Leaders need to be good writers

<figure> <img src="https://garybandy.micro.blog/uploads/2023/659a875553.jpg" alt /> </figure> <p>Recently I read an article by Adam Bryant, a former editor at the <em>New York Times</em>, in which he explained

Writing tip: write like an Axios reporter

<p>Axios write news stories to get “you smarter, faster on what matters”.</p> <p>It seems obvious to me that accountants and auditors write news stories, too. Email is probably the most frequently-used channel for these “news stories” but board reports, audit findings

The second instalment of my diary about writing

The second instalment of my diary about writing my book, Financial Management and Accounting in the Public Sector, is now on the PFM Board: [pfmboard.com/index.php](https://pfmboard.com/index.php?topic=9164.msg31701#new)

My professional diary at the PFM Board

In the run up to the publication of the 3rd edition of Financial Management and Accounting in the Public Sector I am writing a [diary over at the PFM Board]([pfmboard.com](https://pfmboard.com/)index.php?topic=9164.msg31701#new). The diary is the publication journey from original idea

BTW, WTF is a TLA?

Business writing is littered with abbreviations. They’re helpful for communication between people who are equally well-informed about their meaning. If you are going to use an abbreviation in a document or presentation make sure you explain it the first time you use it. A TLA is an abbreviation for

'Be short, be simple, be human.'

That’s a working definition of Plain English from a blogpost I read recently. It’s good, isn’t it? I (and many others on LinkedIn) urge writers to use plain language in their documents but how can you learn what that means. The Plain English Campaign happens to be

Use a style guide.

Even if your organisation does not have one. Here’s why. By style guide I mean a guide to the use of language in communications, especially public communications such as websites and published reports. I don’t mean the brand guidelines used by graphic designers to make sure that logos

10 verbs to avoid in business writing.

These will help your writing be clearer and plainer. You will also avoid some awful consultant-speak. - leverage — go with influence or use instead, unless you mean leverage in its financial sense. - progress — use work on or develop or make progress. - dialogue — use speak to or discuss. -

More images, fewer words

Putting a lot of text on a slide and reading it aloud to the audience is the number one presentation killer. Especially if you turned your back on the audience at the same time. Always remember, **you** are the presentation, not the slide deck. The slides are there to support

The typesetter has sent the finished files for

The typesetter has sent the finished files for the 3rd edition of my #book to the printers. This is the cover. It's published on 14 March but you can pre-order it now. <img src="https://garybandy.micro.blog/uploads/2023/58c4cf110c.jpg" width="600&

Some of my (typographical) pet hates.

I know the following are trivial and nitpicky but, still, they irritate me when I see or hear them. - An ellipsis is three full stops in sequence; not two, or four, or ten. You can type three full stops in many text editing apps and they will be replaced

My top tip for 2023: ask for advice instead of feedback.

Are you a good writer? Are your presentations interesting and effective? How do you know whether what you have written or presented is good or bad? Sometimes you will receive unsolicited comments from your boss or a colleague but often all you will get are some suggested edits to your