Article by Jackie Brand, 17 June 2015
We live in a digital age with abbreviated texts and tweets, where many may think that having good writing skills do not matter.On the contrary, when it comes to business, good writing skills do matter!
Companies are moving away from the traditional methods of communicating, such as meetings and phone calls, and your written word will often be all you have to make a good impression.A recent Grammarly study of over a 100 LinkedIn profiles showed that people with good writing skills got promoted six to nine times more often than their counter parts with poor business writing skills over the same ten year period.
Anyone, regardless of industry or occupational level, can benefit from honing proper business writing and communication skills. The way in which you communicate may either have a positive effect on your career advancement or it can halter any progress that you are trying to make.
Good writing skills are important in many types of company communications, for example e-mails, presentations, reports, agendas, minutes, budgets, contracts, advertising etc.Effective business communications is also necessary for building good relationships within the company and with customers.
Employees should not just know how to write effectively and use the correct grammar and spelling, they should also learn how to be discreet and what is appropriate within the business context. For example, a crude written e-mail can easily ruin a good business relationship and even get you fired!
Example of a poorly written email:
To: Garcia Martins
Cc:
Subject: Re: GPS out of the Question!
We can't afford to install an in-dash global positioning system (GPS) in our current fleet of company vehicles.
I would really like to afford you the luxury of having GPS navigate your trips. Unfortunately, the cost of installing GPS in our current trucks is excessive at over R5000 per truck, and then there is the monthly service fee. Management would never agree to spend that much money at this time.
I'll do what I can to convince them to include GPS in the specifications of future company vehicles.
John Mathebula
On the other hand, well written communication in any form will demonstrate intellect, competency, and respect, building lasting relationships vital to the success of both you and the organisation. Helping you climb the corporate ladder, one word at a time!
Example of a well written email:
To: Garcia Martins
Cc:
Subject: Re: Installation of GPS
Dear Garcia,
Your suggestion to install an in-dash global positioning system (GPS) in our current fleet of company vehicles was good. Having GPS systems in our vehicles would be a convenient addition.
After considering the price of installing these in our current trucks, I found that it would cost R5000 per truck plus a monthly service fee. With the current budget situation and the recession that we are facing, these costs would be prohibitive.
Since installing GPS in our vehicles is an excellent idea, we can propose to management that any future company vehicles bought include GPS. This should be less expensive and cost can be budgeted for.
Thank you for your suggestion!
Kind regards,
John Mathebula
Logistics Supervisor: ABC Transport
If you enjoyed this blog article and you would like to step up and write your way to the top, have a look at our business writing and communication short course Executive Office Assistant by following the link below:
http://www.businesscollege.co.za/CollegeCoursesCertificateExecutiveOfficeAssistant.html
References:
Hill, B. No date. Importance of Good Business Writing Skills [online]. Small Business Chron: Demand Media.
Available from: < http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-good-business-writing-skills-2844.html>
[Accessed 12 June 2015]
Simons, L. 2013. Good Writing can Help you Succeed [online]. Business Time: Small Business tip of the day.
Available from :< http://business.time.com/2013/04/19/good-writing-can-help-you-succeed/>
[Accessed 12 June 2015]
Suttle, R. No date. Importance of Writing Skills in Business [online]. Small Business Chron: Demand Media.
Available from :< http://business.time.com/2013/04/19/good-writing-can-help-you-succeed/>
[Accessed 12 June 2015]