How to Write a Good Business Letter

A business letter should always be typed and free of spelling errors, incorrect grammar, and obvious correction.

• A good business letter should be kept to one page. 
• The average length of a sentence should be 15 to 20 words and a paragraph about six lines. 
• The letter should be simple, warm and as brief as possible. Clearly state the subject in the first paragraph in a matter-of-fact way and then find a way of emphasizing the positive.  
•  Keep in mind that an everyday business letter is also a sales letter, an idea presentation, a product service, or a request.

Business letters requesting the payment of a debt should be brief and firm without threatening the debtor. Write all your letters in everyday conversational language. Acquire a natural style of writing much as you would speak. Never use flowery expressions or a barrage of words. Make your letters interesting and a reflection of your personality. And, never write a statement which you could get you into legal difficulties.

Apply the conversational test to your business letters.  Ask yourself what you would say and how you would say it, if you were speaking your message instead of writing it. Not only ask the question as you prepare to write a letter, but read over the completed letter with the same thought in mind. 

 Any thoughts on this subject? Leave your comments below.

10 Ways to Help Your Audience Remember Your Power Point or Winging It Presentation

In my recent article on PowerPoint Presentation or Winging It , I mentioned that I will be giving Presentation Tips based upon my experience in integrating PowerPoint and Winging It in my free monthly newsletter.

However, in this post, I want to just give you 10 ways to help your audience to remember your message whether you are making a PowerPoint Presentation or Winging It. 

Here they are:

1. People remember the first and last things you say. Put your most important points up front and drive them home.

2. Audiences absorb as little as 25% of what you are saying. Be clear, logical, succinct, and repeat your message.

3. Attention spans are short, so don't get bogged down in extraneous detail. Make every sentence count.

4. People retain visual information. Paint pictures with your words in vibrant language.

5. First impressions are difficult to change. Look, act, and speak like a confident professional.

6. Research shows that your message is conveyed: 7% through words; 38% through your vocal inflection; and 55% through body signals. Rehearse not just words, but your voice and actions.

7. Never read your presentation to the audience. 93% of your message is non-verbal. Eye contact, smiles, and natural gestures help to make the audience like you.

8. Don't try to be who you are not. Let your own personality shine through rather than trying to copy another speaker.

9. Make sure your audio-visuals, PowerPoint, or whatever are of top caliber, and use them properly and effectively.

10. Practice Q & A in advance. Ask some of your colleagues to come up with some questions that your presentation is likely to generate. Ask yourself ten questions you would hate to get. Fashion your answers in advance.

As I mentioned in my article, I have a preference for Winging It and have been successful in doing so, but since everyone now expects to have a PowerPoint presentation when they come to a workshop, I have decided to integrate PowerPoint in my presentations.
 
What is your preference?

The Insecure, Small-Minded Boss

A colleague mentioned to me the other day, that the executive director at her part-time job likes to criticize and browbeat his employees in their weekly staff meetings. It occurred to me that it is typically the insecure, small-minded person who resorts to that kind of behavior.

Over thirty-five years ago at an organization where I was consulting, the staff there had a similar type of boss to deal with. They resorted to sabotaging the boss and the organization which ultimately resulting in the boss being removed. But, before then the organization suffered and undeserved its constituents.

These bosses almost always have advanced degrees. So consider this, learning without wisdom is like a load of books on an ass' back.

If you know of anyone or if you have had an experience like this, let me know about it and and how it was handled.