintances I have here?

like

A real gem from Henry Ford: "stopping advertising to save money is like stopping your watch to save time."

likeuplifting

Should I be concerned for my career with lack of billable projects? Background: Analyst hired out of undergrad in July 2020. I have worked on 3 proposals in the last 2 weeks, and 5 in the last 2 months. In the past year since I was hired, I have 8 months of billable work which is actually slightly higher than the other Analysts I joined with. Should I keep collecting paychecks and hoping for projects, or is this a serious issue that should prompt an exit strategy?

likefunny

Anyone else hoping for that H1B this year?

like

I get that you’re “old fashioned.”

I don’t care. Please message me before you call. (ESP at 8am 🙄)

like

Has anyone attended Software Development Engineer , Alexa AI interview recently. Can anyone pls share their experience.

like

Anyone willing to provide a referral for Accenture M&A strategy? 2 YOE PI consulting and 2 YOE transaction advisory (not an analyst anymore). Checking out the consultant role and heard the culture is great!

like

What is Data & Analytics Analyst - DA B7. in Natwest group And Corporate Title is Associate. What is the CTC band for this role. How much maximum ctc can be expected in this role with 4 years of experience.
Natwest group

like
like

I'm trying to suss out if a new member of our dept hates me or my team (she manages a different team).

My initial take is she's just hard to read and probably a tightly controlled introvert. My direct report felt she's 'cold as ice,' 'bristling' at our suggestions, and forming a clique that wants to do their own thing with no input from our team. He's triggered very easily, and there was no explicit evidence, just a 'vibe' so I wrote it off. (See 1st comment)

like

Has anyone here lived around 23st & 11ave? What is it like? Ideally would’ve loved to live in the west village but it’s too $$$ and figuring Chelsea maybe can be okay — just concerned that 11ave might feel too isolated and far west? Any insights here would be great! I’m currently living in LES with everything pretty much down the street

like

what's the retirement age at Publicis Sapient ?
Is it good for retirement?
I am just 6 YOE, but thought about it as I have offer from ibm

funny

How do you sign your emails? Close with �Best�? �regards�, etc.?

like

need advice.

I have been working in an interim role as a portfolio manager. I was promised that the role would be mine. However, after doing the job for 2 months, I have been advised that we might not get the funding for the role and I might not get the raise and the title but my responsibilities will be the same.

Its a political minefield.

How should I back out elegantly that I need to be compensated fairly and competitively from this mess without burning any bridges

Are you raising your kids as vegetarians?

like

Has anyone got the PDF version of the PMBOK - sixth edition and would be willing to send it to me?

What types of projects should I work on if I want to transition into a data science role? I have a comp sci background and currently work with large data sets; ensuring quality and accuracy

like

I haven’t started yet, but have had a couple of Accenture PMs reach out regarding open roles for upcoming projects. All meetings have gone fine and promising, only to lead up to a rejection that they’re moving with another resource. Does Accenture move quickly in resourcing for projects?

funnylike

Additional Posts in Consulting

Has anyone or know anyone been fired/layed off and got in another big 4?

like

Currently in the cloud space. When is a good time to exit consulting? Goal is to become a tech lead in a mid to large size corporate. Thanks.

like

Learned that I’ll be laid off next week. Setting up networking meetings now to find something new, but know it will take time. How do you explain a lay off or gap in employment to potential employers?

like

What’s the deal on this Deloitte SC = Accenture M situation? Have heard versions where this is known fact and versions where this is considered nonsense. Recruiters are reaching out and I’m trying to gauge whether it’s worth exploring. SC in EP at Deloitte - thank you in advance!

like

July 4th, 1776. The original Brexit

like

I just started a new job. I left my previous job because the environment wasn’t healthy and almost all of my colleagues left. The team at my new job is nice but the nature of the work doesn’t align with my interests/is not as unexpected and I’m struggling to stay motivated. I realize I made a poor decision. How bad would it be to quit after only 2-4 weeks? Or, instead of quitting should I ask if I can move internally?

like

If you join any of the Big 4 as an experienced hire, is it possible to get laid off before your first project?

like

Living and working in ey McLean office?

like

Hooked up w/ a couple individuals on the same account. So much fun, yet so dangerous.

like

Don’t have any friends to talk to this about but just spent a whole year doing a live-in renovation of my house and only living out of a single suitcase. I would like to thank my pre-Covid travel experiences for providing the skill set. Additionally, all my government projects for giving me confidence in buying an as-is house and figuring it out as I go. Thank you WFH

likefunny

Anyone else ever dealt with a severe „writers block“? Like not being able to produce a single slide? Full on anxiety and not sure how to push through this.

like

Someone I worked a couple projects and had little respect for is now at McK. I now have less respect for their "prestige".

funnylike

Kearney what are your fastest growing practices?

like

Thinking about leaving consulting after ~1 year for a startup I’m interested in but feeling like I still have a lot more to learn/explore with consulting. Would it be unwise to exit now and potentially find my way back later?

like

When your dad is a consultant plastic surgeon and you tell him you got promoted from analyst to management consultant >>>>

likefunny

Applied for a role at big4 via a recruiter and he said I can’t apply for any roles direct to this company for the next 6 months - is this normal?

like

Which of the big consulting firms are the best for data science / analytics / cloud?

like

Those who have undergone layoffs... Our fallen sisters and brothers... What are the plans now? Would be especially interested in hearing from those not planning to go to another consulting firm.

like

Anyone have any first hand experience of seeing the benefits of putting Big 4 on resume?

like

Please travel gods. Put the only hot girl on my flight next to me 🙌🏻

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal