1. Best Practices in Business
Writing & Communication
Ronda Harlan
ORG356-1 Contemporary Business Writing & Communication
Professor Brian Neff
March 2, 2014

2. WHAT WE WILL COVER
 Effective
 Ethical
business communication
business communication
 Professionalism
 Intercultural
in the workplace
business communication

3. WHAT WE WILL COVER
 Writing
tips for the business professional
 The
use of electronic messages for business communication
 The
use of digital media for business communication
 Positive
and negative messages

4. WHAT WE WILL COVER
 Business
presentations
 Business
reports
 Business
plans
 Business
proposals

5. COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE

Has now expanded globally

Has ethical implications

Uses new electronic technologies

6. COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE

Is based on a diverse workforce

Employs teams to accomplish tasks

Is transmitted through body language, both verbal & nonverbal

7. EFFECTIVE BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Is essential to achieve a common goal

Is instrumental in any organization

Is conducted through the
phone, emails, proposals, presentations & reports

8. EFFECTIVE BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Ranked as a top skill from employers

47% of companies with highly effective communicators
have higher returns

Effective business communication skills often accompanies
promotions

9. ETHICAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Sending and receiving messages that are not offensive

Strengthens corporate culture

Cares for the needs of customers and employees

10. ETHICAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Can project and maintain a positive public image

Maintains an image for the company and employees

Poor ethical business communications can weaken
customer/business relationship

11. PROFESSIONALISM IN THE WORKPLACE

Preforming tasks with integrity and honesty

High concentration on work and services provided

Is carried out through:
 Dress
 Communication
 Awareness
 Etiquette

12. INTERCULTURAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Show respect for different cultures by learning their
business traditions

Improve your communication skills

Speak clearly and write efficiently

Be patient and understanding

13. WRITING TIPS FOR THE BUSINESS
PROFESSIONAL

Don’t try and write everything at once

Implement steps in the writing process

Know the 3 X 3 Writing Process:
1.
Prewriting
2.
Writing
3.
Revising

14. PREWRITING

Determine your audience

What is the relationship with your audience?

How will they react?

What do they already know?

15. WRITING

Put your ideas to paper

Make sure you write in rough-draft form so creativity is
not blocked

Find a comfortable quiet place to write

16. REVISING

Check the flow of your writing and read out load

Make sure all the content is there and avoid too much
information

Check for spelling errors and formatting

17. THE USE OF DIGITAL MEDIA FOR BUSINESS
COMMUNICATION

Digital media speeds up communication

Allows businesses to communicate in ‘Real Time’

Includes e-mails & instant messaging

18. THE USE OF DIGITAL MEDIA FOR BUSINESS
COMMUNICATION

Social media sites like Facebook, Twitters, Blogs

Includes podcasts and live video chats

Teleconferencing

19. POSITIVE & NEGATIVE MESSAGES

Positive messages can be delivered in writing

Try to deliver negative messages in person

When delivering negative messages in writing, list the
reasons first and the outcome last

20. BUSINESS PRESENTATIONS

Pick the purpose or topic

Add visuals

Include handouts

21. BUSINESS PRESENTATIONS

Speak clearly

Ask questions

Engage your audience

22. BUSINESS REPORTS

Determine the subject

Will the report be formal or informal?

Gather the research information to be included

Write the report as a well organized paper

Determine what the reactions of the report might
generate

23. BUSINESS PLANS

Gather data to be used in the plan

Outline the specifics to be included

Develop a sound business concept

Understand your audience and market

Develop a compelling argument for your plan

24. BUSINESS PROPOSALS

Determine how it may help another company or vendor

Include facts and data

Show how the proposal can be beneficial

Discuss costs and advantages

25. CONCLUSION

These practices if applied correctly can help an
organization grow

Business communication should be approached by
following practical applications and rules

If used properly a business can conduct themselves as
professionals and be seen as a competitive force in the
business environment