Powerful Business Writing Skills

This program aims at helping participants to:

• Appreciate the main problems in today's business writing.
• Identify old-fashioned phrases and standard overused jargon.
• Use modern business language instead of old-fashioned great-grandfather writing.
• Apply the main rules of good business writing.
• Structure documents logically using Shirley's 4 Point Plan.
• Use consistent layout for all business correspondence.
• Enhance your e-mail communication skills.
• Analyse real business documents to improve format, style, language and tone.
• Compose effective letters, memos, faxes and e-mails.
• Ensure your messages are read, understood, remembered, and get results.

Common problems in today's writing

• Get the foundations right
• Understand punctuation
• Touch up your grammar
• Local specialities

Introduction to business writing

• What do you know about business writing?
• The 3 R's of reader-friendly writing
• The importance of writing as you speak
• Touch up your tone

Writer-centred writing

• Your 7 steps to success in business writing
• Shirley's 4 Point Plan
• In-depth look at openings and closings
• Create a visual appeal in your documents

Good writing in the 21st Century

• Compose SMART subject lines
• Use modern terminology
• Remember the KISS principle
• If you wouldn't say it, don't write it

Turn on the style

• Polish up your professionalism
• Passive vs active voice
• Be positive and proactive in your writing
• The importance of proofreading

E-mail at work

• Highs and lows of e-mail
• Are you an angel or a devil on e-mail?
• Business e-mail netiquette
• Top 10 courtesies online

Shirley Taylor

Shirley Taylor has established herself as a leading authority in modern business writing and communication skills. She is author of 6 successful books on communication skills, including the international best-seller 'Model Business Letters, E-mails and Other Business Documents 6th edition', which has sold almost half a million copies worldwide. With over 20 years experience in teaching and training, Shirley puts a lot of passion and energy into her workshops to make sure they are entertaining, practical and informative, as well as a lot of fun.

“Shirley has done well. I have learnt a lot during the 2 days. This workshop is really interesting and I will definitely recommend it to my colleagues.”

Winston Au
Head Air Traffic Services, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore

Presentations, Q&A, quizzes, games, individual exercises and group work. Participants will be encouraged to participate and share examples from their own experience. All participants will receive a comprehensive workbook packed with tips and advice on how to write better business letters, memos, faxes, e-mails and other documents.

Department heads, managers, executives, secretaries, administrators, clerical officers, and any professionals who want to write better business correspondence.