While more bang for the buck explains what consumers want when buying, they should change it to something more original. Creatively thinking and putting it into practice makes good sense in business public relations. Originality in speaking and in writing is not something busienss people come by naturally. Why are they such pack-rats when it comes to thinking? They pepper their phrases with familiar and easily understood phrases and give little thought to thinking on their own. This is especially true and especially annoying to dedicated writers who just happens to find themselves in a business setting. One recently admitted she wished she had majored in writing instead of in business.

Yet business needs these ingenious writers who 'think outside the box'. They keep them alerted to the fact that there's more to a business deal than echoing what is swirling around in that squared-off container. It is writers who have an inborn creativite sense that will 'cut the corners' off that box of ready-made responses.

What would Shakespeare have to say about the business practice of parroting the thoughts of others? After all he was an excellent business man and a good writer making excellent use of the verbal hand-me-downs he found daily in his business dealings. What would he say to his associates who counseled him about his way of approaching the business of play writing? "I pray thee cease thy counsel, Which falls into mine ears as profitless as water in a sieve." This is taken from "Much Ado about Nothing".

Did you ever wonder why people find these handy business phrases so convenient? They come in handy expressing some lack we all have from time to time. Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his Second Inaugural Address answers my question today although I am aware that he was not concerning himself with tired and worn out business expressions:

"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to this abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough to those who have little".

I am using his words to address business concerns of today and applying it to writers who not only are astute in business but have the writing skills that allow them to share with others. In other words the business writers fill in the blanks and the empty boxes for those who may be somewhat lacking in their ability to 'think outside the box".

It's a 'good thing' to share. Thanks Martha Stewart for adding that to the 'think tank'. And certainly she would agree that Old Ben (Benjamin Franklin) had it right when he said that the only two certainties in life and in business was "death and taxes".

Yet the basic reason business letters and memos and business communication in general is lacking the fine art of originality is that thinking is hard. William Cowper, the British poet who wrote about having the time to stare and to care and to think leaves us with this: "To follow foolish precedents, and wink with both our eyes, is easier than to think".

Of course, the smart business communicator is one who thinks with one eye on his boss and the other closed, listening to his interior self think of a better way of clinching the deal.

Learn more about this author, EMoore.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Overused business expressions?
We want to hear your view. Write now!