Expert insights. Personalized for you.
You may never have heard of Potter Stewart, but he was the guy who retired from the U.S. Supreme Court, leading to Sandra Day O'Connor becoming the first female on the court. MORE
Thanks to the evolution of global office culture, managers and business owners have started to go against the norm and adopt non-traditional office policies. MORE
One of the things that can suck up a lot of our time is doing things for others. This is particularly apparent if you have kids that still live at home. If you can empower others' independence, you can get a lot of time back for yourself. MORE
The English suffix – ocracy derives from a Greek word for “power,” “rule,” or “authority.” ” Six examples of such words are aristocracy, autocracy, democracy, kakistocracy,theocracy and plutocracy. Some of the terms overlap. Aristocracy. MORE
According to recent research into the consumer habits of 5,000 respondents across Europe, sustainability is a top priority for the vast majority of shoppers. MORE
Whether you’re a member of the marketing team in a big corporate company or a small business owner who has just started out, you need a solid marketing plan and apt strategies to promote your content. MORE
With the ongoing uncertainly around Brexit that has engulfed the United Kingdom over the past several years, it would be no surprise for investors to be put off investing in property. MORE
We all know just how important the logo is for any company or brand. You don’t have to listen to me rant on and on about the importance of the logo, how it is supposed to be memorable and evergreen and everything else. You know it better than I do. MORE
Having a clean and comfortable office space is very important for any business. It can provide a positive first impression for potential clients and encourage productivity and professionalism to anyone who occupies the space. MORE
I’m happy to welcome to Chris Krimitsos as the guest for this episode. Chris is a father, husband, community builder and ever-evolving innovator. MORE
Regardless of how long you’ve been a small business owner, there’s always room for improvement. That may seem obvious, but it’s worth keeping in mind. None of us are born with a business playbook burned into our brains. MORE
Funds are a crucial requirement for a business to survive, meet working capital requirements or to expand. The required amount of money necessary for business operations or expansion generally depends on business nature and requirements. MORE
million small businesses exist in the American marketplace. While each of those companies possess unique qualities, what unites them all is the fact they needed money to get started. Therein lies the value of taking out a loan. Getting a business loan is a rite of passage for most entrepreneurs. MORE
The small business entrepreneur is typically cash-strapped and has to make do with a shoe-string budget. For those who have established their small or large businesses though, the use of trade show displays is a marketing strategy that can reap excellent returns. MORE
Pew Research's As Economic Concerns Recede, Environmental Protection Rises on the Public’s Policy Agenda covers a recent survey asking Americans about their policy priorities. MORE
Within the past few years, the study of data science and machine learning has exploded into its own job field. However, the tech subgenre has been galavanting to the mainstream for nearly 3 centuries. It all started sometime in the 1740s with Bayes’ Theorem. MORE
Staycation, voluntourism, set-jetting—these are just some of the many travel buzzwords going around. Sometimes, it’s hard to keep up and find the difference. Case in point: backpackers and glampackers. One shouldn’t use them interchangeably since these classifications differ greatly. MORE
People are doing a lot of prognosticating about what will happen in 2020, but one thing is certain: Cyberattacks will get worse. For small businesses, this is cause for alarm. MORE
In today’s competitive world, our work stress reaches a new high almost every other day, taking a toll on our mental health. While we can’t ignore our work, we can take the right measures to protect our mental health. So here’s a list of some handy apps and tools for a sound mental well-being. MORE
Employing vertical lists, which display related sets of words, phrases, or sentences entered on separate lines and marked with bullets (dots or other symbols), numbers, or letters to clarify the organizational scheme, is a sensible strategy for presenting numerous or complex details that would otherwise clutter a sentence. (An in-line list, a sequence of such elements in a sentence, is best used when the list is short and simple; the first sentence of this post includes two brief in-line lists.). Take care, however, to avoid repetitive elements and inconsistent grammatical construction—the key is to make the list flow as smoothly as an in-line list. The following examples demonstrate faulty use of a vertical list; each is followed by a discussion of the problem and a revision of the list that provides a solution. 1. The tool is organized under four key areas: • Understanding how the financial statement auditor considers cybersecurity risk, • Understanding the role of management and responsibilities of the financial statement auditor related to cybersecurity disclosures, • Understanding management’s approach to cybersecurity risk management, and. • Understanding how firms can assist boards of directors in their oversight of cybersecurity risk management. In this vertical list, each element begins with an identical word: understanding. To avoid such repetition, simply integrate the common wording into the lead-in phrase: “The tool is organized under four key areas, including understanding. • how the financial statement auditor considers cybersecurity risk. • the role of management and responsibilities of the financial statement auditor related to cybersecurity disclosures. • management’s approach to cybersecurity risk management. • how firms can assist boards of directors in their oversight of cybersecurity risk management.”. Note, too, the omission of the colon in the revision. In the original, the colon correctly follows a complete statement (“The tool is organized under four key areas”). However, in the revision, the lead-in text has been revised to be an open phrase that each element of the list completes, so no punctuation should intervene between the end of the lead-in text and the beginning of each element. Also, the punctuation following each element, and the conjunction and preceding the final element, which mimic these components in an in-line list (as in “My pocket contains keys, a comb, and a pen”), is optional, as demonstrated by their omission in the revision. Do retain the final period, however, when the entire vertical list has a grammatically valid sentence construction. 2. Institutions will need to develop policies, procedures, and controls to define. • when it is reasonable to remove a loan from a loan pool for individual analysis. • when it is reasonable to develop a new loan pool if loans removed from a loan pool share similar risk characteristics. In this example, each element begins with an entire identical phrase: “when it is reasonable to.” As in the previous example, such common wording can be moved to the lead-in text: “Institutions will need to develop policies, procedures, and controls to define when it is reasonable to. • remove a loan from a loan pool for individual analysis. • develop a new loan pool if loans removed from a loan pool share similar risk characteristics.”. 3. The following strategies are recommended: • Design and deliver an annual cybersecurity strategy and program. • Mitigate active and emerging threats and exposures. • Demonstrable and quantifiable cybersecurity risk reduction. • Business and executive objectives alignment. • Predictable security budgeting. Here, two phrasing structures are employed inconsistently: The first two elements are complete sentences, and the others are phrases. To produce a cohesive list, revise list items so that they share a consistent syntax: “The following strategies are recommended: • Design and deliver an annual cybersecurity strategy and program. • Mitigate active and emerging threats and exposures. • Demonstrably and quantifiably reduce cybersecurity risk. • Align business and executive objectives. • Predictably budget security.”. Note that each complete sentence, following lead-in text that is a complete sentence, is now followed by a period. Alternatively, the first two elements of the original list can be revised so that all are phrases. (In that case, no final punctuation is necessary.). 4. Our approach to compliance includes the following steps: • Discover: Identify high-risk areas to ensure a focused approach. • Manage: Determine exposure and prioritize compliance activities. • Protect: Implement changes to achieve compliance. • Report: Provide evidence of accountability and compliance. The use of colons after the first word of each element when a colon already appears at the end of the lead-in phrase is awkward; either revise the closed lead-in text to an open phrase that each element completes (lowercasing each initial word and each word following a colon in the process, and omitting all periods but the final one), or retain the original lead-in text but replace each element colon with a dash or parentheses (retaining initial capitalization of the key word but not the first word of the explanatory statement), or both. After some thought, I favor the second approach, opting, for a clean look, to parenthesize the explanatory statements and omit all final punctuation. The revision based on that strategy is shown below: 4. Our approach to compliance includes the following steps: • Discover (identify high-risk areas to ensure a focused approach). • Manage (determine exposure and prioritize compliance activities). • Protect (implement changes to achieve compliance). • Report (provide evidence of accountability and compliance). 5. The three primary cloud-deployment options are. • public cloud. • private cloud. • hybrid cloud. This list has no errors, but it is too simple to merit vertical treatment unless it is displayed as shown for graphic emphasis, such as in a slide presentation, in which case the lead-in phrase could be condensed to “Three primary cloud-deployment options,” followed by a colon, and the period omitted. ( Cloud could be omitted in each element, but because the phrasing in business jargon is “public cloud” and so on, it is best retained.) Here is the revision for in-line treatment: “The three primary cloud-deployment options are public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud.”. Do you want to improve your writing skills faster? Grab a premium subscription and receive our writing tips and exercises every day! Click here to start a 15-day free trial. Publish your book with our partner InstantPublisher.com ! Professionally printed in as few as 7 days. Original post: Common Errors in Vertical Lists. Punctuation MORE
When it comes to having your money earn you even more money, long-term investments will usually allow you to earn the most money. However, not everyone has the time or patience to put their money in long-term investments. MORE
There’s more to attracting and retaining customers than just having great products and a stand-out brand. Customer experience plays an important role in whether consumers decide to make a purchase or come back to your business again. MORE
Typography plays a critical role in getting the pulse of the message right. The right font at the right place can often prove to be the differentiator between hitting the bull’s eye and missing the mark altogether. The difference between ‘ We’re here for you ’ and ‘ We’re here for you ’ says it all. MORE
Every business wants to equip the most cutting edge technology for operations. This technology gives them a unique space in their industry. Not only customers but competitors of that business also praise them because of the technology they use. MORE
Dumb Little Man
FEBRUARY 26, 2020
We all know just how important the logo is for any company or brand. You don’t have to listen to me rant on and on about the importance of the logo, how it is supposed to be memorable and evergreen and everything else. You know it better than I do.
Small Business Labs
FEBRUARY 25, 2020
Pew Research's As Economic Concerns Recede, Environmental Protection Rises on the Public’s Policy Agenda covers a recent survey asking Americans about their policy priorities.
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On The Job
FEBRUARY 24, 2020
You may never have heard of Potter Stewart, but he was the guy who retired from the U.S. Supreme Court, leading to Sandra Day O'Connor becoming the first female on the court.
Simple Productivity Blog
FEBRUARY 23, 2020
One of the things that can suck up a lot of our time is doing things for others. This is particularly apparent if you have kids that still live at home. If you can empower others' independence, you can get a lot of time back for yourself.
Dumb Little Man
FEBRUARY 25, 2020
Within the past few years, the study of data science and machine learning has exploded into its own job field. However, the tech subgenre has been galavanting to the mainstream for nearly 3 centuries. It all started sometime in the 1740s with Bayes’ Theorem.
Productivityist
FEBRUARY 26, 2020
I’m happy to welcome to Chris Krimitsos as the guest for this episode. Chris is a father, husband, community builder and ever-evolving innovator.
Small Business CEO
FEBRUARY 24, 2020
There’s more to attracting and retaining customers than just having great products and a stand-out brand. Customer experience plays an important role in whether consumers decide to make a purchase or come back to your business again.
Assistant Edge brings together the best content for professional assistants from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Dumb Little Man
FEBRUARY 26, 2020
In today’s competitive world, our work stress reaches a new high almost every other day, taking a toll on our mental health. While we can’t ignore our work, we can take the right measures to protect our mental health. So here’s a list of some handy apps and tools for a sound mental well-being.
Dumb Little Man
FEBRUARY 24, 2020
Thanks to the evolution of global office culture, managers and business owners have started to go against the norm and adopt non-traditional office policies.
Dumb Little Man
FEBRUARY 25, 2020
Staycation, voluntourism, set-jetting—these are just some of the many travel buzzwords going around. Sometimes, it’s hard to keep up and find the difference. Case in point: backpackers and glampackers. One shouldn’t use them interchangeably since these classifications differ greatly.
Dumb Little Man
FEBRUARY 24, 2020
Funds are a crucial requirement for a business to survive, meet working capital requirements or to expand. The required amount of money necessary for business operations or expansion generally depends on business nature and requirements.
Daily Writing Tips
FEBRUARY 26, 2020
Employing vertical lists, which display related sets of words, phrases, or sentences entered on separate lines and marked with bullets (dots or other symbols), numbers, or letters to clarify the organizational scheme, is a sensible strategy for presenting numerous or complex details that would otherwise clutter a sentence. (An in-line list, a sequence of such elements in a sentence, is best used when the list is short and simple; the first sentence of this post includes two brief in-line lists.). Take care, however, to avoid repetitive elements and inconsistent grammatical construction—the key is to make the list flow as smoothly as an in-line list. The following examples demonstrate faulty use of a vertical list; each is followed by a discussion of the problem and a revision of the list that provides a solution. 1. The tool is organized under four key areas: • Understanding how the financial statement auditor considers cybersecurity risk, • Understanding the role of management and responsibilities of the financial statement auditor related to cybersecurity disclosures, • Understanding management’s approach to cybersecurity risk management, and. • Understanding how firms can assist boards of directors in their oversight of cybersecurity risk management. In this vertical list, each element begins with an identical word: understanding. To avoid such repetition, simply integrate the common wording into the lead-in phrase: “The tool is organized under four key areas, including understanding. • how the financial statement auditor considers cybersecurity risk. • the role of management and responsibilities of the financial statement auditor related to cybersecurity disclosures. • management’s approach to cybersecurity risk management. • how firms can assist boards of directors in their oversight of cybersecurity risk management.”. Note, too, the omission of the colon in the revision. In the original, the colon correctly follows a complete statement (“The tool is organized under four key areas”). However, in the revision, the lead-in text has been revised to be an open phrase that each element of the list completes, so no punctuation should intervene between the end of the lead-in text and the beginning of each element. Also, the punctuation following each element, and the conjunction and preceding the final element, which mimic these components in an in-line list (as in “My pocket contains keys, a comb, and a pen”), is optional, as demonstrated by their omission in the revision. Do retain the final period, however, when the entire vertical list has a grammatically valid sentence construction. 2. Institutions will need to develop policies, procedures, and controls to define. • when it is reasonable to remove a loan from a loan pool for individual analysis. • when it is reasonable to develop a new loan pool if loans removed from a loan pool share similar risk characteristics. In this example, each element begins with an entire identical phrase: “when it is reasonable to.” As in the previous example, such common wording can be moved to the lead-in text: “Institutions will need to develop policies, procedures, and controls to define when it is reasonable to. • remove a loan from a loan pool for individual analysis. • develop a new loan pool if loans removed from a loan pool share similar risk characteristics.”. 3. The following strategies are recommended: • Design and deliver an annual cybersecurity strategy and program. • Mitigate active and emerging threats and exposures. • Demonstrable and quantifiable cybersecurity risk reduction. • Business and executive objectives alignment. • Predictable security budgeting. Here, two phrasing structures are employed inconsistently: The first two elements are complete sentences, and the others are phrases. To produce a cohesive list, revise list items so that they share a consistent syntax: “The following strategies are recommended: • Design and deliver an annual cybersecurity strategy and program. • Mitigate active and emerging threats and exposures. • Demonstrably and quantifiably reduce cybersecurity risk. • Align business and executive objectives. • Predictably budget security.”. Note that each complete sentence, following lead-in text that is a complete sentence, is now followed by a period. Alternatively, the first two elements of the original list can be revised so that all are phrases. (In that case, no final punctuation is necessary.). 4. Our approach to compliance includes the following steps: • Discover: Identify high-risk areas to ensure a focused approach. • Manage: Determine exposure and prioritize compliance activities. • Protect: Implement changes to achieve compliance. • Report: Provide evidence of accountability and compliance. The use of colons after the first word of each element when a colon already appears at the end of the lead-in phrase is awkward; either revise the closed lead-in text to an open phrase that each element completes (lowercasing each initial word and each word following a colon in the process, and omitting all periods but the final one), or retain the original lead-in text but replace each element colon with a dash or parentheses (retaining initial capitalization of the key word but not the first word of the explanatory statement), or both. After some thought, I favor the second approach, opting, for a clean look, to parenthesize the explanatory statements and omit all final punctuation. The revision based on that strategy is shown below: 4. Our approach to compliance includes the following steps: • Discover (identify high-risk areas to ensure a focused approach). • Manage (determine exposure and prioritize compliance activities). • Protect (implement changes to achieve compliance). • Report (provide evidence of accountability and compliance). 5. The three primary cloud-deployment options are. • public cloud. • private cloud. • hybrid cloud. This list has no errors, but it is too simple to merit vertical treatment unless it is displayed as shown for graphic emphasis, such as in a slide presentation, in which case the lead-in phrase could be condensed to “Three primary cloud-deployment options,” followed by a colon, and the period omitted. ( Cloud could be omitted in each element, but because the phrasing in business jargon is “public cloud” and so on, it is best retained.) Here is the revision for in-line treatment: “The three primary cloud-deployment options are public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud.”. Do you want to improve your writing skills faster? Grab a premium subscription and receive our writing tips and exercises every day! Click here to start a 15-day free trial. Publish your book with our partner InstantPublisher.com ! Professionally printed in as few as 7 days. Original post: Common Errors in Vertical Lists. Punctuation
Small Business CEO
FEBRUARY 27, 2020
Every business wants to equip the most cutting edge technology for operations. This technology gives them a unique space in their industry. Not only customers but competitors of that business also praise them because of the technology they use.
Small Business CEO
FEBRUARY 25, 2020
According to recent research into the consumer habits of 5,000 respondents across Europe, sustainability is a top priority for the vast majority of shoppers.
Small Business CEO
FEBRUARY 22, 2020
Typography plays a critical role in getting the pulse of the message right. The right font at the right place can often prove to be the differentiator between hitting the bull’s eye and missing the mark altogether. The difference between ‘ We’re here for you ’ and ‘ We’re here for you ’ says it all.
Small Business CEO
FEBRUARY 25, 2020
People are doing a lot of prognosticating about what will happen in 2020, but one thing is certain: Cyberattacks will get worse. For small businesses, this is cause for alarm.
Small Business CEO
FEBRUARY 26, 2020
Regardless of how long you’ve been a small business owner, there’s always room for improvement. That may seem obvious, but it’s worth keeping in mind. None of us are born with a business playbook burned into our brains.
Small Business CEO
FEBRUARY 26, 2020
Whether you’re a member of the marketing team in a big corporate company or a small business owner who has just started out, you need a solid marketing plan and apt strategies to promote your content.
Small Business CEO
FEBRUARY 23, 2020
When it comes to having your money earn you even more money, long-term investments will usually allow you to earn the most money. However, not everyone has the time or patience to put their money in long-term investments.
Small Business CEO
FEBRUARY 25, 2020
With the ongoing uncertainly around Brexit that has engulfed the United Kingdom over the past several years, it would be no surprise for investors to be put off investing in property.
Small Business CEO
FEBRUARY 22, 2020
million small businesses exist in the American marketplace. While each of those companies possess unique qualities, what unites them all is the fact they needed money to get started. Therein lies the value of taking out a loan. Getting a business loan is a rite of passage for most entrepreneurs.
Small Business CEO
FEBRUARY 23, 2020
Having a clean and comfortable office space is very important for any business. It can provide a positive first impression for potential clients and encourage productivity and professionalism to anyone who occupies the space.
Small Business CEO
FEBRUARY 22, 2020
The small business entrepreneur is typically cash-strapped and has to make do with a shoe-string budget. For those who have established their small or large businesses though, the use of trade show displays is a marketing strategy that can reap excellent returns.
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