We, Me, Them & It

How to write powerfully for business
John Simmons

A fully updated and revised edition of what’s regarded to be the most influential book on business communication.

In other times we might have called it a paean. Today, perhaps, a song of praise to the infinite power of words, a confession of a life-long love affair with language.

This is a business book with a difference – a business book that’s an intriguingly good read. It’s aimed at business people who recognize the need for more creativity at work, and at creative people who are looking for new ways to make a difference to their clients’ business performance. It makes an unashamed appeal to our emotional as well as our rational nature, showing the way we can use words to gain competitive advantage in business life.

John Simmons gives the view from inside one of the world’s leading brand consultancies, drawing on experiences of working with major companies in the UK and US. He explores how to differentiate one company from another through its tone of voice, how to infuse a brand with the vibrancy of its own distinctive language. In doing so, we’ll find that we can all learn to love writing better and to bring more of our real selves to working life. We all need to do that if we are to influence people and be more effective writers at work. Only by thinking about ‘we, me, and them’ will you be able to give ‘it’ the impact you want.

“Simmons, one of the world’s top business creative writers, believes ‘Words can move, explain, startle, persuade, express ideas, and more.’ And the man is out to convince you of this. This book is sure to prove inspiring to all businessmen.”
The month’s best ink, FHM

“We, me, them & it is a spirited, smart book about how to write at work.”
Jacqueline Blais, USA Today

“John Simmons will inspire you to think again about words, to appreciate them with a sharp consciousness of their power and to use them as the most effective and accurate tools that exist in our universe.”
Michael Wolff, identity guru

JOHN SIMMONS is a writer and consultant on brands. He is director of training and brand language at The Writer (www.thewriter.co.uk) and was formerly verbal identity director of Interbrand. He co-edited The Economist guide to brands and branding and writes regularly for the media. He is editor of the Great Brand Stories series published by Cyan.

We, me, them & it, The invisible grail and Dark Angels form the Writer’s Materials Trilogy. These thematically linked books have been hailed as literary classics and as essential manifestos for every writer in business who wants to become a better writer. John is also a trainer, running workshops and courses through The Writer, D&AD and the Arvon Foundation on creative writing for business. As a writer, his recent clients have included Diageo and Unilever, Heal’s and the Old Vic.

His belief in the value of words and the need for better writing in business led him to co-found the writers’ group 26 (www.26.org.uk). Projects initiated by John through 26 include 26 letters: Illuminating the alphabet and From here to here: Stories inspired by London’s Circle Line (all published by Cyan).

1-904879-68-3
£9.99 PB
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