Subscribe via RSS / iTunes | Download | All podcasts 32 minutes Rob Ashton and Andy White discuss the secret life of pronouns, proofreading tips and why the Freedom of Information Act may have taken all the excitement out of government communications. Further reading...
Tim Cawood
Communication Lab 1: introduction
Subscribe via RSS / iTunes | Download | All podcasts 34 minutes In this series of lively podcasts, Emphasis CEO and former scientist Rob Ashton puts language under the microscope, over a Bunsen burner and quite possibly into one of those things that looks like a...
How to write a winning business plan
Whether you’re setting up a new business venture or trying to get the go-ahead for a project, there’s one essential document you need. Rob Ashton, Chief Executive of Emphasis, gives a step-by-step guide to writing a good business plan. Why you need one...
Getting to grips with using ‘that’ and ‘which’
'That' and 'which' can sometimes be used interchangeably. But it’s not always correct to do so. The general rule is: use ‘that’ to define and use ‘which’ to inform or add information. Defining These are the spending cuts that the Board agreed. Here, the spending cuts...
How to break technology addiction and improve concentration
New research from Kent University’s psychology department confirms what many of us already know from experience. Far from helping us become more efficient, the constant interruption of technology is weakening our ability to concentrate and slowing us down at...
The write road to brilliant public speaking
Writing before high-pressure situations can raise your performance in them, according to new research. It may seem counter-intuitive, but taking a moment to focus on your fears by jotting them down can help you to rise to the challenge. And this can apply to anything...
The easy way to boost your brain power
Step away from the keyboard and pick up a pen. That’s the latest expert advice for anyone who wants to study and remember more effectively. We learn better when writing by hand than when we type, according to Anne Mangen, associate professor at the University of...
Writing for accountants
Finance is a murky place for many people. Money comes into the bank account and it goes out again. And the process in between is something of a mystery. But even if your clients are financially savvy, it can still be difficult to explain money matters. Accounting has...
How to use apostrophes: an audio guide
Apostrophes are the Marmite of punctuation marks: you either love them or hate them. But if you are one of the many for whom they arouse only feelings of distaste and confusion, perhaps we can set you straight. Go on. It’ll only take four minutes. Listen to our...
Stop looking and start writing
Conducting endless research can make you depressed – and not just because you miss all your deadlines. According to psychologist Barry Schwartz, we often find it hard to make up our minds when faced with a surplus of possibilities. And this can make us...
How to write HR policies
If you need to update your HR policies because of the new Equality Act 2010, now could be a golden opportunity to make them a lot better. The Equality Act brings together legislation regarding discrimination and harassment into a single Act. Since it came into force...
Avoid the HMRC backlash
You may recall that six million people have – through no fault of their own – paid the wrong amount of tax over the last few years, thanks to a blunder at HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The story dominated the column inches last month, in part because of...