Writing in clear English: top ten tips

Want to write clearly, right from the start? Then you need to plan, write and edit in equal measure. Here are Clear Ink’s top tips for getting your message across.  www.clearink.ie
Writing and speaking are tools for communicating a message. That’s it. Yet so many things – jargon, legalese, academic-speak, overly formal or informal language, too [...]

An Abusive Business

It’s a multi-billion euro business with properties and offices throughout the world. The company’s services are used by a huge percentage of the global population and many proudly display – and even promote – its logo. This secretive, privately held organisation has been in business for eons. It has a strong brand and a much-loved [...]

There’s a lot of living to be done in so-called old age

Western society has hang-ups about ageing, and older people are often invisible or ignored.

Democracy at risk in media meltdown

Ireland’s international reputation is in tatters thanks to strange goings on in business, government and regulatory circles. Now, more than ever, we need a strong investigative media committed to shining a light in all those dark places. Who dares to fund it?

Mansergh vs. Ward on BBC2 NI “Hearts and Minds”: Youtube

Martin Mansergh, junior minister for Finance, and I had a very lively discussion on the telly last night. We were, of course, talking about the economy. He was a nice man but he was completely unprepared.

Our lovely interviewer Noel said we’d just have a nice discussion but
it quickly turned into a row. I suggested that [...]

Wanted: a maverick gunslinger to save us from the cowboys

WANTED: MAVERICK gunslinger to cut down enemies of the State.
Year 2010: Tumbleweed blows through the empty streets of the International Financial Services Centre. The once proud little place in the wild west of Europe is almost abandoned. A few nervous survivors squint through cracked glass at the young, fair-haired woman outside. She is wearing sandals [...]

Toxic tips from D’Oh School of Economics

BREAKING NEWS: Homer Simpson has been operating the controls of the international financial system for the last several years. Mr Simpson, normally the animated nuclear safety inspector at the Springfield Nuclear Plant, is known to spend much of his time eating doughnuts, spilling coffee on the control panels and falling asleep.
Financial watchdogs from America to [...]

Frustrated customer speaks out

Dear Strong Language,
No one understands me! What can I do? I’m a good customer, really I am, but sometimes when my bank, solicitor and other service providers contact me, I feel like they’re talking another language.
My post-box is jammed with letters that say things like: “I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September 1, 2008. [...]

Wanted: celeb to emulate Buffett

The Irish Times Business This Week, May 11th 2007
On tonight’s episode of “Sage of Omaha: the next generation” Grandpa interviews his potential successors from Europe’s greatest economic success story – the Emerald Isle
Stay tuned to see if they have the modesty, frugality, economic knowledge and common sense to become . . . the world’s most [...]

Growth strategy

Irish Times Business This Week, April 27th 2007
Dandelions pepper the front lawn, nettles are creeping in and moss coats the driveway. The silent battle between grass blade and yellow-crowned invader, assisted by regular rounds of weed and feed, begins again, writes Margaret E. Ward
Gardening is new to this city girl but I’m trying to learn [...]