Improve Your Global Business English: The Essential Toolkit for Writing and Communicating Across Borders
Fiona Talbot & Sudakshina Bhattacharjee
PM rating: 4/5
Written English comes in many styles, depending on the region that the writer comes from. In cross border business transactions, it is important that the meaning the writer intends is understood by the reader.
This book tackles the problems that arise from differing English styles and meanings. In business, individuals are subconsciously and consciously judged on how they express themselves in print – whether in letters, reports or digital messages. While appropriate, stylish writing strengthens business relationships, sloppy writing can destroy them.
By tracing the development of English and its regional variants, the authors explain why writing is a central component of business communication. They also outline the effects of the digital age on our prose, and provide useful pointers on how style, layout and even font size can impact on the content of a message.
Specific sections cover report writing, agenda preparation and note taking. Practical suggestions on maximising the effectiveness of business documents, especially where the recipients come from differing cultures, are also included.
Quality of writing is the most consistent theme throughout, and later chapters concentrate on the correct use of English grammar, punctuation and the avoidance of common mistakes. This is a valuable guide for authors for whom English is not a first language.
Each section has accompanying checklists and exercises, inviting readers to relate the text to their own organisations. In places, the authors’ style can be a little too didactic, but the content is strong enough that this does not detract from the main message. The book is highly recommended for all managers regularly responsible for writing English – especially those involved with promoting their organisation’s reputation.
Kogan Page, ISBN 978-0749466138