New user? Register as member

Effective Business Writing

Business writing is not creative writing! Professionals who either write or proofread written work must understand there is a big difference between old-fashioned business style (generally taught in schools) versus what is expected in modern business correspondence.

An interactive workshop using a combination of lectures, exercises and group discussion, participants will pick up quick fact bites that are essential to office correspondence such as reports, emails and minutes.

Objective

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Write effective business correspondence such as reports, email and minutes.
• Proofread and vet business document samples.
• Customise their written work to different reader types.

Outline

Part One: Essentials of Effective Business Writing

• What is business correspondence?
• Differences between business and creative writing.
• Identifying old-fashioned vs. modern business writing styles.
• Writing skills using the 4 C: clear, concise, courteous and correct.

Part Two: Process of Effective Business Correspondence

• Understanding attention span of readers.
• Summary writing: 5 W’s & 1H.
• Concise writing essentials.
• Approaches to writing: voice, direct, indirect and persuasive.
• Controlling tone in writing.
• Common grammatical errors made in business correspondence.
• Identifying reader types.

Part Three: Office Correspondence (Internal and External)

• Section A: Reports and Proposals


• Differences between analytical and informational reports.
• Ways to organize reports and proposals convincingly.
• Delivering reports via set and standard formats: Feasibility reports, internal papers, incident reports, investigation reports, concept papers.


• Section B: Replying to Emails and Letters


• The four-point plan used in emails and letters.
• Phrases to use when replying to general letters of enquiry and to an aggrieved customer.


• Section C: Minutes of Meeting


• Organisational content structure in minutes of meeting.
• Business meeting buzzwords and terms.
• Prepare note-taking forms.
• Listening comprehension and note-taking skills.
• Using the appropriate tone and language.

Methodology

Testimonials

Caroline knows the style of Singapore trainees very well, she provided many practical templates that I could use during my everyday work, very useful and provided many relevant good references and practice during the training.
Heraeus Materials Singapore Pte Ltd

The topic is very effective, 5/5. Especially with the various templates provided. The fact that Caroline speaks fast made the class interesting and engaging. We are on our toes all the time. Material and resources provided updated, relevant and most useful for my work.
National Council of Social Service

Trainer has vast, relevant experience and excellent communication skills. Numerous writing samples from trainer is also much appreciated.
Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

"It was a great training learning experience. The trainer provided good material s & references. She presents the topic in a manner we can easily understand. The course is with full score!"
LEE HUAT YAP KEE PTE LTD

"Interactive, Fun, Excellent trainer!"
ONI Global Pte. Ltd

"Trainer is excellent!"
Building and Construction Authority

Interesting, Good explanation, Good interaction, Trainer is very approachable.
Mapei Far East Pte Ltd

Profile of Caroline Josephine Dawson

Caroline Josephine Dawson has more than 20 years of invaluable experience as an Editor of lifestyle and technical publications and 17 years teaching business management, environmental and soft-skills communication.

As a former journalist, Caroline’s professional work experience as a Corporate Trainer/Facilitator, Keynote Speaker and Learning & Development Consultant; has required her to market the value of her programs and persuade clients to value and understand the urgency of good communication and management skills in the work force. As an ACTA certified WSQ trainer, She has also worked with the Workforce Development Agency of Singapore to develop training content for the Employability Skills System where she successfully attained industry approved competencies in conducting, planning and designing competency based assessments for communication workshops.

Her many opportunities in working with the public and private sectors around the world has enhanced her training experience. Participants of her training workshops attest to her motivational, instructional and highly experiential training methodology that have helped them in their workplace business management. Caroline has trained operational, supervisory and managerial staff from various organisations.

She holds a Master of Arts in Mass Communication from NTU (Singapore) and has attained the Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certification through the London Teacher Training College and also teaches English as a foreign language. Caroline is also an MBTI®, DISC Accredited Administrator, Enneagram and Lumina Spark/Emotion practitioner and she has administered the tools to top level managers and supervisors on managing their leadership styles and team members. Caroline is now pursuing her Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Teesside (UK).