The Hidden Cost of Poor Business Writing in Philippine Companies

"Pls handle asap thx."

We've all received an email like this—short, vague, and confusing. While it might fly in a Viber group chat, text-speak in the workplace creates costly misunderstandings. In Philippine companies, where communication already crosses multiple teams, departments, and sometimes languages, poor writing slows down projects, frustrates clients, and erodes professionalism.

With high-growth companies expanding rapidly and onboarding new employees at unprecedented rates, clear communication isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a competitive necessity. Yet many companies still treat business writing as a "soft skill" that doesn't warrant investment.

Why Text-Speak Creeps Into the Workplace

Younger employees bring messaging app habits into professional emails
The lines between personal and professional communication have blurred. Many employees learned to communicate through Facebook Messenger, Viber, and SMS—platforms that prioritize speed over clarity. That informal tone doesn't always serve them well in corporate settings.

Managers assume writing doesn't need formal training
"You'll learn as you go" is a common attitude. But without guidance, employees keep making the same mistakes: unclear subject lines, missing context, tone that sounds abrupt or unprofessional.

No company standards for professional communication
When there are no clear guidelines for emails, reports, or proposals, every employee develops their own style. This inconsistency confuses clients and creates internal friction.

The Real Cost of Poor Writing

Poor business writing isn't just annoying—it's expensive:

1. Wasted time
When instructions are unclear, employees have to send follow-up emails asking for clarification. What could have been solved in one message now takes three or four, doubling the time spent.

2. Lost credibility with clients
A proposal full of typos or a confusing client email makes your company look careless. Clients may question whether you can deliver quality work if you can't even deliver a quality email.

3. Project delays and errors
Vague instructions lead to mistakes. When team members misunderstand what's being asked, they waste time on the wrong tasks, delaying entire projects.

How HR Can Raise the Standard

HR leaders are uniquely positioned to address this issue:

Set clear guidelines
Create a simple style guide for professional emails, reports, and proposals. Define what "professional tone" means in your company, and give employees examples to follow.

Provide short, practical training
You don't need a semester-long writing course. A 3-hour seminar focused on clarity, tone, and structure can dramatically improve how employees communicate. At ReadySetWork, our business writing seminars give participants ready-to-use templates and techniques they can apply immediately.

Encourage managers to model good communication
If senior leaders write clear, professional emails, their teams will follow suit. Make good writing a visible priority from the top down.

Why This Matters Now

Hybrid and remote work setups have made written communication the backbone of daily operations. Without face-to-face interactions to clarify intent, every email, chat message, and report carries more weight. HR cannot afford to let "text-speak" and unclear writing run unchecked.

Investing in business writing training pays off quickly: fewer miscommunications, faster project completion, and stronger client relationships.

At ReadySetWork, we deliver practical business writing workshops that help teams communicate with clarity, confidence, and professionalism. Our seminars are short-format (3 hours), immediately applicable, and built for Filipino professionals.

If unclear messages are costing your company time and money, explore our Business Communication courses or get in touch to discuss training options.