On another note, language is a living, breathing entity that constantly evolves. It’s the lifeblood of human communication, pulsing with nuance and creativity. In our quest for effective expression, we often find ourselves searching for fresh ways to transition between ideas, especially in professional settings.
This article delves into the art of seamlessly changing subjects in workplace emails and business communication. We’ll explore ten alternatives to the ubiquitous phrase “on another note,” each offering its own flavor and finesse. These synonyms will help you navigate conversations with grace, whether you’re drafting work-related messages or engaging in verbal exchanges.
But why does this matter? In a formal setting, how we transition between topics can significantly impact our message’s clarity and our perceived professionalism. The right phrase can bridge ideas effortlessly, keeping your audience engaged and your communication crisp. So, let’s embark on this linguistic journey and discover new ways to shift topics without missing a beat.
is it Professional to Say: “On Another Note”
Using “On another note” in professional settings can be appropriate, but it’s essential to consider the context. While the phrase effectively signals a topic change in workplace emails and conversations, some may view it as informal. In formal settings, alternatives like “Regarding a different matter” might be preferred.
Ultimately, the key is to change focus smoothly without disrupting the flow of communication. When used judiciously, “On another note” can be a useful tool in business communication.
What to Say Instead of “On Another Note”:
- On another note,
- Switching gears,
- Moving on,
- To change the topic,
- In other matters,
- Regarding something else,
- Furthermore,
- On a different subject,
- To pivot to another topic,
- On the flip side,
- Shifting focus to,
- Transitioning to,
- Changing tracks,
- On a related note,
- Shifting our attention to,
- If I may digress,
- Branching off to another point,
- Turning our focus to,
- To touch on another matter,
- Before we conclude,
What Does “On Another Note” Mean?
Before we dive into alternatives, let’s unpack the meaning of “on another note.” This common phrase serves as a verbal or written cue, signaling a change in subject or a shift in the conversation’s direction. It’s a versatile expression used to introduce a new topic, often unrelated to the previous one, in a smooth and natural manner.
In professional emails and conversations, “on another note” acts as a polite way to transition between different points or matters. It’s particularly useful when you need to address multiple subjects in a single communication. By using this phrase, you’re essentially telling your audience, “I’m about to talk about something different, so please adjust your focus.”
20 unique Other Ways to Say “On Another Note”
Here are 20 unique ways to say “On Another Note” (With Example)
1. Switching gears,
This phrase evokes the image of smoothly transitioning from one topic to another, much like changing gears in a car.
Example (Email):
Subject: Project Update and Team Outing
Dear Sarah,
I hope this email finds you well. I’m pleased to report that we’re on track with the Johnson account. The client loved our latest proposal, and we’re moving forward with the implementation phase.
Switching gears, I wanted to touch base about our upcoming team-building event. Have you given any thought to potential activities? I was thinking we could organize an escape room challenge to foster collaboration and problem-solving skills.
Let me know your thoughts on both matters when you have a moment.
Best regards,
Alex
2. Moving on,
This straightforward transition signals a clear shift in topic without any frills.
Example (Meeting minutes):
Marketing Strategy Discussion:
- Agreed on increasing social media presence
- Allocated budget for influencer partnerships
- Set Q3 goals for lead generation
Moving on, we discussed the upcoming product launch:
- Tentative release date: September 15th
- PR team to draft press release by August 1st
- R&D to provide final product specs by July 25th
3. To change the topic,
This direct approach clearly indicates your intention to shift the conversation’s direction.
Example (Verbal conversation):
Manager: “Great job on the presentation yesterday, Tom. The client was impressed with your insights on market trends.”
Tom: “Thank you, I’m glad it was well-received. To change the topic, I wanted to discuss the possibility of attending the industry conference next month. I believe it could provide valuable networking opportunities for our team.”
4. In other matters,
This phrase smoothly introduces a new subject while maintaining a professional tone.
Example (Email):
Subject: Quarterly Review and Office Renovation
Hello Emma,
I hope this message finds you well. I’ve reviewed the quarterly reports, and I’m pleased with our team’s performance. We’ve exceeded our targets in customer acquisition and retention. Well done to everyone involved!
In other matters, I wanted to update you on the office renovation project. The contractors have provided a timeline, and it looks like we’ll need to work remotely for two weeks in August. I’ll send out a detailed schedule soon so everyone can plan accordingly.
Best regards,
Michael
5. Regarding something else,
This transition phrase helps you shift topics while maintaining a formal tone in your communication.
Example (Business letter):
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Thank you for your prompt response regarding the contract renewal. We’re pleased to continue our partnership for another year and look forward to achieving great results together.
Regarding something else, I wanted to inquire about the possibility of expanding our services to your West Coast branch. We’ve recently developed some innovative solutions that I believe could greatly benefit that division. Would you be interested in scheduling a call to discuss this further?
Sincerely,
Lisa Chen
Account Manager
6. Furthermore,
While typically used to add information to the same topic, “furthermore” can also serve as a clever way to introduce a related but distinct subject.
Example (Project update):
Team,
I’m excited to announce that we’ve successfully launched the new customer portal. Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with users praising its intuitive design and functionality.
Furthermore, this success has opened up an opportunity to expand our digital offerings. Management has green-lit our proposal to develop a mobile app, which will complement the web portal and provide even more convenience for our customers.
Let’s build on this momentum and make our digital transformation a resounding success!
7. On a different subject,
This phrase clearly signals a topic change while maintaining a professional tone.
Example (Team meeting):
Team Leader: “Alright, we’ve covered the Q2 sales figures and strategy for Q3. Great input from everyone. On a different subject, I’d like to address the recent changes in our remote work policy. HR has provided some guidelines that we need to review together…”
8. To pivot to another topic,
This modern phrase adds a dynamic feel to your transitions, perfect for a contemporary workplace environment.
Example (Client call):
Consultant: “So, that covers our analysis of your current market position and potential growth areas. Do you have any questions about those findings?”
Client: “No, that all makes sense. Thank you.”
Consultant: “Excellent. To pivot to another topic, I’d like to discuss our proposed timeline for implementing these changes. We’ve drafted a phased approach that I think you’ll find both efficient and manageable.”
9. On the flip side,
This casual yet effective phrase can introduce a contrasting or complementary point in your discussion.
Example (Team brainstorming session):
Colleague 1: “I think we should focus our marketing efforts on social media to reach a younger demographic.”
Colleague 2: “That’s a solid idea. On the flip side, we shouldn’t neglect our more traditional customers. Perhaps we could develop a dual-pronged approach that caters to both groups?”
10. Shifting focus to,
This phrase clearly indicates a change in direction while maintaining a professional tone.
Example (Performance review):
Manager: “John, you’ve done an excellent job leading the product development team this year. Your innovative approaches have really paid off in terms of efficiency and output quality.”
John: “Thank you, I’m glad my efforts have made a positive impact.”
Manager: “Shifting focus to your personal development goals, let’s discuss the leadership training program you expressed interest in. I think it would be an excellent opportunity for you to further enhance your management skills.”
11. Transitioning to,
This phrase smoothly guides your audience from one topic to the next, maintaining a professional tone.
Example (Team update email):
Subject: Project Milestones and Office Policy Update
Dear Team,
I’m thrilled to report that we’ve hit all our Q2 project milestones ahead of schedule. Your dedication and hard work have truly paid off, setting us up for a strong second half of the year.
Transitioning to our workplace environment, I wanted to inform everyone about some updates to our office policies. Starting next month, we’ll be implementing a new flexible seating arrangement to foster more collaboration and creativity among departments.
12. Changing tracks,
This metaphor, borrowed from railway terminology, effectively signals a shift in the conversation’s direction.
Example (Client meeting):
Consultant: “So, we’ve covered the market analysis and potential growth strategies for your product line. Are there any questions about those areas?”
Client: “No, that all seems clear. Thank you.”
Consultant: “Excellent. Changing tracks, I’d like to discuss your current digital marketing efforts. We’ve identified some opportunities that could significantly boost your online presence and customer engagement.”
13. On a related note,
While this phrase typically introduces a related topic, it can also be used to smoothly transition to a slightly different subject in business communication.
Example (Interdepartmental email):
Subject: Marketing Campaign Results and Budget Planning
Hello Marketing and Finance teams,
I’m pleased to share that our recent social media campaign exceeded expectations, resulting in a 25% increase in website traffic and a 15% boost in lead generation.
On a related note, it’s time to start planning our budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Given the success of our digital initiatives, I propose we allocate additional resources to expand our online marketing efforts. I’ve prepared a preliminary budget proposal for your review.
14. Shifting our attention to,
This phrase helps refocus your audience on a new topic while maintaining a professional tone.
Example (Board meeting):
CEO: “Now that we’ve reviewed the financial reports for Q2, I’d like to thank our CFO and her team for their diligent work in keeping us on track.”
“Shifting our attention to our expansion plans, I’m excited to announce that we’ve identified three potential locations for our new regional office. Our real estate team has prepared a detailed analysis of each site, which we’ll now review together.”
15. If I may digress,
This polite phrase is perfect for introducing a tangentially related topic in a formal setting.
Example (Conference presentation):
Speaker: “…and that’s how our new software has revolutionized data processing in the finance sector.”
“If I may digress for a moment, I’d like to touch on the broader implications of this technology for other industries. We’re seeing exciting potential applications in healthcare and education that could be equally transformative.”
16. Branching off to another point,
This organic metaphor effectively introduces a new subject while acknowledging its connection to the previous topic.
Example (Team brainstorming session):
Team Leader: “Great ideas everyone on improving our customer service protocols. I think we have a solid foundation to work from.”
“Branching off to another point, how can we apply these same principles of efficiency and personalization to our internal communication? I believe enhancing our interdepartmental collaboration could have a positive ripple effect on our customer interactions as well.”
17. Turning our focus to,
This phrase helps guide your audience’s attention to a new subject smoothly and professionally.
Example (Department head meeting):
HR Director: “We’ve made significant progress in our diversity and inclusion initiatives this quarter. Thank you all for your support and engagement in this crucial area.”
“Turning our focus to our upcoming leadership development program, I’m excited to share the curriculum we’ve developed. It’s designed to equip our mid-level managers with the skills they need to drive innovation and foster team cohesion in our evolving workplace environment.”
18. To touch on another matter,
This phrase allows you to introduce a new topic concisely and professionally in various business communication scenarios.
Example (Client email):
Subject: Project Update and Service Expansion
Dear Ms. Thompson,
I hope this email finds you well. I’m pleased to report that the implementation of your new CRM system is proceeding on schedule. We expect to complete the final testing phase by the end of next week.
To touch on another matter, I wanted to inform you about some new services our company is offering. We’ve recently expanded our cybersecurity division and are now providing comprehensive security audits. Given the sensitive nature of your industry, this might be of interest to you. Would you like me to send you some information about this service?
19. Before we conclude,
This transition phrase is particularly useful for introducing a final topic or point near the end of a meeting or document.
Example (Team meeting wrap-up):
Manager: “Alright team, we’ve covered a lot of ground today. I appreciate everyone’s input on our Q3 strategy.”
“Before we conclude, I want to quickly address the upcoming company-wide hackathon. It’s a great opportunity for cross-departmental collaboration and innovation. I encourage everyone to consider participating or at least attending the final presentations.”
20. One last item on the agenda,
This phrase clearly signals that you’re moving to a final point, helping to maintain structure in your communication.
Example (Board meeting):
Chairperson: “Thank you for your attention during this productive meeting. We’ve made important decisions regarding our global expansion strategy and sustainability initiatives.”
“One last item on the agenda: I’d like to announce that our long-serving CFO, Janet, will be retiring at the end of this fiscal year. We’ll be forming a search committee for her replacement, and I welcome input from all board members on potential candidates.”
Conclusion
Mastering the art of transitioning between topics is a valuable skill in professional settings. These ten alternatives to “on another note” provide you with a versatile toolkit to navigate conversations and written communications with finesse. By varying your transition phrases, you’ll keep your audience engaged and demonstrate your command of language.
Remember, the key to effective business communication is clarity and context. While these phrases are useful, always ensure that your transitions make sense within the flow of your conversation or document. Practice using these alternatives in your daily interactions, and you’ll soon find yourself communicating more dynamically and professionally.
Emily Olivia is an experienced writer specializing in grammar and English language topics. With a passion for clarity and precision, she shares valuable insights on synonyms, grammar rules, and writing tips to help readers enhance their language skills on Grammar Path.