You write in business, to convince others– buy a product or service, approve a budget, sign a proposal, change a process, etc.

Your writing needs to be compelling and relevant to persuade people to read it and take desired action toward your objectives.

Let us understand a powerful and effective communications methodology that helps you discard tedious, time-consuming writing habits you’ve developed since childhood.

Develop analytical thinking techniques that facilitate clear, reader-focused writing.

Ask probing, insightful questions that will uncover your reader’s perceptions, empowering your writing to speak directly to their needs

Cultivate active-listening skills to let you focus on how your readers interpret your words; and, to identify your audience’s motivation

You should write with intention so your words don’t obscure your ideas.

Develop a compelling business story that will engage your readers

Use persuasive writing techniques to produce powerful proposals, reports, emails, and more.

Articulate complex information (if any) clearly and concisely.

Think analytically about your business benefits from your reader’s point of view.

Strengthen and streamline your writing using professional-quality editing and revision techniques

Leverage on powerful email subject lines that get your reader’s attention

Avoid pompous business words and phrases

Let us see some clear Writing Essentials:

• How to read with purpose to uncover essential facts.
• Identify what is important and what to ignore.
• How to develop a clear, focused message for your reader
• The Clarity Principle – single most important point in writing.
• Four ways to define a clear objective

Define expected outcome:

• Identify four typical audience types
• How to write to each reader’s perspective

Do you know what is Analytical Thinking?

Do not begin writing without planning. Focus on getting things done effectively than getting things done quickly

• Examine your messages and topics,
• analyze options,
• choose a reader-focused strategy,
• organize your ideas, and
• communicate powerfully and persuasively.

Use these thinking tools:

• Plan, write, revise, edit – a 4-step process to help participants think clearly, organize your ideas, focus on objectives, take less time writing.
• Analytical questions for looking beyond the obvious.
• Brainstorming for generating ideas and form logical connections.
• Outline your ideas and structure a persuasive document.

Analysis Exercises

• identify and answer your reader’s objections.
• tune into what every reader wants to know.
• uncover your real objectives for writing.
• keep your words from obscuring your ideas.
• avoid jargon, clichés and pompous language.
• motivate your reader through clear, persuasive writing.

Persuasive Writing:

• position yourself in the reader’s mind.
• write for your reader’s perspective.
• communicating complex information clearly and concisely.
• Develop your own business writing style.
• Create an effective opening statement, purpose, and compelling closing statement.

Argument structure:

• structure an argument,
• introduce facts,
• support claims, and
• make clear recommendations

Argument Exercise:

• identify key issues and problems to be resolved
• a convincing presentation
• Insightful questions to help you think and write analytically

Grammar & Mechanics:

Sentences & Paragraphs:

• The Sentence – know what they are.
• The Paragraph – The document’s rhythm section.
• Quantity vs. Quality – know when enough is enough.
• Style – set the right tone for your audience and purpose.
• Clarity – What’s clear for the writer is often confusing for the reader

Join us at Pathfinders. We regular conduct business writing exercises with our clients.

 

Suresh Shah, M. D., Pathfinders Enterprise