Have you ever noticed that advertisers love to use-or misuse-quotation marks? You've probably seen signs like these:

• "Free" Checks
• "Friendly" Sales People
• "Fast" Delivery

Why are these words in quotes? Maybe the advertisers thought you'd pay more attention to their products or services, but sometimes quotation marks can imply a sarcastic tone. To add emphasis, these writers could have used italics or a different font color or underlined key words.

Morale of the story? Even if you're…

Some people compose directly on the computer, while others find writing in longhand easier. But the hardest part about writing is just getting started!

Consider using an Idea Map as a timesaving tool that jumpstarts your writing. Idea Mapping can generate twice as many ideas as the conventional listing and outlining of topics. Why? Because according to the latest research, our brain does not necessarily process information in lists. Idea Mapping allows for brainstorming and creativity before…

Whether you're a potential employee or employer, the image you present must be professional.

Boy, how's that for going out on a limb?!

Unbelievably, this often doesn't happen, so we need to talk about it. Case in point…today. I'm a member of an insurance group on Linked In. Here is exactly (thanks to copy and paste) what was listed on one of the discussions…

First, determine how many points you want to make in your message. Next, create an organizational mind set for you and the reader by including the number of key points  in your Power One sentence. For example:

• We have five items on the agenda for our next meeting.
• I see three problems with the system that you have recommended.

When your Power One sentence contains a number, you know where you're going, you know how many points you're going to write about, and guess what? So does the…

You can add increasing levels of detail to any document of any length by adding Power 4s and Power 5s. In most documents, you'll only need Powers 1, 2, and 3 to make your point; in others, you might need to define, explain, or elaborate more to make your message clear. Power 4s and 5s add authority and depth to your document. Just remember, each number must support or expand on the preceding Power Number. 

Refer to Chapter Two, Chapter Three, and the example in the Appendix of Business…

An article in The Wall Street Journal titled "Students Struggle for Words" points out, once again, the importance of clear writing. We know how a misplaced word, a poor tone, or an unprofessional document can ruin reputations in the snap of a finger. Employers beware!

Besides, this article, recently, I read some interesting statistics:

• 80-90 percent of our waking hours are spent communicating.
• Success in business is 85 percent dependent on effective communication skills.
• 80 percent of…

Cash Flow, the Zen of analysis, and paying for advice.

Summary: your financial statements contain the info you need to fix the problems you don't even know exist, but you are unwilling to pay your own CPA for this business advice.  

If you focus on the positive, won't that attract more positive things to happen in your life?  If you focus on the negative, won't bad things be more likely to happen? 

So what does this have to do with cash flow?

Most people recognize that by focusing on…

When you know how many points you want to make in a document, write that number in your topic sentence. For example, you might have five components to the new sales program or three reasons why your department should make a change. Adding a number to the topic sentence has several advantages. First, you quickly create an organizational mindset and give yourself permission to just start writing. You know where you're going and you know how many points you're going to write about. 

And, as a…

Some people get hung up polishing their documents as they draft. This actually slows progress and wastes time. It interrupts the writing process and causes you to spend valuable time polishing material you'll probably delete later! Good writers know that it usually takes at least three steps to get writing right:

First, quickly draft a document-just get your words down without too much attention to punctuation, spelling, or grammar rules.

Next, revise by moving ideas around, adding new…