MANULIFE Testimonials - Business Writing

MANULIFE TESTIMONIALS

Business Writing

March 12, 2018

Mary Grace Orbacedo, Manulife Financials, Business Writing WorkShop by TalkShop

I learned a lot especially the past, present, and future tense structures, together with effective memo writing. I like the area when we collaborated with different teams.

I gave Ms. Sheila a 5-rating. She taught us well especially in writing.  She made me realize how much I can do to improve my business writing skills.     

Richmond Chester Aringo, Manulife Financials, Business Writing WorkShop by TalkShop

I really enjoyed the TalkShop workshop especially when we the attendees also have part doing group work then presenting it. It was a meaningful and pleasantly nice learning experience.

I learned a lot like writing business letters the proper way and how to use the punctuations without getting confused.

Ms. Sheila Viesca, TalkShop’s Consultant, delivered all topics effectively. Kudos TalkShop! And thank you Manulife!  

Karl Terrible, Manulife Financials, Business Writing WorkShop by TalkShop

I am really grateful to be part of this one-day TalkShop training. It is indeed a great opportunity that has been given to each of us for guaranteed improvement. I hope with this program will be conducted to more companies and Filipino personnel because it truly reinforces effective and purposeful communication.

The learning I gained from TalkShop is more than satisfactory. Ms. Sheila Viesca, TalkShop Consultant is an excellent Speaker. The workshop has leveled up my confidence to communicate like a leader.

Engelbert Fernandez, Manulife Financials, Business Writing WorkShop by TalkShop

Kudos Ms. Sheila Viesca of TalkShop! I appreciate all the help and concern. You are truly my mentor and words could not describe how I love the work that you do.

I learned a lot. Business writing is easier now than what I thought. I love the activities.

I would recommend training with TalkShop for all Manulife employees. Ms. Sheila has the command of the language to make you listen to her.  In one day, I became a better business writer.

  

Evan Dusaban Jr., Manulife Financials, Business Writing WorkShop by TalkShop

Dear HR,    

I am grateful for the opportunity to be in the TalkShop workshop. Not only did it give me helpful insights in communication, it also made me more confident to be an effective communicator.   I learned so much from the workshop. It has introduced us to the rudiments of business writing and given me insights to hone my communication skills.

TalkShop’s program design is effective and engaging. The practical exercises are very helpful.

Ms. Sheila  Viesca, our TalkShop Trainer, is very engaging. She delivered a workshop in Business Writing that made me more confident to do business correspondences and communicate the right message. 

Technical Writing Workshop Testimonials

BIR Testimonials

Technical Writing Batch 1  January 19-20, 2016

Thank you for this seminar. As a writer, I definitely improved my communication skill. I want to attend similar seminars in the future. TalkShop has helped me to make a clear, concise, and easy to understand report. No I can communicate clearly to clients and get positive feedback from them. The program design is easy to understand. I can’t even believe that I like the letter writing the most. The TalkShop Consultant, Ms. Sheila Viesca, is knowledgeable. She explains topics clearly.  I learned to think first before answering questions.

-John Abris, RO11-Assessment, Bureau of Internal Revenue


This TalkShop seminar is very appropriate. It enhanced my spoken and written skills. I learned how to construct letters in a clear, concise, appropriate, and direct manner. The program design is great. I like the area where you can apply through actual writing what has been discussed. BIR made the right choice! Ms. Sheila Viesca is very professional and competent!

-Arvin Manuntag, RO1-Assessment, Bureau of Internal Revenue


I have learned a lot about correct usage, tenses, punctuations, and others. The technical writing
workshop helps and refreshes my writing. It helps me express myself easily, deliver the message at the right time and correct wrong words. There are excellent points of view and relevant facts. The program design is well-organized. The Consultant, Ms. Sheila Viesca is knowledgeable. Most significantly, she has helped me improve my writing.

-Cynthia De Chavez, Revenue Officer 111, Bureau of Internal Revenue


The seminar is very educational, appropriate, and interesting. I’ve learned a lot from TalkShop
workshop. The program design is well-prepared. I like diplomatic communication the most.
Ms. Sheila Viesca is very knowledgeable. I realized that anybody can improve if given the proper
workshop. Thank you TalkShop and BIR for this once in a lifetime learning opportunity.

-Felberto S. Mangali, RO11, Bureau of Internal Revenue

I have learned so much from all the topics!!! The program is really great and important in all aspects of written and oral communication. To TalkShop Consultant, Ms. Sheila Viesca, Wow! Kudos! Keep it up and I’m hoping for another advanced course by TalkShop. I learned more especially in preparing memorandum reports and communication letter preparation.

-Carlito Samson, Bureau of Internal Revenue


I learned so much from a well-designed TalkShop workshop. Ms. Sheila is very good and very
professional.

-Librado Atienza Jr. RO1, Bureau of Internal Revenue


I learned a lot from the basics, to the framework, and to the sentence construction. The program design is fun and easy to absorb. Ms. Viesca, our facilitator is extremely competent and pleasant.

-Vanessa Timogan, RO1, Bureau of Internal Revenue


I enjoyed enhancing my English proficiency and personality with TalkShop. I learned a lot as a refresher course in English. The program design is simple and comprehensive. Ms. Viesca speaks well with good voice projection. As a trainer, she is the best! Likeable and very knowledgeable on the subject-matter.

-Marvin Sevilla, RO111, Bureau of Internal Revenue


Every rating I gave is 5-Excellent. I like the prepositions and punctuations the most.The TalkShop trainer is great.

-Enrique Andaya, Dev. Officer 11, Bureau of Internal Revenue

I learned a lot. TalkShop program design is comprehensive and concise.
The TalkShop Trainer is impressive. Now I am more knowledgeable in the preparation of reports.

-Prescila Pagayonan, RO111, Bureau of Internal Revenue

Your Guide to Becoming a Good Technical Writer

When you read instruction booklets, medical reports, operating manuals, or appendices, you are reading examples of technical writing. Articles for marketing purposes such as press releases and promotional terms and conditions, or for specialized projects such as grant proposals or business reports, are also examples of technical writing.

Who are the people who write these documents? What kind of educational background is required to take on such a job? Is it a lucrative profession?

Technical writing is a job handled by a professional writer who is well-versed in the field he is assigned to write for or about. He does not need to hold a specific type of degree, but is expected to have excellent English writing skills. He must also have the ability to understand technical jargon and communicate every report in a clear, consistent manner.

Is technical writing a lucrative profession? Like any job, it really depends on the situation. Some writers work as freelancers and take on a mix of writing jobs from several clients at a time. Others hold full time jobs and do extra writing work on the side. And yes, there are also companies who look for full time technical writers to write their manuals, brochures, and other types of collateral.

What you should remember is, technical writing is just one among many forms of writing a professional writer can be great at. Being trained in technical writing can help you widen your writing portfolio, thereby making you more attractive to a wider range of employers.

If you want to add technical writing as a skill in your portfolio, you can sign up for a technical writing workshop at TalkShop so that you can learn the basics and intricacies behind the subject.

The course first gives you an outline of the importance of technical writing, setting expectations of your output, and how to differentiate technical writing from business writing. It will then progress into grammar review covering common areas of confusion, as well as rules and exceptions. This is something even seasoned writers like to do from time to time, as language and style constantly evolves.

Moving further, the course will give you examples to demonstrate why technical writing isn’t exactly technical—that oftentimes, the writing is needed to translate technical reports into layman’s terms.

When it comes to composition, however, we will get technical with you by guiding you through logical sequencing of your ideas, non-technical considerations, and giving you exercises on different formats of technical writing: free-writing, essay writing, and speech writing.

Part of what makes a writer truly skilled is also his ability to proofread and self-evaluate his own compositions, and this course will also cover this by showing you how to avoid redundancies and superfluity, avoid commonly confusing words, implement simplified versions of words and sentence construction, and use proper presentation formats.

The course ends with activities that put together everything you learned from the workshop, followed by an evaluation, which allows your coach to give recommendations on how you can continue to improve on your newly acquired technical writing skills.

By becoming better in technical writing, you will discover that your communication standards will be at a higher level and that your writing style will develop more sophistication and versatility. Further, you will be equipped with increased confidence and productivity when handling and composing business correspondence. It will also take you less effort to proofread and revise technical compositions, whether they be your own or that of junior writers who look up to you for their own development.

Do’s and Don’ts for Effective Business Writing

Business writing takes many forms in the workplace. Memos, emails, correspondence, reports, minutes, and MOAs require clarity, brevity, and the right tenor. Sheila Viesca, TalkShop CEO explains, “It is a matter of merging form and substance together for the desired results. Each communication form should be treated differently, but general guidelines rule in business communication.” She shares these tips:

1.  Know your audience – demographics, preferences, attitude, and concerns.
2. Aim for desired results. Whether imparting guidelines, issuing orders, or closing a deal, request for the response you need.
3.  Simplify. The shorter the better, the simpler the better.
4. Use the active voice. Write “I sent the samples parcel..., “and not “The samples were sent by me.”
5. Use the right tone. Be business- like but friendly for correspondence, and friendly yet courteous for emails.
6.  Use compelling words. Ditch “hopefully,” “perhaps,” maybe,” “might.”  Replace with “I am confident,” “I know,”  “…certainly,” etc.
7. Avoid using jargon and slang language.
8.  Be candid, while remaining respectful. While diplomacy is good, it should not get in the way of clarity and your purpose.
9. Edit, edit, edit. Check for spelling errors and typos  that can undermine your content and image

“Learn as much by writing as by reading.”-Lord Acton

TalkShop, the leading ISO-certified training facility  accredited with the Civil Service Commission  trains teams and professionals on an array of Business Writing needs that communicate the corporate branding.

www.talkshop.ph(632) 894-5588| Business Writing, Technical & Content Writing, Newsletter Writing, Critical Writing

Top 7 Holiday Stressors and How to Handle Them

Hands down, Christmas is the favorite time of year for almost everyone. Yet, for all the cheer and goodwill it brings, it can be a rather stressful season. Sheila Viesca, TalkShop CEO explains, “There is so much going on during the holidays. The season brings with it the trappings, hustle, and bustle that can leave one feelingenervated, helpless, and drained.

The key is to have a handle on the celebrations to stay in control of one’s time, health, and budget.”She cites the top holiday stressors and how to cope with them:

1. Too many obligations. Set realistic expectations. Do not be swayed by the hype to overspend. Consider what is good for you and what will keep you sane.



2. No time to handle everything. Make lists – for gifts, food to serve andbring, chores, parties, and activities. You have to plan and organizeto avoid last minute scrambling.



3. Overspending. Set a budget for gifts, food, trips, and jaunts. And stick to it!



4. Loneliness. Missing loved ones or grieving a loss? Connect with family through Skype, FB, and e-mail. Volunteer for a good cause. Spend the holidays with friends.



5. Crowds. They are part of the holiday scene. If you get caught in traffic or long queues, think of them as temporary inconvenience. Don’t fret.



6. Exhaustion. Eat and drink moderately, find time to rest, and squeeze in some exercise to stay fit and well.



7. Unaccomplished goals. Don’t feel down when you think of what you have not realized this year. Reflect on the causes. Are the goals still important to you? If so, ask how you will approach them so they are easier to accomplish this time around.



TalkShop, the leading ISO-certified training facility accredited with the Civil Service Commission trains professionals and teams to hone their skills as they focus on their new year objectives with clarity and determination.


“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”- William James


www.talkshop.ph (632) 894-5588 | Time & Stress Management, Leadership, Image Enhancement

The Top 9 Email Don’t’s

Today, email is the preferred mode of correspondence. Workers use it even for internal communication for the ease of access and instant transmission. TalkShop CEO Sheila Viesca explains, “As with any medium, there are etiquette rules that apply to the use of email. The key is to use it as a tool that builds connection while maintaining professionalism. The fact that it is easy to use, makes its users prone to casual mistakes that may prove costly.” She offers tips on the don’ts of emailing:

1. Don’t reply with just one word. This comes across as impertinent.

2. Don’t send an attachment without any message.

3. Don’t swear. If you are angry, put off writing until you have cooled down.

4. Don’t ignore messages sent directly to you. You owe it to the sender to provide the information sought for.

5. Don’t criticize another’s grammar. An email is not an English grammar exam.

6. Don’t send chain mail. Nobody wants them.

7. Don’t wasting people’s time with too many details. Be brief and concise.

8. Don’t use it for trivialities. An email, like any professional communications, communicates important matters. Hold a private talk or meeting for scolding,changing game plan, and detailing tasks that need to be explained at length.

9. Don’t send suggestive and negative emails. These can backfire as proofs against you.

The email should not replace face to face encounters that are needed for critical assignments and talks where eliciting collaboration, support, and understanding is necessary,” adds Viesca.

“If E-mail had been around before the telephone was invented people would have said , "Hey, forget e-mail - with this new telephone invention I can actually talk to people”- Unknown

TalkShop, the leading ISO-certified training facility that is accredited with the Civil Service Commission trains teams on overcoming internal communication barriers, while reinforcing effective communication and healthy work relationships.

www.talkshop.ph (632) 8945588 | Employee Engagement, Corporate Protocol, Team Building

Rules in Using Colon

Learn more interesting tips about English language. Visit TalkShop today!