I had a strange experience recently. A tradesman who was about to do a large project for me rang quite late one evening and berated me for sending him a note confirming the details of the job. I still don’t understand what he was angry about. His point was obscured by his rude and irrational manner. This tradesman clearly didn’t realise it, but there are ways to make your point, even stand your ground, without offending people. Here are some tips.
Did you see the story about the somewhat embarrassing oversight in the design for Japan’s 2020 Olympic stadium? Um, it seems the cauldron is missing. So, how could the centrepiece of the opening ceremony have been left out of the brief?
Infographics are all the rage. Our brains like them because they are more engaging and easier to process. But while their simplicity might be one of the reasons why we like and share infographics, a lot goes on behind the scenes to get it right.
What’s the hidden secret to successful communications?
Sometimes no matter how technically accurate we are, no matter how confident or prepared we are, or how much we want to impress—success comes down to the intangibles.
It’s the vibe…
About a month ago, a little wattlebird started making a nest in the tree outside our lounge room window. From the moment we first noticed her, that mother bird was 100% clear about her purpose. No dithering, no distractions, no dilly-dallying. Watching her, I realised there’s a lesson in that: If you need to write something, know your purpose before your fingers hit the keyboard.
How frustrating is it trying to follow poorly written guides? Sort of like trying to understand the illustrations that come with flat pack furniture. So how can you avoid ‘flat pack syndrome’? Here are some suggestions for writing clear, useful guides, instructions or explanations that are easier for people to understand and follow.