AMA (American Management Association) seminar

There are some free recorded webcasts and podcasts available online on the topics in:
§ Business Writing
§ Communication Skills
§ Customer Service
§ Finance and Accounting
§ Human Resource Management
§ Information Technology Management
§ Interpersonal Skills
§ Leadership
§ Management and Supervisory Skills
§ Marketing
§ Office and Administrative Support
§ Presentation Skills
§ Project Management
§ Purchasing and Supply Management
§ Sales
§ Strategic Alliance Management
§ Strategic Planning
§ Thinking and Innovation
§ Time Management
§ Training and Development

Below is the note from one of webcasts that I just had in Business Writing
How to Write d Darn Good E-mail? By Philip Vassallo, Ed.D.
1. Get Started Quickly : 3As
a. Aim (reason to write)
b. Audience (reason to read)
c. Area (issue to address)
2. Write Attention Subject Line, Opening and Closing. Getting to the point.
a. Purpose in subject
b. Purpose in first paragraph
c. Use a do and a to for purpose statement
3. Create Clear, Concise E-mails that Get Results
a. Include ONLY what your READER need to know
b. Focus on reader benefit
c. Separate the beginning from the middle, and middle from the ending
4. Maintain a Professional Tone
a. Remember the durability of the written word
b. Do not demean, harass, or threaten readers or subjects
c. Consider whether e-mail is the best way to reply
5. Polish to Perfection: clear, concise, correct (use pullet points)

It seems very easy to understand but hard to keep in mind in every mail you send out. I totally agree with “durability of the written word” and “professional tone”. Every word you send out stand for yourself. There is nothing should be compromised if doing so would hurt your professionism. Also, not only for the written words, the way you talk, behavior, and look always matter. Many times, perception becomes the reality even though it is not the fact at all. Keeping on top of it, you gotten learn how to shape the perception, and how to project your image in a consistent way while packaging yourself to impress different audiences.