Every writer’s nightmare – attempting the first report. Every writer’s dream – a short cut to ensuring it’s a success.

Be it an informational report or just a simple memo, writing in a structured manner can be overwhelming, especially when the template comes to dictate the message and content, whilst the target audience is largely taken for granted. AI can most definitely help without being a hindrance.

Let DR SUNNY GOH handhold you through this workshop in understanding the format of a good simple report and how to communicate effectively without sacrificing the best materials.

Objective

At the end of the one-day programme, participants will be able to:
a. Identify different types of reports;
b. Contextualise issues in a report;
c. Apply concise writing skills with AI prompts; and
d. Demonstrate clarity in writing.

Outline

DIFFERENTIATION OF TYPES OF STAFF REPORTS

• Information Action
• Discussion Action
• Approval Action

CONTEXUALISING ISSUES

• Type 1: Clerical Staffing, Secondary Information and non-Decision
• Type 2: Secretarial Staffing and Other Information and semi-Decision
• Type 3: Executive Staffing and Essential Information and full Decision

WRITING A REPORT

• Title
• Aim
• Background
• Main Argument
• Sub-argument
• Conclusion
• Attachments

Who should attend

Staff Officers who have to write a simple but complete staff report – either for information or for approval. The course will help them to avoid the pitfalls in a staff document and deal with inconsistencies.

Testimonial

“We are able to understand the structure of writing professional papers.”
– Dhasugarra Thevar, INFRA System (June, 2023)

“I thought a good report should be evidence-based and that is all to it. Dr Sunny opened my eyes to making those data work much harder for me to convince my superiors.”
– PUB (Mar 2017)

“We got Sunny to teach our new staff, including mid-career officers, on Staff Writing and they were not only enlightened in terms of a systematic and effective way of staffing reports, they were also empowered to think boldly about addressing their demanding target audiences. This approach required rich experience and passion which not many writing coaches possess. He’s well respected and good with getting new staff enthused.”
– Lawrence Tan, Adviser, Careers Transition, Public Service Division

Dr. Sunny Goh's Profile

Dr Sunny Goh is a Trainer of Trainers (TOT) and has taught many writing coaches to teach writing programmes he has designed for government servants and private sector officers. He was head of the International directorate in Mindef's Defence Policy Office, where he has written Cab Memos, budget papers and presented Singapore’s position at international fora. He was a member of the SAF Scholars Selection Board and chairman of a university’s Resource Panel.

He was also a Desk Editor at The Straits Times, where he taught reporting and interviewing skills at its School of Journalism. In all, his participants had included CEOs, professors, staff writers, technical specialists, undergraduates and students. It doesn’t matter how high a participant’s work status may be - all that mattered is a penchant for learning.

As a volunteer, he was a Mediator with the Ministry of Law, a Council Member of the Singapore Red Cross Society and writes regularly for the local and regional media. And, oh yes, he was co-founder of an attractive English Premier League supporters club in Singapore that neither don red nor blue.