Introduction to Business and Report Writing Training

In this Business & Report Writing training course, you gain foundational knowledge in business writing, and leverage effective writing tools to create contract proposals, business plans, executive summaries, recommendation reports, and internal business communications. Today’s technology has made everyone in the workplace a writer — leaving your reputation and success increasingly dependent on how well you communicate. Learn to convey a credible message & project a professional image in this 3-day course.

• Strong proficiency in the English language
• Basic knowledge of English grammar

• Experience with Microsoft Word

Introduction to Business and Report Writing Training Delivery Methods

• After-course instructor coaching benefit
• Learning Tree end-of-course exam included
• After-course computing sandbox included

Introduction to Business and Report Writing Training Course Benefits

• Develop writing skills to convey a credible message
• Compose concise messages using a structured writing process
• Adapt your writing to your audience's needs
• Fine-tune language to improve persuasiveness and impact

Business & Report Writing Course Outline

Why Good Business Writing Matters

• Key benefits for the business
• Increasing your business effectiveness
• Identifying key communication problems

Supporting Business Objectives

The benefits to the writer

• Enhancing your professional image
• Improving career choice

The business writing process

• Breaking writing down into a clear process
• Scheduling tasks for completion

Planning for Your Audience

Adapting to audience needs

• Contextualizing your writing
• Eliminating barriers between you and your readers

Leveraging different communication styles

• Deciphering clues to style preferences
• Responding and relating well to your readers

Structuring Your Documents

Identifying the macro structure of business documents

• Handling the business document paradox
• Classifying different types of business documents

Developing the micro structure template

• Recognising key topics
• Structuring raw material
• Organising information to highlight gaps

Writing Reports that Address Business Problems

Recognising the business impact

• Defining the criteria for a quality business document
• Identifying the business impact of the problem
• Demonstrating the value of confronting the situation

Recommending solutions

• Conducting effective research
• Applying decision-making criteria
• Tying your recommendation to the organization's mission

Highlighting Benefits to Your Readers

Facilitating your readers' understanding

• Managing paragraphs using topic sentences
• Incorporating your readers' words
• Avoiding synonyms

Ordering your information

• Writing effective headings
• Reducing inferential load
• Structuring sentences to signal benefits

Writing to Persuade Your Readers

Honing your writing to improve persuasiveness

• Tying your writing to the decision-making process
• Making credible claims
• Avoiding oversimplification
• Influencing your audience to value your ideas
• Creating an effective Executive Summary

Presenting information

• Improving bulleted lists by showing words in tables
• Highlighting alternatives to aid rapid decision-making
• Prioritising business solutions
• Countering opposition

Saying What You Mean in E-mail

Writing clearly

• Prioritising your subject
• Optimising word choice
• Differentiating between active vs. passive voice
• Eliminating pronouns and modifiers

Writing concisely

• Choosing a style appropriate for audience and context
• Revising to heighten impact

A professional approach to e-mail

• Respecting readers' time, interest and ability to focus
• Extinguishing flame wars
• Crafting relevant subject lines