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Saturday, December 22, 2012

Warren Buffett’s 10 Steps To Better Report Writing | Ivan Walsh, Standard Operating Procedures Tips

I wrote this short guide to help you write Business Proposals in clear English. It explains how to prepare an business documents that readers can digest in one reading. That’s the acid test. They shouldn’t have to read them twice and three times to get the meaning. It also covers how to use Plain Language writing techniques to win more business, accelerate your tender process, and encourage staff to contribute to the overall tender process.
After describing how he was inspired by the writing advice of financial expert Warren Buffett, the blogger provides this useful list for improving the clarity of all business documents, not just reports and proposals. 

Here are headings for each of the steps:
  1. Start Early
  2. Study the principles of Plain English
  3. Promote Plain English among your Staff
  4. Contact an experienced proposal writer
  5. Review previous Proposals and see where you can improve
  6. Create an outline to help readers find information faster
  7. Write the RFP, section by section, using plain language techniques
  8. Review and Revise
  9. Create an easy-to-read format
  10. Get feedback – and share it.
For more advice on plain language and clear, concise writing, visit Garbl's Plain English Writing Guide. It describes the process in these seven steps:
  1. Focusing on your reader and purpose
  2. Organizing your ideas
  3. Writing clear, effective paragraphs
  4. Writing clear, simple sentences
  5. Using suitable words
  6. Creating an enticing design
  7. Testing for clarity.
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Walsh's article is featured today, Dec, 22, in my daily online paper, Garbl's Plain English Paragraphs--available at the Plain Language tab above and by free email subscription.

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