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  You are here:  AllExperts > Arts/Humanities > Writing > Business & Technical Writing

Expert Profile: Warren D. Miller

Expertise:  I believe I can answer nearly any question about business writing. That goes in spades if the target audience is a lay readership. I make my living writing and speaking. N.B.: I DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS MARKED 'PRIVATE' because I believe that knowledge should be shared, not hoarded. I also believe such questions are likely to be submitted by people trying to cheat. In addition, don't waste your time asking me to write something for you. You don't learn anything if I do that. I'm happy to critique something that YOU write, of course. That's the best way for you to learn how to write well.

Experience in the area
My profession is business valuation, which means appraising businesses whose shares are not publicly traded. This requires in-depth knowledge about a number of disciplines, including economics, finance, strategic management, accounting, anthropology, statistics, and psychology. The left-brain part of me must conduct rigorous research and financial analysis. The right-brain side must then separate what matters from what doesn't and then explain it all in writing (and in everyday English) to people (usually business owners, but sometimes judges and juries) who do not have the expertise that I have been lucky enough to acquire over the years. I love what I do and consider myself fortunate to live in a country where I can do what I love doing and make a nice living doing it. I am glad to help with writing issues, but NOT, please, with any valuation, business consulting, or other non-writing questions.

Organizations
CFA Institute, American Society of Appraisers, Strategic Management Society, Academy of Management, Institute of Management Accountants

Publications
My writing has appeared in the Harvard Business Review, American Fly Fisher, Business Valuation Review, CPA Expert, Academy of Management Executive, CFA Digest, and others.

Education/Credentials
MBA - Oklahoma State U. (1991); BBA - U. of Oklahoma (1975); Chartered Financial Analyst designation (2006) Accredited Senior Appraiser (2006) Certified Management Accountant Certified Public Accountant (1992)

Awards and Honors
Business Valuation Volunteer of the Year (2001) - American Institute of CPAs Winner - Statewide Humorous-Speaking Contest - Oklahoma - Toastmasters International (1971)

Past/Present Clients
Confidential.

Ask a Question       View Past Answers       View Ratings            
Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:  Short sentences trump long ones. The active voice runs circles around the passive one. Avoid adverbs.
Something controversial or provocative about this subject  The key to good technical writing is to write short sentences in everyday English. That's a lot harder than it sounds.
What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?  One of these days I hope to publish the biography of a great editor of a prominent U.S. magazine in the U.S. He is now deceased. I can't say more than that because I don't want to disclose the subject of my work. I also have several business and technical books in mind. In fact, I am now talking to a prominent trade publisher about two books.
What do you like about this subject?  I like the fact that business writing is so important, yet few business people do it well. Most confuse good writing with that flowery stuff they read in English classes. It doesn't. Business writing is far closer to journalism than to college English. IMHO, all graduates should have to take two journalism courses in News Writing.
Average Ratings
Prestige Points: 210
Knowledge   10.0   Best of the best
Clarity of Response   9.67   Best of the best
Timeliness   10.0   Best of the best
Politeness   10.0   Best of the best
Number Of Questions
(in Past 24 Hours)
0
Max Questions to be Asked
(in 24 Hour period)
5
Total Questions
(since joining AllExperts)
40
Recent Reviews from Users
KnowlClarityTimePolitenessDate
1010101010/13/08
10101010/09/08
1010101005/31/08
1010101010/07/07
1010101010/05/07
User Comments
Thank you so much, you were great help! Giving you 10 out of 10 for everything. I really appreciate it.
(Jas on 10/13/08)
I appreciate the time spent, and the research.. For a "volunteer" to spend this much time on my question is fantastic.. Thank you very much..
(Dave on 10/09/08)
This expert is one of the best
(Amram on 05/31/08)
View All Comments
Ask a Question       View Past Answers       View Ratings            

Recent Answers from Warren D. Miller
2008-10-12  essay/speech on huck finn, looking for alibrandi, raw Thank you, Jas. Glad we have a deal. Here are my recommendation: 1. Even though this is to be a speech, avoid one-sentence paragraphs. If you read the definition of "paragraph," you'll see that one...
2008-10-08  addressing a business letter to mulitple parties Dear Dave-- You've raised an interesting question. My first attempt to answer it took the to the Chicago Manual of Style (www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html); for me, it is the ultimate writing...
2008-05-29  inquiry: How to sell articles to magazines Dear Amram-- Rather than try to answer your questions, which would take an incredible amount of time (which I don't have - remember, I'm an unpaid volunteer who is just trying to be helpful), let me...
2008-05-29  Help in writing a covering letter Dear Waimon-- Thank you for your request, and thank you for using AllExperts.com. Thank you, too, for your kind words about my refusal to answer questions marked 'Private.' I do appreciate that - you're...
2008-04-24  Braces Dear John-- Thank you for your question, and thank you for using AllExperts.com. Unfortunately, I don't believe there are any hard and fast answers to your question. I have checked my Chicago Manual...
More Answers for "Business & Technical Writing"


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