The Language of Success

In this summary you will learn

• How to use techniques that facilitate good, clear business writing
• Why you want to avoid the “Fluff, Guff, Geek and Weasel” writing styles
• How to write professional e-mails, letters, reports, proposals and other business documents

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Why you should read The Language of Success

Has a business colleague ever sent you a rambling e-mail chock full of misspelled words, acronyms, text message abbreviations and even emoticon smiley faces? Or have you had to wade through an incomprehensible report filled with technical terms, industry jargon and run-on sentences? Both these experiences indicate a larger problem: bad writing. Many people need to write as part of their jobs, but few of them do it well. Communication expert Tom Sant identifies four problematic writing styles that obstruct clear, functional communication: “Fluff, Guff, Geek and Weasel.” Sant attacks the problem, beginning with eight tips for composing better e-mails. He tells you how to tailor clear, succinct, accurate documents to your audience. His generous use of examples helps illustrate the rights and wrongs of business writing. Thankfully, this how-to-write book is well-written and, at times, even humorous. getAbstract suggests keeping it next to your dictionary and thesaurus, and referring to it often.

About the Author

Tom Sant, the author of the bestseller Persuasive Business Proposals, is a sales trainer and the co-founder of Hyde Park Partners. Sant has worked with major corporate clients.