Instructors Ann Raine Thomson Anne Raine Thomson is an international consultant in Business Communication. For many years she has designed and conducted seminars and workshops in communication skills for government organizations and multinational corporations in the USA, Western, Eastern and Central Europe and Central and South-East Asia. In the USA, she regularly provides "Writing for Engineers" and "Technical Writing for Engineers" workshops for consulting engineering companies and government departments. These courses form part of the Continuing Education program provided by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). She also works as a scriptwriter, technical editor and lecturer. For the ASCE she has scripted, produced and directed the "Engineering in Action" series of educational videos, all of which relate to topical civil engineering issues. For United Nations organizations, she has conducted courses around the world and has written a series of specialist Commercial English Courses for UNCTDAD / WTO. Ann has also produced a specific online self-learning and reference site, "Business Writing Guidelines", for one of her principal clients. An honors graduate from the Faculty of Economics at the University of London, Ann majored in economics, sociology and psychology. For some time she worked as Senior Tutor at the University of New South Wales in Australia and as a Lecturer and Counselor for the Open University in the United Kingdom. Ann also holds a Royal Society of Arts Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and a Certificate in Teaching Business English. For several years she was Director of Studies for an International English Language School in London. Back to Top

Description Today engineers need to have a broader base of business and communication skills to support their technical competence. In recognition of this requirement, this ASCE workshop provides training and hands-on practice in the most essential of these communication sills - business and technical writing. The ability to write logically, concisely and with impact benefits both the company and the individual engineer. Good writing is a basic tool of business and part of every engineer's professional package. Proposals, reports, letters and instructions must be logically structured, well laid out, clear and to the point if they are to get the desired results. Many engineers and technologists regard writing as the most onerous part of their job. The problem is that few receive training in how to write effective documents - nor do their organizations always present them with good models. Bad writing costs time, money and lost business opportunities. In the USA, an estimated 30% of all business writing is to clarify or seek clarification of something that has already been written. Many reports are relegated to the bottom of the pile or remain unread because they look difficult to read. Imprecise instructions can have disastrous consequences. Regrettably, bad reports or instructions take as long to write as good ones. This two-day workshop offers simple strategies, techniques and guidelines for making professional writing easier and more effective. They will also help reduce the time you spend writing. Good writing is not an innate talent; it is a skill you can learn. Back to Top