Writing: The Art of In-house Memos

Overview/Description
 This may not be news to you, but many business people today think that writing quality in-house communications doesn't matter. They erroneously believe that if their writing stays inside the company, anything goes! In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Your writing is a reflection on you and can even be interpreted as a sign of your ability to do your job effectively. That means that what may seem like a minor detail to you, such as a misspelled word, may be a big deal to others with whom you work. So how do you improve your in-house writing skills? In acquiring the art of in-house communication, you'll learn how to compose several types of company communications, including specific types of memos, announcements, and letters. You'll navigate through methods that you can use to handle negative situations in writing, and investigate ways to effectively make requests. You'll also discover elements to include when spreading different kinds of good news throughout your organization.

Target Audience
 Managers at all levels, administrative staff, and anyone writing in-house communications

Expected Duration
2.0 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Communicating Daily with Your Employees

  • recognize the benefits of using memos to communicate with employees.
  • identify the guidelines to follow in preparing a memo announcing a policy or procedural change.
  • select the appropriate times to send a confirmation memo.
  • identify the attributes of an efficient action memo.

    • Making Requests of Your Employer

  • recognize the benefits of knowing how to effectively communicate with an employer.
  • analyze a memo requesting the creation of a new position in order to choose an appropriate opening statement for the memo.
  • select the essential elements that must be stated in a written request for training.
  • choose the elements to include in a memo recommending a pay raise for an employee.

    • Writing about Negative In-house Events

  • recognize the value of knowing how to compose effective business memos about negative company situations.
  • identify the essential parts of a written intraoffice complaint.
  • identify the key principle to remember when composing a complaint memo to management.
  • select the two most important principles to remember when composing a written warning to an employee.

    • Spreading Good News

  • recognize the benefits of knowing how to effectively spread good news in-house by writing good memos.
  • identify the essential parts of a written employee thank-you.
  • identify the reasons for announcing employee promotions.
  • select the key elements to include in a letter expressing appreciation for a workplace suggestion.

    • Course Number: COMM0225