Why This Book?

“Whether you’ve picked up this book to find ways to write more efficiently or more eloquently, to freshen up on grammar and punctuation rules, to resolve some of the issues highlighted in the anecdotes above (and there are more anecdotes scattered throughout the book), or to acquire some editorial tools that will make revising easier, you will find the help you need to hone your writing craft. Business writing is only one medium of communication, but it’s an important one, and for many of us, it’s our primary one. It’s a medium that demands commitment to quality.

The quality of your writing speaks volumes about you. The way you write is one of the fundamental ways you establish your identity, especially in the electronic age when many people know you only through your writing. If you write well, you identify yourself as thoughtful, smart, coherent, and empathetic: you value the readers’ needs and try to meet them. By showing respect for your readers, you gain their respect. If you write poorly, you identify yourself in less flattering terms, and their respect for you will certainly diminish.

Peel away some of the mystery from writing and achieve your desired results. Maybe it’s about showing empathy in your email for someone who just lost her job. Maybe it’s about writing an elegant executive summary or a successful proposal. Maybe it’s about realizing your ambition to move into management. Whatever your reasons, I hope this book, Good Writing Is Good Business, will become a trusted companion.”