It has come to my attention that, in spite of the written word being one of the most powerful tools within an internal auditor’s arsenal, it is not always wielded with the greatest skill. In particular, auditors consistently exhibit the ability to stretch a one or two word sentiment into ten, twelve, even a dozen words, all in an attempt to better express a sentiment that does not warrant even a modicum of such prodigious efforts (as proven by this paragraph.) 

Here’s one I just have to share. A while ago I co-presented at a conference. Seemed to go well enough. People paid attention; applauded at the end; generally laughed at the appropriate spots. A few people came up at the end looking for more information. There were compliments to my co-presenter and me on how well it went. All in all, it added up to be the kind of feedback which would allow you to infer that, even if you weren’t lights out, at least you didn’t stink up the podium. 

I saw this piece titled "And You Ordinarily Fit Where..." posted on Tom Peters’ web site today and couldn’t help but think it was a perfect follow up/companion/symbiosis with my post from yesterday. 

When I was but a young lad (I’m guessing about high school) I was listening to a pastor who was trying to explain to the males in the audience why they were idiots and constantly getting in trouble with their spouses. 

Recently I was trying to determine whether any of the words should be capitalized in the phrase “First World War”. (In case you are interested, yes. Also capitalize the “W”s in WWI and World War I.) I went to the first place I always go when trying to determine the answer to a question like this – Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style. 

Today, a slightly different tune for y’all.   Normally here at WIIA, we’re a little bit rock ‘n’ roll. But today, we’re gonna be just a little bit country with this smash hit from 1978:  "Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Auditors"

I just found out my parents read my blog. Dude. I just found out my PARENTS read my blog. I mean…Dude. My PARENTS…READ…MY…BLOG. Really. Dude, my parents read MY blog. I mean… really…my PARENTS read my blog. Really. I mean… Dude!

I’ve got an interesting little book to recommend to you. And before I go any further, in the spirit of full disclosure, you should know I got this copy free – no strings attached; don’t have to say anything good; don’t have to say anything bad; don’t have to say anything at all – but free, in hopes I would write something. And, with that out of the way, I want to recommend you read this book.

Something quick and easy (to make up for last Monday’s rather lengthy return.) What is the worst case scenario in a job interview? That they know what you’ve been tweeting, facebooking, social mediaing.