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Overview of the workshop

As organisations become more communication driven, it is paramount that all examples of written documentation are faultless. As your professional reputation can be enhanced or ruined by the documentation that you write, it is essential that the style, content and message of your writing is clear, concise and appropriate.

Essential Business Writing and Communication Skills has been specifically designed with today’s business professional in mind. Given the wide ranging formats and media that we now use to communicate, ensure your messages are always conveyed through first class written communication techniques by attending this workshop.

The ability to communicate information and findings effectively is a key skill. By mastering the skills of planning, structuring and writing you will possess an additional competence that is valuable to yourself and your organisation’s business development.

Workshop outcomes include

• Write with conviction to enhance your proposals and promote your competitive advantage
• Reinforce your argument and convey your point of view concisely and persuasively
• Produce more effective, professional reports and proposals which truly address your clients’ and colleagues’ needs
• Ensure your proposals create a polished, sophisticated impression
• Understand how to vary words, tone and structure to achieve desired results
• Control grammar and punctuation to improve credibility
• Develop a structured checklist summary for implementation in the workplace
• Structure, write, proofread and edit all documents effectively – from emails to reports, proposals, strategic plans and presentations

Workshop outline

Written communication - the rules

• Reviewing the basic rules of writing - clarity, brevity, accuracy
• The essential guide to grammar, punctuation, sentences and paragraphs
• Keeping your communication simple - avoiding jargon, slang, clichés and complicated vocabulary

Knowing what words to use and when

• Using the active voice, eliminating unnecessary words and avoiding qualifiers
• Techniques to avoid repetition and redundancy
• When to use formal and informal writing
• Ethical considerations of communication
• Communicating interculturally
• Developing succinct Plain English techniques by avoiding complex language and reducing sentence length
• How to overcome writer’s block - using freewriting, mind mapping and conversation

Developing a compelling and influential writing style

• Improving your style by using strong verbs and simple, direct sentences
• How to be positive, specific, avoid idea gaps and blind spots
• The importance of tone: avoid being misconstrued
• Using assertive language to get the desired result

Structuring a document

• Clarifying the purpose and objectives of your document
• Gathering information and organising your ideas into a logical sequence
• Applying structure to reports - introduction, executive summary, main body, findings, financial information, conclusions, recommendations, references
• Presenting information professionally in reports - layout, headings and page numbering

Improve the credibility of your message through improved grammar and punctuation

• How grammar and word usage is changing
• Utilising the latest trends in grammar and punctuation
• When to use formal grammar and when to use current grammar
• The latest in punctuation
• The power of bullets in business writing
• Using commas, apostrophes and contractions correctly
• Choosing where to position yourself and your company

Emails - how to structure and format your emails for readability, style and etiquette

• Keys to effective emails
• Assessing what works and what doesn’t
• It’s all about structure, language, tone and brevity
• Are blackberries and SMS changing the rules?

Writing complex documents for maximum impact

• Understanding key features of complex documents - reports, proposals, strategic plans and beyond
• Structuring complex documents
• Incorporating your style into complex documents for maximum impact

Mixing written and verbal communication

• Making presentations and speeches
• Optimal ways to combine written and verbal communication for maximum impact
• Examining the different media used
• Choosing an optimal combination
• What words to use

Proofreading and editing

• Examining common oversights
• How useful are spell checks and grammar checks?
• Tips for proofreading efficiently
• How to use an editing checklist

Passing on business writing skills to your team

• Team writing
• Correcting the work of others
• Giving feedback - do’s and don’ts
• Coaching your team on writing skills
• Tips to help team members who speak English as a second language to write professionally

ABOUT YOUR EXPERT PRESENTER

Kerren Rennie has been a Communications Skills trainer for six years. Her areas of expertise cover all communication courses. Kerren, a qualified facilitator with City and Guilds - London, specialises in written and oral communication, with particular emphasis on Business Writing, Minute Taking and Public Speaking. She also lectures in Presentation Skills country-wide. Her intensive schedule has ensured maximum exposure to a variety of corporate vocations. Kerren’s ratings always reflect attention to detail and a pursuit of excellence. She also specialises in course development. Kerren’s rapport with the group is her strongest point, as it reflects an ability to connect with them and maintain interest in the subject area.