RE: Honestly -- when an SME completely REWRITES your text ... GEEZ!

["McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>]

Regarding the SME who was re-writing parts of the manual, Janice Gelb
suggested:
> 
> "Thanks very much for taking the time to provide
> a new function description. I noted that your text
> <clarifies/adds these specific technical fixes>.
> However, for future reviews, please note that
> our company adheres to strict documentation
> guidelines so explaining specific technical changes
> that you'd like to see incorporated in the text
> rather than spending your valuable time rewriting
> sections that have to be modified is a more efficient
> review strategy.
> 
> "I do appreciate your feedback and attention to detail."

I've been in a position to write a similar response, and it became
impossible to write something that both corrected (gently) the style
problem and lavished praise for the technical assistance and
willingness, without sounding stilted and phony.  At least, to me...  I
definitely didn't want anyone feeling huffy and no longer forthcoming.

I tweaked and I tweaked, and it either stopped saying what I needed to
say, or it kept sounding forced.

Finally, I solved that problem by my usual method - over-the-top
goofiness. I wrote the thank you paragraph straight, as obvious
boiler-plate then followed with something like: 
"Truly your alert and careful assistance is enormously valued. Blessings
upon your house! May your herd increase and your enemies wither! ...
etc."
Next time I saw the person, I did the formal salutation of the bow
accompanied by touch to heart, lips, forehead and mock-serious
expression. 

Seemed to work.  I got lots of further assistance from those so-treated.

 - Kevin
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