Available Dates

Overview

Succinct briefings and submissions can improve the ability to influence key decision-makers and stakeholders. However, distilling complex information in a short, well-structured document requires efficient writing.

Join expert communications trainer, Sue Calthorpe, on our Effective Briefing and Submissions course to gain confidence, skills and valuable tools to write more informative and compelling briefings.

Throughout the day, learn how to develop more effective planning structures; how to write accurate, clear and understandable text; perfect how you express different options and ask for decisions, and gain techniques to distil large volumes of information into clear and succinct summaries.

trainer photo
Sue Calthorpe
Media & Communications Specialist

Susan works with organisations and individuals to improve their written communications skills.

She worked as a regional and national newspaper journalist before setting up a full-service communications company, now established for 30 years.

She works with public and private sector organisations to help with:

  • Effective emails
  • Report writing
  • Briefings and submissions
  • Persuasive and influential writing techniques
  • Promotional writing
  • Effective complaint handling
  • Communicating complex information for non-technical readers.

Her recent clients include Legal & General, HSBC, BRIT, the Law ...

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Learning Outcomes

  • Apply classroom examples to real life documents
  • Understand how to read quickly and identify crucial facts
  • Learn where to put key facts on a page to ensure they are noticed
  • Acquire a range of techniques to create concise, complete and consistent documents for a busy workplace
  • Construct key sentences, informative paragraphs and useful documents to create the kind of impact that public sector organisations and professionals require
All the Understanding ModernGov courses are Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certified, with signed certificates available upon request for event.

Enquire About In-House Training

To speak to someone about a bespoke training programme, please contact us:
0800 542 9414
[email protected]

Agenda

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09:00 - 09:30

Registration

09:30 - 10:00

Trainer's Welcome and Clarification of Learning Objectives

10:00 - 10:50

Effective Planning

  • Understand the importance of defining the purpose of, and audience for, your briefings and submissions
  • Discuss the time and space in which your briefings will be read, and learn to write documents that work
  • Think about sourcing, selecting, structuring and simplifying information
10:50 - 11:05

Morning Break

11:05 - 12:45

Writing Accurate, Brief, Clear and Deliverable Briefings

  • Understand how to identify and structure ‘must’, ‘should’ and ‘could’ know information
  • Create messages and lines to take
  • Discuss the style, tone and vocabulary you can use for maximum impact
  • Practical exercise: restructuring an existing piece of real-life writing to create understanding and traction with your readers
  • Practising feedback: how to give and receive clear feedback to ensure continuous improvement in your writing
12:45 - 13:30

Lunch

13:30 - 14:00

Deconstructing the Submission Template

  • Discuss the sections of a submission, what’s needed where, and why?
  • Evaluate options – how to produce impartial, practicable options
  • Influence with facts and evidence in a balanced way
14:00 - 15:30

Producing Clear Summaries

  • Ensure the text is engaging and informative
  • Learn how to produce a clear and succinct summary
  • Understand how to use tools to help the reader
  • Use rigorous editing and selection techniques to define and deliver the most important and relevant information
15:30 - 16:00

Feedback, Evaluation & Close

Testimonials

“Great teacher! Engaging and huge knowledge base and experience. Very personable – remembered all our names!”
Effective Briefings and Submission Policy and Parliamentary Officer, British Council
“The most engaging course I have attended in over 30 years.”
Effective Briefings and Submission Policy Advisor, Department for Transport
“I wish I had done this course at the start of my career!”
Effective Briefings and Submission Head of Research and Innovation, NHS
“I thought the trainer was exceptional. She was interactive, experienced and built a very good rapport with participants. The handouts will be very useful also”
Effective Briefings and Submission Senior Officer, National Crime Agency