Thailand: Reporting skills & professional writing

REPORTING SKILLS & PROFESSIONAL WRITING

WITH BONUS PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP

A FIVE-DAY TRAININGPROJECT OFFICERS, PROJECT AND PROGRAM MANAGERS, M&E STAFF AND HUMANITARIAN / RELIEF WORKERS WHOSE WORK INVOLVES WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

19 - 23 NOVEMBER 2018
THE EASTIN HOTEL
MAKKASAN, BANGKOK, THAILAND

MAXIMUM 12 PARTICIPANTS

ENROLL NOW

UNDERSTAND HOW TO SET OBJECTIVES, COLLECT AND ANALYSE DATA AND PLAN, DRAFT AND EDIT REPORTS GET THAT RESULTS EVERY TIME

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO AT EACH STEP OF THE REPORTING AND WRITING PROCESS?

DO YOUR REPORTS SUPPORT EFFECTIVE DECISION MAKING?

WHY IS REPORTING SUCH 'HARD WORK'?

Reports - they're a big part of our work, and a basis for any effective Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Sharing system.

So why is reporting still one of those responsibilities that sits like a black cloud on the horizon - and then suddenly becomes urgent as we rush to put it all together to meet a deadline?

And there's a lot to manage.

Understanding the objectives, selecting the right methods to collect data, analysing that data, planning, drafting, editing, and, ultimately, persuading ... and so many steps where things can go off-track.

No wonder we often lose time staring at a screen wondering what to write, looking for the 'right word', making false starts, or just putting it off until the last minute.

We all know how that feels.

POOR REPORTING LEADS TO BAD DECISION-MAKING

And even when the report is complete, how sure can we be that we really captured what was learned. After all, reports are a basis for decision making - and poorly communicated reports can lead to poor decisions that affect project success, and can even misinform an organisation's strategy.

If the information coming in isn't a clear picture of what's really happening, how can the right action be taken?

"IF YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN IT SIMPLY, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IT WELL ENOUGH."
- Albert Einstein, Physicist

A PROCESS FOR REPORTING

It is possible to have a road-map for reporting so that you can consistently turn out reports that:

• Capture what was learned
• Communicate clearly and persuasively
• Are a solid basis for Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Sharing

Imagine having a process that you could follow, time after time, so that you could:

• Easily set reporting objectives
• Select the most appropriate data collection methods
• Analyse the data and draw conclusions effortlessly

Imagine having the tools to:

• Plan your writing around the report objectives and reader's needs
• Organise your ideas in a logical, persuasive way
• Communicate clearly and in a way that keeps your readers interested and alert
• Edit like a professionalThis hands-on training will teach you all of this and more.

ABOUT THIS TRAINING

You're going to learn a step-by-step, practical process for reporting and professional writing you can use every time to:

• Reduce wasted time and deadline stress
• Create more impactful writing - impressing managers and donors
• Persuade your readers to take action and support good project decision making

PRACTICAL LEARNING

This is a practical course.

It's based on over 20 years training people to write more effective reports - field reports, evaluations and research. While templates and examples will go a certain way to helping you understand, you will learn through practice - both shorter tasks as well as extended exercises to make sure you can apply what is learned.

TOOLS YOU CAN APPLY EVERY TIME

We've limited the number of participants to just 12 to ensure maximum participation and learning. While you will get all the theory you need, we want you to learn the steps and tools in a way that you can apply time after time after the course is over.

We will teach you all the steps of reporting, from setting objectives through data analysis right up to editing the final document, steps you can use every time you have to report.

You will also learn some key tools and tips you won't find anywhere else - such as how to adjust your writing style to different readers, or how to develop a collaborative report with your whole team.

RAISE YOUR GAME THROUGH MIND MAPPING

We are also going to teach you how to Mind Map using Mindjet's game-changing software.

For 20 years we have taught people how to integrate this tool at every stage of the reporting process to better:

• Set objectives and gather data
• Organise and analyse information
• Plan and draft their writing

CLEAR AND STRAIGHTFORWARD

We know development practice can often be very confusing. We aim to take current best-practice and explain it in the most clear way possible - cutting through to what's important in ways you can understand and apply.

And we will also teach you how to use all these steps and tools in other work - such as developing project proposals that persuade.

Applying the steps and practical tools in this course will ensure:

• You always know what to do each time you report
• Your reports take less time, are less stressful and of higher quality
• Your reports are actionable - contributing to better managed, more responsive projects and better results

WHAT'S IN THE COURSE?

The course addresses the key challenges faced by development professionals in reporting and professional writing in a concise way that allows for maximum practical work. Topics covered include:

• Setting Evaluation Objectives
• Deconstructing Field Reports
• Deconstructing Evaluations
• Select Data Gathering Methods and Gathering Information
• Planning Reports
• Data Analysis - Quantitative Data
• Data Analysis - Mind Mapping
• Principles of Professional Writing
• The Writing Process
• Planning Your Report
• How to Write Clearly
• Professional Writing: Organising Ideas
• Professional Writing: Paragraphs that Persuade
• Extended Practical Assignments and Feedback

BONUS PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP

We will also teach you how to take these skills and create proposals that persuade. Sessions include:

• How to Identify a Winning Project
• What Makes a Proposal Successful
• Planning and Drafting Proposals that Persuade

THIS IS NORMALLY OFFERED AS A SEPARATE COURSE - BUT THIS TIME WE WILL BE OFFERING THIS EXTRA WORKSHOP TOGETHER WITH REPORTING SKILLS TO TAKE YOUR WRITING SKILLS TO A HIGHER LEVEL

Expect a range of methods - presentations, group discussion, problem-solving tasks, case studies and - most importantly - practical exercises and feedback.

Bring a laptop (for the Mind Mapping software that will take your data analysis and reporting skills to the next level) as well as some of your own writing for analysis and editing. If you have an existing log frame or proposal you'd like to use as a basis for the bonus Proposal Writing workshop, bring those too.

POST-TRAINING SUPPORT

And, unlike most other courses, we don't leave you to 'get on with it' once the course is over. We know a lot of questions can come up once you are back in the world and actually applying the skills you learn. That's why we also give you:

A free one-year membership of the ELD PROFESSIONAL WRITERS FORUM. Here you can ask questions and share work done long after the course is over.

All participants also get free lifetime access to our upcoming ONLINE REPORTING SKILLS & PROFESSIONAL WRITING TRAINING COURSE - here you will find videos of all the key sessions for reference, all downloadable and yours to keep.

AND FOR THOSE WHO REGISTER AND PAY BY 12 SEPTEMBER, AS WELL AS YOUR 20% EARLY-BIRD DISCOUNT:

• The ELD REPORTING SKILLS AND PROFESSIONAL WRITING TOOLKIT - a 250-page self-study programme (PDF) that guides you through the steps of setting objectives, data collection and analysis and planning, drafting and editing your project reports
• The ELD PROJECT PLANNING AND PROPOSAL WRITING TOOLKIT - a 250-page self-study programme (PDF) that guides you through the steps of developing a project and planning, drafting and editing a winning proposal

WELCOME FROM INSTRUCTOR NEIL KENDRICK

Hello - and thanks for checking out this course!

I’m truly excited to teach you the vital skills involved in becoming a successful report writer.

For over 20 years, I've been helping development professionals like you monitor and evaluate their projects, and communicate their successes and lessons learned - leading to better project results and satisfied donors.

From my worldwide experience, you’ll quickly learn what works and what doesn't**.

I've trained extensively in more than 20 countries throughout Africa, Europe, Asia and North America - working with development professionals from a wide range of cultures, backgrounds and sectors. These include big INGOs such as Save the Children, Care and Oxfam, bilaterals including DFID, USAID and SNV, and the UN.

I’ve developed this practical, step-by-step reporting skills course for people like you - development professionals. With my guidance, you’ll soon be following a straightforward system that is guaranteed to reduce stress, save time and get better results - time after time.

So join me now, on this journey towards professional reporting skills!

Neil Kendrick
Director
ELD TRAINING

WHAT OTHER DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS LIKE YOU SAY ABOUT THIS COURSE

"I WISH I HAD TAKEN THIS TRAINING SOONER, AS I HAVE A MADE A LOT OF ERRORS IN THE PAST IN WRITING PROPOSALS.BUT NOW - WHETHER IN WRITING A SENTENCE, A REPORT OR A PROPOSAL - I HAVE A MAGIC SKILL!" - *OXFAM GB*

*"THE MOST USEFUL AND PRACTICAL TRAINING I HAVE ATTENDED IN YEARS." -
AFRICAN CONSERVATION CENTRE

"I AM GRATEFUL THAT SASAKAWA SELECTED ME FOR THIS TRAINING. REPORT WRITING HAD BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR ME THROUGHOUT MY CAREER. THIS IS THE BEST JOB-RELATED TRAINING I HAVE EVER HAD." - SASAKAWA AFRICA

"THIS TRAINING SHOULD BE DONE FOR ALL STAFF OF ANY INSTITUTION TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF THEIR TEAMS. THE TRAINING WAS BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS - NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE I HAVE GAINED, BUT HOW NEIL INSPIRED ME AND INSTILLED CONFIDENCE IN ME." - UNOCHA SOMALIA

"I DEFINITELY GOT NEW KNOWLEDGE AND I AM IMPRESSED WITH THE AMOUNT OF WORK ACCOMPLISHED. I LOVED THE MIND MAPPING APPROACH - IT IS VERY EASY TO LEARN AND APPLY." - EMBASSY OF FINLAND

FEES & DISCOUNTS

The training fee is $1500 USD**

REGISTER BY 30 SEPTEMBER 2018 AND THE DISCOUNT IS 20% - OR JUST $1200 US

Fees cover:

• Five days training on Reporting Skills & Professional Writing (including bonus workshop on Proposal Writing), including all training materials, refreshments and lunch at a world-class venue in metropolitan Bangkok
• All training materials plus extra resources on flash disc
• Training Certificate
• One year's access to the ELD PROFESSIONAL WRITERS FORUM
• Free access to our ONLINE REPORTING SKILLS & PROFESSIONAL WRITING TRAINING COURSE

Fees do not cover breakfast, evening meals, visas, travel, accommodation, transportation or other daily expenses.

ALL FEES PAYABLE IN ADVANCE ON AFIRST-COME BASIS.

FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULTS,ONLY 12 PARTICIPANTSWILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS COURSE

APPLY NOW AND STARTCREATING REPORTS GET THAT RESULTS EVERY TIME
(AND MORE SUCCESSFUL PROPOSALS!)

https://www.eldtraining.com/reporting-skills--professional-writing.html