Hi there

It's easy to underestimate the potential power we have, quite literally at our fingertips. The words we type in documents channel ideas that just might change the course of history. And if that sounds hyperbolic, read this month's top story about the nine-page memorandum that ensured America won the race to the moon.

And even if your presentations, reports and business cases never send a human into orbit, they still have that potential to make waves. So if influence matters to you, check out our trainer Kathy's insights on how better communication (and a bit of science) can increase yours, in the video below.

All that plus a report-writing warning, free resources and a quick detour to the eastern Himalayas. Enjoy!

All the best

Catie, Chief Word Wrangler

In focus: from words to (great) deeds

The communication secrets that put a man on the moon

10-minute read

On the pivotal role that communication played in achieving a cosmic goal - and what we can learn from it, even if we have no immediate space-travel plans.

Increase your influence with a little help from science [video]  

7-minute watch

Growing your influence means tailoring your communication to how people really think, learn and decide, as our trainer Kathy explores in this short video.

Same expertise, new URL

The services we offer have long gone beyond 'just' writing, to cover the broader communication skills that make good work possible. So we've finally changed our web address. You'll now find us at emphasis.co.uk.

Our pick of the archive

Resources you may have missed

We've been sifting through our archive to serve up some of the more popular articles that you may have missed the first time. This month: the real effect of using long words, writing a report the wrong way and that time the King of Bhutan called us in to help.

What using long words actually says about you

This is how you sesquipedalian types really come across when you err on the long side.

Our royal summons to run training in Bhutan

A tale of teaching the next generation of leaders in the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

Military writing could make you enemies 

Is shorter always better? Why this popular piece of advice can make your reports much worse.

Build better, stronger customer relationships  

Research shows that 91% of unhappy customers will avoid doing business with your organisation again.

But 70% of customers will re-engage with a brand that handles their complaint effectively and empathetically.

And this goes beyond retention. Salespeople at L'Oréal found that using empathy boosted their sales by as much as £70,000 per year.

Empathy's a powerful force. And this free guide shows you how to start writing with it today. You'll discover how to:

✔️ resolve complaints first time - using simple techniques for emails that satisfy customers and cut escalations

✔️ improve loyalty and create fans - making sure customers feel heard and understood

✔️ spread the benefits throughout the business - transforming relationships with clients, prospects and colleagues.

Become a better communicator in 3 minutes. 

Lively, uncommon advice on communication, from world experts straight to your inbox.