Do your memos get you the results you want? For example, if you’ve just written a memo to advise your boss that Widget 00968B has been discontinued, you may feel that you’ve done the right thing, and that your boss will quickly find a new component for the new product, of which Widget 00968B is a vital component.

But… A month later, production comes to a halt, and the launch of the new product is postponed. Your boss is furious, and your wail of “I sent you a memo!” doesn’t calm him down.

Tailor your memos to the recipient

Before you write a memo, picture the recipient. What does this person (or group) know?

Give enough detail so that the recipient of your memo knows what the message means, why it’s important, and how it’s likely to impact the business.

In your “Widget 00968B” memo, you could have pointed out that Widget 00968B is a vital component, and that finding a new supplier is urgent. Adding a list of possible new suppliers would have given your boss the information he needed.

[tags]business writing, memo writing, write memos[/tags]

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