Word Power - Word Smith's monthly e-zine

January 2005

Welcome to the January issue of Word Power – and hello to this month's five new subscribers.

In this issue:

News from Word Smiths
What is coaching?
Get the job of your dreams...
Nick's Grammar Slammer - Part 4: singulars, plurals and collective nouns.

News from Word Smiths

We're continuing work on a major project for associate Walkgrove Ltd, developing and delivering open learning, e-learning and workshop materials for a department of the Scottish Executive.
Workshops in speed reading, Mind Mapping and management skills: this month Jane has run courses in Guildford and Swansea. As ever, the feedback has been great.
Typesetting German, Spanish and French product catalogues for associate Business Language Services.
Unfortunately, the Coaching & Mentoring book that Jane and Ann Holloway are writing has been unavoidably delayed till the end of March. But just to whet your appetite, here's a tiny sample.

What is coaching?

We are all comfortable with the term 'coach' in a sporting context, but what does it really mean in business terms? In fact coaching is nothing new. It traces its origins to the apprenticeship system where an older more experienced worker passed down his or her job skills and knowledge of the industry to the younger generation. A coach can bring out the very best in people and encourage them to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Coaching involves:

Setting a clear example
Giving people challenges to help them develop their skills
Supporting them to ensure that they enjoy learning from the experience.

So coaching is not so much about teaching or training others - it's more about helping them to learn for themselves.

What are the benefits of coaching?

Because coaching is done in the workplace, as part of your everyday activities, it is less time-consuming than many other training and development methods. It is a very effective way of using your time and that of your team. Some of the benefits of coaching are:

It makes people feel valued and respected
Instead of telling people how to do things it helps them come up with their own ideas
Because you are involved personally, you can make sure that appropriate learning takes place
It gives you the opportunity to build more open, honest and positive relationships with team members
People will take more responsibility for the quality of their work and their performance will improve.

For all these reasons coaching is one of the most powerful and cost-effective tools you have for developing your team.

What makes a good coach?

Your own experience can be your best guide in assessing what personal qualities and skills are needed to make a good coach. It helps to model yourself on the behaviour of the people who have coached you.

This is what others have said about their coaches or bosses:

"She never questioned my ability to succeed, that was taken for granted. She seemed genuinely interested in me and the progress I was making. She loved the work too and wanted me to do well."

Ellie

"My boss in my first job was lavish with praise when things went well. But when you made a mess of things he never let you get away with it - he cared about the job so you tried to give it that bit of extra push."

David

Most of us can name several people who have had a positive effect on our professional development. Think of one or two people who have encouraged you to develop your skills and abilities in some way. What did they do, what skills did they use and how did this affect your career? Then try to model at least one of these behaviours and see what a difference it makes.

Get the job of your dreams...

Want a new job for 2005? Take time out to re-think your career strategy with Jane's handy handbag guides.

First take the temperature of different aspects of your current job with Jane's career health check
Then work out what you have to offer with Jane's quizzes.
Finally use Jane's quick and easy questionnaire to find out whether your CV is providing the right kind of showcase for all your talents.

.... and then go for your dream job!

Nick's grammar slammer

Part 4. Singulars, plurals and collective nouns

In the first three editions of Word Power we have been looking at punctuation, and at how this aspect of correct grammar is a vital element of good written communication (click here for the links to previous issues).

Now, we move on to examine some more common errors that, if uncorrected, can have the unfortunate effect of undermining the message you want to communicate.

1. Using a plural verb with a singular noun

The rule here is that the verb must agree with the subject of the sentence. So if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. Easy, as you can see:

"Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons."
Woody Allen (singular).
"My school days were the happiest days of my life; which should give you some indication of the misery I've endured over the past twenty-five years."
Paul Merton (plural).
"The hardest thing in the world to understand is income tax."
Albert Einstein (singular).
"They is well wicked."
Ali G (plural/singular).

It's easy in a simple sentence, but can be confusing in more complex constructions.

Don't write: 'a list of Mr Brown's properties are attached'.
Write instead: 'a list of Mr Brown's properties is attached'.

(It's the list which is attached, not the properties).

2. Following double subjects by a singular verb

Don't write: 'The condition and quality of the computer equipment is poor'.
Write instead: 'The condition and quality of the computer equipment are poor'.
Don't write: 'The sports teams and social programme enhances employees' working experience'.
Write instead: 'The sports teams and social programme enhance employees' working experience'.

3. Using the wrong form of the verb with collective nouns

Collective nouns like 'government', 'committee', and 'family' are used to refer both to a whole group as a singular entity, and to the members of the group as a collection of individuals.

You may, therefore, correctly write: 'The committee has made a decision', or, 'The committee have now taken their seats'.
Similarly you may want to say: 'Manchester United is a great football team' (singular entity), or, 'The team are wearing their red shirts today' (members of the group).

Note that:

When preceded by 'the', the word 'number' is singular: 'The number of people on a detox this month is quite incredible'. When preceded by 'a', however, it takes a plural verb: 'A large number of them are already falling by the wayside'.
Some people maintain that, because 'none' is derived from 'no one', it should always be singular: 'None of us is getting any younger'. However, in common usage, the word is more often treated as a plural: 'None of us are prepared to admit the fact'.

Need more help with writing or communication? Check our in-company writing courses.

In the next Word Power, Nick's Grammar Slammer Part 5: conjunctions and relative pronouns.
Do you know your 'which' from your 'that'?

Unlock the secrets of successful reading

Jane Smith's audio CD Speed Reading for Success is walking off the shelves – have you bought your copy yet? If you're drowning in a mass of e-mails, letters, books, reports and journals, take this unique opportunity to learn how to be a truly effective reader.

Speed Reading for Success guides you through a step-by-step process which will help you to absorb more information faster than ever before.

This book has had great reviews – it's concise, enjoyable and easy to follow. After practising these skills your memory will improve, you'll perform better in your work and you'll feel much more confident.

It's fantastic value at just £14.85 - buy it from our website www.word-smiths.co.uk and we'll send you a free copy of e-book Decision Making for Success . Alternatively, you can order it from Amazon at £10.39.

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