And just like that, 30 years have flown by
January is the famous month of new beginnings, and I’m right there with the newly rebooted “Sex and the City” in starting a new chapter. No, I’m not planning on wearing outlandish clothes and super high heels or making drastic changes in my...
COVID-19 dominates Words of the Year, not to mention our lives
The top word searches this week on Merriam-Webster reflected the chaos in Washington, DC: sedition, coup d’état, fascism, capitol, breach, insurrection and more. But take a look at 2020, and you’ll see what dominated searches and our lives almost all year....
Top 10 posts in the Red Jacket Diaries in 2020
As we say good riddance to 2020 (finally!), here’s a look back at the 10 most-viewed posts on my blog during this pandemic year. Words are my business and pleasure, and it appears many of you share my interest in getting rid of jargon and corporate buzzwords. Will it...
Marshmallows, glitter + more apt analogies related to COVID-19 (Wordnerdery)
For the past few years, my December newsletter has shared some “life is short” moments. I have more – and during these pandemic times, so do many of us – but I’m shutting the door on this dumpster fire of a year with another look at creative ways people have tried to...
More of everything you want to know about certification, exam edition
If you’re interested in pursuing certification as a communication professional, get ready. In January, IABC members in Toronto and around the world have a chance to write the exam certifying you as a Communication Management Professional (CMP) or Strategic...
More on what’s working in comms during COVID-19 (Wordnerdery)
As the pandemic wears on, is the pace of communication easing for you? Comparing conditions in May 2020 and September 2020, a Simpplr survey found that at first, employees received company-wide updates daily, even several times a day. By September, the updates were...
Fun gifts for writers and readers, 2020 edition
Festive decorations filled store flyers and shelves even before Halloween was over. A local radio station started playing Christmas music ALL THE TIME on November 1. A spell of summery weather shortly afterwards had some of my neighbours putting up Christmas lights....
In a confusing situation, aim to be clear
I was among the many Canadians glued to the TV, watching the election results with America. I made it to midnight, and went to bed when it was clear there would be no speedy result. One word kept popping out at me during discussions on CBC’s The National: Several...