Writesphere Blog - Writesphere

These phrases have racist origins. It's high time we stopped using them.

10/6/2020

Words matter. Hate-mongering bigots often deliberately choose a particular word to hurt or express their own vile prejudices. But even the most well-intentioned people may inadvertently use an expression with deeply unpleasant origins.

Understanding why these terms could be offensive can help us all make better choices.

Using sarcasm in your marketing is a great idea! (No, it's not; I was being sarcastic.)

28/4/2020

It's always been a bit of a standing joke: Americans don't get British humour. There's plenty of evidence to support this, not least that US remakes of comedy classics such as Men Behaving Badly, The Young Ones and The Inbetweeners are almost always inferior to their British originals.

In particular, Americans don't seem to understand sarcasm.

ShoreLines, April/May 2020 - out now

27/3/2020

Should Browns Bay have its ferry terminal reinstated? Is Spanish innovation the answer to the town's car parking conundrum? ShoreLines presents some ideas and asks readers for their opinions.

You can find out about New Zealand Riding for the Disabled - where horses change lives. We enjoy a delicious dinner at La Spiaggia, Murrays Bay's Italian restaurant where you're assured of a warm, family welcome.

And, the shadow of COVID-19 is looming, so we share reliable guidelines and advice from reputable sources.

ShoreLines is available to read online.

FYI, March 2020 - Spotlight on North Harbour: The serious business of community

6/3/2020

North Harbour is one of the largest of the 48 business improvement districts (BIDs) across Auckland. In this issue of FYI, we discuss how we - as a community - can work together to make our area an even more attractive place to live, work and enjoy leisure time.

With a strong focus on sustainability, we recognise the valuable work of All Heart NZ, discuss the numerous advantages of LEDs and share some tips for becoming a sustainable business.

Business North Harbour's FYI magazine is available to read online.

ShoreLines, February/March 2020 - out now

3/2/2020

It's summer in the Bays - and look how far 'n wide ShoreLines is travelling!

As it's February, there are St Valentine's Day features for the romantic (and not-so romantic!) We take a deeper dive in Auckland Council's Safeswim initiative, and look at the rewarding work of St John FEDs (Friends of the Emergency Department).

Read all about Torbay's international cheese judge, and treat yourself to a beachside picnic with our tasty al fresco recipes.

ShoreLines is available to read online.

ShoreLines, Dec 2019/Jan 2020 - out now

2/12/2019

As we look forward to the summer holidays, ShoreLines continues its look at our diverse community. This time we discuss the benefits to all of supporting employees living with a disability and acknowledge one local business that's extending a helping hand to victims of domestic violence.

There are some tips from Citizen's Advice Bureau about how to avoid a Christmas spending hangover, and we investigate the quiet rEVolution on our roads.

For the dining review, we enjoy some delectable delights at Lily's Asian Fusion, and there's a suitably seasonal recipe: Christmas pudding ice cream.

You can read all this, and more, in ShoreLines online.

FYI, November 2019: It's OK not to be OK

15/11/2019

Throughout 2019, Business North Harbour's events and support has had a strong focus on mental health and wellbeing. That's why the final issue of FYI for the year aims to encapsulate much of the information and advice, and share proven, practical resources - including some nourishing ideas for your working day lunch.

Business Success spotlights two local companies making great strides in inclusion and staff wellbeing. The 2019 AGM report summarises BNH's activities for the past year and identifies key targets for 2019-2020.

And, we recognise the work of Christmas Box, helping to feed Kiwi families during the festive season.

Business North Harbour's FYI is available to read online.

ShoreLines, October/November 2019 - out now

7/10/2019

The East Coast Bays is one of the most diverse electorates in NZ, and this issue of ShoreLines acknowledges the rich tapestry of life here.

We've part two in our series remembering the old "555" Picture Theatre, and we celebrate 70 years of Browns Bay Racquets Club.

There are some top tips about how to keep our furry pals happy and safe during fireworks season, and our dining review enjoys some of the appetising offerings on Deep Creek Brews & Eats' revamped menu.

ShoreLines is available to read online.

FYI, September 2019: Change for the Better

12/9/2019

The season of spring is traditionally associated with change, transition and growth, and the September 2019 issue of Business North Harbour's FYI reflects this.

We've the results of the annual member survey, which help BNH focus its efforts for its members over the next 12 months.

Our cover story looks at the critical role of change communication, and discusses the various factors that give a business the potential to franchise. And, Business Success celebrates Eclipse Recruitment and Printing,com NorthShore.

FYI is available to read online.

ShoreLines, August/September 2019 - out now

5/8/2019

In this issue of ShoreLines we shine a spotlight on Long Bay, and how it's evolving into a sustainable, family-orientated community. Our dining review comes from Obella, the café /restaurant with delicious Turkish and Mediterranean dishes in the heart of the village centre.

We meet the inspirational Anmari Botha who rose above her childhood bullies and became one of Jean-Paul Gaultier's favourite catwalk models. And, we've our first part in a short series fondly remembering the old "555" Picture Theatre.

There's also a cheeky chilli-pepper chutney recipe, to add a warming kick to those dull winter evenings.

ShoreLines is available to read online.

Courteous and helpful or disinterested and lazy? What kind of employee would your website content be?

24/8/2017

Call it Writesphere's mantra or accuse me of being a broken record, I don't care – as long as you're hearing this message:

See through your customers' eyes, talk your customers' language.

It's a common sense strategy, echoed by any decent marketing practitioner. Which brings me to what occurred at a recent BNI Albany meeting.

Your business probably isn't unique and your USPs almost certainly aren't. Get over it!

28/7/2017

Early last Tuesday morning, I had the deep misfortune of hearing a male member of the Trump dynasty on the BBC radio news. This individual was busy whining about, denying and dodging the various accusations of the day, by declaring that his actions were entirely appropriate with what was "a very unique Presidential campaign." That's it: the (oddly satisfying) final straw. Now I have a legitimate grammatical reason to despise the idiot.

Social media - the agony of a grammar pedant

7/7/2017

I love Facebook. As a British ex-pat in New Zealand, I regard Facebook as an essential line of communication with friends on the other side of the world. Writesphere has a Facebook page, and it's fun to interact with colleagues on there. I recognise the relevance of LinkedIn and Twitter for my business, and for my clients too. So look, I do spend a considerable amount of time on social media. But sometimes, for someone as tragically anal as myself, this can be a challenging and torturous experience. And I'm not just referring to Donald Trump's mind-boggling outbursts.

The Engine fires up in Auckland with free business training for start-ups and SMEs

20/4/2017

The Engine is a new initiative providing practical business support to Auckland's start-ups, and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). To celebrate its launch, The Engine is offering free training workshops until the end of May, with proven strategies and practical advice being delivered by experienced business owners.

Why would I want to hire a copywriter?

20/4/2017

Of course, no-one knows more about your business than you. You're like a living encyclopaedia of technical expertise and industry secrets. However, this could actually be a disadvantage.

It's possible to be too close to your product or service, so that you lose your customer by getting too bogged down in minutiae or jargon.

Vampire Weekend were wrong! You really should give a (flip) about the Oxford comma.

22/3/2017

In 2008, Vampire Weekend released the track "Oxford Comma", expressing their, erm, profound disdain for this piece of punctuation. Now a lawsuit in the USA has proved that they really ought to have treated it with a bit more respect.

Why are there so many bad press releases?

28/2/2017

Pour yourself a cuppa and then type the phrase bad press releases into your chosen search engine.

Some of the examples may make you burst out laughing, and others will have you scratching your head.