What those performance review phrases ac...

For many of us, January is performance evaluation time. Whether you’re writing one for your employees or will soon be the recipient of one from your boss, we can all use help understanding the “HR speak” so prevalent in these documents. What follows is a sampling of phrases from performance reviews, along with their possible translations. How many of these have you seen . . . or used? Phrase: Does not understand the importance of corporate attendance policies. Translation: You’re late every day. Phrase: Demonstrates an entitlement mentality. Translation: You think...

Write your way through a tough conversat...

It’s an occupational hazard . . . disagreements with other writers and editors about matters of style or preferences in punctuation. (Serial comma? Did someone say serial comma?) And while we are perfectly at ease arguing the merits of the singular they or the correct way to punctuate bulleted lists, we are not always eager to manage other types of conflicts. No one wants to initiate a difficult conversation or to deliver bad news. Why not using your writing skills to help? Think of your next difficult conversation or meeting as a writing assignment and turn it into a...

Words with silent letters that trip up w...

As writers and editors (and PR Daily readers), most communicators are all above-average spellers. You’re the one others call for spelling advice. You’re the one who correct what the spell-checker has mangled. You’re also the one who remembers the spelling rules you learned in second grade. Yet, sometimes even you can get stumped and stunned by spelling. That’s how you spell that word? For the incredulous among us, below are 23 words that trick even confident spellers with silent letters and other quirks. 1. Aplomb — self-confidence 2. Acquiesce — to give in 3....

37 alternatives to the word “seaso...

Have you ever referred to your boss, executives, or co-workers as “seasoned?” “Ann is a well-seasoned marketing executive.” “Jaden is a seasoned lecturer with 20 years of experience in high tech.” Please stop. I know, I know. Part of our role as corporate communicators is to write profiles and bios for our clients and executives. And sometimes it’s difficult to come up with new ways to describe our subject’s work experience. But “seasoned” describes food. Pork ribs can be seasoned. Grilled vegetables can be seasoned. People cannot be seasoned. Next time...

How to end face-to-face conversations

What’s worse than someone who talks your ear off on the phone? A co-worker or family member who drones on and on in person can be a busy communicator’s worst nightmare. It could be the neighbor who corners you in the front yard or the guy in line with you at the bar at a networking event. And then there’s the family get-togethers and the work holiday party—prime settings for long and awkward interactions. How can you politely and professionally excuse yourself in a face-to-face conversation? There’s always the classic: “Is that the restroom? Please excuse me...

How to shut down a never-ending phone ca...

Everyone has worked with someone who refuses to pick up the phone, insisting that everything can be solved through email, IM or texting. You might do it yourself. The name and number of a difficult client appears on your caller ID and you let it go to voicemail. You tell yourself you can call back tomorrow, but the next day, you respond to the voicemail with an email instead. Many communicators even prefer electronic conversations when it comes to family. How many times has your mom texted you with a request to “please call me when you have a chance” and you text her...