In this issue
	Good to meet you! Great Grandfather LIVES!!! Calling all Secretaries - enjoy YOUR week!!! Quiz time And finally ...

Great Grandfather LIVES!!!

In my workshops I always joke about 'Great Grandfather writing' and wonder how come so many young people still use so many old-fashioned expressions. In last month's newsletter I discussed how we should keep our business writing simple (KISS = keep it short and simple) and use everyday language that everyone understands. The reason for this was brought home to me recently when a friend sent me this e-mail that he had received: Dear Mr Johnson Thank you for your email of even date. For the audit of Turner Communications Pte Ltd, kindly furnish us a copy of the company's Balance Sheet, Expenses statements and all the invoices/bills (incorporation and legal fees, etc) paid by the holding company to our office at the earliest. We will revert to you on the treatment of the Intangible Asset and the financials of Turner Communications Inc as soon as possible. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Best regards Bernard Williams What a load of gobbledegook and long-winded jargon! I knew people were still writing in an old-fashioned way, but it seems some people take this a little further than most - and this message just proves it! If you want to see what this e-mail should say in 21st Century business language please click here: NB: "even date" means today. When I was a secretary in 1973, my old Chairman used to use "ult" for last month and something else that I can't remember for next month (if anyone can recall, please write and let me know). Read more about business writing yesterday and today »

Calling all Secretaries - enjoy YOUR week!!!

This month sees Secretaries Week - now known as Administrative Professionals Week - from 21 to 25 April. If you are a secretary, how will you celebrate? How will your boss treat you? If you are a boss, how will you treat your secretary? Please let me know by e-mailing me at news@shirleytaylor.com. This annual event was originally organised in 1952 as "National Secretaries Week" by the National Secretaries Association in the USA (now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals). It was established as an effort to recognise secretaries for their contributions in the workplace, and to attract people to secretarial/administrative careers. In the year 2000, instead of Professional Secretaries Week and Professional Secretaries Day, the names were changed to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of today's administrative workforce. Administrative Professionals Week has become one of the largest workplace observances. The event is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for community events, educational seminars, and individual corporate activities recognising support staff with gifts of appreciation. IAAP suggests that employers observe Administrative Professionals Week by providing training for their administrative staff through seminars, continuing education or self-study materials. Another suggestion is to make a commitment toward delegating responsibilities that better utilise the skills of administrative professionals. If you want to read my tips on how you can be a Super Secretary check out my Super Secretary Checklist, which also contains some useful websites of various associations for secretaries.

Quiz time

LAST MONTH'S QUIZ Remember, last month's article and the quiz were all about keeping it short and simple? If you want a quick reminder about how you can KISS more, please click here. So, were your answers correct? Check them here. THIS MONTH'S QUIZ Read this letter, which is full of old-fashioned, long-winded jargon. Rewrite it using modern business language. Learn more on my Links to Learning »

And finally ...

TIP OF THE MONTH If you are a boss, please treat your secretary this month. If you are a secretary, treat yourself! April looks like being a busy month for me, with trips to Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur, as well as training in Singapore. I look forward to making lots of new friends. I hope you've enjoyed this issue of Shirley Says. If you have any ideas about what you would like me to include in future issues, please write to me at news@shirleytaylor.com. Shirley PS: You may reprint this e-newsletter or forward it to your customers and colleagues. However please keep this copyright and contact information intact: Copyright Shirley Taylor 2002. Shirley Taylor is author of several popular books on effective communication and business writing. She lives in Singapore and works as an international trainer, seminar leader, professional writer and conference speaker. Visit http://www.shirleytaylor.com.