Briefing Notes Training Workshops: Ottawa

For Those Who Write Government of Canada Briefing Notes

• Workshop Schedule

• What You Will Learn
  

• Participants' Comments and Evaluations

• Training Approach

• Who Should Attend

• Benefits of Improved Writing Skills

• What Is Included

• About the Workshop Leader

• Contact Us

Workshop Schedule: Ottawa

An Investment That Will Yield Dividends for a Lifetime

When	Where	Registration
February 15-16, 2010 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.	Minto Business Centre – Spruce Room 440 Laurier Avenue West, 2nd Floor	$635 (plus tax)
April 12-13, 2010 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.	Minto Business Centre – Spruce Room 440 Laurier Avenue West, 2nd Floor	$635 (plus tax)
June 14-15, 2010 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.	Minto Business Centre – Spruce Room 440 Laurier Avenue West, 2nd Floor	$635 (plus tax)
September 13-14, 2010 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.	Minto Business Centre – Spruce Room 440 Laurier Avenue West, 2nd Floor	$635 (plus tax)

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What You Will Learn

A Briefing Note Is Just a Series of Manageable Tasks

Some people write to put their thoughts on paper. Others write to discover what their thoughts are. Most of us do some of each. Whatever your approach, our workshops are designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge and tools you need to prepare effective briefing notes.

In an era of severe information overload, it is vital to use the written word effectively and efficiently. This workshop will:

• demystify the writing process for you

• give you the thinking and planning skills you need to achieve results and avoid pitfalls in writing briefing notes

Over the course of two dynamic days, you will learn:

• how to use a step-by-step model that enables you to prepare briefing notes systematically, efficiently and effectively

• how to give yourself a frame of reference that will provide sound guidance throughout the writing process

• how to write strategically

• how to manage your time effectively

• how to understand your audience's needs

• how to develop compelling content that targets your audience and your objective

• how to vary the degree of detail you use to suit audience needs

• how to use facts, opinons and arguments

• how to summarize

• how to organize your briefing notes in a way that fosters ease of understanding

• how to use the appropriate format for your briefing notes

• how to write briefing notes in a clear and crisp style that achieves brevity and ease of reading

• how to apply the finishing touches needed to avoid problems

Participants' Evaluations

Participants' Comments

Excellent workshop!

H.Z., Environmental Program Officer

This workshop provides invaluable information on the process of synthesizing vast disparate information into one easy-to-follow briefing note.

M.-C.R., Research Coordination Officer

Excellent training program.

F.R., Environmental Program Specialist

The course broke down the aspects of briefing notes into small pieces, making it easy to build and present ideas.

G.G., Analyst

Even for someone who does not write formal briefing notes, this course will be really useful for anyone who has to provide advice to management.

J.P., Data Development Officer

I finally understand the difference between a “good” briefing note and an “excellent” briefing note.  Thank you.

G.K., Community Advisor

 

Training Approach

An Energetic and Rewarding Learning Environment

Each workshop is limited to 15 participants.

Delivered over two lively days, our training workshops employ a variety of techniques to create an optimal learning environment:

• brief lectures

• group discussions

• written exercises

• oral exercises

• case study and development of a full briefing note

In preparation for the case study, participants will receive a research paper by e-mail two weeks in advance of the workshop. Participants should plan to spend three hours reading the research paper and doing an exercise with it before the workshop.

Who Should Attend

Our training workshops are designed for those who write and approve briefing notes in the Government of Canada, including:

• policy and program analysts

• technical specialists

• administrators

• managers (policy, program, technical, administrative)

 

 

Benefits of Improved Writing Skills

The Written Word: A Vital Tool For Success in an Era of Information Overload

Our briefing notes training workshops are a modest investment that will yield rich dividends as you learn techniques that will serve you well throughout your career. Improved writing can pay off in many ways:

• reduced losses of time stemming from ill-planned or poorly focused approaches to writing tasks

• reduced delays in the authorizations required at what can be many levels of approval

• reduced losses of time stemming from clarifications and revisions requested by upper management

• increased success in meeting deadlines

• increased receptiveness to your documents by your audience

• reduced time required for your audience to read and understand your message

• reduced losses of time, money and progress stemming from audience misunderstanding or rejection of your message

• increased success in achieving results

 

What Is Included

The registration fee includes:

• two days of workshop instruction, discussion and practice

• workshop exercises and other materials

• lunch and refreshments on both days

You will also have:

• online access to a 400-page easy-to-read reference manual

• online access to over 260 templates (each in MS Word and WordPerfect) for briefing notes, briefing books, memos and letters

   

About the Workshop Leader

Rob Parkinson has over 30 years of experience in management communications — gained as a consultant, an instructor, a manager, an editor and a writer in both government and the private sector.

He has specialized in briefings for senior executives for 15 years, including six years as the editor for the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Government of Canada. In that capacity, he designed departmental standards for executive documents that brought about dramatic improvements in the quality of briefing material prepared for the Minister and the Deputy Minister.

Rob has led successful workshops for managers, lawyers, policy analysts, technical specialists and administrative staff in diverse government and industry environments.

Rob has a B.A. from Trent University and an M.B.A. from the University of Ottawa.

 

Contact Us

WritingForResults.net
420 Gloucester Street, Suite 1610
Ottawa, ON
Canada K1R 7T7

(613) 231-3305

Workshops@WritingForResults.net