1. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Organising and Outlining the Report

2. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Organising the Data Compare-contrast Purpose: To identify a suitable hotel for a company function Conclusion: Xanadu is more suitable in terms of location, quality of food and costs. 1. Location Xanadu Hotel Seasons 2. Quality of food Xanadu Hotel Seasons 3. Costs of function Xanadu Hotel Seasons

3. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Organising the Data Cause-Effect Purpose: To evaluate the impact of overtime work on labour costs and productivity. Conclusion: Overtime work has a significant impact on labour costs and productivity. 1.Overtime Work 1.1 1.2 1.3 2.Impact on labour costs and productivity 2.1 2.2 2.3 3.Ways to reduce overtime work 3.1 3.2 3.3 Causes Effects Possible solutions

4. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Effect-Cause (Problem-Solving) Organising the Data Purpose: To evaluate the effective use of the common drive by the personnel department. Conclusion: Productivity in the personnel department can be affected by the lack of storage space in the common drive … 1.Extent of the problem 1.1 1.2 1.3 2.Causes of the problem 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 3.Respondents’ suggestions for improvement 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Causes Effects Possible solutions

5. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Functional Geographical Chronological Organising the Data

6. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Sections of a Report –Introduction –Findings –Conclusions –Recommendations

7. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Introduction –Background –Purpose –Scope –Limitations –Research methods and sources –Report Organisation

8. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Findings The objective presentation of your data through text, charts and tables

9. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Conclusions The writer’s evaluation of the data presented in the findings section (in terms of the purpose of the report)

10. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Recommendations The writer’s ideas for improvement based on the conclusions

11. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Choose a Suitable Numbering System I FIRST LEVEL A Second level 1 Third level a) Fourth level Decimal:Alpha-numeric: 1 FIRST LEVEL 1.1 Second level 1.1.1 Third level 1.1.1.1 Fourth level Preparing an Outline

12. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Follow the principles of outlining –Avoid single sub-divisions –Balance the divisions –Avoid too many sub-divisions –Use mechanics to distinguish levels

13. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Use appropriate headings –Topic vs Talking headings Travel & entertainment The high cost of travel & entertainment Impact on profits Growing impact on the bottom line

14. Business Writing: Data Collection and Analysis Business Communication: Organising and Outlining the Report Use appropriate headings –Topic vs. Talking –Broad yet specific –Concise and clear –Parallel in structure