I get a lot

of stuff sent to my e-mail inbox. Recently, someone

goofed (maybe it was intentional) and sent me this

important government document.

President

Clinton is always quick to jump on the bandwagon on

important issues such as natural disasters, national

crises and Cuban exiles and yes... interns. We all know

our president is concerned about making America a better

and safer place for democracy.

Obviously

from this important government document he is also

concerned about another issue of major proportions -

plain writing in the Office of Personnel Management.

According

to the bureaucrat who wrote this document, plain writing

ranks right up there with motherhood and national safety.

Frankly I am glad OPM is taking this problem head-on.

Plain writing is a major problem we all need to take

seriously. I think they need to create a national plain

writing day. Maybe it will be a holiday like the Fourth

of July?

"Last

year, President Clinton directed the federal government

to write in plain language. This is an important task

that directly helps OPM provide better service to our

customers - including the public, other agencies, and

federal employees and annuitants.

"Many

of you are already contributing to real change in the way

we write. For example, you worked on teams to revise

health benefit brochures, to create award-winning Family

Friendly program guidance booklets, to prepare new

marketing materials, and to issue new regulations in

user-friendly question-and-answer format. Thank you for

taking writing plainly to heart.

"We

can, however, do more. Each of us can contribute -

or review a document. To help you, I am taking the

following actions:

"Plain language

checklist. Under separate cover, you will receive a list

of plain language tips and a clip that you may use to

attach the list to your computer. Please use it to help

you write every document clearly so that your reader can

understand it easily.

"Training Plan. Every associate

director and office head must assess your plain language

training needs. I know many - but not all - of you had

plain language training in the past. Many of you do write

plainly. But I want every writer at OPM to acquire and

improve his or her plain writing skills. Your supervisors

will arrange appropriate training soon.

"Employee performance

appraisals. I have instructed your supervisors to review

your success in writing plainly where it is appropriate

as part of the communications element of your performance

appraisal.

"Regulations. Write

all regulations in plain language. Otherwise, I will

return them.

"Director's decision summary. I

have attached a reformatted DDS that includes a plain

language box. This will provide the reviewing official

with a way to tell me that he or she has reviewed the

document for plain language.

"Reward good writing. I have

instructed each associate director and office head to

reward individuals who excel in writing plainly - and I

intend to recognize top examples myself.

"If we

all commit to improving our own writing, we will make a

lasting change in the way OPM does business. Thank you

for what you have done so far. I know I can count on you

to move us forward."

Feel free

to use this document to formulate your own "plain

writing" policies for your office.

Gregory P.

Smith shows businesses how to build productive and

profitable work environments that attract, keep and

motivate their workforce. He speaks at conferences and is

the president of a management consulting firm called

Chart Your Course International in Conyers, Ga. Phone him

at 770-860-9464 or send an e-mail at [email protected] . More information

and articles are available at www.ChartCourse.com .

Free by

e-mail/fax: For more tips or information on Smith's new

book, "TNT for Teams: Dynamic Ideas to Reward,

Energize and Motivate Your Team," fax your

letterhead or e-mail with the words "TNT" to 770-760-0581/[email protected] .

Gregory P. Smith, author of

"The New Leader," and "How to Attract,

Keep and Motivate Your Workforce." He speaks at

conferences, leads seminars and helps organizations solve

problems. He leads an organization called Chart Your

Course International in Conyers, Ga. Phone him at

770-860-9464 or send an e-mail at [email protected] . Information and articles are at www.chartcourse.co m.