Jargon can seriously get in the way of business if no-one understands what people are talking about, or what they are writing about! I'm sure you have often come across messages that leave you feeling very confused, right? This problem happens when people use pompous or long-winded wording and phrasing to try to impress rather than to communicate. Yet really, the end result is that they do neither of these things!
Voice is a grammatical term that refers to whether the subject of the sentence is acting or receiving the action. Using active voice can considerably improve your writing style. Active voice makes your writing more interesting, more lively and more ... well, active.
Many communications are short and routine. You can write or dictate them without any special thinking or preparation. However, documents that are not so routine need more thought and careful planning.
In my workshops I always joke about 'Great Grandfather writing' and wonder how come so many young people still use so many old-fashioned expressions. I tell people regularly that we should keep our business writing simple (KISS = keep it short and simple) and use everyday language that everyone understands.
Business today is being conducted in a very informal way – in meetings and conferences we are using a natural, informal, more relaxed language, rather than stilted, formal language that was used several decades ago. So how come many people are still using business writing that is more suited to our great-grandfathers rather than 21st Century businessmen and women?
With the ever-increasing speed of technological change, we all need to stay up-to-date with new equipment and new computer programs. As soon as a new version of a popular program becomes available, we must learn it. When some new technology comes out, we have to have it. In line with technological developments, the way business is conducted generally has changed immensely over the last couple of decades.
On the job hunt, your CV is your most important tool. It’s your first opportunity to sell yourself – your skills, qualifications and experience. It’s your chance to highlight what makes you an excellent candidate for the position. Employers regularly receive hundreds of CVs for the same position, so it’s essential that your CV stands out for all the right reasons.