In this issue
	Good to meet you! Touch up your Tone! Thanks for your messages Quiz time And finally ...

Touch up your Tone!

You alter your tone of voice to convey messages in different ways. Much of what you say is also interpreted through non-verbal clues - eye contact, gestures, inflections of the voice, etc. This type of 'reading between the lines' is not possible with the written word. With written communications all you have are words! Therefore it is vitally important to choose your words carefully. You must always try to get the tone right, because using the wrong tone could cause real offence to your reader. If you want to learn more about how you can improve your tone in your business writing, visit Touch up your Tone in the Links to Learning section of my website. Touch up YOUR tone »

Thanks for your messages

It's always great to receive feedback, especially good feedback. I'd like to say a special thanks to those of you who take the trouble to leave me a message in my online guest book. Here are some messages left in April - thanks for these! Shirley conducted a successful pilot recently for 19 staff from StarHub. The subject is "dry" by nature, but Shirley has made it come alive! She is full of zest, passion and energy. More importantly, the approach taken is totally engaging, with plenty of practical exercises in class. We also had a pre and post test for the class to assess the learning effectiveness, and the results were very positive. (Amy Leong, People Development Manager, StarHub Pte Ltd, Singapore) I really enjoyed Shirley Taylor's workshop. Laughter and information at the same time. Good for the mind and heart. (Denisia Anita, Confidential Secretary, Asian Supply Base, Labuan F.T.) Hello Shirley, Thank you for your lively and entertaining presentations last week at The 2003 Malaysian Secretaries' Conference (17 - 18 April 2003). I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. Keep Up The Good Work. (Lily Lim, Personal Assistant to CEO/Managing Director, Malaysian National Reinsurance Berhad) Hi dear, your website is looking better and better......just like you !!! (Iris Tan, Beijing, LCCIEB) Aaah, gee thanks! (I'm blushing now!) Read more messages in my online guest book »

Quiz time

THIS MONTH'S QUIZ E-mails are often typed and sent very quickly, without paying much thought to appropriate tone. Read this e-mail from an Administration Executive in Accounts Department to the Manager of the Sales Department. Consider how you would feel if you were the reader. Then rewrite the e-mail in a more appropriate tone that gives the message accurately but does not offend. Learn more on my Links to Learning »

And finally ...

TIP OF THE MONTH The Internet has made it possible for us to communicate with people from all over the world. The only way those people can form an opinion of us is by looking at the way we write! Your credibility could be ruined with one swift click of the 'send' button! SO MAKE SURE YOU LEARN TO WRITE WELL! 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. 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.