Dean

Dean Graham is the founder and editor of 9to5flow.com, a website focused on productivity and work-life balance. Dean's career is in commercial banking where he has held various roles where he has encountered the everyday challenges faced by professionals. In 2022, Dean created 9to5flow.com to share practical advice and resources aimed at helping people achieve their goals while maintaining well-being. He hopes the site can provide readers with relatable insights and straightforward tips, as researching these topics has been a valuable exercise for his own career. Outside of the digital space, Dean enjoys the outdoors, college football, live music and being with his family. He finds happiness in continuous learning and helping others find a balanced approach to work and life.

3×3 Writing Process for Business Communication: Enhancing Your Professional Messages

Effective business communication is a fundamental skill that supports the exchange of information between people within and outside an organization. In the realm of business, clear and efficient exchange of ideas, instructions, and feedback forms the foundation for successful operations. The 3×3 writing process, which encompasses three main stages: prewriting, writing, and revising, serves as […]

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How to Manage the Manager: Strategies for Influencing Upwards

Managing one’s manager, a concept sometimes referred to as “managing up,” is a critical skill in the modern workplace. It involves understanding a manager’s work style, priorities, and expectations, and effectively aligning one’s work and communication style to meet them. This approach can lead to a more harmonious working relationship, increased productivity, and a better

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Common Mistakes with Apostrophes: The Tiny Mark

Apostrophes play a crucial role in English punctuation, signaling both possession and omissions. While small and seemingly straightforward, they often lead to common errors that can alter the meaning of sentences. An understanding of grammatical rules related to apostrophes helps in writing precisely and conveying the intended message. Often, writers confuse possessive pronouns, such as

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Dealing With Challenging Behavior at Work: The Dirty Dozen

The workplace is a melting pot of personalities and behaviors, and navigating this landscape requires finesse and strategy. Varying personality types often lead to dealing with challenging behavior, a common topic that resonates with many professionals. Whether it’s the subtle formation of cliques that can influence team dynamics, the whispers of gossip that can undermine

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Format Text in Word Using Excel VBA: A Full Guide

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) provides a powerful set of tools for enhancing and automating tasks in Microsoft Word. This includes the ability to format text with precision. Through the use of VBA, users can efficiently manipulate various elements in the font group of the home tab, streamlining the document formatting experience. In addition, VBA

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Email Etiquette for Business Communication: It Can Be Easy to Offend

In the realm of business communication, email remains an indispensable tool, harnessing the potential to streamline correspondence, expedite decisions, and bridge the gaps between varying time zones and locations. Its pervasive use demands a sound understanding of email etiquette to maintain professionalism and ensure effective exchange of information. Adhering to such etiquette is not just

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10 Types of Verbs for Business Writing: Useful Tools to Consider when Writing

Welcome to the dynamic world of business writing, where the power of a well-chosen verb can transform a simple sentence into a compelling message. In the realm of professional communication, verbs are the engines that drive the clarity, persuasiveness, and impact of our language. Whether you’re drafting an email, composing a report, or crafting a

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Types of Writing Structures: Keep Readers from Getting Lost

Writing structures are essential frameworks that support clear and effective communication in both the written word and the expression of ideas. They serve as the scaffolds that organize language into patterns recognized and understood by readers. From the artistically inclined narratives to the meticulously detailed scientific reports, each form of writing adheres to distinct structural

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Emotional Intelligence vs Social Intelligence: Two Crucial Skill Sets

Emotional intelligence and social intelligence are distinct yet interrelated aspects of human cognition that are crucial in understanding and navigating interpersonal relationships. Emotional intelligence refers to a person’s ability to be aware of, control, and express their own emotions, as well as to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. It encompasses skills such as emotional

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