The Art and Science of Business Writing ~ EXEQSERVE HR SOLUTIONS

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

The Art and Science of Business Writing

art = product of human creativity; skill learned by study, practice, and observation

science = methodological activity, discipline or study; general truths, laws or principles; ability to produce solutions

Writing is both art and skill. And business writing, to be effective, requires competence in both the creative and the technical aspects of writing. Combining principles of style and form, this workshop will lead learners to develop their writing competence to produce letters, email, and reports that achieve results and build positive relationships.

The process of improving one’s written communication skills starts with an understanding of the communication process, its purpose, channels, and operating theories. Awareness of one’s skills is the next step. Our communication competence is then developed through application of communication knowledge and through constant and conscious practice. Knowledge-Awareness-Application-Practice. This 4-step approach will serve as the workshop’s framework.
Workshop Objectives
At the end of the program, the participants are expected to:
1. learn the value of good written communication;
2. know and practice the basic steps of business writing;
3. apply the 10 C’s of Communication to written materials;
4. know and avoid the pitfalls of business writing;
5. assess their own writing competence and find areas for improvement; and
6. know how to get their message across and achieve results through their writing
Methods
The workshop will combine experiential activities with mini-lectures and group discussions. It will be highly interactive, providing the learner with a laboratory to apply and practice the theoretical knowledge presented. Mental and physical activities, quizzes, games, and role-playing will drive home the learning and will provide the learners with a fun learning environment. We scheduled the training days to be a week apart to allow participants time to practice and do some homework. This strategy will allow for maximum learning impact.

The Art & Science of Business Writing
Course Content
A. Introductions
B. Leveling of Expectations
C. Workshop Overview
D. The 10 C’s of Communication
a. Clarity, Conciseness, Cohesiveness, Correctness and other Writing Standards
b. Tone, Style, and Communicating a Professional Image in Writing
E. Writing Practice – E-mail, Letters, Executive Summaries
F. 4-Carat Persuasion

The Facilitator
Gege Sugue is passionate about Communication, and is motivated by the desire to help other people become better communicators. She writes for local and international readers, develops and conducts training programs for corporate and non-profit organizations, and provides consulting services in the field of Marketing and Communication. Of all her activities, she enjoys training the most because not only does she help others learn, she herself also gets to indulge in a lifelong process of learning. She believes that life is enriched when we learn something new everyday. Gege Sugue graduated from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, and is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Communication at the De La Salle University – Manila, where she also teaches in the Organizational Communication Department. Her competencies also include public speaking, something she has enjoyed since her early career days at Levi Strauss and company where she presented products and ideas to Filipino and foreign audiences. She further honed her public speaking skills as her career evolved to include training and consulting. Since 1993, she has been training learners from companies like Sykes, Intel, Royal Sporting House, and Lafarge. Even her off-work activities include public speaking as she is the President of BnT Toastmasters Club and Immediate Area 16 Governor of Toastmasters International District 75. In every workshop, she hopes to help her learners develop skills, attitudes, and confidence to enable them to go the next step higher in their career and their personal lives.
Gege Sugue’s quest for knowledge does not seem to end. From her undergraduate years at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, through her adventures in Levi Strauss and other companies, her pursuit for higher education at the De La Salle University-Manila, and now in her exciting roles as a trainer, consultant, writer, and communication coach, she has been enjoying a lifelong passion for learning and continuous improvement. Since 1993, she has been training learners from companies like Sykes, Intel, Royal Sporting House, UCPB, Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and Lafarge. She also teaches at the Communication Department of the De La Salle University – Manila. Gege believes knowledge is power, and knowledge shared is power multiplied.

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