Customer Reviews

The Business Style Handbook: An A-to-Z Guide for Writing on the Job with Tips from Communications Experts at the Fortune 500

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book may be the handiest and clearest book of tips on basic business writing I've read in a long time. The book's tips on writing clearly and for the reader of the office memo or e-mail are direct, short and to the point.

It doesn't waste words but it doesn't omit a lot of topics, either. For example, a memo writer is reminded to "write as you speak--if you speak clearly." Thousands, no, millions, of words have been devoted to this topic. This one sentence sums it up nicely.

Some may quibble with minor points in the book. For example, it advises readers not to capitalize the "The" in newspaper names because some papers use a "the" and some don't. To my way of thinking (and training), that's a question easily resolved by finding out what the newspaper uses. But this is a tiny point.

I much prefer the authors' valuable and wide-ranging bits of information:

khan: lowercase this term, which is a title for a ruler, an official or an important person in India and some central Asian countries.

c.o.d.: Use c.o.d. with periods for all references. It stands for cash on delivery. Without periods, it could be confused with the word cod, as in fish.
saccharin/saccharine: Often misspelled. The first is a sugar substitute; the second means overly sweet.

And so on, touching on topics from A to Z, as billed. I highly recommend this book.

A while ago, a friend asked me to review some business correspondence when I was in Beijing. Subsequently, I always thought that it would be helpful to find him some business writing reference books. When I came across The Business Style Handbook (in both English and Chinese), I recommended them to my friend.

The book is very practical. It differs from a regular dictionary in that it contains not only definitions for terms but also their cultural and social backgrounds. Look for the references for items such as 360-degree review, 401(k) or cookie. They are very helpful to people with different language backgrounds. Another advantage is the included examples, such as how to properly use kudos. Additionally, the first five chapters provide an excellent summary on modern business writing. In all, no matter it is for a beginner or as a reference, the book provides a lot of value to its readers.

English is not my first language but I need to write clearly, quickly, and without errors to succeed in my job. This book is my secret weapon. It is well organized and easy to use. The A-Z section answers a lot of questions I have about language and the chapters on business writing contain good advice for writing more effectively.

I write on tight deadlines and can't afford to make mistakes in the work I produce. This book is a big help. It is a valued resource for questions on grammar, spelling and pronunciation. And it is written in plain english; no need to wade through discussions on the fine points of grammar. It also makes a great gift.

I spend a good deal of time at work writing documents and e-mails. When I have questions about how to write something correctly, The Business Style Handbook is my reference tool of first resort. Its focus on business and finance is invaluable. Where else could I quickly find out whether to use a hyphen in enterprise-wide or parentheses with 401 (k)? The chapter on e-mail is also useful, as is the information from the Fortune 500.
It is now suggested reading for the employees in our Fortune 500 company.

This is an excellent resouce for business writing. It will quickly become a standard reference at the fingertips of those in need of quick and accurate information. I plan on giving copies to all of my managers.

Thanks to the authors for this handbook.

An invaluable tool. I just started back in the workplace after an absence of many years and this book put me right back on the business track. It even helped my son with the writing of his resume. Thanks for all the useful information.

I'm glad I had a copy of The Business Style Handbook when a big argument erupted in my department. One group said you have to write "an NYSE stock" while another said you have to write "a NSYE stock." I took out a copy of The Business Style Handbook (which my wife gave me for Christmas to help me improve my e-mail) to settle the dispute. By the way, it should be written "an NYSE stock." It's one of the first times I've been on the right side of a grammar argument.

These days, first impressions are not made face to face but in an electronic environment. E-mail is pervasive and writing style has become critical to everyone. I am an engineer and strategist not a professional writer. I needed an easy-to-use guide that offered well indexed, reliable advice supported by real examples. This style handbook ensures that even when pressed to get out a quick e-mail, my writing is clear, concise and correct.

This book is the essential reference guide for writing on the job.

I found clear, concise and useful tips to better writing in this book, though I am an academic rather than a business person. Its is particularly clear and easy to use. I wish my students would read it!