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others, the techniques of effective report writing are
revealed naturally.
What can I do to help my senior colleagues solve the problem that made
them commission this report?
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• Find out exactly what the problem is (make
sure I understand the report-brief fully).
• Undertake the research thoroughly.
• Include additional information not asked for that might be
helpful (references, names and addresses of contacts).
• Offer recommendations if asked for. |
How can I help senior colleagues and others to save time in reading
the report?
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• Include a title page with a specific title,
authors' names, and date. (This helps people to identify quickly
the report they need).
• Provide the main points in a summary immediately after the title
page (People do not want to read my reports - they want solutions
to problems. A summary helps them to gain the main facts and
recommendations quickly).
• Give a table of contents, an introduction and conclusion (This
allows quick reference in case people might want to read further). |
How can I help my senior colleagues to understand easily the main
issues?
| |
• Make the report easy to read with
jargon-free, concise, accurate and clear expression, and with a
layout that includes paragraph numbers, subheadings, ample margins
and a space between paragraphs.
• Link one thought to the next - help readers to follow the train
of thought.
• Extract all supporting material and put it in appendices.
• Use diagrams to assist explanation.
• Give headings to all tables and diagrams and explain them if
necessary. |
In effect, in some small way by paying attention to
the Rotary motto, Rotarians are undergoing their own values education.
Many Rotarians are business people and I’m sometimes amazed at how
many "tough ole boys" in some industries don't believe you when you
show them that they will get better results - better business success
- when they serve with love and ask: is it fair and beneficial to all?
In other words, having managers and employees undergo a few values
education sessions will contribute to a better working environment,
better customer care – and hence better financial results.
Have a read of two e-Reports on the CAVE website which go into this
topic in much more detail:
No. 3 Values
Education: A More Effective Route To Managerial Competence? and
No. 8 Values
education: some lessons for value-based management.
Copyright © 2008 Values Education Ltd
Note to editors. Feel free to use this article as long as the
following details are retained. “A values education article from CAVE
www.valueseducation.co.uk
”
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