Business writing can differ from other kinds of writing which are more common. It is a new sphere of writing, and students are often not sure what methods and style to use. The fact that business and academic writing are not similar should be considered. The analysis of business writing principles and features is a key to successful written work.
Getting Started. People and Resources to Address
When writing on business, it is a good idea to interview some people who are the experts in the sphere; for example, an experienced businessman and a recognized scholar. Knowledge of both, theory and practice, can provide progress in business as well as in writing on the topic. I came across the owner of a bakery shop in the neighborhood. He is not a millionaire, but for as long as I can remember, his shop has been full of customers. He shared his observations on starting a business. Firstly, it is important to try and never give up if something goes wrong. Secondly, your undertaking should be somehow different from the others. Besides, he is sure that not only your skills or budget matters but the passion for what you do. “So, if you have an idea, put it into life, and love what you do,” he told me.
The development of writing skills on the subject presupposes referring to some organizations and journals in the field. Speaking of establishments that unite the people interested in different spheres of business in the USA, I would mention the following. The American Management Association (AMA), which suggests professional development and preparation; Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ASBE), which assists the educators in the sphere of entrepreneurship; Business Network International (BNI), a global networking association for experts in business; Small Business Administration (SBA), an independent governmental agency aimed to encourage small business and secure their interests.
When writing a paper connected with business, it is important to refer to the recognized journals. The major ones are: “The Journal Business,” “Business and Society,” “American Journal of Business,” “The Journal of Business and Economic Statistics,” “The Journal of International Economics” and many others, dedicated to some particular business branches.
What and How to Write
Business writing should have an explicit goal, declared at the very beginning. It is strongly advised to avoid flowering language. Wordiness will also draw attention away from the main idea of the writing (Writing in the Disciplines). The aim of business writing is not to influence the audience, but to express the idea distinctly.
Every field has its specific writing genres. Speaking of business, they are not numerous but have their features. The piece of writing used every day in business is email. It is the fastest way to inform your partners and get feedback. Memos (or memorandum) are useful for interoffice communication, to inform on the daily tasks. A bigger piece of business writing is proposals (sometimes called business or marketing plans). Proposals presuppose stating a problem, outlining the objectives, suggesting the solutions, describing tee methods, and, finally, specifying the cost of the project. One more popular genre of business writing is a report. It is used to analyze and present to the audience various problems connected with this or that branch of work. A well-known business-letter cannot also be left apart, for, despite the global use of Internet communication, it is still a sign of good manners and business ethics to write formal letters (Genres of Business Writing).
Any writing with the use of additional sources needs the citation. Its style usually depends on the type and field of work. In college papers, it is chosen by a professor, in journal articles it is the demand of a publisher. In fact, there is no “official” citation style when it comes to business writing. The most common citation style here is APA; still, MLA and Chicago styles are also possible (Citation Styles for Business).
Life and Career Prospects
Studying business and economics, I am aiming at doing some small business myself in the future. Since my teens, I have been dreaming of a family restaurant of my own. It may be in French or Italian style, a place with the unique charm. I find it necessary to build a reliable team to be competitive on the market. I am not too ambitious about creating a big corporation; I suppose that a small business fits me more.
Before I get into a business, I am going to conduct some research on the topic. After careful study of the situation, I will come up with a business plan. I hope that knowledge of business and economics will be helpful when it comes to real work.
To Write or not to Write?
Speaking of ways of doing business, personal meetings and negotiations are popular. Of course, it is to have direct contact with the partner. Nevertheless, it is not always available the moment it is necessary. In this case, business writing comes to help.
Before starting a business, a thorough investigation is a must. After this, a report and a business project are created. Business writing in the form of emails is a part of daily business communication, in particular with the partners abroad. Besides, writing articles in the topical journals or related web resources is the way to share the ideas and get into discussions.
On the whole, writing in the field is an integral part of almost every activity. The ability to convey the intentions and views is essential to business. Besides, excellent writing skills mean that the people will be able to express themselves in a conversation or discussion as well. So, knowing the peculiarities of writing in the field you work in is necessary for success.
Works Cited
“Citation Styles for Business.” University of Connecticut. Web.
“Genres of Business Writing.”University of Oregon. Web.
“Writing in the Disciplines: Business.” University of Richmond Writing Center. Web.