COURSE OVERVIEW:

In this era of emails and electronic communication, learning to convey information quickly and professionally is a highly sought-after skill. In many business or academic settings, the best way to showcase this skill is by writing a memorandum—otherwise known as a memo.

A memo is a targeted message designed to draw attention to a specific problem and, if necessary, propose a solution and action steps. Normally, memos are used for communicating policies, procedures, updates, or important information to those within an organisation. A memo is often written in the form of mass communication rather than one-on-one communication. It’s different from a typical email in that it broadcasts a message to a large group or audience.

The memorandum (memo) is an internal form of written communication used within an organisation. It can take numerous forms, ranging from a one-paragraph announcement to a multi-page report. However, memos tend to be less formal than business letters in style and tone. An effectively written memo will eliminate the need to call a business meeting.

Memorandums are written with the assumption that the readers are busy with their regular work, and thus they are short and sweet. There need not be any excess information, as time is of the essence and no one has time to read pages upon pages. A useful strategy for writing memos is to provide clear subject headings to divide paragraphs. This increases the memo’s skim-ability and the likelihood the reader will understand what you are trying to convey.

Why bother to become a good memo writer? There are several reasons. Memos are one of the most personally revealing of all forms of business communication. Only the telephone and face-to-face conversation are more revealing. Each time you write a memo you are (a) showing your skill at putting thoughts in writing; (b) facilitating communications between yourself and others both vertically and horizontally in the organisation; (c) revealing what kind of person you are your thinking, manner of expression, and areas of strength (and weakness).

The time you take to learn how to write concise, effective memos can yield ample benefits over the course of your career. Memos can help to build your reputation in several ways.

This course will help you master the art of memos and impress your employer and colleagues with your professional formatting.

The first part of this course starts by explaining what a memo is and what’s it purpose. Then discusses the significance and advantages of memos. Also, discusses the difference between memos and emails. Finally, explores the features of a successful memo.

The second part starts by explaining how to compose and format a professional business memo and provides memo writing guidelines. Then explores the different types of business memos and provides examples on each. Then discusses the memo-writer’s challenges and how to overcome them. Finally, explains when to send or not send a memo.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand:

• What is a memo?
• The importance of business memos
• The use of memos in the business world
• Memorandums as a communication channel
• The key features of a successful memo
• The purpose of a memo
• What’s different about a memo?
• The differences between emails and memos
• Audience analysis, considerations and purpose in memo writing
• When to write a memo, not an email
• The advantages of business memos
• The historical significance of the business memo
• The importance of the memo as a record of operations
• What are the parts of a memo?
• How to format business memos?
• How to write the memo title?
• How to write the memo heading?
• How to write the memo body?
• How to identify your reader?
• How to establish your objective?
• How to determine your scope?
• How to organise your memo?
• How to draft your memo?
• How to close your memo?
• How to review and revise your memo?
• The memo style
• The memo tone
• The memo length
• The types of business memos
• The informational memos
• The instructional memos
• The directive memo
• The response memo
• The trip report memo
• The field report memo
• The influential memo
• The memo-writer’s challenges
• How to satisfy your readers’ expectations?
• Memos sent as email
• Memos and your career
• When to send a memo?
• When not to send a memo?

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.