Business Writing

This course prepares you to become a better workplace communicator. You will focus on ways to strategically plan, format, and send business messages — presentations, letters, e-mails, proposals, and more — leading to better efficiency and efficacy on the job.

Those wishing to assess and add to their business writing skills will find this course a confidence builder. Developing the self-assurance to communicate effectively in the workplace will be the main goal, and you will benefit from the practical approach to building these skills. You will identify the characteristics of effective communication and learn how to successfully critique business documents.

You will also have at least one other goal, and that is to improve your confidence in your ability to communicate effectively. In a business environment, egos and professional reputations are on the line, and people often feel threatened. The result is either poor communication, or no communication at all. 

Being an effective business communicator has many advantages and rewards. Some are financial, and others relate to your emotional well being. It is important to recognize that communicating in your job is key to not only your success, but also to your enjoyment and your perception of acceptable self-worth in the workplace.

Delivering messages effectively allows you to share ideas and contribute, and to lead and inspire others.

This course will focus on seven key topics:

• Today's Successful Business Communicator
• Presentations
• Characteristics of Effective Business Writing
• Direct Messages
• Unwelcome Messages
• Persuasive Messages
• Career Messages

Learning objectives

A repeatable writing process and strategic planning guides for specific applications will be introduced through learning activities. Peer support and feedback will be emphasized. 

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• introduce and apply a repeatable writing process that can be applied to all business communication challenges including all business-related use of social media,
• identify and apply business writing characteristics that support clear, concise messaging and eliminate interference,
• develop and apply planning, organizational, and editing strategies for specific types of written business messages, and
• review and apply the principles and elements of specific business writing formats such as presentations, letters, e-mails, proposals, resumes, and recommendation letters.