Innate talent counts, of course, but there is another, more important factor: Putting the time and effort into consistent learning and practice. The writers we admire most have typically invested thousands of hours honing their craft and refining their voices.

Let’s face it—some people are born with superior language skills and get early exposure to literacy that enables them to use their inborn capacities to their advantage. These people might become the glittering literati of their generation. Yet even they put hundreds of hours into developing their craft before they gain the limelight. If they write at work, their reports are the ones that get kudos from top management, while other docs languish in the “unread” pile.

What about those of us who may not write the great American novel or even the great American email? The good news is that writing isn’t an all-or-nothing game. Each of us can improve our communication abilities, regardless of where we start. The question isn’t whether you can become the next Hemingway, but rather how much you can make the most of the talent you have through training and preparation.

Of course, no law says that you have to become a better writer. If you decide that putting in the hours to become your best writing self is not worth the effort, that’s your choice. However, if you are not improving your skills, you are losing ground. You might have to resign yourself to a lifetime of emails and phone calls asking you, “What did you mean?” or saying, “I didn’t understand what you wrote.” Or prepare to be ignored. The price of poor writing is a painful one.

Great athletes put in thousands of practice hours before TV commentators call them “naturals.” When you persevere in the effort to be a better business writer, you, too, can feel like “a natural.” By sharpening your skills, you will gain these advantages at work:

• People will be happy to hear from you.
• People will understand you the first time they read your words.
• People will be more likely to agree with your proposals.
• You are more likely to be promoted to ever more significant positions of responsibility.

If you decide to invest in superior writing, many resources are available to you — books, classes, blogs, apps, AI algorithms. You simply need to open the treasure box of tools to take the next step in your writing journey. Good luck!

​

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Did you miss last month’s Writamin on The Human Advantage: Improving Business Writing in the Age of AI? See it here.​

To read my recent Inc.com columns:

​This Strategy Helps Humanize Your AI-Generated Content​

​Include a Call to Action to Get the Results You Need​

​4 Ways to Tame the Email Tsunami in 2025​

​3 Essential Writing Tasks that AI-Assisted Writing Programs Cannot Do For You​

Read my article in Harvard Business Review about how to move your business writing from “average” to “great” by using the Three P’s.

The post Why Are Some People Better Business Writers Than Others? appeared first on Worktalk.

​Technology Contributor Content

To say that artificial intelligence (AI) has become vital to business workflows might be an understatement. Many companies today rely on AI to create marketing copy, draft emails, create reports, and more, taking advantage of its speed and efficiency. Given the degree to which businesses lean on AI, the question lingers: Can AI truly grasp the nuances of communication?

Elizabeth “Liz” Danziger, founder and president of Worktalk Communications Consulting, argues that AI hasn’t completely solved businesses’ writing problems. Yes, it’s undeniable that this technology excels at surface-level tasks such as proofreading or generating ideas. However, it can’t replicate human intuition or strategic thinking. Acknowledging this, she applies her framework called “The Three P’s” to help professionals improve their business communication.

Statistics reveal how AI adoption in business communication is accelerating. Approximately 70% of companies are using or experimenting with AI for primary use cases such as customer communication. Many use ChatGPT or Jasper AI to produce output rapidly at reduced costs. The benefits are vast; this is why Liz believes businesses can leverage AI as a tool. However, she emphasizes that individuals must continue developing skills that AI can’t replicate. If they don’t, organizations are likely to struggle when competing against businesses that continue to develop their human edge.

Liz can attest to this, as she has helped numerous businesses and professional service firms improve their written communication. After pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Pomona College in Claremont, California, she started her career as a freelance writer. She later attended UCLA’s Anderson School of business. Now, Liz is a highly acclaimed author of four books, including Get to the Point!, a business writing guide originally published by Random House. In addition, she serves as a columnist for Inc.com. Her articles have also appeared in Harvard Business Review.

This extensive writing experience differentiates Liz from others in the field, who mostly have a background in organizational development. Moreover, it has given her an all-encompassing perspective on the challenges of written communication. Through a unique lens, she assists clients in increasing their productivity, building their brand, and boosting their sales.

Nearly forty years of being a communication expert has enabled Liz to identify three essential writing tasks that AI can’t perform. First, AI can’t determine the intentions behind a document. AI is a tool: it needs a human to set it on its course. That means that even companies that rely on AI need staff members who are skilled communicators. Liz stresses that writing begins with understanding the purpose of your communication. What a piece of writing is for, what it’s meant to accomplish, is something only a human being can choose.

Secondly, although AI can mimic styles, it produces writing that feels unnatural. “AI will never give you a consistent, authentic voice, at least for now,” Liz emphasizes. This can damage customer relationships. Lastly, AI can’t predict objections and comprehend context. “Writing is more than just stringing words together,” she says. “It’s the thought and strategy behind a text that makes writing effective.”

Liz developed the Three P’s framework (Purpose, Person, and Point) to help individuals fill the gaps AI can’t. Purpose reflects the intention of the message. It guides the writing process toward a specific objective. In business documents, the goal is usually to inform, request, or persuade.

The founder encourages writers to begin with the end in mind, inspired by the second habit author Stephen Covey discussed in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. She urges them to ask themselves: “What should the reader do after reading this? Is the document intended to prompt action or simply provide information?”

Person pertains to understanding the audience. Liz believes that a writer must comprehend the audience’s needs, questions, and emotional triggers to communicate effectively. This means tailoring language to the reader’s expertise level and interests. For example, it’s best to use technical terms when addressing a chief technology officer. When talking to a chief executive officer, however, using words that focus on outcomes might work better.

Point, the third aspect, is the essential message the document conveys. The audience may struggle to understand the writer’s intent without it. Liz shares an analogy: “If the Purpose sets the direction and the target is the Person, the Point is the arrow itself.”

Overall, effective communication hinges on authenticity. Writers who communicate with sincerity and purpose build stronger connections with their audience. “Authenticity is what creates trust between the writer and the reader. Now that we live in an age where AI-generated content risks breaking this trust, authenticity is what gives businesses a competitive advantage,” Liz remarks.

AI-generated content might appear adequate at first. It’s fluent and functional, after all. “But it doesn’t make a business win,” says Liz. She argues that allowing AI to fully take over writing tasks can normalize mediocrity.

Liz frequently hears from business leaders who trust their AI tools to handle communication tasks because they’re confident that their language models (LMs) are well-trained. She warns that overly relying on AI can dilute a company’s brand and damage its credibility—a valid claim, given that AI tends to create generic, impersonal communication that doesn’t resonate with customers and stakeholders.

Poor writing costs businesses nearly $400 billion annually. What are the repercussions? Unclear internal communication leads to employee disengagement and turnover. It also affects productivity, sales, and relationships. A single customer service email that lacks clarity and empathy can drive customers away. In high-risk industries like transportation or healthcare, vague instructions can lead to accidents and liability issues.

“AI can be a helpful intermediate step, especially for those who have limited writing skills, but it should never be the final word,” Liz notes. The expert shares an instance when she trained a company’s customer service team and reviewed their writing samples. A customer reported receiving the wrong merchandise, and instead of addressing the problem empathetically, the representative responded with a terse email containing only a new order number. In this instance, AI might have generated a more polished response. But only a human’s oversight could ensure that the tone was appropriate.

Danziger established Worktalk to help businesses improve their written communication. The company offers customized training programs, webinars, and coaching services that cover business writing, email effectiveness, technical writing, persuasive writing, leadership communication, and more. Today, in a team-driven environment, soft skills such as communication are the lifeblood of organizational effectiveness. Good writers elevate organizations by creating clear, empathetic, and purpose-driven messages.

Ultimately, writing with clarity, strategy, and authenticity is even more crucial today than in previous decades. AI can streamline tasks and offer valuable assistance, but it can’t replace the nuanced human judgment needed for meaningful communication. Elizabeth Danziger’s insights, as well as her Three P’s framework, provide businesses an edge in building trust, enhancing reputation, and strengthening connections with their employees and customers.

The post The Human Advantage: Improving Business Writing in the Age of AI appeared first on Worktalk.

Many writers plunge into their work without a clear destination. They don’t stop to think about their goals, but hope their reader will manage to decode the message about which they themselves are unclear. But this approach wastes time and is unlikely to achieve results. Successful writers think about their desired outcome before they even touch the keyboard.

Start by asking: What should readers think, feel, or do after reading this piece? Your answer shapes everything that follows.

• Writing an email to set up a meeting? Don’t vaguely request “Let me know your availability.” Instead, write “Can we meet Thursday at 3 p.m. to discuss project updates?” This specific request drives action.
• Writing a memo about new fire safety protocols? Your goal isn’t to have readers stash the information away with other non-relevant emails. “Please read the following carefully and confirm receipt of this email after you’ve read it” will alert readers that the email is relevant. Then format the content to make it easy to follow and understand.
• Writing a persuasive proposal? Imagine the decision you want readers to make. Then build your argument to lead them there. Address their concerns early. Present your solution clearly. Support it with evidence. Create a path that guides them toward agreement.

Once you clarify your goal, organize your message to achieve it. Map out main points, anticipate objections, and craft a compelling call to action.

For example, you could break down a proposal for a new marketing initiative into the following sections: an introduction to the need for the initiative, the proposed solution, supporting data, and a closing call to action that encourages the decision-maker to approve the plan. By clearly mapping out these sections ahead of time, you ensure that the document remains focused and persuasive from start to finish.

When you start with clarity about what you want to achieve, you create a document that resonates with readers and leads them to the action you desire.

In the end, writing isn’t just about stringing words together; it’s about shaping an experience for your readers, guiding them through your ideas and encouraging a specific result. Whether you’re seeking to inform, persuade, or request, your message will always be stronger when you begin with the end in mind.

So, the next time you sit down to write, ask yourself: What do I want the reader to think, feel, or do after reading this? As you continue in your writing life, remember to think about the end result you are striving for. Focus on that as you organize, plan, and write your document. You will be amazed at the outcome.

copyright 2025 Elizabeth Danziger

​
​Call Worktalk When:

• Companies lose customers due to poor messaging from sales and customer service teams;
• Clients complain about communication from professional service firms’ staff members;
• Employees need to humanize the output of AI-assisted writing programs so it doesn’t sound fake;
• Employees need help developing the right prompts for AI-assisted writing programs to generate more effective outputs;
• Employees waste time repeatedly emailing one another because their messages are unclear.

Contact me at lizd@worktalk.com or 310.396.8303.

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The post Begin With the End in Mind: The Key to Purposeful Writing appeared first on Worktalk.

Here’s how to craft meaningful thank-you emails for different audiences, complete with templates to make the process easier.

Why Gratitude Emails Matter

Gratitude emails are more than just kind words; they serve a deeper purpose:

• Strengthen relationships: Acknowledging others’ contributions or presence reinforces connections.
• Build goodwill: A simple thank-you can enhance trust and pave the way for future opportunities.
• Reflect and celebrate: These emails provide a chance to reflect on the year’s successes and express genuine appreciation.

By taking the time to write a thoughtful message, you demonstrate that you value others’ efforts, trust, or support.

Key Elements of a Gratitude Email

For a gratitude email to feel personal and genuine, include these elements:

1. A warm opening: Start with a friendly and engaging greeting.
2. Specificity: Mention why you’re thankful and highlight specific actions or moments. Writing “Thank you for all you do,” is less effective than “Thank you for always making sure my proposals are turned in on time.” Saying thank you for everything is like saying thank you for nothing.
3. A forward-looking note: Express hope or excitement for continued connections in the future.
4. A thoughtful closing: End with a sign-off that matches the tone of the relationship.

Personalization is key. A cookie-cutter message won’t leave the same impact as one that feels tailored to the recipient. This means you must make the effort of writing individual emails to each person. A mass-mailed email has little impact and can even alienate some readers.

Templates for Gratitude Emails

1. Clients

Clients are essential to your success, and a thank-you email can reinforce their trust in your business.

Subject: Thank You for an Amazing Year Together!

Hi [Client’s Name],

As the year comes to a close, I want to thank you for being such an integral part of [your company’s name]’s journey. Collaborating on [specific project or service] has been one of the highlights of this year.

Your trust and partnership have made an enormous difference to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support you in [specific goal or outcome they achieved].

I look forward to what we can accomplish together in [upcoming year] and to continuing our partnership.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Warm regards,
[Your Name]

​

2. Coworkers

Coworkers play a significant role in your day-to-day successes. A gratitude email fosters camaraderie and acknowledges their efforts. Pair it with a small gift and it will have even greater impact.

Subject: Grateful for Your Support This Year

Hi [Coworker’s Name],

As the year ends, I want to thank you for your incredible support and contributions. Your dedication to [specific task or project] has made a big impact on our team’s success.

I’ve appreciated your [specific quality, e.g., creativity, reliability, or positivity], and I feel fortunate to work alongside you.

Looking forward to tackling new challenges together in [upcoming year]! Wishing you a happy and restful holiday season.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

​

3. Friends

For friends, a thank-you email is a chance to deepen personal connections and acknowledge the importance of their presence in your life.

Subject: Grateful for Your Friendship

Hi [Friend’s Name],

As this year wraps up, I want to tell you how much your friendship has meant to me. From [specific shared experiences] to simply being there when I needed someone to talk to, your support has been a gift.

I’m so grateful for all the laughs, advice, and memories we’ve shared this year. I can’t wait to see what adventures [next year] brings us!

Wishing you a holiday season filled with joy, love, and plenty of [mention something they enjoy, like good food, cozy evenings, etc.].

With gratitude,
[Your Name]

Final Thoughts

A thank-you email doesn’t need to be long or elaborate to make an impact. By tailoring your message to the recipient and including specific details, you can create a meaningful note that strengthens your relationship.

As you prepare to close the year, take a few moments to send gratitude emails to those who’ve made a difference in your life. It’s a simple yet impactful way to reflect on the year with positivity and build stronger connections for the future.

So, who’s first on your gratitude email list?

​
​Call Worktalk When:

• Companies lose customers due to poor messaging from sales and customer service teams;
• Clients complain about communication from professional service firms’ staff members;
• Employees need to humanize the output of AI-assisted writing programs so it doesn’t sound fake;
• Employees need help developing the right prompts for AI-assisted writing programs to generate more effective outputs;
• Employees waste time repeatedly emailing one another because their messages are unclear.

Contact me at lizd@worktalk.com or 310.396.8303.

The post Gratitude emails build relationships appeared first on Worktalk.

When social media influencer Lisa Beasley parodies corporate speak with her “Corporate Erin” persona on TikTok, thousands laugh along. Her satirical videos mock the buzzwords that tangle modern business communication. But behind the humor lies a serious issue: corporate jargon is creating real barriers in today’s multigenerational workplace.

According to the Duolingo and LinkedIn State of Workplace Jargon Report, which surveyed more than 8,000 workers across eight countries, the overuse of business buzzwords isn’t just annoying, it’s actively hampering understanding and productivity across generational lines. Nearly 60 percent of respondents felt that their colleagues overused jargon. Gen Z-ers and Millennials sometimes feel excluded when they don’t understand the terms their managers use. Buzzwords baffle Baby Boomers, too, as they hear their younger counterparts use language in unexpected ways.

The generational divide in understanding corporate jargon is evident in the examples that confuse different age groups. The Duolingo/LinkedIn study highlighted specific terms that cause the most confusion in American workplaces. Phrases like “boiling the ocean” and “herding cats” topped the list of perplexing jargon. Even seemingly ubiquitous expressions such as “run it up the flagpole,” “move the needle,” or “get your ducks in a row” can leave many employees scratching their heads.

When managers tell their young workers to “run an idea up a flagpole,” Gen Z employees may wonder which flagpole the manager is talking about. Referring to “balls in the air” conjures images of circus jugglers and a term like “blue sky thinking” might mystify younger staff.

Conversely, many Boomers’ minds boggle when they learn that “brat” is now a positive term and “savage” implies being brave or fearless. The evolving nature of language means that “high-key” now means the opposite of “low-key,” implying giving all one’s energy to a task, while “bae” stands for “before anyone else.” The message here is obvious: Business buzzwords blur rather than boost business communication.

When you use too many business buzzwords, you might make members of certain age groups feel excluded. Worse, they might not know what you’re talking about. If the purpose of communication is to convey our meaning seamlessly to our readers, corporate buzzwords are clearly not doing the job.

Using terms that other people do not understand makes them feel disconnected from you. When people feel alienated, they are less open to receiving your message. Why write in a way that obstructs the communication goals you are trying to achieve?

The solution to this communication conundrum isn’t complex, but it does require conscious effort.

Here are some strategies to improve workplace communication:

When you encounter a term you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. This not only helps you but also alerts others to potentially confusing language. Remember, if you’re confused, others likely are too.

Consider who you’re communicating with and adjust your language accordingly. What’s clear to you might be opaque to others.

If you must use industry-specific jargon, provide brief explanations to ensure everyone is on the same page. For instance, “blue sky” and “boiling the ocean” sound like meteorological terms to me, just as “low-hanging fruit” could be mistaken for good news for farm workers.

Use clear, straightforward language in your own communication. Regardless of your position in the organization, you can become the person known for straight talk.

Instead of relying on tired buzzwords, challenge yourself to find fresh, clear ways to express your ideas. Write clearly and simply. Your readers will feel refreshed, included, and genuinely ready to engage with your message.

Remember, the goal of business communication isn’t to spout the latest slang–it’s to convey ideas effectively and drive collective success. By actively working to eliminate generation-specific words and prioritizing clear communication, you create more inclusive, efficient, and productive workplaces.

The next time you’re tempted to use a buzzword, pause and ask yourself: Is there a simpler way to express this idea? Your colleagues–across all generations–will thank you for it.

For those of you still scratching your heads over some of the buzzwords I dropped in this column, here’s a handy decoder.

Click here to read more articles on business communication

4 Ways to Build Relationships With Language

The Art of Conciseness: 5 Ways to Master Brevity

The Language Of Leadership

The post Buzzwords Block Intergenerational Communication appeared first on Worktalk.