Writing

It took me 14 months to write and publish my first paper. (6 months for second and 4 months for third). Here is the writing tip I wish I had during my PhD because it changed my research writing process: Writing isn't about perfection. It's about consistent progress. Most academics struggle with paper writing not because of skill, but because of overwhelming complexity. I broke down my writing into manageable weekly sprints. My 6-week writing strategy: Week 1: Create a clear roadmap • Define paper's core message • Sketch preliminary outline • Block 1-2 daily writing hours • Set intentional writing goals Week 2: Draft no matter what • Write fast and messy • Target 500-750 words daily • Ignore initial perfectionism • Focus on content generation Week 3-6: Systematically refine • Polish sections methodically • Incorporate feedback • Tighten arguments • Prepare for submission Key transformation tactics: • Remove decision fatigue • Build consistent momentum • Create flexible writing targets Pro Tips: • Don't wait for "perfect" time • Show up consistently • Embrace imperfect progress Curious: How do you currently approach academic writing challenges? #Science #Research #Scientist #Academia #Professor #PhD #Postgraduate #Postdoc

Do you ever find yourself more stressed when thinking about an event than the event itself? That’s ‘anticipatory anxiety.’ It’s like your brain is stuck in a “what if” loop. Most of my clients describe this exact feeling before big presentations, tough conversations or even social events. I’ve been there myself… I used to spend days imagining everything that could go wrong, which only made me feel more overwhelmed and unprepared. Turns out, the usual advice of “Just think positive” doesn’t help at all. Research shows that focusing ONLY on perfect outcomes can actually drain your energy, and make you less likely to achieve it. When your brain skips over the challenges, you’re left less prepared and even more anxious if things don’t go as planned (again, I’ve been there!). What finally worked for me (and our clients) was flipping the script. Acknowledge the worst-case scenario and plan your response: – What’s the backup if the tech fails? – How will you recover if the conversation takes a turn? – What will you do if you forget your script? You’re not necessarily expecting the worst, but being ready for it. The result is a calmer, more confident mindset going into it, and that makes all the difference. P.S. Has someone ever told you to “just visualise success?” How did that work out for you?

The One Prompt To Make ChatGPT Write Naturally: (save it for later, to copy & paste) Prompt: "Act like a professional content writer and communication strategist. Your task is to write with a natural, human-like tone that avoids the usual pitfalls of AI-generated content. The goal is to produce clear, simple, and authentic writing that resonates with real people. Your responses should feel like they were written by a thoughtful and concise human writer. You are writing the following: [INSERT YOUR TOPIC OR REQUEST HERE] Follow these detailed step-by-step guidelines: Step 1: Use plain and simple language. Avoid long or complex sentences. Opt for short, clear statements.  - Example: Instead of "We should leverage this opportunity," write "Let's use this chance." Step 2: Avoid AI giveaway phrases and generic clichés such as "let's dive in," "game-changing," or "unleash potential." Replace them with straightforward language.  - Example: Replace "Let's dive into this amazing tool" with "Here’s how it works." Step 3: Be direct and concise. Eliminate filler words and unnecessary phrases. Focus on getting to the point.  - Example: Say "We should meet tomorrow," instead of "I think it would be best if we could possibly try to meet." Step 4: Maintain a natural tone. Write like you speak. It’s okay to start sentences with “and” or “but.” Make it feel conversational, not robotic.  - Example: “And that’s why it matters.” Step 5: Avoid marketing buzzwords, hype, and overpromises. Use neutral, honest descriptions.  - Avoid: "This revolutionary app will change your life."   - Use instead: "This app can help you stay organized." Step 6: Keep it real. Be honest. Don’t try to fake friendliness or exaggerate.  - Example: “I don’t think that’s the best idea.” Step 7: Simplify grammar. Don’t worry about perfect grammar if it disrupts natural flow. Casual expressions are okay.  - Example: “i guess we can try that.” Step 8: Remove fluff. Avoid using unnecessary adjectives or adverbs. Stick to the facts or your core message.  - Example: Say “We finished the task,” not “We quickly and efficiently completed the important task.” Step 9: Focus on clarity. Your message should be easy to read and understand without ambiguity.  - Example: “Please send the file by Monday.” Follow this structure rigorously. Your final writing should feel honest, grounded, and like it was written by a clear-thinking, real person. Take a deep breath and work on this step-by-step." ___ PS: For better results, always use ChatGPT-o3.

𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀: 𝗠𝗩𝗖, 𝗠𝗩𝗣, 𝗠𝗩𝗜, 𝗠𝗩𝗩𝗠, 𝗩𝗜𝗣𝗘𝗥 Design patterns are essential tools for any developer, offering a framework for structuring code in a clean, maintainable, and scalable way. Today, we'll delve into five of the most popular design patterns, exploring their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right fit for your next project. 𝗠𝗩𝗖 (𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹-𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄-𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿): - Classic pattern separating code into three layers:     - 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹: Data and business logic     - 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄: Presentation of data to the user     - 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿: Handles user input and updates model/view - Simple and familiar, but can lead to tightly coupled components in complex applications. 𝗠𝗩𝗣 (𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹-𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄-𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿): - Introduces a Presenter to mediate between view and model. - Improves separation of concerns and testability. - Requires additional boilerplate code compared to MVC. 𝗠𝗩𝗜 (𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹-𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄-𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁): - Built for reactive programming. - View emits intents, handled by the model, updating state and view. - Promotes unidirectional data flow and simplifies UI logic. - May require a steeper learning curve. 𝗠𝗩𝗩𝗠 (𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹-𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄-𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹): - View binds to a ViewModel holding data and display logic. - ViewModel updates by the model, then updates the view. - Well-suited for reactive frameworks and complex UIs. - Requires additional ViewModel setup compared to MVP. 𝗩𝗜𝗣𝗘𝗥 (𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄, 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿): - Designed for large and complex applications. - Five layers: View, Interactor (business logic), Presenter (data preparation), Entity (data models), Router (data flow coordination). - Enhances modularity and maintainability for massive projects. - Requires meticulous planning and understanding due to its complexity. 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻: The optimal pattern depends on various factors, including: - 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘆: MVC/MVP for simple apps, MVI/MVVM for reactive apps, VIPER for large projects. - 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Choose a pattern familiar to your team to avoid learning curves. - 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Experiment and find what works best for you and your team. Ultimately, experimenting and finding what works best for you and your team is key. What do you think? Which software architecture pattern is your favorite?

✍🏽 How To Write Better To Help People Read. With practical guidelines on how to help readers scan content more efficiently and understand it better ↓ ✅ Users rarely read on the web: they mostly scan. ✅ Chunks of unformatted text cause F-Shape scanning. 🤔 Users miss large chunks of content and skip key details. ✅ They read ~20% of a page; longer page → less reading. ✅ They spend 80% of time viewing the left half of a page. 🤔 When we use longer words, users skip shorter words. 🚫 Avoid long walls of text → max. 50 words/paragraph. 🚫 Avoid long sentences → max. 20 words/sentence. ✅ Write for mobile first: brief, clear, concise — prioritize. ✅ Leave room for translation: text might grow by 40%. ✅ Map your voice and tone against impact and purpose. ✅ Choose your words depending on the tone to match. ✅ Include a plain language summary, even for legal docs. ✅ Use Inverted Pyramid: key insights first, details below. ✅ If it doesn’t sound right, it doesn’t read right either. 🚫 Nothing is more effective than removing waste/fluff. On the web, people scan pages at incredible speeds. They jump from headings to bold keywords to bullet points. They puzzle together pieces of content. They seek insights and answers in unstructured and poorly written walls of text. And too often words are generic, technical, formal, long and overcomplicated. Plain language always works better. Shorter sentences are easier to read. Simpler words are easier to understand. It holds true for everyone, including domain experts and specialists who typically have the most to read. Yet too often, words are chosen almost mindlessly — along with repetitive phrases, unnecessary details and confusing jargon. A great way to avoid it is to test your writing. Read aloud critical parts of your messaging. If it doesn’t sound right, it most likely doesn’t read right either. Ask people to highlight parts that they find most useful. Use Cloze test to check comprehension. And: prioritize what matters, and declutter what doesn’t. ✤ Content Design in Design Systems Atlassian: https://lnkd.in/eGpzQqm4 Amplitude: https://lnkd.in/eaB85T7n 👍 DHL: https://lnkd.in/eF494fkT Girlguiding: https://lnkd.in/eZ8zMyC3 👍 Gov.uk: https://lnkd.in/ekRadXad 👍 Intuit: https://lnkd.in/eGyBUrZ2 👍 JSTOR: https://lnkd.in/eAnyrtcu 👍 MetLife: https://lnkd.in/evVE8sqf 👍 Monzo: https://lnkd.in/edVV8QWz Progressive’s: https://lnkd.in/evx_8bzY 👍 Schibsted: https://lnkd.in/et_BXg6R Shopify: https://lnkd.in/eAKgEHNW Skrill: https://lnkd.in/e2HGTq4q 👍 Slack: https://lnkd.in/ejZ2QtJa Zendesk: https://lnkd.in/euxijT5m 👍 Wise: https://lnkd.in/eWk-Mvf9 ✤ Useful resources: Plain Language Guidelines https://lnkd.in/eV2sxSyJ How To Write Good Interface, by Nick DiLallo https://lnkd.in/edwTaKcQ Content Testing Guidelines, by Intuit https://lnkd.in/ewZSVT3i Voice and Tone In UX Writing (+ PDF Worksheets) https://lnkd.in/e6r4cC8Y #ux #writing

If you’re an AE and still sending “Recap Emails” after discovery calls, let me save you 12 months of frustration: You're making a mistake. You are confusing the buyer. You’re flooding them with everything you heard—but not what they need to do next. It feels helpful. It feels “consultative.” But in reality, it kills momentum. Here’s what I teach my AEs instead: Only one thing matters between first meeting and proposal: Progress. Forget the fluff. The notes. The recap. The follow-up should be this simple: “Great meeting with your team. Looks like there’s strong potential to help. As a next step, we’ll need to do a deeper dive into your environment so we can show you a tailored demo and proposal with implementation details and costs. Let’s schedule that session—it should take about an hour. After that, we’ll be ready to deliver a proposal.” That’s it. No persuasion. No selling. Just forward motion. Why does this work? Because: Buyers don’t read your bullet-pointed essays. They don’t remember action items buried in paragraphs. They don’t need more “convincing” before the demo. They need clarity. Ownership. Urgency. And when you stop treating every meeting like a closing opportunity, you’ll finally start getting to the point that matters: Proposal on the table.

In my 14yrs career in engineering working for Big Tech companies such as Google and Uber, there is no other skill I used more than writing. And no, I don’t mean writing code. I mean English writing. Emails, Design Docs, Presentations, Feedback, Code Reviews, you name it. Here's how I make my written communication clear, effective, and punchy. 👇 Written communication can sometimes be daunting, especially for non-native speakers—like me. That’s why I wanted to share  the 6 questions that I use when writing anything. This helps me communicate more effectively and connect with my audience better. 1. Who is my target audience? Identify the specific group or individuals you are speaking to. Knowing your audience assists you in customizing your writing to meet their requirements and interests. 2. What is my main objective or purpose? Clarify the primary goal of your writing. Whether it's to inform, persuade, entertain, or educate, knowing your objective guides your content. 3. What key points do I want to convey? Identify the main idea or key points you want to communicate. This will help you stay focused and make sure your message is clear and logical. 4. Why should the reader care about this? Consider the value or benefit your writing offers to the reader. Highlight how it addresses their needs or solves a problem. 5. Is my writing clear, concise, and organized? Make sure your content is clear and easy to understand. Keep the flow logical and avoid using complex language or jargon that might confuse the reader. 6. Can I make my writing shorter? The answer is always yes. So make sure to edit edit edit. Brevity saves time for both the writer and the reader. What else would you add to this list? How does your writing process look like? ♻️ Please repost if you found this useful

10 Reporting Tips I have sent 100s of reports. And overtime I have found what works and what doesn't work. Here are my top 10 tips: 1. Audience Identify Key Stakeholders: Determine the specific individuals or departments who will benefit most from the report. Customize Content: Tailor the report’s content to address the unique needs or interests of different audience segments. Feedback Loop: Regularly solicit feedback from the audience to continuously improve the relevance and effectiveness of the report. 2. Timing Align with Business Cycles: Schedule reports in sync with business cycles, like quarterly financial periods. Anticipate Needs: Proactively adjust the reporting frequency during critical business phases. Automate Reminders: Use scheduling tools to automate the distribution process and ensure timely delivery. 3. Business Data Integrate KPIs: Include key performance indicators relevant to the business operations. Dynamic Data Sources: Use real-time data feeds to enhance the report’s immediacy and relevance. Contextual Analysis: Provide analytical insights, comparing operational data trends over time or against industry benchmarks. 4. Declutter Prioritize Data: Focus on the most critical data points that drive decision-making. Visual Simplicity: Use clean, simple visuals to enhance readability and comprehension. Minimalist Design: Adopt a minimalist design approach to reduce cognitive overload. 5. Reusable Template Design: Develop templates that ensure consistency and ease of adaptation for presentations. Modular Sections: Create the report in modular sections for easy extraction and reuse. Adaptable Formats: Ensure the report can be easily converted into different formats without losing its essence. 6. Format Interactivity in Digital Formats: Utilize interactive elements in digital formats like Excel or web-based reports. Print-Friendly Options: Offer a print-friendly version for those who prefer physical copies. 7. Push vs Pull Automated Alerts: Set up automated alerts for new report availability in pull systems. Customizable Push Options: Allow recipients to customize the frequency and type of reports they receive. Secure Access: Ensure secure, easy access for pull systems, particularly for sensitive financial data. 8. Comments Executive Summaries: Include an executive summary highlighting key insights and decisions. Actionable Recommendations: Offer clear, actionable recommendations based on the report’s findings. 9. Standard Brand Alignment: Ensure the report’s visual elements align with the company’s branding guidelines. 10. Self-Explanatory Infographics: Use infographics to make complex data more understandable. Layered Information: Present information in layers, with summaries leading to detailed analysis. Guided Navigation: Include a table of contents or navigation aids to guide the reader through the report. 👉 What is your best reporting tips?

Climate Change Risk Assessments 🌎 Climate-related financial disclosure requirements are expanding across jurisdictions, increasing expectations for companies to assess and report on climate-related risks and opportunities. A structured climate change risk assessment (CCRA) is central to meeting these evolving regulatory demands. CCRAs evaluate both physical risks—such as extreme weather events, water stress, and sea level rise—and transition risks, including policy changes, carbon pricing, and shifts in market or technology landscapes. They also help identify potential opportunities linked to decarbonization, energy efficiency, and new revenue models. Scenario analysis is a core component. It enables companies to test strategic resilience under divergent climate pathways, including high-emissions futures and low-emissions transitions aligned with the Paris Agreement. Most regulatory frameworks now require both perspectives. Benefits of a robust CCRA include improved risk management, reduced exposure to disruptions, and strengthened alignment with investor expectations. Insights from these assessments can be embedded into enterprise risk systems, capital planning, and strategic roadmaps. Key challenges include short-term thinking in risk registers, limited access to forward-looking climate data, and misalignment between climate risk analysis and existing sustainability goals. These gaps can reduce the effectiveness of disclosures and slow organizational response. Recommended approaches include leveraging established scenarios (e.g. IPCC, IEA), integrating outputs into ERM systems, using frameworks like ISSB and TCFD for structure, and applying competitive benchmarking to validate assumptions. Cross-functional engagement improves practical relevance. As regulatory standards converge, CCRAs are becoming a baseline expectation. Those who develop structured, forward-looking assessments will be better positioned to adapt business models, manage uncertainty, and align with capital markets under increasing climate scrutiny. Source: Ramboll #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange #risk

Most brands spend a lot on media, but treat landing pages as an afterthought If you’re running ads and sending traffic to a homepage or a poorly built landing page, its almost criminal. Specially when gen AI has reduced the cost and time for content creation drastically Here’s how to get landing pages right. Consistently. 1. Match Intent, Not Just Aesthetics The #1 job of a landing page? Continue the conversation you started with your ad •If your ad says “energy efficient fans”, the landing page should show highlight this feature front and center •If your Google ad targets “Mixer Grinders under ₹5000,” don’t show ₹8000 models on the page. Message match > Visual design 2. Keep the Hero Section Clean & Focused Above-the-fold matters. You need to have •Clear headline – Say what the product is and why it’s special. •Key benefits – 3 crisp points max. •Visuals – High-quality product image or demo video. •CTA – One action. Not three. Buy Now,” “Book a Demo,” or “Know More”—but pick ONE 3. Product Benefits, Not Just Features Nobody cares that your mixer uses XYZ motor tech. I mean they do care but only if they care how it helps them They care a lot more that the mixer has a coarse mode which enables silbatta like texture resulting in great taste And that BLDC or intelligent motor tech enables it 4. Solve for Trust People are skeptical by default. Give them reasons to believe •Ratings & Reviews – Show real customer ratings (4.5 stars? Flaunt it). •Media Mentions – “As seen on The Hindu / NDTV” works. •Certifications – BEE 5-Star? BIS approved? Display badges. •Guarantees – Free returns? Warranty? Mention clearly 5. Speed & Mobile Optimization Today at least 80 percent of your traffic is mobile. If your landing page loads in 4 seconds, you’ve lost half. Aim for <2s load time. Avoid fancy animations that slow things down. Test your page on Mobile (3G/4G) and in all browsers Chrome, Safari etc 6. Minimize Distractions A landing page is not your website. •No top nav bars with 7 menu items. •No footer clutter. •No exit doors—except the CTA you want. Keep it focused. Keep them moving toward action 7. Strong CTA (Call to Action) •Make it obvious. One clear button. •Use actionable language: “Get My Free Sample,” “Book a Demo,” “Shop Now.” •Repeat CTA 2-3 times as they scroll, especially after key benefit sections. 8. A/B Test, but with caution: Gen AI makes it very easy to do so. Test •Headlines •CTA text and colors •Images vs Videos •Long-form vs Short-form copy But get the fundamentals of A/B testing right. You need statistically significant sample sizes for each test A good landing page doesn’t sell the product by itself. But It removes friction so the product has a better chance of selling And when done right, your CAC drops, your ROAS climbs, and your ads finally start working to their fullest potential