COMMENTARY

Getting Back to the Basics

September 2002

By Donald J. Pfundstein*
for New Hampshire Business Review

Getting back to the basics, children and young adults have returned to fall classes. Whether attending first grade down the street or a college across the country, most students need to work on the basics. Yes, the three “R’s” should play an even more critical role today than they did in your education.

Too many poor writers using corporate email systems make it virtually impossible to discern what an organization really should do at any given moment. Some in the more technical sciences are simply scary. We have all had the frustrating experience of trying to figure out what action should be taken based on a seemingly endless stream of nearly unintelligible emails.

Part of the problem is over reliance on email as a form of communication. Efficiency and convenience are marvelous. However, the inefficiencies created by confusing messages can be fatal. The more serious part of the problem is most young people simply can’t write clearly, whether working with a pen or a keyboard. That’s a shame and it’s our fault.

As we continue to invest in our technology infrastructure, let’s not forget about reading, writing and arithmetic. Having someone who can use the latest generation of systems is at least as important as having the systems!

*Donald J. Pfundstein is admitted in New Hampshire.

Return to top of page

Return to The Pfundstein Report
Return to Government Relations Articles
Return to Firm Publications