A Writing Competency Model for Business
| A Writing Competency Model for Business |
I spend a lot of time talking about good writing, writing competency, if you will.
As a writing teacher, I assume everyone knows what that looks like. But methinks I think wrong.
Let’s spend a few looking at what I’ve put together as a basic writing competency model.
A competent business writer is able to do the following:
- Present information that is audience appropriate – it has the right tone and level of complexity.
- State the purpose of the writing clearly.
- Present the information in a format (letter, memo, email, report) that meets the needs of the audience and the purpose of the message.
- Demonstrate a style (language, organization and layout) that considers audience, purpose and format.
- Prepare a message that is well-organized and easy to understand.
In order to “look” like a competent business writer, what skills must an individual possess? First, what I call the Key Competencies are:
- Analytical Thinking: Makes sense out of information
- Critical Thinking: Applies original thinking and interpretation to communication, as opposed to regurgitating information without any real thought
- Knowledge Management: Keeps track of the reams of information required to do the job
- Organizing Data and Information: Takes that information and organizes it into meaningful messages
- Rhetorical Theory and Application: Applies good grammar, structure, and persuasive writing that is audience appropriate
- Technical Knowledge: Adult Learning, Layout and Design, Grammar,
- Technological Knowledge: Uses the necessary software application, networks, and Internet tools
- Project Management: Handles a variety of tasks related to the ultimate communication outcome
- Interpersonal Relationship: Demonstrates good people skills both in written and verbal communications
Before I leave you, let me give you a few examples of what a competent business writer can do.
- Select proper communication media (email, memo, instant message, face-to-face) and prepare communication to deal with sensitive issues such as poor performance, critiques, or difficult interpersonal matters.
- Prepare audience-appropriate reports that accurately portray a specific issue.
- Demonstrate professionalism and writing competency in all communications – email, memos, reports, etc.
Feel free to contact me for more information.
Tags: business communication, Poor Communication, Poor Writing, Writing Quality