I think it’s about buying time when you don’t know what you’re saying, or you have no clue what you’re going to say next (as so much waffly business speak is).

The longer the words you say, the more time you have to think of your next point, so it becomes the most practical way to buy yourself time and still (tenuously, hideously) make your point. That’s why people say ‘we will implement the utilisation of this strategy’ rather than ‘we’ll do it like this’, for example. It’s just because they don’t know what on Earth they’re going to say next.

Fact is though, you sound like a wally when you do it. And in writing you really can’t hide away from making your point with all this filler. You’re not locked in a room with these people, so they can’t scythe through the nonsense with a cutting question. You have to lay your cards bare simply and clearly (and ideally with a splash of personality).

That’s how you sound credible. Not this ‘It was myself, Lord Sugar’ silliness.

When I started rummaging in Ericsson’s vaults, I was actually looking for what I now know is that summary report. But I found those two main reports first, and their breathtakingly contrasting openings demanded a blog. You’re right, we do use that summary report cover in workshops. It helps us show people you can be serious without being formal. And that writing – any writing – is one-to-one communication.

Jan

It’s *funny*.

Made me laugh, anyway.

There’s a Fit4less in Aldgate that I go to and it’s great. Not at all Ryanair like.

They don’t cut corners. They just have the stuff you really need in a gym, like super-snazzy equipment, and none of the nonsense, like Jo Malone handwash.