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Add You - Improve the Quality of Your Business Communications---And You'll Improve Your Bottom Line
B2 - It's Not About You mmunications are accurate. Check your facts, check your figures, and check your grammar!The object of every marketing communication is to prompt action. The action can be to remember a name, a price or a point of view. The action can be to call or click or clip. But if there’s no action, you’re dead.The only way to do this is to focus entirely on who needs to act and what will motivate them. Everything else is a waste of time and money.Yet the vast majority of messages are egocentric. They are all about the company, the products and the features. They are usually filled with either chest-beating or me-too claims that satisfy sellers’ needs and expectations and turn off buyers. The result – huge investments in ads, direct mail, e-mail and online camp 3. Organize your points effectively. Effective organization guides your readers through your message and helps them understand your purpose and major points. If your readers are confident that you know where you’re going, and you take them there step-by-step, they will be much more willing to absorb your message and draw the same conclusions from it that you do. If your message is unclear and your ideas are out of order, it will confuse and aggravate your readers, which is not the response you wish to create! Therefore, take the time to think through your message before you begin to write it down; if your document is particularly long or complicated, consider creating a brief outline first so you know where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. Challenges Facing Hiring ManagersAfter working with and learning from some of the most successful companies in the world for over 20 years, About Recruiting Inc. has seen several challenges facing hiring managers and those people on the interviewing team: Most companies lack a formal sourcing strategy and end up hiring the "best of the bunch" rather than THE BEST. In a robust economy or tight labour market, it is commonly assumed that the best people are working. In other words, they are passive candidates that need to be located. The wording in typical job descriptions limits the number of qualified people who will apply for the position. Rather than looking at what peo If your writing is badly organized, trite, and full of errors, however, your customers may unconsciously assume your products and services are below par or that you lack the skills to handle the job. At the very least, they will question your lack of attention to detail. In other words, written communications affect your company’s bottom line This is why it is well worth the time and effort to ensure that all of your business communications be as well-written as possible. How do you accomplish this? By understanding the four principles of effective business writing--before you place your fingers on the keyboard and begin to type! The four principles of effective business writing 1. Know who your audience is. Knowing who your audience is before you begin to write allows you to target your message to your readers. This means you can adjust your vocabulary, style and tone to fit the person, the message, and the circumstances. For example, at times you will want to write formally by using more complicated sentence structures and technical vocabulary. In this style of writing, which occurs frequently in annual reports, technical articles, and formal proposals, the author refers to herself or himself in the third person. For example, instead of saying “I” or “we,” you would refer to yourself as “the author” or “one.” You would also use "he," "she," "it," and "they" and completely avoid addressing your readers directly as “you.” In a more informal writing style, writers refer to themselves in first person using “I” and “we.” This happens frequently in business letters, magazine articles and academic journals. In this intermediate level, be very careful about addressing your readers directly using “you.” It may be appropriate to talk directly to your readers; on the other hand, it may be completely inappropriate. Think about how your readers will react before you do so and then use “you” judiciously. The friendliest, most casual style of writing, such as that used in sales literature, messages between friends, and “how to” articles, definitely does address the reader directly using “you.” 2. Use clear, brief, innovative and accurate language. When writing for business, be sure that your communications are clear, brief, innovative and accurate. They should convey a logical, unambiguous message using active verbs, normal (as opposed to Latinized or academic) vocabulary, and as few words as possible. For example, choose:
Above all, verify that your communications are accurate. Check your facts, check your figures, and check your grammar! 3. Organize your points effectively. Effective organization guides your readers through your message and helps them understand your purpose and major points. If your readers are confident that you know where you’re going, and you take them there step-by-step, they will be much more willing to absorb your message and draw the same conclusions from it that you do. If your message is unclear and your ideas are out of order, it will confuse and aggravate your readers, which is not the response you wish to create! Therefore, take the time to think through your message before you begin to write it down; if your document is particularly long or complicated, consider creating a brief outline first so you know where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. Medical Billing - CA0 Record Fields 1 Through 19 ting--before you place your fingers on the keyboard and begin to type!When it comes to medical billing, one of the most important records for electronic transmission is the CA0 record, which is the record for patient information. This record identifies the patient the services are being billed for. We're going to go over the individual specifications for this record so you will know exactly what is required.CA0 field 1, positions 1 - 3, is the record type, which in this case is the CA0 record. This field must be filled in with CA0 or the whole claim will be rejected.CA0 field 2, positions 4 - 5, is reserved for future use. The funny thing is, this field has been reserved for future use forever. Dollars to donuts it stays that w The four principles of effective business writing 1. Know who your audience is. Knowing who your audience is before you begin to write allows you to target your message to your readers. This means you can adjust your vocabulary, style and tone to fit the person, the message, and the circumstances. For example, at times you will want to write formally by using more complicated sentence structures and technical vocabulary. In this style of writing, which occurs frequently in annual reports, technical articles, and formal proposals, the author refers to herself or himself in the third person. For example, instead of saying “I” or “we,” you would refer to yourself as “the author” or “one.” You would also use "he," "she," "it," and "they" and completely avoid addressing your readers directly as “you.” In a more informal writing style, writers refer to themselves in first person using “I” and “we.” This happens frequently in business letters, magazine articles and academic journals. In this intermediate level, be very careful about addressing your readers directly using “you.” It may be appropriate to talk directly to your readers; on the other hand, it may be completely inappropriate. Think about how your readers will react before you do so and then use “you” judiciously. The friendliest, most casual style of writing, such as that used in sales literature, messages between friends, and “how to” articles, definitely does address the reader directly using “you.” 2. Use clear, brief, innovative and accurate language. When writing for business, be sure that your communications are clear, brief, innovative and accurate. They should convey a logical, unambiguous message using active verbs, normal (as opposed to Latinized or academic) vocabulary, and as few words as possible. For example, choose:
Above all, verify that your communications are accurate. Check your facts, check your figures, and check your grammar! 3. Organize your points effectively. Effective organization guides your readers through your message and helps them understand your purpose and major points. If your readers are confident that you know where you’re going, and you take them there step-by-step, they will be much more willing to absorb your message and draw the same conclusions from it that you do. If your message is unclear and your ideas are out of order, it will confuse and aggravate your readers, which is not the response you wish to create! Therefore, take the time to think through your message before you begin to write it down; if your document is particularly long or complicated, consider creating a brief outline first so you know where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. Make Your CV Come Alive - Identify Your Achievements and Keep them UpdatedYour CV is an important document but it can also be boring! Bring it alive by capturing real examples from all aspects of your life. When we apply for a job, we have to provide examples of our achievements, courses we have completed etc. Too often we only remember what we did after we have made the application.Let today be the day you start filling your own jewel chest. Let the diamonds be your achievements, the rubies courses you have been on, emeralds the personality testing results etc.What you put in your chest is up to you. I recommend a box where you can physically put things rather than a computer folder that you may not be able to find again, but you can k readers directly as “you.” In a more informal writing style, writers refer to themselves in first person using “I” and “we.” This happens frequently in business letters, magazine articles and academic journals. In this intermediate level, be very careful about addressing your readers directly using “you.” It may be appropriate to talk directly to your readers; on the other hand, it may be completely inappropriate. Think about how your readers will react before you do so and then use “you” judiciously. The friendliest, most casual style of writing, such as that used in sales literature, messages between friends, and “how to” articles, definitely does address the reader directly using “you.” 2. Use clear, brief, innovative and accurate language. When writing for business, be sure that your communications are clear, brief, innovative and accurate. They should convey a logical, unambiguous message using active verbs, normal (as opposed to Latinized or academic) vocabulary, and as few words as possible. For example, choose:
Above all, verify that your communications are accurate. Check your facts, check your figures, and check your grammar! 3. Organize your points effectively. Effective organization guides your readers through your message and helps them understand your purpose and major points. If your readers are confident that you know where you’re going, and you take them there step-by-step, they will be much more willing to absorb your message and draw the same conclusions from it that you do. If your message is unclear and your ideas are out of order, it will confuse and aggravate your readers, which is not the response you wish to create! Therefore, take the time to think through your message before you begin to write it down; if your document is particularly long or complicated, consider creating a brief outline first so you know where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. 5 Tips to Promote Your Coin-Op GamesWith a few rare locations, people don’t just play coin-op games for the heck of it. Between consumer video games, home recreation options and free entertainment in locations like televisions and radios, it can be hard to make a profit.However, here are five quick, nearly free, things you can do to nearly instantly improve your cash box.1. Create a Challenge2. Educate Your Staff (and location staff!)3. Educate Your Players4. Create a Mailing List5. The Media Can Be Your Friends!Create a Challenge:In the good ole’ days, people fought furiously for the top spot in the high-scores table on video games. Today howehey should convey a logical, unambiguous message using active verbs, normal (as opposed to Latinized or academic) vocabulary, and as few words as possible. For example, choose:
Above all, verify that your communications are accurate. Check your facts, check your figures, and check your grammar! 3. Organize your points effectively. Effective organization guides your readers through your message and helps them understand your purpose and major points. If your readers are confident that you know where you’re going, and you take them there step-by-step, they will be much more willing to absorb your message and draw the same conclusions from it that you do. If your message is unclear and your ideas are out of order, it will confuse and aggravate your readers, which is not the response you wish to create! Therefore, take the time to think through your message before you begin to write it down; if your document is particularly long or complicated, consider creating a brief outline first so you know where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. Getting Started As A Real Estate InvestorFor most of us, the issue is getting started. How do I start? Where do I start? And so forth.I know from my own personal experience years ago, just how intimidating it is to embark on a career change. I first became interested in real estate way back in the mid 1980's. I knew I wanted to increase my earning potential, and have a business where I did not have to worry about punching a clock. I wanted my hours to be my own.I love being out doors on pretty days, and sitting in a little gray cubicle day after day is for me, like being in prison, no matter how much "security" the job offers. I am wired to be an entrepreneur. Anything less and I am miserable. I lovmmunications are accurate. Check your facts, check your figures, and check your grammar! 3. Organize your points effectively. Effective organization guides your readers through your message and helps them understand your purpose and major points. If your readers are confident that you know where you’re going, and you take them there step-by-step, they will be much more willing to absorb your message and draw the same conclusions from it that you do. If your message is unclear and your ideas are out of order, it will confuse and aggravate your readers, which is not the response you wish to create! Therefore, take the time to think through your message before you begin to write it down; if your document is particularly long or complicated, consider creating a brief outline first so you know where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. 4. Edit and revise for meaning and accuracy. Writing is a process that can always be improved upon. Use the first draft of your document to put your ideas down on paper. But don’t stop there. Read through your document, asking yourself if there are better, simpler ways to express your points; if you have answered all of the questions you have raised in your readers’ minds; or if one of your ideas actually belongs in a different paragraph. Then revise your document. Because business today is so international, your written messages are likely to reach an audience that speaks English with varying degrees of skill. This is why--even when you compose a brief email--it is a good idea to quickly proof it for basic accuracy, grammar and spelling. Always schedule enough time to revise and edit longer documents carefully. And don’t forget to spell check! The bottom line? Business communications are crucial tools that help to generate customer goodwill, loyalty and sales. It is well worth your time to do them right or to hire an expert who can.
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