It's Just Business

[BentonGrey]

Howdy guys, I'm about to begin my new semester of teaching, and I've been given an entirely new class, "Business Writing."  This is one I never really pursued, but now that I've got it, I want to do a good job.  I'm in the process of building my syllabus and planning the semester, and I was wondering if any of y'all had any ideas, and I thought y'all actually might be able to help me with acquiring some example texts.  I'm going to cover the basics, emails, letters, memos, reports, presentations, resumes, etc.  I'm not entirely sure how to approach the whole thing, though.  Does anyone have some good/bad examples of business documents and correspondence you'd be willing to share?

[GogglesPizanno]

Does anyone have some good/bad examples of business documents and correspondence you'd be willing to share?

Man i could fill a semester of stuff NOT to do from just the last week of work emails alone...

I really don't know how to help with this kind of request just because from my experience, business stuff you learn, is kind of like all the rules for driving. In theory it all makes sense. Once you actually experience it first hand, it all goes out the window and the "Peter Principle" goes into effect and it just becomes a dilbert-esque parody of itself. Actually that's a pretty good lesson. In a lot of situations tell your students that Office Space and Dilbert cartoons are going to be way more accurate and relevant than actually knowing the proper way to format a memo.

I wish i were joking.

[Panther_Gunn]

Check this out:  AF Tongue & Quill.  A lot of it won't apply, but you should be able to find some good examples in it.

Goggles, it sounds like a pretty unprofessional place to work.  I feel for ya.  Granted, every place has it's own hierarchy and pecking order, but if it's not done in a professional manner, it can make working there a nightmare, and potentially open itself up to an HR and legal disaster.

[GogglesPizanno]

Goggles, it sounds like a pretty unprofessional place to work.  I feel for ya.  Granted, every place has it's own hierarchy and pecking order, but if it's not done in a professional manner, it can make working there a nightmare, and potentially open itself up to an HR and legal disaster.

Its not just where i work. Any job (as well as most people I know) where the employee count exceeds more than say 50 people, you start getting groups compartmentalizing. And then each group has there own dynamic and methodology, and so you start seeing a lot of those weird corporate games about protecting yourself and your group from the other groups, proving your value to the powers that be etc etc... Its really just kind of a microcosm of human nature. You definitely will see this more in larger corporations etc...

Going back to Benton's question, one thing I think should be touched on are rules/etiquette for company communication. Its not enough to know how to format a work email or how to phrase a memo. Simple skills like don't "reply all" unless you are sure that list includes only people you want to see it. Don't send overly personal emails on the company system. If you come up with new ideas that might be beneficial, before sending it out, make sure you know the company policy about intellectual property if you think you might want to use it in the future someplace else. A lot of companies will assume ownership of an idea if it's come up with at work using work equipment. So if you decided to leave and pursue something yourself using this great idea, if there is any proof that you came up with it on the job some places will prevent you because it's their property now. Basically it's about being smart in how you communicate at a job.

[daglob]

Hmmm.

Let em look and see if I still have a disk with all the correspondence I did when I was an estimator for a construction company.

[Cyber Burn]

Some good ideas here Benton. Definitely discuss e-mails and  "rules/etiquette for company communication".

Does anyone have some good/bad examples of business documents and correspondence you'd be willing to share?

Man i could fill a semester of stuff NOT to do from just the last week of work emails alone...

I wish i were joking.

I work for a school district, and some of the e-mails I've recieved make want to walk up to the sender and ask "Are you effing serious?", among which include some very non-professional forwards.

Best of luck with this Benton, with the effort and enthusiasm that I've seen you put towards  and  , I have every bit of confidence that you'll do the same with your class.

[detourne_me]

Don't forget to focus on reference letters.
As students are usually keen on finding work once they leave school they might appreciate knowledge of what makes a good reference letter.
Apparently employers consider those and cover letters a greater barometer of an applicant's potential than a regular cv.

Also reference and cover letters may be more comfortable literary ground for you...not being a TPS report and all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vSISYyLPWg&feature=related

[BentonGrey]

Thanks for the input and faith guys!  I think I'm starting to get a hang of this.  If any of y'all want to contribute good examples, please feel free!  I'm starting with memos, moving to informal reports, and then covering formal reports.  That's the first few weeks.

[daglob]

I'm afraid if I have a disk, it is in storage with most of my books and comics.