Aksana Nikolai reports:
"One of the responsibilities of staff members working in various levels of government is writing briefing memos for [policymakers], who use the memos to educate themselves about issues and to guide them in forming protocols, procedures and laws. A briefing memo is a concise summary of an issue or case that presents a call for action to the reader. A successful memo persuades the reader to act by providing concrete evidence that is easy to understand and evaluate. Begin the memo by writing 'To:' and 'From:' Insert the name of the sender and the recipient after the colons. On the next line, write the date that you wrote the memo. Finish this section by writing 'Subject:' followed by the topic that the memo references. Specify the action that you want [the] reader to take in the first sentence or paragraph of the memo. Maintain the reader's attention by using brief, succinct paragraphs that are no more than [five] sentences long. When stating the reasons for taking action, list each reason in a separate paragraph. Use empirical evidence to persuade the reader of the need for the proposed course of action...Avoid generalizations that you cannot support with facts. Outline the alternative courses of actions or policies, describing the advantages and disadvantages of each. Avoid unnecessarily wordy or formal expressions...and technical jargon when you are citing facts and figures. Use simple, direct language that any reader can understand. Use the active voice, as opposed to passive, throughout the memo to encourage action. If you know the recipient of the memo well, use first[-]person pronouns...because people are more likely to do something for those they feel they know personally. Emphasize such personal connections further by using contractions, such as 'I'm'. Reiterate the necessity for action at the end of the memo. Be sure to indicate if there is a deadline for action that must be met...A briefing memo that exceeds two pages in length becomes a report, which the reader is unlikely to read right away upon receipt." Molly Thompson reports:
"Adapt your resume to emphasize your flexibility, resourcefulness, previous nonprofit experience and any special skills you have that will benefit the specific nonprofit group you're seeking to join...Research the nonprofit organization to learn its priorities, focus and requirements. Consider how these correspond to your specific skills, abilities and experience...Include your name, address and contact information at the top of your resume, typically centered like a company letterhead...Build a simple, concise resume with no more than three or four sections. Limit the variety of type fonts used and be consistent throughout your resume in terms of tense, style and format. Emphasize skill sets and experience, rather than just providing a chronological listing of previous jobs...Create sections about your skills and abilities, your volunteer and nonprofit experience, and your professional work experience. Each section should highlight the aspects of your experience that are most readily transferable to the nonprofit world. Focus on projects you have led, cooperative and problem-solving skills and fundraising experience...Quantify your experience so that major projects you have accomplished in the business world are understandable in a nonprofit context. Focus on projects that raised or saved large quantities of money, since both are typical concerns of nonprofit boards...List and describe your experience leading and coordinating volunteer efforts, skills that are needed on nonprofit boards of directors. Heading up committees is also useful experience to note, because directors at large nonprofits typically are expected to head up one of the group's fundraising, organizational or recruiting committees." Stacy Kile reports:
"Descriptive essays tell the reader every important detail about the subject, in this case a park. You do not want to make a story out of it; nothing should actively happen in a descriptive essay. For a beginner’s paper, you’ll probably be writing a five[-]paragraph essay. This will include an introduction, three body paragraphs and a conclusion. It is best to write your introduction after you are finished writing the body of your essay, so you know exactly what your essay is about. Visit the park you are writing about. Bring a sheet of paper and write down everything you think is important. Focus on the details; write down anything that stands out about your surroundings. Focus on your five senses, and write what you smell, hear, taste, touch and see. Make an outline. An outline is a rough plan helping you determine how you want your essay to be shaped. For a five[-]paragraph essay, you should narrow down three points you wish to focus on and describe. Use the five[-]sense method again, to detail each of your three points. If you are unsure which three points to focus on, write an outline with all of your points, and then choose the best points from there. Write the body of your essay. It’s important to remember to show, rather [than] tell. You do not want to simply tell the reader what you saw; you want to use words to show them. If you are using mostly action verbs[,] you are probably showing, whereas if you are using mostly linking verbs, you are probably telling. Use descriptive words centered on your five senses. Be specific and use the proper names of things...Write your introduction and conclusion. An introduction should prepare the reader for what the essay will be about. A conclusion should summarize all of the points you made. Edit your essay for spelling and grammatical errors. This is a good time to make sure you used action verbs and remembered to show rather than tell." Beth Rifkin reports:
"There are times when you need to send an important document or letter through the mail and you want to be assured it has been received. The best way to do this is by sending the letter as certified mail, which means the postal carrier must obtain a signature as proof of receipt. Sending your letter through certified mail is an easy process. Go to the post office. You must arrange for your letter to be sent certified at the post office through a customer service representative. Fill out the certified mail form, which requires the name and address of both the recipient and [the] sender. The postal representative will attach the form to the front of your letter. Decide if you want a return receipt, which is a postcard that will be sent to you confirming that your letter was received by the intended person. Pay for your certified mail...The customer service representative will mail the letter. Go to the U.S.P.S. website to confirm that your letter has been received through their Proof of Delivery option." Jill Leviticus reports:
"Although every cover letter should include information directly related to the job to which you are applying, you don’t need to write a new cover letter every time you apply for a job. Preparing a basic cover letter that you can easily modify saves you time and ensures that you cover basic facts about your background...Include an address block at the top of the letter for the insertion of the name and address of a prospective employer if you expect to send letters through the mail...Follow standard letter format when writing your letter. Begin the letter with 'Dear Mr. Smith.' Be sure to change the salutation to the correct name for a particular position before sending it...State that you are applying for 'X' position which you heard about through 'Y.' Replace 'X' and 'Y' with the specific position title and details regarding the way you learned about the opening when you are ready to send the letter...Mention your current position and discuss how many years’ experience you have in your industry. Explain that your attached resume describes your past work history...Discuss why you are seeking a new job. You might want to write [that] you are eager to take on new challenges or may want to explain that you have recently relocated from another area...Write a sentence describing any degrees you hold. If you have any special qualifications or certifications, list those in another sentence...Describe your duties or key qualifications and discuss how this experience will allow you to succeed in a new position. If you know several software packages, you may want to explain that your experience qualifies you to handle multiple types of projects with ease. Include several examples in the generic cover letter and add or remove them from each letter as needed. Duke Law suggests writing something about yourself that separates you from other candidates in a positive way...through a personal experience...Mention your eagerness to learn more about the position in person. List your preferred method of contact...Thank the employer for reviewing your qualifications. Mention that you look forward to hearing from him...Format your letter using basic rules for formatting business correspondence. Use one-inch margins and divide your letter into several paragraphs. Virginia Tech Division of Student Affairs suggests using a clear, commonplace font such as Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman for easier readability...Avoid discussing personal information unless it specifically relates to your career...It won’t help you get the job and may distract the employer from reading about your accomplishments." Shauntelle Hamlett reports:
"Americans buy millions of cars and light-duty trucks each year, and like everything else, vehicles get dirty. If you're considering launching a new business, these vehicle owners offer a large potential market for a car washing business. Once you’ve determined a location to provide your service, the biggest challenge will be attracting customers. There are several low-cost methods to advertise your car wash to your potential customers...Identify your target market...Consider where your target customers live, whether they're predominantly male or female and why they would have their cars washed rather than doing it themselves. Describe your target customer in as much detail as possible--this will help you determine the best advertising message to create to attract those customers. Design a flyer using the description created in Step 1. Use a graphic design program like Photoshop or Microsoft Publisher or a [word processing] program like Microsoft Word or Open Office. The most important things to include are your car wash contact information and an incentive, such as a limited-time coupon or possibly a grand opening giveaway. Make sure your flyer has an attention-getting headline. Once you’ve got a flyer that you like, print 100 or more copies to distribute to businesses, apartments, shopping centers...and community centers close to your car wash location. Create a public relations event to attract media attention. One way to do this is to partner with a local charity. Commit to donating a percentage of your sales to this charity and launch your partnership with a one-day event from which half the profits go to the charity. Attract media by creating--or having the charity create--a news release to send out to area newspapers, television and radio stations. Get charity officials to take part in washing cars, have speakers talk about the charity and what the money you donate will be used for and organize games and fun activities...Hire college students or other part-time workers to stand on busy intersections near your location with signs advertising your car wash. The 'sign twirlers' can attract attention by wearing attractive beach wear, bright body paint or costumes...while they dance around and wave the signs...Consistent, regular advertising is key to attracting new customers. Commit to performing one type of advertising action at least monthly." Marjory Pilley reports:
"The process of developing a jewelry business plan will flesh out ideas and identify areas of focus that might not otherwise be considered. New trends in jewelry design and marketing opportunities may become apparent as a result of the planning process. If outside financing is needed, then a thorough business plan is a necessity. It is never too late to create a business plan. Prepare a business plan when you start a business and update it each year...Provide information about the company and founders in the 'Company Information' section of the business plan. Discuss the qualifications, certifications and previous jewelry design experience of the owners. Include the location of the business and when the business started...Describe the types of jewelry that will be made in the 'Products Offered' section. Key design techniques and unique features that will distinguish the jewelry in the marketplace should be outlined. Comparisons to competitive jewelry businesses are appropriate...Document an analysis of competitors in the jewelry business and the demand for similar jewelry products in the 'Market Analysis' area of the plan. Consult with the Small Business Administration and organizations dedicated to jewelry design to determine market size and the company's potential growth. Include information on the target customer, jewelry buying behavior and pricing strategies in this section...Discuss marketing plans in the 'Marketing Strategy' section. A comprehensive plan that addresses advertising, promotions, pricing and incentives is desirable. Consider whether the jewelry will be sold wholesale and/or retail...Describe the organizational structure in the 'Management/Ownership' section. Identify staff requirements to make the jewelry products, including the design or purchase of any [subcomponents]...Outline staff requirements for sales and administration too. Special certifications...should be noted in this section...Prepare and include financial statements in the 'Financial Statements/Projections' section of the business plan. Document key assumptions...A break-even analysis, cash flow statement, income statement and balance sheet should be prepared on a projected basis for the next one to three years. If the business is already established, then provide statements for at least the past three years as well...Attach additional documentation in the Appendix that will provide more detail about the business...Write an 'Executive Summary' based upon the information contained in the various sections of the business plan. This document should be a two[-] to three[-] page summary of the key information in the plan and utilize engaging language that will entice the reader to delve deeper into the business plan. Clearly outline any special requests in the plan...and key attributes that position the business for success...Jewelry business templates are available through software companies to assist in writing a business plan. A table of contents is [a] useful tool to find sections quickly...Add a confidentiality statement to the jewelry business plan if the plan contains proprietary information." Cat Reynolds reports:
"Neighborhood newsletters interest the folks who receive them. A good newsletter informs, entertains and encourages friendships and outreach in times of need because they encourage neighbors to be aware of each other. The writer-editor has a responsibility to set an appropriate tone, maintain appropriate boundaries and create a newsletter that's factual, accurate and interesting. Craft the tone of the newsletter with care. Neighborhood newsletters work best when they convey a literate, conversational tone, but not one that's overly familiar or formal, gossipy, cute, filled with slang or ungrammatical. Make a list of the types of articles each edition will contain and be consistent...Ideas for regular articles include neighborhood sports events, club activities, a how-to piece that includes advice from a neighbor, a recipe, a profile of a resident and a compelling feature article. Open each edition with a compelling feature article to prevent the newsletter from landing in the trash and build a loyal readership. 'A newsletter must add value by informing the reader,' says About My HOA, an organization designed to help HOA communities...Factual accuracy is important. Include neighborhood classifieds as a free public service. This makes a newsletter useful, informative and entertaining. Set a deadline by which people must give you their ads, consider a length limit and give your contact information. Make announcements but set boundaries...[T]ake care not to announce people's unhappy private developments, even if they are public record; you are writing a neighborhood newsletter, not a New York Times piece about a public figure. A divorce is an example of an unhappy event that could fuel speculation and gossip; announcing a death with the permission of the bereaved would be permissible. Include a puzzle in each edition. People like puzzles, and including one might help you to build a readership. You can use a free puzzle-maker, such as Discovery Education's Puzzlemaker, to generate new puzzles without the worry of copyright infringement. Ask the neighbors for article ideas, and consider giving a good writer a column...The Office of Neighborhood Services for the City of Iowa City recommends getting neighbors involved in the writing so all the work doesn't fall to one person. Decide whether you will allow letters to the editor. Many people love to read them, but they can take a lot of space. If you allow them, you'll also have to take on the responsibility of publishing some and not others, which could get touchy in a small community...Distribute the newsletter by placing them in plastic sheathes and leaving them on doorsteps or in the extra receptacle that some mailboxes have under the mail receptacle. You can leave them in the neighborhood clubhouse, if you have one. A laser printer can save you time and money. The per-page cost of laser toner is a fraction of [inkjet] cartridges...Do not place the newsletter in the mailbox. Mailboxes are for official U.S. mail only." Hogan Injury reports:
"Business competition is getting stiffer every day. More and more businesses crop up, and while this is good for the economy and good for the clients, this also means that a company must try their best to be more competitive and to offer better products or services. As a business owner, you should know that the client is your bread and butter...One of the ways that you can improve and maintain your business is by establishing and cultivating a good client relationship; this will enable your business to grow and to stand out from the multitude of businesses out there that sell the same product or offer the same services...Always be honest with your clients. Aside from being a good business practice that can save you a lot of trouble in the future, being honest with your clients will build trust between them and your business. Put yourself in their position...Businesses, especially those that offer services like law firms, interior design, and the [like], usually have a contract that binds both parties to fulfill their obligations to each other. Make sure...when you provide your clients with an agreement that it is clear about what you can do for them. As much as possible, try to use terms that are easily understandable[;] this way your clients will know what to expect from you right from the start which could go a long way in creating a good working relationship between you and the client...Getting to know your client is one way for them to feel that your business cares about them. Learn about your clients and their interests by asking them questions; this will enable your company to cater to your client’s needs better and for you to understand their situation which is very important, especially for lawyers who need to know about their clients and their legal case...Most clients who are looking to buy a product or avail of a service need something to fix a problem that they have; this is where the importance of getting to know your client comes in handy. When you understand the needs of your client, then you can provide solutions to their problems; this is especially true for lawyers since the majority of your clients have no idea what actions they should be taking to resolve whatever legal situation they may be facing...Having a good client relationship takes effort from you as a business owner. The reason why the term 'cultivating' is often used when it comes to [a] good client relationship is because you need to develop these relationships. Just like any other type of connection, you would need to put in the time and effort so that your relationship with your clients can grow into something that will benefit your business." Nicole Long reports:
"Writing a business plan for a gift basket business requires attention to detail, accurate research and a thorough understanding of the purpose of business plans. Settling important issues before you open, such as organization type and purpose, will help guide you through the obstacles and challenges that await a new business. Start your gift basket business off on the right foot by planning early for an array of possibilities, outcomes and challenges...Conduct extensive research. Focus on investigating gift basket industry trends. Identify potential niche and target markets...Investigate local and regional gift basket businesses. Take special note of the variety of their offerings, pricing and added services...Gather pricing information from wholesalers and suppliers of gift basket must-haves...Use the information you collect to help assemble your business plan...Prepare a full description of your business. This section should contain information such as a company overview and mission statement. Summarize important aspects of your business by completing an executive summary. This should provide a well-rounded synopsis of products, services, financial goals and marketing efforts. Complete this after drafting the rest of the business plan if that works better for you...Complete a market analysis section. Provide a detailed analysis of your marketing ideas and goals. Identify your target market and provide details on plans to reach out to the demographic contained within your target market. Include information pertaining to what makes your gift basket business unique. Identify gift basket trends...List management details. Include information on ownership and organization type...Organizing a gift basket business as a sole proprietorship can help defray the costs associated with traditional retail spaces by starting with a home business. Detail the qualifications and duties of all business owners...Prepare a detailed financial analysis. Forecast sales to the best of your ability. This includes how many gift baskets you expect to sell at each price point. Prepare financial statements, including an income statement, cash flow statement and balance sheet. Seek help preparing financial statements from an accountant or visit the U.S. Small Business Administration for examples and additional help...Combine all the information to complete your business plan. Organize your business plan with the business overview, executive summary, marketing information and management overview at the beginning. Follow with a section detailing sales forecasts and provide financial statements. Attach any supporting documentation, such as business license and permit information." |
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April 2024
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