Business Writing Skills

BEVA offers the following course content:

This is a highly participatory and interactive course which addresses the following and more through content presentation, structured exercises, small and large group discussion and constructive feedback.

1. Business Writing Foundations
   1. Understand Context and Goals of the Participants.
   2. Sharing Experiences – Successes and challenges with business writing
   3. Why it is important to develop effective business writing skills.
   4. Common elements and structure of written communication.
   5. Distinctions between formal and informal written communications – mood, formality.
   6. Tips for effective writing
   7. Formatting and readability of written communication
2. Plan your communication

     1. Introduction to a holistic planning framework for business writing.

       a) Determine the purpose

       b) Identify the “sponsor” and the expectations and conditions of satisfaction (e.g.                 timelines, length, style)

       c) Clarify the intended outcome or impact of the communication

       d) Identify the audience and how to create value for the audience

       e) Identify data sources and location

       f) Create an outline for your communication

      g) Collect, analyze and organize the data

      h) Write the document

      i) Edit, edit, edit

      j) Format and structure

2. Application of the framework to a real-life report writing scenario.

3. Writing for Specific Purposes (note: the content of this section will be customized to the participants goals and contexts and the request of the sponsor).

    1. Review distinctions and different expectations for correspondence

      a) Letters

      b) Memos

      c) Emails

      d) Other kinds of written communication relevant to the participants

   2. Review distinctions and different expectations for a variety of common reports that         may include:

      a) Informal Reports

           (i.) Briefing Notes

      b) Formal Reports 

          (i.) Technical Reports

          (ii.) Scientific Reports

          (iii.) Project Summary Reports

          (iv.)  Research Reports

          (v.) Informational Reports

          (vi.) Business Reports

         (vii.) Analytical reports

        (viii.) Recommendation reports

4. Practice

  1. Work on a written for which they would like co-learners to provide feedback.

  2. Remaining questions about business writing.

Notes:

• Participants are requested to bring 3 or 4 copies of emails or memos that they have created and one longer formal or informal report.
• Individuals will be invited to work on actual reports that they need or are preparing or bring draft reports for feedback.