Workplace behaviour Exclamation marks Ranjani, July 14, 2020May 27, 2025 A friend of mine wrote to me recently saying that her husband was called out by a colleague in another country for using “too many exclamation marks”. What is the etiquette on this, she asked. Continue Reading
Writing If you’re a writer, read Ranjani, June 25, 2020May 27, 2025 A writer who says, “I don’t have time to read” isn’t investing enough on their craft. Continue Reading
Freelancing Free trials: To do or not to do Ranjani, June 21, 2020June 7, 2025 Those who ask for free trials are generally those who don’t care. They don’t want to bear any risk. They don’t want to invest in a relationship. They are not willing to participate as equal partners to make this project work. Continue Reading
Workplace behaviour Email subject lines Ranjani, June 19, 2020June 7, 2025 In essence, use the subject line like an executive summary of the email. Continue Reading
Freelancing Tracking work time Ranjani, June 17, 2020June 7, 2025 Well, it goes without saying that if you can avoid it, don’t charge by the hour. But the larger point I’m making here is: It takes so much longer to do something than you think it does. Continue Reading
Writing Emphatic word at the end Ranjani, June 8, 2020June 7, 2025 Shakespeare didn’t write in “Macbeth,” “The Queen is dead, my Lord.” He wrote, “The Queen, my lord, is dead.” Continue Reading
Writing Empty words Ranjani, June 2, 2020May 27, 2025 “This government sucks,” someone said with an exasperated sigh. May be, but what do you mean? Continue Reading
Freelancing Choosing tools Ranjani, May 27, 2020June 7, 2025 If you’re going to ideate on a spreadsheet, you will think in rows and columns. So, choose your tools wisely. Continue Reading