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| Business Writing For Success -A Proposal
Prepared by Tony Osime |
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| INTRODUCTION |
| This is a training proposal prepared for GTBank. It follows a request for a training solution to improve business writing skills in the bank. After reviewing this proposal, we look forward to a decision to implement the training after agreeing final fees and delivery details. This is a confidential document that we trust will not be shown to third parties or used for any other purpose without our prior consent. |
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| BACKGROUND |
| We see successful business writing as the application of a set of foundation principles. Once you know, can apply and believe in these principles, you will be writing with an ease and efficiency you never thought possible. To ease the learning process, we use a building block approach. We start with the most fundamental idea and gradually build upon this with additional ideas in a step by step manner. We approach each idea, or building block, from the perspectives of knowledge, skill and attitude. While our goal is to balance the end result of these perspectives, from our experience, most effort is needed in skill development. Successful business writing typically requires “unlearning” the bad habits that have accumulated over time. To identify these habits we examine sample texts from participants and review the major influences on their style. To round out our training, we examine many specialized forms of business writing such as technical writing, proposal writing, email and sales writing. We also include the many small tips on style that help participants circumvent a wide range potential problems. |
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| PROGRAM OBJECTIVES |
| On completing this course, participants will have the knowledge, skills, attitudes and tools to write efficiently and effectively. They will see writing from the reader’s perspective and be clear on the specific results they want to achieve. Business writing will take on an ease and fluidity that will make it an enjoyable process that will not only achieve business results but will enhance the careers of the writers. |
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| PAST SUCCESS |
We have successfully adapted and delivered this program for the following companies:-
- Accenture (As part of a communication & presentation skills program)
- GTBank (As part of a communication & presentation skills program)
- Ericsson – focusing on proposal writing
- ReStral – for staff of the consulting company
- MCS Consulting – as an open course for third party participants
- Leadership & Vision – as an open course for third party participants
We have been running this course for over 15 years, continually refining it based on course feedback and research into new techniques. |
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| CONTENT |
| Below is a typical outline of our course. |
| Introduction |
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5. Well Laid Out |
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Intellectual Commitment And |
| Is This Course For You? |
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6. Natural |
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Discipline |
| Methods Of Instruction |
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7. Positive |
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Techniques For Being Clear, |
| What Will Be Expected Of You |
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8. Courteous |
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Concise And Direct |
| Career Implications |
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9. Personal |
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Word Choice |
| Special Instructions |
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The Writing Process |
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Specific Words |
| Effective Business Writing |
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1. Establish Purpose |
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Specific Action Verbs |
| What Is Business Writing? |
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2. Identify Readers |
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Use The Active Voice |
| Identify Readers |
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3. Determine Scope |
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Remove Unnecessary Words And |
| Identify Writers |
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4. Do Necessary Research |
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Phrases |
| Identify Influences |
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5. Make A Plan |
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Redundant Words |
| Nine Principles of Effective |
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6. Draft |
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Shorten Wordy Phrases |
| Business Writing |
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7. Revise |
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Sentence Length |
| 1. Clear |
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8. React To Feedback |
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Technical Terms And Acronyms |
| 2. Concise |
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Allocating Time Between Steps |
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Appropriate Style And Tone |
| 3. Direct |
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Notes |
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Levels Of Style |
| 4. Well Organized |
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Formal Style |
| Colloquial Style |
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Pronoun Reference |
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Table Of Contents |
| Informal Style |
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Traditional Paragraphs |
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List Of Figures (Or Tables Or Maps) |
| Common Stylistic Faults |
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Emphatic Paragraphs |
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Executive Summary |
| Inflated Language |
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Page Layout |
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Introduction |
| Archaic Language |
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Principles |
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Body (Including All Headings) |
| Quasi-Legalism |
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White Space |
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Conclusions |
| Jargon |
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Fonts |
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Recommendations |
| Clichés And Slang |
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Topic Heads |
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References |
| Appropriate Tone |
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Listing & Tables |
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Bibliography |
| Connotations Or Feelings |
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Illustrations (Visuals) |
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Appendixes |
| Be Positive |
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Line Drawings |
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Glossary |
| Be Objective |
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Pie Charts |
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Index |
| Be Personal |
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Bar Graphs |
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The Memo Report |
| Be Courteous |
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Line Graphs |
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Feasibility Reports |
| Organization |
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Elements Of Business Writing |
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Call Memos |
| Ways To Organize |
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Definition |
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Status Report |
| General To Specific |
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Process Description |
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Manuals |
| Specific To General |
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Forms Of Business Writing |
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Email |
| Chronological |
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Letters |
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Electronic Tools |
| Order Of Importance |
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Openings |
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Word Processors |
| Cause And Effect |
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Closing |
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Automation Principles |
| Comparison |
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General Structure [SCRAP] |
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Spread Sheet |
| Spatial (Location) |
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How To Say “No” |
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Drawing Programs |
| Mapping (Mind Mapping) |
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Sales Letter |
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Presentation Programs |
| Writing Structure |
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Content & Structure [AIDA] |
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Flow Charting Programs |
| Paragraphs |
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Teaser Openings |
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Electronic Encyclopedia & |
| Introductory Paragraphs |
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Features & Benefits |
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Reference Guides |
| Support Paragraphs |
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The Formal Report |
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Clip Art Collections |
| Closing Paragraphs |
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General Structure |
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Style Guides |
| Topic Sentence |
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Cover Letter |
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| Supporting Sentences |
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Cover |
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| Using Links |
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Title Page |
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| A List Of Links |
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Preface Or Foreword |
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| FACULTY |
| Our faculty is made up of independent facilitators who have extensive experience delivering these topics. Each facilitator has over 30 years of working experience (mostly in banks) that allows them to share their personal “war stories”. The faculty includes: |
1. Tony Osime
2. Toki Mabogunje
3. Idowu David
4. Neka Udezue |
| Personal profiles are available on request. |
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| PRICING |
| Our pricing is based on each program delivery, irrespective of the number of participants. Final fees will reflect who absorbs third party costs. Our fees are within the range charged by the larger Nigerian training companies and reflects the high quality of our delivery and materials. Typical fees where venue and meals are provided by the client are N250,000 per day. Fees include facilitation, manuals, desk references and viewing video films. |
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| FACT SHEET |
Maximum number of participants per class |
25 |
Minimum number of participants per class |
15 |
Location |
To be agreed |
Duration |
2-3 days |
Facilitators |
1 |
Assistants |
1 |
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| CONCLUSION |
This program is a good opportunity for you to enhance the writing skills of your staff. You will receive more up-to-date material than you were getting in the past. The program will be facilitated in a modern and engaging style. We have delivered this course successfully to so many participants we are confident we can repeat this success with you.
We look forward to your reactions to our proposal and will call you within the week to agree the next step. |
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Tony Osime
House 138b,
Road 56,
Victoria Garden City,
Lekki,
Lagos
Phone :
08033488213, 017945812
E-mail :
tonyosime@cobranet.org |
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