According to the Harvard Business Review, bad business writing decreases productivity and creates confusion and uncertainty.
Author Josh Bernoff surveyed 547 businesspeople, who reported spending roughly 25 hours per week reading at work. More than 80% agreed that bad writing wastes time due to needless length, poor organization, lack of clarity and jargon.
Bernoff advocates for clarity:
– Clear leadership, expressed in writing, creates alignment and boosts productivity.
– Straightforwardness and truth are core values for marketers, letting customers know that they can trust the organization.
– Focused writing explains what is happening, what ought to happen and what people need to do.
– Glenn Gillen, APR, S&A Communications