Consulting Services
DOCUMENT MODELING
When writers emulate traditional models that are outmoded, disorganized, or counter to the
way people actually read, the resulting document is unnecessarily complex -- and hideously
expensive in a world where time and money equate. Writers must understand how their
readers are going to use the information and then organize and format accordingly. Once
the right model is in place, the jobs of both the writer and the reader are simplified
tremendously.
Our experience in this area is extensive. We developed the models now being followed at
Fannie Mae for audit reports, at the Federal Communications Commission for "Agenda Items"
reports, at National Imagery and Mapping Agency for Production Standard Operating
Procedures, and at countless other organizations for highly specialized reports and
analyses.
STANDARD LETTERS
Standard ("form" or "boilerplate") letters to customers should be courteous, direct,
focused, and error-free. They should also be as simple and concise as possible. It takes
very little time to create boilerplate that is customer-directed, positive, creditable,
and persuasive. We have developed standard letters for many organizations, including
National Education Association Member Benefits Corporation, American Association of
Retired Persons, and Ryland Homes.
STYLE GUIDES
Every organization should have a style guide that clarifies what to hyphenate, how to use
abbreviations, what to call things, and other issues unique to a given industry or field.
A good style guide does not cover grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and all the other
aspects of writing (which are available from a hundred sources). It limits itself to
ruling on debatable constructions. When writers and managers agree on standards, no more
time is squandered in needless debate.
We have developed style guides for a number of organizations, including FCC, Goddard Space
Flight Center, Defense Mapping Agency, and National Archives.
UNIQUE TRAINING DEVELOPED FROM SCRATCH
If you can't find a writing workshop geared precisely toward an identified need, we can
develop it.
While all of our presentations are customized to address the issues specific to the
client, we sometimes have to create, from the ground up, training for which we have no
adequate model. Usually these workshops are so client-specific that they can be offered
nowhere else. But sometimes (as in the case of Managing Writers, developed at
the request of IBM, and Writing to Customers, developed at the request of MCI),
the training is useful at many organizations. In these
cases, we charge nothing for development, on the understanding that we may present the
training elsewhere. In these cases, everyone wins.
ONE-ON-ONE TUTORIALS
We are often asked to help an individual improve a certain aspect of writing. When
facilitated correctly, one-on-one counseling sessions are amazingly effective. Tutorials
can be arranged as follow-up to a workshop, or as stand-alone trainings.
For additional information on any of our consulting options, contact
