Business & Technical Writing/Writing help.

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Expert: - 2/7/2012


Question
Hi there:

I need to re-write this better and would be greatful if you could suggest a re-write:

First line:
Hi Colleen I am hoping that you can write me a favourabel reference on the company letterhead and that I am able to put you down as a verbal referee going forward.

If you are able to please write something to the effect:

Second aspect that I need written well (it's a reference for me as I've had to resign due to x2 sick people in the family).
A. has been employed with Conexa for a duration of x 6 months and was worked in the capacity of Business and Quality Assurance Analyst.

His work involved improving our testing processes by ensuring we had end to end test plans for our eNabler products. And deriving smoke test plans that could be run through after production releases.

A large part of his workload included testing tickets raised as defects in our bug tracking tool Bugzilla and attachiing proof of tests. A. clearly demonstrated a very detailed approach to his work.

A. was reliable and was great at just getting on with tasks at hand that needed attention.

I would happily employee A again.

Answer
I'm not going to do ANYTHING until you (a) read this: http://bit.ly/r0Rvmj, (b) disclose your name (I'd bet that you're CHEATING), and (c) run your spellchecker.

Kiwis once had a well-deserved world-wide reputation for probity and bravery. People like you are killing it.

WDM

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Warren D. Miller

Expertise

I believe I can answer nearly any question about business writing. That goes in spades if the target audience is a lay readership. I make my living writing and speaking. N.B.: I DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS MARKED 'PRIVATE' because I believe that knowledge should be shared, not hoarded. I also believe such questions are likely to be submitted by people trying to cheat. In addition, don't waste your time asking me to write something for you. You don't learn anything if I do that. I'm happy to critique something that YOU write, of course. That's the best way for you to learn how to write well.

Experience

My profession is business valuation, which means appraising businesses whose shares are not publicly traded. This requires in-depth knowledge about a number of disciplines, including economics, finance, strategic management, accounting, anthropology, statistics, and psychology. The left-brain part of me must conduct rigorous research and financial analysis. The right-brain side must then separate what matters from what doesn't and then explain it all in writing (and in everyday English) to people (usually business owners, but sometimes judges and juries) who do not have the expertise that I have been lucky enough to acquire over the years. I love what I do and consider myself fortunate to live in a country where I can do what I love doing and make a nice living doing it. I am glad to help with writing issues, but NOT, please, with any valuation, business consulting, or other non-writing questions.

Organizations
CFA Institute, American Society of Appraisers, Strategic Management Society, Academy of Management, Culver Legion, National Association of Scholars.

Publications
Besides two published books (search for "Warren D. Miller" on Amazon), I have written for the Harvard Business Review, American Fly Fisher, Business Valuation Review, CPA Expert, Academy of Management Executive, CFA Digest, Valuation Strategies, and others.

Education/Credentials
MBA - Oklahoma State U. (1991); BBA - U. of Oklahoma (1975); Chartered Financial Analyst designation (2006) Accredited Senior Appraiser (2006) Certified Public Accountant (1992)

Awards and Honors
Business Valuation Volunteer of the Year (2001) - American Institute of CPAs Winner - Oklahoma Humorous-Speaking Contest - Toastmasters International (1971)

Past/Present Clients
Confidential.

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