


Use expressive language to make your point clear
Writing in an interesting, funny, thoughtful, expressive way helps your reader (or listener) clearly understand your point. Here are some recent examples I’ve run across: “By yearend, investors of all stripes were bloodied and confused, much as if they...Earth Hour boosts awareness
There is still debate about whether turning out the lights for Earth Hour makes a difference, but I think there’s no question. It’s done an amazing job of showing the power of individuals to make a difference. Nearly 4,000 cities were involved this year,...Everyone’s trying to be Twitter
Everyone is trying to be like the shiny new toy, Twitter. My Internet service provider, Bell Mail, has launched their new “enhanced” mail service, and it wants me to invite people to join my network and update them on what I’m doing. LinkedIn and...
Weasel words in auto sales
Car sales representatives have a reputation that’s hard to shake. There are exceptions, of course, but would you generally link them with words like “honest,” “trustworthy” and “working for me”? I didn’t think so. They...Your Monday smile
Here’s a rare sight: a television ad that makes you smile, and you don’t even mind when it repeats several times during the show you’re watching. I’m talking about the Discovery Channel’s “I love the world” ad, sometimes known...Let’s kick-start the economy!
Tired of reading/hearing about all the layoffs, bankruptcies and other bad news filling the media these days? Do something! Here’s Michael Katz’s suggestion: spend your way to an economic boost for your own town. Michael is “Chief Penguin” (aka...It’s cheating to set the bar low
Have you noticed that companies seem to be deliberately managing our expectations downwards? I’ve run across this a couple of times lately : When I traded in loyalty points for lift tickets for a recent ski trip, the web site said it would take about two weeks...