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90 minute, half & full day workshopsReport & Business Writing
Report & Business Writing
Courses & Training
For most organisations, the written word still plays a vital part of communication - but is it done as well as it could or should be? Our business report and writing courses can help...
Do you find reports difficult to write - and even more difficult to read? Do you either avoid writing if you can, and leave it to the last minute - or spend draft after draft agonising to get it right? If you do, these training courses will help you be more effective on paper, and even make the process easier and enjoyable.
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view availability & bookReport & Business Writing Course Content
Report writing: the 7-step plan overview
Too often, report writers try to get everything right at once. Under this process, report writing becomes more focused, more effective, and easier.
Steps 1 to 3: preparation and planning
Who is it for? Why are you writing it? What does it need to say? How will it be presented: report? letter? email? text? 4 key questions to ask - and to answer.
Step 4: getting the structure right
Reading is always easier if there is a clear and logical structure, one that helps the individual messages, and the overall case being made, to flow. There are a number of ways to structure your written work, so what are they, and which should you use?
Step 5: getting the tone right
It's not what you say, it's the way that you say it. How formal or informal should the language be? Should it be written in the active or passive tense? Are technical terms a useful shorthand, or jargon?
Step 6: layout and visuals
Much written work can be helped by the use of appropriate visuals - including the use of space, determined by layout. So what are the principles that guide visual support, and how and where should they be used?
Step 7: the final check
Is the grammar correct? The punctuation? And the spelling? (After all, no one deliberately misspells!) Does it pass the readability test, and does it contain any ambiguities that are open to misinterpretation? These, and other checkpoints need to be addressed.
How to write in plain English: principles & practice
The purpose of any written communication is to make it as easy as possible for the reader to understand what the writer intended. This is the essence of plain English, and our top ten tips will make this an easy skill to conquer.
Who is business writing training for?
Our business writing courses are ideal for those with responsibility for writing reports and other written formats, and who wish to learn or review good practice in terms of format, content and style. The courses are particularly relevant for anyone who wants to:
Know how to construct a report in a step-by-step manner, to ensure each element of a successful report is properly and separately attended to.
Make clear and confident choices about purpose, structure, content and style of any written work.
Use plain English to ensure business writing is clear, accessible and effective.
Minimise or remove altogether the need for redrafts, and achieve written work that is 'right first time, every time'.
Prefer to talk to a human?
We'd love to (e)meet you. Book a video call now and we can have a vitual coffee and chat about what you're looking for.
schedule a chatReports & Business Writing Training Activities
The bite-size business writing course (90 minutes) provides an overview of the 7-point plan; in the half day course each of these 7 points is examined in detail, and on the full day course participants are given the task of writing, from a selection of work-related briefs, and therefore have the opportunity of putting the learning into detailed practice, and receiving constructive feedback.
Never 'death by powerpoint'
We always provide a variety of learning approaches in each of our workshops.
Each workshop typically includes learning input from the trainer, supported by a range of mixed media, interactive elements, discussion and group work. Most workshops also include case work and practical skill-development activities to apply the learning, with more time dedicated to this in the longer courses.
'Want more?' resource pack
In addition to providing a copy of any slide deck, we always provide a ‘want more’ section, of curated resources including book summaries, podcasts, downloads and articles.
open discussion
core learning input
paired activities
reflection & consolidation
solo activities
tools & templates
group activities
your questions (Q&A)
casework
The course was over too quickly, and had definitely whetted my appetite. The ‘want more’ section was a brilliant additional support, allowing me to explore the topic further.
What are the benefits of business writing training?
Know and use a 7-point plan that will deliver an effective written report
Understand and deliver the principles of writing in plain English
Ensure all business writing uses a style that is fit for purpose
Makes the writing process and resulting document shorter, more engaging and easier to read
Business Writing (420 @ 32 Course (520@33) Frequently Asked Quesitons
What is a suitable style of business writing?
Generally, one that is professional, and also meets the reader's preferences and expectations. Remember too that whoever your primary reader is, it might reach a secondary readership, so needs to be appropriate for that audience too.
Why are reports so difficult to write, and to read?
In our view, they needn't be. Partly because it is difficult to produce good work if you don't enjoy it, and many who have to do a lot of writing don't enjoy it, and then the writing tends to become more formulaic - which is less engaging to read.
What is the main reason for writing a report, as opposed to a letter or any other form of writing?
It's a good question, because there may be a request to 'write a report' only because "that's what we've always done". These training courses will consider the different formats of written work and how to decide which option is most appropriate,
If I want to improve my writing skills, which business writingcourse should I take?
Probably the half or full day course, because it is in both those courses that most attention will be paid to the use of plain English (whereas the 90-minute bitesize course focuses specifically on report writing).
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Top Ten Tips on...
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Writing Effectively (in plain English)
Simple tips to improve your writing skills, avoid common mistakes and communicate more effectively.
Top Ten Tips on...
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For workshops and coaching sessions, you can check availability & book using the form below. Pay now online, or later by invoice - it's up to you.
