Book Review: Business Writing With Heart

by | Jan 27, 2014 | Book Reviews: Business | 4 comments

Biz Writing CoverBusiness writing receives its fair share of hits.

Lynn Gaertner-Johnston’s new book, Business Writing With Heart: How to Build Great Work Relationships One Message at a Time shares all that is good about professional business writing.

In the tradition of Simply stated business, this book review uses our benchmark:

Keep it simple ~ Keep it clear ~ Keep it uniquely yours

Keep it Simple

Lynn’s simple approach to business writing is what first attracted me to her business writing blog.

Lynn is the founder of Syntax Training, a Seattle, Washington business that provides organizations with training, tools, and resources for better business writing.

Business Writing With Heart delivers immediate value with its simple approach to sharing its message. A quick scan of the Table of Contents and you learn what’s at the heart (pun intended) of Lynn’s message.

The book is divided into four parts.

  • Part One: The Essentials
  • Part Two: The Opportunities – Powerful Messages That Are Often Overlooked
  • Part Three: The Challenges – Messages That Can Make (or Break) Relationships
  • Part Four: Take Action

The old adage, it’s all about relationships, is front and center in Lynn’s book.

Each of the book’s 18 chapters focuses on building strong work relationships through your business writing.

I found myself punching the air with evangelistic zeal. I have long held the belief that our words hold the power – whether that is in verbal form or through the written words we share.

As Lynn points out in her Introduction ~

“More than ever before, writing is the lifeblood of
business relationships.”

Don’t think so?

Think about how we communicate in today’s business.

  • Emails, texts, instant messaging
  • Tweets, posts, comments, likes, +

How often is your business communication by phone or in-person? And if it is, how often is a script involved?

The message of Business Writing With Heart is simple.

Build great work relationships one message at a time.

Keep it Clear

A simple message is lost when your focus strays from that message.

Lynn’s book helps keep her message clear with tons of practical examples for building and maintaining great work relationships.

  • Need to say no without hurting your business relationship? Chapter 12, Say No Clearly and Courageously offers simple parts to a No message.
  • Do you know how to transform polite thank you messages into powerful relationship builders? Chapter 3, Mighty Thank-Yous shares tips and sample messages.
  • Struggling with how to mend a broken business relationship? Chapter 10, Write Apologies to Mend Fences and Support Relationships helps you construct sincere, productive apologies.

Look inside and review chapter headings and you will find a comprehensive list of business scenarios where professional business writing makes a difference.

Executive, manager, new hire or independent contractor – there is something here for every business professional.

Take one message at a time to build a great work relationship.

Keep it Uniquely Yours

Even if you are unfamiliar with Lynn Gaertner-Johnston, this book reveals what is uniquely Lynn.

  • Her respect for the power of words
  • Lynn’s professionalism and clarity
  • Her innate ability to teach

How many business writing books make you want to curl up on the couch like you would with a great novel?

Of course, that could be the writing geek in me.

I know I will revisit this book often. In this digital age of the angry email or hasty post, it’s comforting to know we have a resource to make us think twice. And the tools to fix it when we don’t.

I am sure this review makes it obvious –

Business Writing With Heart.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Lynn’s book for review; however, I received no compensation and have no affiliation – other than I enjoy Lynn’s work.

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NOTE:  Part 4 – Budgeting – of the 10-Part Marketing Plan Process will post next week. You can view previous posts for the series by clicking on the links below. Thank you.

Infographic: 10-Part Marketing Plan Process

Part 1: Stating a Case for Vision Statements

Part 2: 5 Tips for Identifying Your Killer Client

Part 3: Beating Blind Hog Marketing Objectives

4 Comments

  1. Anne Wayman

    Hey, Cathy, you could have written that book!

    Reply
    • Cathy Miller

      I wish I had. 🙂 Funny thing, I used that as a title on a prior review I did on one of Lynn’s ebooks.

      Thanks for commenting and sharing the post, Anne.

      Reply
  2. Jenn Mattern

    It looks like a good read. I’ll have to add it to my next book order. Thanks for sharing Cathy!

    Reply
    • Cathy Miller

      My pleasure, Jenn. I just love Lynn’s style (obviously). And you can always browse the book at Amazon to see if you think it’s a good addition. Thanks for sharing the review, Jenn. 🙂

      Reply

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