I used to work with a chap who, when asked for his opinion on something, would normally start by saying ‘I cannot tell a lie ….’ But this was not true. He could tell a lie as well as any … Continue reading
I clearly remember, about 30 years ago, sitting on a Continental Airlines DC-10 at London Gatwick Airport, waiting to take-off for New York. The aircraft had left the gate on time, but almost half an hour later we were still … Continue reading
Everybody’s talkin’ at me / I don’t hear a word they’re sayin’ – Fred Neil (although for most of us, probably via Harry Nilsson) According to the cab driver who was taking me home a couple of days ago, everyday communication has … Continue reading
My love of written English really kicked in when I was eleven. My English teacher that year was a diminutive woman whose own passion was for copperplate handwriting. My recollection is that she didn’t much care for how you shaped … Continue reading
My dining companion was fulminating against the use of American English. The particular document that was causing him so much distress contained no American spelling. There was no sign of color in place of colour. And there was no suggestion … Continue reading
I was having lunch with an old friend recently. She’s an old friend in at least two senses. First, I have known her for about 30 years. And, second, she has had rather a lot of birthdays – certainly a … Continue reading
We were at a party. People were coming and going, but, at any one time, there were probably about 50 of us. Several of the guests were investment bankers. There were also a number heavy-duty business people. And there were … Continue reading
Back in the day (as one of my favourite reality TV characters is wont to say) I spent a few years working for an advertising agency. It was a time when just about every agency seemed to have its genesis … Continue reading
‘People read with their ears, whether they know it or not.’ – William Zinsser Some years ago now, I was hired to coach a small team of people whose job it was to handle the ‘difficult’ customer service issues for … Continue reading
‘Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple.’ – Charles Mingus I remember an exchange, several years ago now, between my boss and the CEO of one of our biggest clients. The CEO was questioning our … Continue reading