Hello class. Welcome to Business Communication 101.
Effective communication is the lifeblood of any organization. Whether you are pitching a
strategy to a CEO or sending a routine update to your team, clarity and structure are
paramount.
Here is your essential cheat sheet for the course. Keep this handy for your future assignments
and professional career.
Module 1: Professional Email Etiquette
In the corporate world, your email is your proxy. A poorly formatted email can damage your
credibility instantly.
The 5 Golden Rules
DO DON'T
Do write a specific Subject
Don't leave the subject blank or
Line. (e.g., "Q3 Marketing Report
vague. (e.g., "Hello" or "Important")
Review")
Do keep it focused. One email
Don't write "Wall of Text" paragraphs. If it's longer than 3
should generally address one topic
paragraphs, consider a meeting or a memo attached.
to avoid confusion.
Do use professional salutations Don't be overly informal too soon. Avoid slang, emojis
and sign-offs.(e.g., "Hi (unless appropriate for company culture), or text-speak
Sarah," or "Best regards,") (e.g., "Thx").
Do proofread for tone. Ensure you
Don't "Reply All" unless necessary. Cluttering inboxes is a
don't sound aggressive or
major corporate faux pas.
dismissive.
Do include a clear Call to Action
Don't mark emails as "High Priority" unless they truly are
(CTA). State exactly what you need
urgent crises.
the recipient to do next.
Module 2: The Standard Memo Format
Memos (memorandums) are used for internal communication regarding policies, procedures,
or official announcements. Unlike emails, they rarely include a salutation (e.g., "Dear X") or a
complimentary close (e.g., "Sincerely").
Effective communication is the lifeblood of any organization. Whether you are pitching a
strategy to a CEO or sending a routine update to your team, clarity and structure are
paramount.
Here is your essential cheat sheet for the course. Keep this handy for your future assignments
and professional career.
Module 1: Professional Email Etiquette
In the corporate world, your email is your proxy. A poorly formatted email can damage your
credibility instantly.
The 5 Golden Rules
DO DON'T
Do write a specific Subject
Don't leave the subject blank or
Line. (e.g., "Q3 Marketing Report
vague. (e.g., "Hello" or "Important")
Review")
Do keep it focused. One email
Don't write "Wall of Text" paragraphs. If it's longer than 3
should generally address one topic
paragraphs, consider a meeting or a memo attached.
to avoid confusion.
Do use professional salutations Don't be overly informal too soon. Avoid slang, emojis
and sign-offs.(e.g., "Hi (unless appropriate for company culture), or text-speak
Sarah," or "Best regards,") (e.g., "Thx").
Do proofread for tone. Ensure you
Don't "Reply All" unless necessary. Cluttering inboxes is a
don't sound aggressive or
major corporate faux pas.
dismissive.
Do include a clear Call to Action
Don't mark emails as "High Priority" unless they truly are
(CTA). State exactly what you need
urgent crises.
the recipient to do next.
Module 2: The Standard Memo Format
Memos (memorandums) are used for internal communication regarding policies, procedures,
or official announcements. Unlike emails, they rarely include a salutation (e.g., "Dear X") or a
complimentary close (e.g., "Sincerely").
