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Business & Technical Writing/Questions Answered by Expert Warren D. Miller
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Writing help. | 2/7/2012 |
| Q: I need to re-write this better and would be greatful if you could suggest a re-write: First line: ... A: I'm not going to do ANYTHING until you (a) read this: http://bit.ly/r0Rvmj, (b) disclose your name ... | |
| cc...pc...ec? | 6/23/2011 |
| Q: How do you properly identify that a letter is being copied to another person? When I graduated 31 ... A: Fascinating conversation, Molly. YOU have taught ME some things this morning. Let me elaborate. 1. ... | |
| cc...pc...ec? | 6/22/2011 |
| Q: How do you properly identify that a letter is being copied to another person? When I graduated 31 ... A: Molly-- Glad to help. If the document is a 'memorandum' (To:, From:, Subject:, Date:), add Cc: ... | |
| grammar | 5/6/2011 |
| Q: I am curious on consistency when writing numbers. When you have a phrase such as, "This $50,000 was ... A: That's a great question, Kelly, and I'm delighted you asked it. As I always do on these kinds of ... | |
| "corporate" usage - follow up question | 11/23/2010 |
| Q: Is it okay to use "corporate" in the context of state/governmental agencies? For example, the ... A: Kris, somehow you submitted the identical question to me twice. If I don't reply to both of them, ... | |
| "corporate" usage - follow up question | 11/23/2010 |
| Q: Is it okay to use "corporate" in the context of state/governmental agencies? For example, the ... A: Kris. The additional information is extremely helpful to me. Still, I'm not sure that I have any ... | |
| "corporate" usage | 11/23/2010 |
| Q: Is it okay to use "corporate" in the context of state/governmental agencies? For example, the ... A: I'm confused, Kris. IS the name of the agency the "Corporate Secretary and Public Affairs Department ... | |
| Letters addressed to two individuals | 11/11/2010 |
| Q: Assuming you prepare ONE letter addressed to two separate individuals at different addresses, do you ... A: Victoria-- Great question. Thanks for posting. Print two originals, sign both in blue ink, and ... | |
| communication | 10/20/2010 |
| Q: kindly provide me the correct usage of email while using for business communications? is it e-mail ... A: Ananda, I'm sorry this took a few days. I do this for free, and I had two small projects to finish ... | |
| Credit card interest in Bahrain | 5/17/2010 |
| Q: This has reference to the first statement dated [date] on my platinum credit card which was issued ... A: John, I wish I could help you, but I do not know how consumer finance is handled in Bahrain. I just ... | |
| business communications | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: Does a managers leadership style affect his or her communication style? If so, how? Is it possible ... A: Mary, I want to help, but I will not do this for you. You just have to start. Let's say your answer ... | |
| business communications | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: Does a managers leadership style affect his or her communication style? If so, how? Is it possible ... A: Mary. That's helpful. For a class discussion, I think the ideas should be yours, and not mine or ... | |
| Business Name in Signature Block | 3/24/2010 |
| Q: What is the proper format when adding a business name in the signature block under the complimentary ... A: Yes, Mickey, you are dead-on: Company name, usually in all-caps or small caps, signature block, ... | |
| application letter | 3/24/2010 |
| Q: i want to write an application letter for admission in another school for std IX. so its a request ... A: You did a GREAT job, Tasneem. Really. From the tone of your initial posting, I wasn't expecting ... | |
| application letter | 3/23/2010 |
| Q: i want to write an application letter for admission in another school for std IX. so its a request ... A: Tasneem. We all make mistakes, myself included. In fact, I continue to be amazed by the number of ... | |
| application letter | 3/20/2010 |
| Q: i want to write an application letter for admission in another school for std IX. so its a request ... A: Tasneem, I'll be glad to HELP you. I will NOT do this FOR you. I cannot - I don't have the time. If ... | |
| Writers Block | 3/13/2010 |
| Q: The main essay on the common app for transfers asks for a statement addressing my reasons for ... A: I don't answer questions marked 'Private.' To do so would set me up to answer the same questikon ... | |
| copy editing business | 3/9/2010 |
| Q: Miller: I found a previous answer to a family asking about proofreading certification in my search ... A: First, I sincerely apologize for not replying sooner to your post. I am traveling, but I forgot to ... | |
| Grammar question; "lost in a book"? | 2/5/2010 |
| Q: I want to make sure I'm using the expression "lost in a book/movie" correctly. Are the following ... A: Glen, you're giving yourself away when you Copy and Paste to the same posting. That is an insult to ... | |
| Professional Help | 1/15/2010 |
| Q: I just came across your responses and I love them! Although some responses are though I am impressed ... A: Lilian-- Welcome to America, the world's greatest country. I'm delighted that you see it that way, ... | |
| resume summery statement | 1/12/2010 |
| Q: Looking for professional way to relate that the businesses I have managed in the past were ... A: Some short suggestions, Grady: 1. The summary might begin like this: "Seasoned manager with broad ... | |
| Making price inquiries | 11/22/2009 |
| Q: I am interested in learning how to ask about price/cost/total damage of a commodity or service in ... A: John. Three more questions: In your original query, were the two paragraphs in the same context or ... | |
| Key words | 11/5/2009 |
| Q: I am a builder and am just getting into the world of technology so my products for my business ... A: Read this, please, Ray: www.allexperts.com/ep/2301-84697/Economics/Warren-D-Miller.htm. I don't ... | |
| Business/Trade Journal - Awards? | 11/2/2009 |
| Q: I've been writing for a rather small trade magazine for about 5 years - each article is about 1,750 ... A: Chris. I'm not aware of any annual awards for business writing. The only awards I know of are ... | |
| Proofreader certification | 9/10/2009 |
| Q: Mr. Miller, My college-bound son is interested in pursuing a career in proofreading/copy editing. ... A: First things first: Please accept my heartfelt and most sincere apology for taking so long to ... | |
| Signature block legalities | 9/7/2009 |
| Q: Is it legal to use designators from non-accredited certifications as suffixes in a signature block, ... A: Darrell. That background color is extremely helpful. Let me offer some strong management advice to ... | |
| Signature block legalities | 9/7/2009 |
| Q: Is it legal to use designators from non-accredited certifications as suffixes in a signature block, ... A: When I saw "CPI" there, I thought it mean "Consumer Price Index." I've never known "CPI" to stand ... | |
| Writing Style | 8/21/2009 |
| Q: I'm 60 yrs young and have written technical documents for over 40 yrs. Nevertheless, one of my ... A: Walter-- Thank you for your question, and thank you for using AllExperts.com. I can help you, but I ... | |
| Signature block when name is on letterhead | 6/25/2009 |
| Q: Is it still proper etiquette to omit the signature block if the author's name (and therefore other ... A: Rebecca-- Well, I know that I answered this question yesterday, but it's still here, so let me try ... | |
| Signature block when name is on letterhead | 6/24/2009 |
| Q: Is it still proper etiquette to omit the signature block if the author's name (and therefore other ... A: Rebecca. I'll be glad to try to help you here. First, however, I need to clarify something: Are you ... | |
| Family names plus s | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: In English "s" following a family name preceded by "the" refers to the entire family, e.g., the ... A: John, I think I can help you here, but I'm not qualified to speak about Chinese. I have enough ... | |
| New Account | 4/17/2009 |
| Q: I think it not only sounds gramatically awkward, but I would like to replace the word relationship. ... A: It's all a matter of style, Johann. But, in your case, I think it's also a matter of client ... | |
| acting as a business agent | 3/10/2009 |
| Q: I want to write an offer to retrieve money for other people for a % amount and i will have to ... A: And your question is? On second thought, don't bother. It doesn't matter. I don't write letters ... | |
| WRITING | 2/12/2009 |
| Q: I read a book that has a reference: 2. Connor WE. The importance of n-3 fatty acids in health and ... A: I am sorry to be so long in replying to your question. It turned out to be one heckuva lot more ... | |
| listing order | 1/18/2009 |
| Q: Two of our children are in grade school. They both have a habit of listing numbers out of sequence ... A: Well, Natasha, do you live in Louisiana? :-) JUST KIDDING! There are some old Cajun jokes where ... | |
| enquiry | 12/19/2008 |
| Q: pls i saw a product i would love to market and i have done all the marketing research and sales ... A: If you're going to write letters, you had better learn to use capital letters of the alphabet and ... | |
| What else besides being a copywriter? | 11/27/2008 |
| Q: I intend to move to a remote area of Scotland next year. Last year I undertook a copywriting ... A: Heather-- Thank you for a most interesting question. I'm a tad confused, so, before I risk going in ... | |
| essay/speech on huck finn, looking for alibrandi, raw | 10/12/2008 |
| Q: I'd be more than happy to fill that out. Here's my speech again just in case you need it. Task: ... A: Jas. Glad we have a deal. Here are my recommendation: 1. Even though this is to be a speech, avoid ... | |
| addressing a business letter to mulitple parties | 10/8/2008 |
| Q: I need to write a letter, but it needs to be addressed to two different people at two different ... A: You've raised an interesting question. My first attempt to answer it took the to the Chicago Manual ... | |
| inquiry: How to sell articles to magazines | 5/29/2008 |
| Q: Good day! I need information on the following questions. 1) What is the correct format in writing ... A: Rather than try to answer your questions, which would take an incredible amount of time (which I ... | |
| Help in writing a covering letter | 5/29/2008 |
| Q: Miller, I am wondering if you could please assist me in writing a cover letter for the following ... A: and thank you for using AllExperts.com. Thank you, too, for your kind words about my refusal to ... | |
| Braces | 4/24/2008 |
| Q: I would like to know the correct way to indicate an unlabled piece of data. That is, for example, a ... A: and thank you for using AllExperts.com. Unfortunately, I don't believe there are any hard and fast ... | |
| Development/Marketing Homemade Marinade Sauce | 12/19/2007 |
| Q: I hold a Master of Science Degree in Oriental Medicine and a Specialized Associates Degree in ... A: Mike-- Thank you for unchecking 'Private,' and thank you for using AllExperts.com. Let me ask you ... | |
| leeterhead | 12/17/2007 |
| Q: We just started a non-profit association, we don't really know how to write our letterhead. Is there ... A: Damaris-- Thank you for your question, and thank you for using AllExperts.com. Whether in ... | |
| report style | 10/22/2007 |
| Q: i am in the process of writing a professional report which forms part of an undergrad uni ... A: I'd like to try to help you. It would help me to know what the subject of your report is supposed to ... | |
| Drawing words | 9/19/2007 |
| Q: Im not sure what category this is meant to be in but i was wondering what you call a word that it ... A: Chris-- Thank you for your question. This category is meant to be about writing for business and ... | |
| knowledge mgt | 9/12/2007 |
| Q: I have a question and I'm not too sure if it's related to database but i'm just wondering what is ... A: Glad to help, Sue. Rather than elaborate myself, let me provide some links for you. They will answer ... | |
| knowledge mgt | 9/12/2007 |
| Q: I have a question and I'm not too sure if it's related to database but i'm just wondering what is ... A: IT changes rapidly, Sue. The problems are wide-ranging and pretty unstructured. Therefore, capable ... | |
| knowledge mgt | 9/12/2007 |
| Q: I have a question and I'm not too sure if it's related to database but i'm just wondering what is ... A: Sue-- That's a great question. Let me start by mentioning a couple of things that make knowledge ... | |
Business & Technical Writing
Answers by Expert:
Warren D. Miller
Top Expert on this page
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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