"In my area of specialization, better business writing, I often hear that people are doing a poor job of writing something. Maybe they can’t write good contracts or grant proposals or call reports."

"Well, the interesting thing is that right now I can’t write good contracts, grant proposals, or call reports either, and I teach writing.

"I know how to write well. I would be bored and frustrated if I were sent to more training. No, if writing any of those pieces were one of my key job responsibilities, there would be something lacking in my environment.

"What would be lacking are models and job aids. I don’t have a model contract, grant proposal, etc., to use as an example. Neither do I have any guidelines on how to write them. Nor do I have a series of steps to follow, a checklist, a template, or a resource person to call with questions. What I need is a writer’s tool kit."