THE CHALLENGE

Many people only read messages they quickly understand.
People feel excluded when they don't understand. This includes English learners and native English speakers.
Most organizations don’t simplify well. They haven't practiced.
We are unaware when people don't understand us because they pretend to understand or ignore us.
It is difficult to unlearn lifelong habits.
Some people use exclusive language to protect power.
Many people think it's other people's problem, not theirs!

THE DATA

See a newsletter I wrote with examples of impact.

Most people spend 5-10 seconds to read a newsletter or email.
Over 20% of adults in the U.S. are non-native English speakers.
Over 50% of adults in the U.S. have a literacy level at or below 6th grade.
Of 106 senior executives at $500M+ companies surveyed in 2011 by Forbes…
- 67% said miscommunications from language barriers led to inefficiency.
- 42% said productivity was lower as a result of misunderstanding.
- 24% said language barriers made attracting and retaining talent more difficult.