The Day You Became A Better Writer: Scale vs. Speed in Business Writing

The Day You Became A Better Writer: Scale vs. Speed in Business Writing

In the world of business writing, clarity and persuasion are paramount. The ability to convey your message in a simple, concise manner is key to capturing your audience's attention and influencing their decision-making process. It's a well-known fact that simple writing is persuasive writing - a good argument presented in five sentences will often sway more people than a brilliant argument spread across a hundred sentences.

To truly become a better writer, it's essential to understand how the human brain organizes ideas. Our brains are wired to comprehend and process information in a specific manner. For example, when presented with the sentence "the boy hit the ball," our brains can quickly and effortlessly imagine the action taking place. However, if the sentence were to be structured as "the ball was hit by the boy," it would require more mental effort to process the information. The subject (the boy) is easier to imagine before the action (the hitting). This is a fundamental aspect of how all brains function.

Now, let's shift our focus to the concept of scale versus speed in organizations. As a company grows and expands its customer base, priorities shift. The majority of new customers are not seeking ground-breaking innovation; instead, they desire reliability, efficiency, and the fulfillment of promises. They want to know that they can trust your organization to deliver what was promised and at a reasonable price. This shift in customer expectations is only natural as businesses strive to reach a broader audience and make a more significant impact.

To maintain pace with this shift, it becomes crucial for organizations to ship improvements and updates on a regular schedule. Consistency and predictability in your offerings build trust and reliability among customers, meeting their expectations of a smooth and efficient experience. By adhering to a predetermined schedule, you can ensure that your customers are not taken by surprise and can rely on your organization to deliver as promised.

However, as an organization scales and grows, it often encounters a point where the pace of innovation begins to slow down. This is a common challenge faced by companies of all sizes. The very factors that contribute to scale, such as increased complexity and bureaucracy, can hinder the speed of innovation. It is at this stage that businesses must make strategic decisions to maintain their momentum.

One approach often taken by successful organizations is to refactor their code from scratch. By doing so, they can strip away unnecessary complexity and build a more streamlined and efficient system. This process may involve spinning off a cash cow product or service and assembling a dedicated team to start something new from scratch. While the initial attempts may not yield immediate success, the experience gained and the persistence exhibited will eventually pay off.

It's worth noting that many of today's most successful and prominent companies started with just a small team of dedicated individuals. Apple, Google, Slack, Instagram, and countless others began with only a handful of full-time employees. They focused on innovation and agility, allowing them to grow rapidly without being weighed down by the burdens of bureaucracy.

In conclusion, becoming a better writer and navigating the challenges of organizational growth require similar skill sets. Both rely on simplicity, clarity, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. To improve your writing, focus on organizing your ideas in a way that aligns with how the human brain processes information. And when scaling your organization, prioritize predictability and efficiency while remaining open to refactoring and starting anew.

Actionable Advice:

1. Simplify your writing by organizing your ideas in a logical and easy-to-follow manner. Remember that clarity and simplicity are key to persuading your audience.
2. As your organization grows, prioritize consistency and predictability in your offerings to build trust and reliability among your customers. Meet their expectations by delivering on your promises.
3. Embrace innovation as a core value, even as your organization scales. Be willing to refactor and start from scratch when necessary, as this can lead to breakthroughs and renewed momentum.

By combining the principles of effective business writing and the challenges of organizational growth, you can become a better writer and leader, driving your success forward.