Happy New Year! A new year has begun, and we are faced with the opportunity to make a difference in our lives - and with our lives for that matter. What are you going to do in 2008 to make your life more satisfying and rewarding? With many businesses finding January a quiet time, it is a common time to catch up on reading and learning. There are many good books and magazines, not to mention websites, that are worth reading for ideas and information. I am taking a book on legalities in business (sounds dry but it's easy to read actually - so far anyway!) and the e-myth with me on my break. What are your favourite business books? A lot of people use a highlighter and write in the margins of a book to hep cement the ideas and keep track of inspired ideas. Personally, I may highlight or underline important points so I can skim read it later, but I make notes in a notebook as I go because then the ideas and information from all books I read (and seminars I attend, etc) are in one place for easy reference. Funny isn't it - I am horrified if anyone damages or defaces a book usually (folding corners as a bookmark included) as it is disrespectful, but marking a resource book makes it more valuable and useful to the reader so I see it as not only acceptable but preferable! Use your words wisely! Tash PS Word Constructions is closed form today until the 15th of January. I will respond to messages when I return and wish you a pleasant January. Tash Hughes 0428 376 110 fax 03 9445 9154 blog - wordconstructions.wordpress.com www.wordconstructions.com For all your business writing needs I find Paymate much easier to work with than paypal as a business owner - they transfer the money into my account immediately and allow for automatic notification to web forms.   Thinking of blogging for business? By Tash Hughes of Word Constructions If you spend much time online with other business owners and managers, business blogs will be discussed at some point. But if you don't know much about blogs, it can be something of an overwhelming topic. What is a business blog? A blog is simply an online diary and comes from the term 'web log' (think about a Captain's log in a ship where he records the trip and significant events.) There are many blogs online now, and a growing proportion of them are business related instead of purely personal observations and reflections. In the same way that there are many different types and styles of business, business blogs can be very different from each other. However, the basic factor of a business blog is that you write from the business to your customers and potential customers, and therefore should stay relevant to your business. Learn more about running your own business blog by reading the entire article. This post on my blog mentions a great deal for beginner bloggers, too - but I really don't know how long it will last.  The things I want to know are in books. My best friend is the man who'll give me a book I [haven't] read. - Abraham Lincoln Appreciate life in 2008 By Tash Hughes of Word Constructions I mentioned above that a new year is a great time to make our lives more rewarding, and I think that part of that is taking time to smell the roses and appreciate what we have. Hmm, if only it was easy to always remember to do that! Some ways I intend to do this more in 2008 include: moving away from the computer every hour to walk around the block or exercise in some way spending more time growing fruit and veggies in my garden writing at least one short story a month just for fun seeing my close friends more often I am also going to do more outsourcing - I now have a bookkeeper and someone do basic marketing and website maintenance tasks for me. This article on my site has more ideas on appreciating life to the fullest. Another way to appreciate life and use positive energy in your life is to view or read The Secret. Poor examples Sometimes, the easiest way to learn the correct way to do something is to see it done poorly so in this section of my newsletter, I show you some real-life examples of writing that need a little help. Today's example comes from a superannuation fund discussing the changes to the scheme during 2007 - remember this was written by someone calling herself a marketing expert. example: Better Super* All Fund members have been sent an information kit highlighting the reforms. Included in the kit is a Significant Event Notice, which is aimed at assisting members understand the super reforms. A one page summary sheet accompanying the notice has also been provided with an all inclusive covering letter. *Formerly known as Simpler Super Issues with this example: My first reaction - you sent a notice, a summary of the notice and a letter explaining the notice and summary to all members? Surely this could have been dealt with in one document! The three sentences are disjointed and it takes a bit of effort to wade through and get the meaning of the message. The fact there is a summary document and they state 'is aimed at assisting...' implies that the document is long and difficult to understand, and probably won't help members understand anything! Instead of stating the aim of a document, use a positive and active style to promote the document. For instance, "my newsletter helps business people communicate with clients" is better than 'I aim to help people in my newsletter." A better version would be: (without changing the meaning) Better Super* To help them understand the super reforms, fund members have been sent an information kit of a significant event notice, summary page and covering letter. * Formerly known as Simpler Super You are welcome to pass this newsletter on to anyone you think will be interested, but please send it as is without changes. If you were passed this email by a friend, you can subscribe here. This newsletter is only ever sent to my clients and people who request the monthly newsletter & writing tips found at www.wordconstructions.com. Your email details will never be given, lent or sold to any party whatsoever and you are free to leave this service at any time by unsubscribing here. Important: This email (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender. Whilst Word Constructions has taken reasonable steps to ensure this email is virus free, it accepts no responsibility and makes no warranty. The recipient should take its own steps to ensure there is no virus. Word Constructions accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.
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