Writing for business requires lots of skills and practice. It’s a fast-paced world, and business executives have everything to spare, but time. Everyone that would write for business should be plain-spoken and avoid expressions that have been overused within the business sphere. They are commonly described as bizspeak. Here are some of them and the preferred alternatives.
| NOT THESE: | BUT THESE: |
| at your earliest convenience | as soon as you can |
| In light of the fact that | because |
| We are in receipt of | we’ve received |
| as per our telephone conversation earlier today | as we discussed this morning |
| Pursuant to your instructions, I met with the David Phelps today regarding the above-mentioned | as you asked, I met with David Phelps today. |
| Please be advised that the deadline for the above-mentioned transaction is Monday, April 2, 2021. | The deadline is April 2, 2021. |
| Thank you for your courtesy and cooperation regarding this matter. | Thank you |
| Thank you in advance for your courtesy and cooperation in this regard. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions concerning this request. | Thank you. If you have any questions, please call. |
These expressions may be readily available shorthand for business letters and emails; however, using them suggests to readers that you’re on autopilot, thoughtlessly using canned expressions that people have heard time after time. When you write, endeavour to write like a person, and not a corporation. The goal is to communicate your idea to your audience, not to impress them with your ability to use overused business terms.
Writing in plain terms increases the readability of your text. Bryan Garner, a foremost American lawyer and lexicographer describes writing plainly as “the ability to express ideas as strait-forwardly as you can without sacrificing meaning or tone”. Expressing your ideas directly when you write, will help you connect with your audience and increase the readability of your texts.
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