Business Writing Info Blog

Slate Magazine recently wrote a very funny article summarizing the irate resignation letters that journalists have summitted. Here are some examples of the literary revenge these fired (and resigned) journalists extracted on their former bosses:

Learn More in This Course: Effective Business Writing Techniques

—Thanks to Leslie Harpold for this 6-step process, published in TMN, Oct.1, 2003. Leslie passed away in 2006. I’ve long admired her writing, and am sad to see it disappearing from the Internet, as her sites have not been renewed after her death. Leslie’s directions on writing the perfect thank you letter are flawless, and I want to help keep her work published, so here is her essay. I made tiny tweaks to match her instructions to business use.

Today is the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks here in the United States.  Thousands of people lost their lives, and many more hearts were broken by family, friends and co-workers lost. I am sometimes asked if a condolence letter is necessary, or even suitable, in a business relationship.  It’s an easy answer. Yes. Reaching out to console a colleague in pain can never be inappropriate.

(Issue 20: July, 2009) by Mary Cullen
It is summertime, and my deepest wish is that you are enjoying some time off, rejuvenating and relaxing. Sadly, many in this economy are encountering forced time off. This issue looks at the challenging business etiquette quandry of how to professionally write a goodbye message if you have lost your job.

It is painful to lose your job. Whether it is due to a merger, layoffs, poor sales or a personality conflict, so many emotions rage: worry, stress and resentment.

For any type of loss, including job loss, even if you feel a little awkward, I recommend you err on the side of kindness and connection, and send a condolence note or email. So often in business communication, we forget that it’s really human to human connection. Your colleague will feel acknowledged at a difficult time. You may forge a stronger relationship that will benefit you later. What to write when a colleague has lost a job?

Here is a classic P.G. Wodehouse quote that so illustrates this misplaced focus of posturing to forge relationships: “It is a good rule in life never to apologize. The right sort of people do not want apologies, and the wrong sort take a mean advantage of them.”

Perhaps you heard of the recent snafu Ketchum Public Relations encountered when its vice-president, James Andrews, posted a message on the social media, mini-blogging service, Twitter, that is followed by business people worldwide. Andrews inadvertently insulted many employees of FedEx, one of Ketchum’s best clients.

Sarah E. Needleman published an accurate and timely article in the Wall Street Journal in July, which answered key logistical and style questions about how to best write and send thank you notes after a job interview, entitled, Thx for the IView! I Wud ? to Work 4 U!! .

“Thanksgiving is, after all, a word of action.”
~W.J. Cameron