Business Writing & Grammar Skills On-Site Training

This on-site training class is also available as Public Schedule Seminar.

Transform your written communications from so-so to sensational with this skill-packed two-day workshop!

Course Description/Agenda

Developed exclusively for business professionals, this comprehensive two-day workshop delivers solid tools and techniques that will help you add clarity and power to all your business documents. You'll learn dozens of proven tips, techniques and shortcuts for getting your thoughts organized fast and your words flowing freely — even if writing does not come naturally to you.

In hands-on skill-building practice sessions, you'll hone your unique writing style under the personal instruction of a writing pro — your dynamic trainer who makes learning fun! You'll discover how to take the aggravation and frustration out of writing, how to become a more compelling communicator, and how to eliminate embarrassing mistakes!

You'll continue learning even after this essential training ends, thanks to the free copy of Business Grammar & Usage you'll receive. This exceptional working reference guide will serve as your personal desktop grammar resource for years to come — available only through National Seminars Group.

What You'll Learn:

Make readers sit up and take notice with attention-grabbing words and phrases
Present even the most complex material in easy-to-understand language
Overcome writer's block — and never waste another minute staring at a blank screen or sheet of paper
Communicate clearly and powerfully every time you put words on paper
Eliminate embarrassing grammar errors from your work
Keep your readers from snoozing by slashing wordiness and ditching dull, repetitive language
Sell your ideas, products or services effortlessly, using amazingly easy techniques
Cut your writing time by 30 percent to 40 percent with shortcuts and timesavers
Write with confidence, assured that your letters and memos are on-target and error-free
Eliminate tired, out-of-date words and jargon — and boost your effectiveness immediately
Say goodbye to such common errors as misplaced clauses, lack of subject/verb agreement, and misused words
Avoid negative words and phrases that can push your readers' hot buttons
Steer clear of language that might offend by using nonsexist alternatives
Organize your thoughts and information quickly with a systematic method
Capitalize on your personal style to make your writing more interesting — and more effective
Write complaint letters that get immediate action
Proofread like a pro to keep embarrassing errors from slipping into finished documents
Make written requests that get favorable replies
Build instant rapport with readers by adopting a casual, contemporary tone
Drive your message home with power and style — and get the results you need!

Who Should Attend?

Because exceptional writing skills are the mark of exceptional professionals, this workshop should be considered a career essential for all success-minded professionals.

Workshop Agenda:

Where to Begin? Tips for Getting Started Writing — Quickly

Simple ways to plan what you write
The secret to cutting your writing time by 30 percent - 40 percent
Key questions to answer before you begin writing
A systematic way to organize your thoughts and information
Surefire tips for overcoming writing anxiety

Basics of Solid Business Writing

Why a casual tone is key to today's business communication
How to present details and explanations clearly and simply
Strategies for avoiding wordiness and eliminating stiff, formal language
Why being concise is imperative to getting results in today's workplace

Writing Letters, Memos and Reports That Get Results!

How — and why — the pros get chummy with their readers in memos and letters
Capitalize on your personal style to make your writing more interesting — and more effective
Tips for eliminating monotony in long reports and complex proposals
A proven way to guarantee your memos get read — even if you're not the boss
Avoiding the most commonly made errors in letters and memos

Smart Tips for Sparking Your Readers' Interest

Reader-friendliness: How to keep the focus on "you"
Proven techniques used by professional writers to stimulate reader interest
"Grab 'Em" openers that are sure to get noticed
Tips for creating sharp images that linger in the reader's mind
Why using tired cliches could brand you as "out of touch"

How to Influence, Persuade and Sell Your Bright Ideas!

Mastering the 7 C's of convincing business writing
How to be more persuasive when you expect resistance from your readers
Smart tips that will add punch to every paragraph
Success strategies for selling anything — products, ideas, services, even yourself!
Communicate with passion and enthusiasm: How to rev things up with active verbs

Keys to Conveying Credibility and Professionalism

How to align your writing with the image your organization wants to project
The pros and cons of using computerized spelling and grammar checkers
Are you clinging to "old" business-writing ideas?
Understanding the "look" and "sound" of professional business writing

Mastering the Rewriting Process: Your Key to Exceptional Business Writing

Why your first draft should never be your last draft
A simple technique that will make your writing more readable
How to trim the fat from all your business documents
Editing "musts" for concise, clear writing
Wake up your readers by slashing adjectives and stamping out unnecessary adverbs
How to "hear" what you write

Practical Solutions to Real-World Writing Challenges

How to write "no" letters with a "yes" sound
Writing complaint letters that get immediate action
Kid-glove techniques for responding to complaints with relationship-rebuilding success
How to make written requests that get favorable replies
Writing for special situations

Gender, Age and Culture Sensitivity: Using Care in Business Writing

We've come a long way since "Dear Gentlemen"
Nonsexist alternatives guaranteed to help you steer clear of offensive language
Solutions to gender-based pronoun problems
What to do about courtesy titles

Using Correct Grammar for Powerful Writing

How misplaced modifiers can wreak havoc with your meaning
A simple way to make sure subjects and verbs agree
"Is it HE at the door?" Or "Is it HIM at the door?" Secrets to choosing the right pronoun
The most misused words in business and the words that don't exist
The "10 Commandments of Capitalization" every business writer must know
How to spot look-alike words
FREE! Take-home handy desktop reference that you'll use again and again

Easy Punctuation Guidelines

Avoid "comma-itis" by knowing when a comma is essential
Apostrophe: Using the minimark that keeps your meaning clear
A rule for using punctuation with quotation marks

Proofread Like a Pro to Keep Errors From Slipping Through

Are you proofreading or editing? Why it's important to know the difference
Expert editors' tricks for spotting their own mistakes
The words most often misused in business communication
Proven shortcuts that will ensure your documents are error-free

More Seminar Information

National Seminars Group
Course Summary	Transform your written communications from so-so to sensational with this skill-packed two-day workshop!
Delivery Method	On-Site Training
Also Available As	Seminar
Who Should Attend	Because exceptional writing skills are the mark of exceptional professionals, this workshop should be considered a career essential for all success-minded professionals.