Jack E. Appleman - 10 steps to successful business writing

Today, were all writers. Gone, for the most part, are the days when executives dictated letters to secretaries. The vast majority of us write our own documents, thanks to personal computers and email communication, which enable us to create and deliver messages quickly. We generate more documents than ever beforebut we dont do it well.

Study after study point to an inadequate level of writing in the business world. Still, writing typically has been viewed as one of those soft skills that would be nice for employees to improve but not worth the investment of time or money. The prevailing attitude in most companies has been, If we cant measure the benefits in dollars and cents, then why do it? Most companies are more likely to invest in training for sales, project management, budgeting, and other skills that are easier to link to the bottom line than is business writing.

Recently, however, some employers have started to get it: poor writing equals low productivity. The latest studies reveal that employees who write poorly waste countless hours and, more important, countless dollars. These findings have prompted U.S. companies to spend billions of dollars on writing instruction each year.

The good news is that business writing is a learned skill based on fundamental principles like clarity, conciseness, and organization. It doesnt matter how extensive your vocabulary is or what grades you received in high school or college English. If you can learn to convey a message simplyso readers quickly get itthen you can become an effective business writer.

Upgrading writing skills will pay off for you and for employees at every level, from owners and top executives to middle managers and administrative assistants. Those who learn to write better will work more productively and be able to demonstrate leadership and management abilities. Thats why companies and not-for-profit organizations of all sizes should look at ways to improve employees writing skillsthrough tactics such as group workshops, one-on-one coaching, standard writing styles and templates for frequently written documents, and printed or online resources.

A good place to start, whether youre a decision maker or just a working professional, is with 10 Steps to Successful Business Writing, which summarizes the most critical skills for the business writer. Learn these skills and commit to applying them in your documentsand you can improve your writing and your productivity dramatically. Its that simple.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to my wife Rosa for her love, for her strong moral support, and for handling even more household responsibilities during this yearlong project when I spent so many nights stuck in the office, writing. And thanks to my daughters Gail and Sarah for their love, for their support, and for making Rosa and me proud parents.

Jack E. Appleman
January 2008