PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATION – WRITING FOR SUCCESS

SYNOPSIS: This course is designed to give participants a comprehensive view of communication, its scope and importance in business, and the role of communication in establishing a favorable outside the firm environment, as well as an effective internal communications program. The various types of business communication media are covered. This course also develops an awareness of the importance of succinct written expression to modern business communication

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• By the end of this course, participants should be able to:
• Understand and demonstrate the use of basic and advanced proper writing techniques that today's technology demands, including anticipating audience reaction,
• Write effective and concise letters and memos,
• Prepare informal and formal reports,
• Proofread and edit copies of business correspondence.
• Use e-mail effectively and efficiently,
• Develop interpersonal skills that contribute to effective and satisfying personal, social and professional relationships

COURSE CONTENT

Business Communication: Introduction

• Barriers and pitfalls of business communication
• Differences between written and spoken communication and their implications
• Managing e-mails to be noticed
• Writing effective business letters
• Writing professional agendas and minutes
• Writing instructions and guidelines

Effective Report Writing

• Characteristics of an effective report
• Understanding the readers’ needs
• Generating ideas – Mind mapping and brain storming
• Selecting and structuring the content – logical sequencing
• Sources of information and research techniques
• Great beginnings and neat endings

Managing the Writing Process

• Managing your time and priorities
• Sentences, paragraphs and readability
• Critical reading and managing comments
• Proofreading, grammar and punctuation
• Tables, diagrams, figures and graphs
• The executive summary

Effective Presentation

• Characteristics of effective presentations
• Preparing a persuasive business presentation
• The pillars of effective presentations
• Structuring the presentation and making a case
• Positive body language
• Using visuals effectively

Making a Case & Influencing Skills

• Choosing words for maximum impact
• Handling questions from your audience
• Supporting presentations with written documentation
• Making a persuasive business case
• Influencing Skills and getting support

TARGET AUDIENCE: All staff in supervisory and managerial level