EDWARD DE BONO'S MESSAGE - 21st August 2000

de Bono Code

The 'pre-code' and 'frantic code' may be the easiest codes to use from my new book (The de Bono Code / published by Viking UK). A signal which indicates the nature of what is to follow is very useful. This is particularly so if you are not sure of the language and cannot pick out the structural nuances.

Why should you have to read right through a sentence to find out the general intention of the sender? The pre-code states clearly: "what follows is a question" or, "what follows is factual information". This does not mean that the code has to be used with every sentence. The main value is with short messages or where a central point needs to be made.

The code is additional to what is there, so you can use the code even with people who do not yet know the code. You may wish to add an explanation.

The book 'The de Bono Code', can be ordered from bookshops or through the internet. Publishers are rather conservative about print runs so the books sell out quickly and there is a delay before a re-print.

 Edward de Bono nmt
20th August 2000
Buenos Aires