The Old Way of Writing for Business Is Holding You Back—Here’s How to Fix It

The Old Way of Writing for Business Is Holding You Back—Here’s How to Fix It

The outdated way of business writing:

  • Using overly formal, stuffy language.
  • Writing long-winded emails, reports and proposals.
  • Filling sentences with jargon, passive voice and redundant phrases.

All that effort, and your message still gets ignored?

There’s a smarter way to write—one that actually gets read:

  • Be clear, not complicated—use simple, direct language.
  • Get to the point fast—respect your reader’s time.
  • Write like a real person—ditch the corporate speak and sound human.

Here’s how to get started:

  • Trim unnecessary words and phrases to keep your writing sharp.
  • Use active voice to make your writing stronger and more engaging.
  • Make it skimmable with short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headlines.

Big words don’t impress. Clear writing does.

Why You Should NEVER Let Your Boss Speak Last 😆

Why You Should NEVER Let Your Boss Speak Last 😆

Ever wondered what happens when you let your boss speak last? 😉

Here’s a funny story…

A sales rep, admin clerk and manager found an antique oil lamp during their lunch break.

They rubbed it, and “poof”—a Genie appeared.

You have one wish each,” the Genie announced.

The excited admin clerk jumped first: “I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.

“Poof”—and he was gone.

The sales rep couldn’t wait: “Hawaii, beach, personal masseuse, endless piña coladas, and my true love.”

“Poof”—and he was gone, too.

Finally, it was the manager’s turn.

His simple wish: “I want those two back in the office after lunch.

And just like that… dreams were crushed.

The lesson? Always (always) let your boss go first.

If you found a magic lamp today, what would YOU wish for? (And wishing for more wishes doesn’t count!) 

What Is Global English and Why Does It Matter?

What Is Global English and Why Does It Matter?

Most English trainers teach traditional English—often British or American English, full of idioms, complex grammar rules and native-like expressions.

While this can be useful, it’s not always practical for professionals who need to communicate clearly and effectively with people from different countries.

That’s where Global English comes in.

Global English vs. Traditional English

Traditional English

Global English

Focuses on native speaker norms (British/American)

Focuses on clear, simple communication

Includes idioms, phrasal verbs and slang

Avoids confusing expressions

Emphasises “perfect” grammar and pronunciation

Prioritises being clear and easily understood

Assumes cultural knowledge of native speakers

Works across cultures, reducing misunderstandings

Why Is Global English Important?

Most business conversations in English happen between non-native speakers. That means:

  • The goal isn’t to sound like a native speaker—it’s to be understood easily by everyone.
  • You don’t need to memorise complex idioms or phrasal verbs that can confuse people from other cultures.
  • You should focus on clarity, simplicity and efficiency rather than sounding “perfect.”

How Global English Helps You in Business

  • Fewer misunderstandings – You avoid confusing words and phrases.
  • More confidence – You focus on communication, not perfection.
  • Stronger international relationships – You speak in a way everyone can follow.

So, instead of stressing about whether your English is “correct” in a native speaker’s eyes, focus on whether it’s clear, professional, and effective for a global audience. That’s the real key to success in international business.

How to Train Your Brain to Understand English Conversations—Even in Noisy Rooms

How to Train Your Brain to Understand English Conversations—Even in Noisy Rooms

Most people think they need perfect English to follow fast conversations. They don’t.

Have you ever been at a party or in a busy café and somehow managed to focus on just one conversation? That’s the Cocktail Party Effect—your brain’s ability to filter out noise and focus on what matters.

The same trick works for English! But many German speakers struggle because they try to understand every word. That’s like trying to listen to everyone at a party at the same time. Impossible, right?

Here’s how I help my clients train their brains to focus on the right words:

🔹 Listen for keywords – You don’t need every word. Just catch the important ones.

🔹 Expose yourself to real speech – Podcast? YouTube? Meetings? The more, the better.

🔹 Practise under pressure – My Speed Networking for the Bold & Brave sessions help with this.

Good listening isn’t about hearing everything—it’s about knowing what to listen for.

What’s the hardest part of understanding fast English for you? 

Lost Words: Remember When We Used Fax Machines?

Lost Words: Remember When We Used Fax Machines?

Have you ever tried explaining a fax machine to a teenager? (I did yesterday!) It’s like describing a world without smartphones: ‘We used to scan documents and send them through phone lines. No, not as an email attachment…

Once upon a time, we used telephone books to find numbers, watched films on video cassette recorders (VCRs) and recorded messages on answering machines (because voicemail wasn’t a thing).

Families proudly displayed their encyclopaedias on their shelves—giant books that Google replaced overnight. We typed on clunky typewriters, rewound cassette tapes with pencils and walked around with a Walkman (a prehistoric version of Spotify, but chunkier) clipped to our jeans, feeling invincible.

Now? These words are disappearing faster than the last bag of popcorn at a Friday night film marathon.

As technology sprints ahead, our vocabulary shifts too.

What’s next? Will “email” sound ancient in 20 years?

Let’s take a moment to appreciate these forgotten gems. Tell me about your favourite “extinct” word—bonus points if you memorised phone numbers before mobile phones saved them. 

‘It’s All Right Once You’re In!’ – The Ultimate British Holiday Phrase

‘It’s All Right Once You’re In!’ – The Ultimate British Holiday Phrase

There are two types of people at holiday pools: those who dive in gracefully and Brits.

Just ask British comedian Michael McIntyre.

In Michael’s sketch, you’ll learn that Europeans dive in looking amazing. But Brits make a big deal out of getting into the pool. They shout, “I’m going in!” to everyone around, then spend ages testing the water and complaining that it’s too cold.

And don’t even mention British children at the pool.

While local kids swim easily, British children are covered in sunscreen, wearing full flotation suits, and struggling with goggles that are much too tight.

Want to laugh? Watch the 5-minute sketch. 😄 And enjoy some real British English.

P.S. This is just a bit of fun—no offence meant to anyone. We all have our quirky holiday habits, and that’s what makes us, well, us. Enjoy the laugh! 😄