Do a few stodgy phrases ruin a letter? Is this such a big deal? Well, when you consider how many letters are being sent by American companies today alone, you realize how important it is to make them clear, concise, and appropriate to a new Millennium.

By eliminating the following 10 phrases, you can, in a single stroke, make your company’s documents significantly better. Also, you will improve your company’s image, settle claims more amiably, “sell” settlements better, get information quicker, and cut thousands of wasted words.

1. “Yours very truly” (also “Sincerely yours” and “Very truly yours”)
2. “Respectfully”
3. “Please be advised …”
4. “Kindly”
5. “I have forwarded…” “I am forwarding”
6. “Above-captioned” (also: “above referenced”)
7. “Please do not hesitate to contact me.”
8. “Please note that…”
9. “Enclosed please find.”
10. Under separate cover”

Business Know How