Centre for Communications Excellence

Workshop

Writing

Strategic Writing for Your Senior Management

In-House
Have questions about cancellations, rescheduling, or substitutions? View our workshop policies.

Why should you attend?

In today’s fast-paced environment, your Senior Managers and Ministers have little time to absorb key information and make decisions to guide their organizations. It is important to understand what these leaders need, and to write texts they can read and act on quickly.

This workshop discusses how to present information, recommendations and advice effectively in writing. Participants will learn tips for writing clearly and apply these tips to briefing notes and presentations for Senior Management, letters for the Minister’s signature, and Cabinet documents.

What will you learn?

  • How to write in a clear, concise manner
  • How to approach and organize information for your Senior Managers
  • How to structure notes, decks and other documents for executive management and Ministers

Who should attend?

This interactive workshop will be beneficial to all individuals working in an administrative, program, project, advisory or other related positions or functions in public, private or voluntary sectors.

What will you take away?

  • Presentation slides in the form of a participant notebook
  • Useful handouts and exercises

Professional competencies

  • Thinking Things Through: Innovating through analysis and ideas

Sample Agenda

Activity
Introductions and Workshop Overview
Why Do We Write to Senior Management?
Participants consider the multiple demands on Senior Managers and the purpose of written documents for the Big Boss. They discuss what Senior Managers and Ministers need from their advisors.
Writing Imperatives
Participants examine the key components of good writing and discuss why clear writing matters. Participants practise tips and tricks for writing simply and effectively.
BREAK
Preparing to Write for the Big Boss
Participants review the steps for drafting texts for the Big Boss and consider the importance of knowing the purpose, understanding the context, and writing for the reader. They discuss how to develop a senior management perspective and write strategically.
LUNCH
Notes and Decks for Senior Management
How to structure briefing notes for the Senior Manager and presentations for the Executive Management table. Participants practise composing notes and decks.
BREAK
Writing for the Minister(s)
Participants review requirements for writing Treasury Board Submissions, Memoranda to Cabinet, and letters for the Minister’s signature. They practise composing a letter for the Minister’s signature.
Wrap-up and Workshop Evaluation
Participants complete a short evaluation.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank you again for another excellent course.  I keep returning to the CEC for training as I am continually impressed by the courses, which I find to be relevant, practical, interesting and informative. My experience to date after attending 3 courses is that the instructors chosen are dynamic people who deliver the content in an engaging and accessible manner. As someone who actively pursues professional development and has been to a number of facilities, I truly appreciate this approach and will continue to turn to the CEC.

Workshop Participant