Henry Ford said, "Nothing is particularly hard if you divide
it into small jobs."
Writing for Results workshops do just that for the writing process.
In conducting our workshops, we take
a holistic approach to clear, crisp and effective writing skills – an
approach that goes well beyond the mechanics of format and style.
Effective thinking and planning are essential in order to write
effectively. The chart above outlines the approach we take in developing
these skills.
Some people write to put their thoughts on paper. Others write to
discover what their thoughts are. Most people do both to varying
degrees, depending on what they’re writing about. Whatever
your approach, our workshops provide tools that will
streamline the process and enhance its effectiveness.
In many cases, effective writing is much more a thinking process
than a writing process. Putting words on paper is a straightforward
proposition for most people. Putting the right words on paper in
the right way is less so. This is where the thinking process comes
in.
Our workshops show you how writing can be broken
down into a series of manageable tasks in an innovative step-by-step
model (see chart above). Clear writing requires clear thinking, and
clear thinking requires directing your mind at the right task at
the right time. The step-by-step model provides the tools you need
to do this for any type of writing in an office setting.
Addressing writing tasks systematically greatly eases the writing
process. Conversely, it can be a frustrating struggle to try to write
without being conscious of which task you are dealing with at a given
point. The step-by-step model addresses those realities. It also
helps to avoid the futility of trying to solve a problem with one
approach when in fact the real problem lies elsewhere.
A Writing for Results workshop will yield dividends for the rest
of your career. It will show you how to:
- give yourself a frame of reference that will provide you with
sound guidance throughout the writing process;
- develop compelling content for your briefings;
- select the optimal medium or media for communicating your briefings;
and
- build effective organization structures, design formats with
eye appeal, write with a clear and concise style, and apply the
final touches needed for successful briefings.
Each workshop we deliver is tailored as needed to meet your requirements.
Staff at different levels and in different environments have different
needs, and we will consult with you to ensure that each workshop
is fine-tuned to meet the needs of both participants and the sponsoring
organization. In addition, each participant submits five pages
of writing samples in advance of the workshop. We then use these
samples to tailor the workshop and its exercises to meet participants'
needs.
Our workshops provide extensive hands-on exercises and feedback
to ensure that each participant gains a sound grasp of the skills
required for writing effective briefing notes, briefing books, memos and letters. In addition, each participant completes
a full writing exercise after the workshop. The post-workshop exercise
is then submitted to the instructor for detailed analysis and personal
feedback to reinforce the skills developed during the workshop
itself.
Finally, each participant has access to our package of
resources for writers, WritingForResults.net. Features of this
unique Web site include:
- a 400-page manual that provides guidance
and instructions covering everything from how to set objectives
for your writing to the mechanics of producing effective briefing
books;
- over 260 templates for virtually every imaginable type of briefing book, briefing note, memo and letter; and
- an online forum for exchanging views, information and expertise
on diverse facets of preparing effective reports, briefing notes,
briefing books, memos and letters
We can tailor workshops for groups of any size. The ideal is a
group of 15. However, we would be happy to work with you to customize
a program that serves the needs of a larger or smaller group.
In short, we go the extra distance to ensure that participants
leave with a body of understanding, resources and skills that will
serve them well for the rest of their careers.
Please don't hesitate to contact
us to learn how we can design a program that is best suited
to your needs.
