Effective Writing - Part 0

Ten minutes to Effective Business Writing

• If you become anxious at the thought of writing a business document, you're not alone.

• Effective business writing is a critical leadership tool.

• The foundation of effective business writing is clear thinking.

• Writing effectively for business is something you can easily learn.

• Working within a framework can reduce the natural fear of writing business documents.

Start with a Purpose in Mind

A clear, well-thought-out purpose will adhere to the "SMART" principle. SMART stands for …

Specific: . Your purpose focuses on a single, well-defined issue.

Measurable: . There is a way to measure whether the objective is achieved.

Actionable: . Achieving your purpose is within the control of you or others in the organization—i.e., you needn't rely on outside, uncontrollable factors to achieve your purpose.

Rewarding: . Achieving your purpose has value for you and your organization.

Terse: . The purpose can be stated in a few simple words.

Use memo for better writing

Ask Questions to Focus Your Writing

Identify the appropriate audience for your document base on your objective, and understand this audience's perspective before writing.

Remember, every memo gives you the opportunity to lead others' thinking and advance your business objectives.