To call or not to call?

Customer service is more than just a courteous smile. The service you provide has an impact on whether or not visitors to your site or your shop become customers! This past couple of weeks, I was on the receiving end of customer service. I was on a mission to find a suitable box for aContinue reading “To call or not to call?”

What will they remember?

Studies on how much information a human mind can retain varies. In a British Columbia Institute of Technology article, they report the following: ““Some studies suggest that humans forget approximately 50% of new information within an hour of learning it. Within 24 hours of learning something new nearly 80% of it will be forgotten. You will be luckyContinue reading “What will they remember?”

Write clearly. Be understood.

As we write, we tend to add information we don’t need. We transfer how we speak to the keys on a keyboard. We use jargon that only we understand and we add unnecessary words. When you write in plain language, you write concisely. You eliminate technical jargon and write clearly so your readers understand. TipsContinue reading “Write clearly. Be understood.”

Repurpose that!

Now’s the time of year when escaping the hustle bustle of everyday life is top of mind. That might mean work or school or any daily routine. For me, it means exploring new scenery — a drive to a different city, a trip around the lake, hiking a new trail or even train travel. MyContinue reading “Repurpose that!”

Communication in the workplace

Effective communication in the workplace is crucial for fostering collaboration, reducing conflicts and enhancing productivity. Imagine trying to hit a deadline or production quota without the support of your colleagues. Completing a task without all the required information is almost impossible. Meetings that go nowhere can suck up time, energy and enthusiasm. Working with aContinue reading “Communication in the workplace”

What to write? What to write?

Writing can be a relaxing and fulfilling experience. I know because writing on my patio with a cool drink surrounded by the sound of birds singing is one of my favourite things to do! However, there are times when knowing what to write is a challenge. If you feel the same, I offer you theContinue reading “What to write? What to write?”

Toastmasters and me

I love to write. I write social content, web copy and marketing bits for small business owners. I journal about my adventures and of course, I blog! My love for writing may have started when I was a teen when I wrote to penpals. I would look at the profiles in the classified section ofContinue reading “Toastmasters and me”

Feed the creative mind

Throughout my career, I’ve had many opportunities to work with designers and creative teams to develop campaigns and promotions from sales incentives to national advertising. Every project was a valued experience. Developing that next inspiring idea takes a creative mind with unique skills. But, getting there doesn’t happen in isolation. There are steps to takeContinue reading “Feed the creative mind”

Adaptation beats translation

One of the first things I learned as a young communications specialist was that translation alone is not enough. You need to adapt the messaging… not just the words. In my work, English was the primary language and French was a requirement by law for a large segment of customers. To do this, we reliedContinue reading “Adaptation beats translation”

Culture: A treasure trove of opportunity

In Japan, where cherry blossoms are widely celebrated, families and friends enjoy picnics and festivals under cherry trees. The cherry blossom represents the arrival of spring and the renewal of life. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival is the most important festival for Chinese people. Activities include colourful festivals, dragon dances, fireworks, reunions and makingContinue reading “Culture: A treasure trove of opportunity”