Business Communication, Step by Step for 2027

Helps you write emails, reports and instructions that people act on the first time, run meetings that reach decisions and present with confidence.

Who it's for

For managers, team leaders, specialists, consultants and founders who want their messages read, understood and acted on the first time. If you have something to write or present this week, you can go straight to the chapter that covers it and use its tool; otherwise, start with Chapters 1 and 2, which the rest of the book builds on.

What you'll learn

• Plan any message in five minutes: the audience, one purpose, a one-sentence key message, the ask, and the right channel and moment.
• Edit any document into plain English in six quick passes: point first, short sentences, active verbs, everyday words, no jargon and a layout people can scan.
• Write emails that get action, with an action subject line, the bottom line up front (BLUF) and one request per email.
• Write reports and decision papers with the recommendation up front, fair options, honest risks and a one-page summary.
• Choose the right channel for each message, drawing on Richard Daft and Robert Lengel's media richness theory.
• Run meetings that end in decisions with an outcome agenda, and present with confidence using a three-part structure and a four-step cycle for questions.
• Write work instructions a newcomer can follow, using task analysis, numbered steps, warnings, checkpoints and a novice test.

What's inside

• 54 pages, 8 chapters
• Every chapter follows the same pattern: key concepts, a numbered step-by-step method, an illustrative example from a fictional UK organisation, a tool (a table, template or diagram you can copy and use), common mistakes, a recap of the key steps and a short exercise to try on your own work. Tools include a message planner, a plain English swap list, an action email template, a decision paper template, an outcome agenda and a work instruction template.
• A four-week communication plan, two short checklists to use before you send or present anything important, and a glossary
• PDF in A4 format — read on screen or print
• Instant download after purchase

Contents

1. Planning Any Message in Five Minutes
2. Writing in Plain English
3. Writing Emails That Get Action
4. Writing Reports and Decision Papers
5. Choosing the Right Channel
6. Running Meetings That Decide Things
7. Presenting with Confidence
8. Writing Instructions People Can Follow

Part of The Business Library

This title is one of the 55 ebooks in The Business Library, available together for £109 (worth £1,437 if bought separately: the total of the individual prices of the included titles in our store). It is also included in The Ultimate Business Bundle, which adds 8 checklists and toolkits and 10 workbooks — all 73 products for £147.