Clear Business Writing – How to Design Fit for Purpose Reports and Beyond
This Shelly Davies’ series of four webinars aims to improve our writing by providing participants with; a planning process that will give you the clarity they need to write a fit-for-purpose report, understanding of reader behaviour so that you can write more effective reports, understanding of what plain language is and how to use it and insights into how to change the culture of writing and communications at work.
Join us for advice and top tips from one of New Zealand’s experts in plain language.
Join us for advice and top tips from one of New Zealand’s experts in plain language.
This webinar series has been developed to help you lead change towards clearer communications and writing in your workplace. You'll receive insights, top tips, tools and examples on:
•Part 1: How to design a fit for purpose report
In this first webinar, we’ll cover report writing. But every report is different, and every reader and context have different requirements. So how do we get clarity in our thinking so that we can write quickly, confidently, and most importantly – so that our reports work?
•Part 2: Report structure that works for readers
In this second webinar, we’ll continue with report writing, but this time with a focus on structure. To create a report that’s fit for purpose, we need to understand two things – how modern readers behave, and how (and why) we aren’t writing successfully for them.
•Part 3: Plain language - what is it and how to use it
In this third webinar, we’ll take an in-depth look into plain language – what research tells us is best-practice communication in the modern workplace. We’ll look at the research so that we can understand the benefits and importance of plain language. We’ll look at examples, and we’ll go through the basic tools of plain language so you can apply them from now on.
•Part 4: Beyond reports - how to embed a culture of clear writing in your business
In this last webinar, we’ll talk about how to plan, lead, resource, and implement a culture of clear communication and writing at your workplace. It’s easier said than done!
Learning outcomes
On successful completion, participants should be able to:
Part 1: How to design a fit for purpose report
•Identify what will happen if a document is successful
•Identify multiple readers
•Prioritise the needs of each set of readers
•Filter appropriate information
•Plan any report from scratch
Part 2: Report structure that works for readers
•Explain the disconnect between our reader and writer selves
•Recognise our own behaviours as both a reader and as a writer
•Structure a report to meet reader needs and behaviour
•Reorganise outdated report structures to suit modern readers
•Write like a reader
Part 3: Plain language - what is it and how to use it
•Explain what plain language is
•Identify the research-based benefits of plain language
•Translate old-fashioned, overly formal, or technical information into plain language
•Explain the potential points of resistance to plain language
Part 4: Beyond reports - how to embed a culture of clear writing in your business
•Identify the challenges of changing communications and writing culture
•Use tools to manage resistance
•Create a set of resources to support the change
•State why plain language is necessary and beneficial to the organisation
•Recite key finding from research into plain language.
Benefits
•More confidence in writing reports
•A process to follow when writing reports
•Reports that wow your readers
•Less wasted time for writers and readers
•Faster, more confident, clearer writing
•Satisfied readers
•Increased trust and buy-in
•More time
•Happier clients
•Happier staff
•Confident decision-making based on clear information
•Part 1: How to design a fit for purpose report
In this first webinar, we’ll cover report writing. But every report is different, and every reader and context have different requirements. So how do we get clarity in our thinking so that we can write quickly, confidently, and most importantly – so that our reports work?
•Part 2: Report structure that works for readers
In this second webinar, we’ll continue with report writing, but this time with a focus on structure. To create a report that’s fit for purpose, we need to understand two things – how modern readers behave, and how (and why) we aren’t writing successfully for them.
•Part 3: Plain language - what is it and how to use it
In this third webinar, we’ll take an in-depth look into plain language – what research tells us is best-practice communication in the modern workplace. We’ll look at the research so that we can understand the benefits and importance of plain language. We’ll look at examples, and we’ll go through the basic tools of plain language so you can apply them from now on.
•Part 4: Beyond reports - how to embed a culture of clear writing in your business
In this last webinar, we’ll talk about how to plan, lead, resource, and implement a culture of clear communication and writing at your workplace. It’s easier said than done!
Learning outcomes
On successful completion, participants should be able to:
Part 1: How to design a fit for purpose report
•Identify what will happen if a document is successful
•Identify multiple readers
•Prioritise the needs of each set of readers
•Filter appropriate information
•Plan any report from scratch
Part 2: Report structure that works for readers
•Explain the disconnect between our reader and writer selves
•Recognise our own behaviours as both a reader and as a writer
•Structure a report to meet reader needs and behaviour
•Reorganise outdated report structures to suit modern readers
•Write like a reader
Part 3: Plain language - what is it and how to use it
•Explain what plain language is
•Identify the research-based benefits of plain language
•Translate old-fashioned, overly formal, or technical information into plain language
•Explain the potential points of resistance to plain language
Part 4: Beyond reports - how to embed a culture of clear writing in your business
•Identify the challenges of changing communications and writing culture
•Use tools to manage resistance
•Create a set of resources to support the change
•State why plain language is necessary and beneficial to the organisation
•Recite key finding from research into plain language.
Benefits
•More confidence in writing reports
•A process to follow when writing reports
•Reports that wow your readers
•Less wasted time for writers and readers
•Faster, more confident, clearer writing
•Satisfied readers
•Increased trust and buy-in
•More time
•Happier clients
•Happier staff
•Confident decision-making based on clear information
This Shelly Davies’ series includes four webinars to improve our writing:
•Part 1: How to design a fit for purpose report
•Part 2: Report structure that works for readers
•Part 3: Plain language - what is it and how to use it
•Part 4: Beyond reports - how to embed a culture of clear writing in your business
•Part 1: How to design a fit for purpose report
•Part 2: Report structure that works for readers
•Part 3: Plain language - what is it and how to use it
•Part 4: Beyond reports - how to embed a culture of clear writing in your business
Shelly Davies - Rockstar Writer Trainer
I'm a rockstar business writer, trainer, and keynote speaker. I'm here to remind big companies and government agencies drowning in corporate jargon that plain language will get better results - every. single. time.
I love nothing more than using rockstar-level magnetism to:
Because, as it turns out, business writing is more about being courageously transparent than it is about having an impressive vocab or where to put a semi-colon. Also true for life. When we choose to operate with authenticity, integrity, and courage, both our writing and our lives achieve the outcomes we’re craving. Because it’s never been worth your time to pursue bland, boring, or already been done.
I'm a rockstar business writer, trainer, and keynote speaker. I'm here to remind big companies and government agencies drowning in corporate jargon that plain language will get better results - every. single. time.
I love nothing more than using rockstar-level magnetism to:
- Work a room full of strangers who don’t want to be there (and think they have better places to be)
- Un-train them from most of what they’ve learned about writing and end up having discussions on empathy, vulnerability, courage, authenticity
- And have them leave the room saying it’s the best training they’ve ever done.
Because, as it turns out, business writing is more about being courageously transparent than it is about having an impressive vocab or where to put a semi-colon. Also true for life. When we choose to operate with authenticity, integrity, and courage, both our writing and our lives achieve the outcomes we’re craving. Because it’s never been worth your time to pursue bland, boring, or already been done.
EVENT DETAILS
Topic: Business Mindset, People & Leadership, Reporting
Sub-Topic: Business Reporting, Leadership, Personal Effectiveness, Presentation, Strategies for Success
Format: Recorded Webinar
Proficiency Level: All
CPD: Upto 4 hours