Grammar Ally

Even the most helpful passenger risks being called a "back-seat driver" when they're just trying to be helpful. And it's likewise understandable that anyone who goes around merely correcting others’ language or enforcing compliance is nowadays likely to be called a “Grammar (when they’re not being called a Troll). A Grammar Ally, on the other hand… An Ally is a sympathetic partner who sits with us, uses the Dual Controls sparingly and lets us develop enough Highway Code competence to get out on our own with even more confidence. Grammar is our primary vehicle for that: a set of rules that make a language work and help us to say what we mean as clearly as possible. Grammar makes it easier for people to understand each other. Whether we’re communicating about politics, business or the weather, that can only be a good thing. That's the philosophy. Practically, your Grammar Ally can help with any and all of the following: • Tuning up the writing: cultivating clarity and avoiding those "bum notes"(from careful proofing to enhancing structure and rephrasing for positive messages) • Defusing emails – you know what I mean. and it applies to internal as well as external messages: encouraging positive expression and minimising the negatives that can creep in (off-putting formality, over-familiarity, excuses, counter-accusations.) • Co-writing copy, whether for blogs, collateral, presentations, proposals or complex bids • Co-building presentations that clarify and emphasise what you want to say – and help you say it (as opposed to reading bullet-points.) • Coaching for confidence and fluency in meetings and correspondence • "Could you just check that this sounds OK?" Happy to oblige and it won't take long and you'll be pleased with the results • "What about my personal style, my voice?" That's what it's all about! • "What about our individual brand, our culture?" That is, too!