Transcript File
BUSINESS CORESPONDENT
BY FITRIS R, S.S, M.pd
OBJECTIVES
state the meaning of Business Correspondence.
explain the importance of Business Correspondence; describe the essential qualities of a good business letter.
identify the various parts of a business letter.
recognize the different types of letter
Meaning of Business Correspondence
Communication through exchange of letters is known as correspondence.
Communication through exchange of letters is known as correspondence. We communicate our feelings, thoughts etc. to our friends and relatives through letters that may be called personal correspondence
A Businessman writes and receives letters in his day to-day transactions, which may be called Business Correspondence. business letters may be defined as a media or means through which views are expressed and ideas or information is communicated in writing in the process of business activities
Business letters are sometimes called "snail-mail" (in contrast to email which is faster).
Business letters includes: · Letter - Fax · Email - Memo
IMPORTANCE OF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE 1.Help in Maintaining Proper Relationship
Now-a-days business activities are not confined to any one area or locality. The businessmen as well as customers are scattered throughout the country. Thus, there is a need to maintain proper relationship among them by using appropriate means of communication
.
2. Inexpensive and Convenient Mode
Though there are other modes of communication like telephone, telex, fax, etc. but business information can be provided and obtained economically and conveniently through letters.
3. Create and Maintain Goodwill
Sometimes business letters are written to create and enhance goodwill. Businessmen at times send letters to enquire about complaints and suggestions of their customers. They also send letters to inform the customers about the availability of a new product, clearance sale etc. All this results in cordial relations with the customers, which enhances the goodwill of the business.
4. Serves as Evidence
We cannot expect a trader to memorize all facts and figures in a conversation that normally takes place among businessmen. Through letters, he can keep a record of all facts. Thus, letters can serve as evidence in case of dispute between two parties.
.5. Help in Expansion of Business
Business requires information regarding competing products, prevailing prices, promotion, market activities, etc. If the trader has to run from place to place to get information, he will end up doing nothing. It will simply result in loss of time. But through business letters, he can make all enquiries about the products and the markets. He can also receive orders from different countries and, thus enhance sales.
Definition of “Letter”
Letter
“A written or printed communication directed to a person or organization.” ( http://education.yahoo.com/ reference/dictionary/entry/letter) Letters may be created and sent as: E-mail or electronic transmissions (including faxsimiles) Hand-delivered transmissions Regular mail transmissions
Two
categories
of letters
Business Letters
( format writing ; more formal writing that may share elements of essay writing)
Personal Letters
(often informal ; may be addressed to a friend or familiar acquaintance about a personal subject; may regard a personal problem, issue or even a personal business matter pertaining to ones personal finances or personal legal matters)
Who writes Business Letters
Letters are written from a person/group, known as the sender to a person/group, known in business as the recipient. Some examples of senders and recipients: · business «» business · business «» consumer · job applicant «» company · citizen «» government official · employee «» employee · staff member «» staff member
Why do we write letters?
Invite Apologize Commiserate Congratulate Complain Apply Explain Inquire Acknowledge Order Thanks
COMMON TYPES OF BUSINESS LETTER
• Acceptance Letter (yes / legal) • Acknowledgement Letter (Receipt) • Adjustment Letter (legal document /addresses a complaint / claim) • Application Letter (request job consideration / interview) • Complaint Letter (a legal document) • Cover Letter (accompanies resume or order) • Inquiry Letter (posing a question) • Order Letter (request letter) • Refusal Letter (reject an offer) • Response Letter (answers inquiry) • Sales Letter (marketing) Source: Business Letters. Retrieved Dec. 3, 2007, from http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/documents/business_writing/business_letter/
BUSINESS LETTER TYPES
.
Business-to-business type
• intended for company to company communication
Business-to-client type
• Intended for company to outside the company
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
Appreciation Letter
and appreciation for help extended, or a good business deal.
o
Thank you
- a letter of gratitude - is a letter of gratitude.
o o o
Congratulations
- is a letter that praises the recipient for a job well- done
Letter of Recognition
an appreciation letter.
- a written statement of recognized efforts similar to
Letter of Reference
in a job.
- is a character reference letter. It is a letter building up the character of a person to be accepted
o
Recommendation
- is an endorsement letter to hire a certain person. Sympathy letter - is a letter of condolences to a person or family.
o
Invitation letter
- is a letter persuading a person or a company to join an event or an occasion.
.
o
Letter of credit
- is a way of endorsing a certain business to be considered a credit loan.
o
Letter of interest
invitation that confirms presence on the event/occasion.
- a reply to an o
Business memorandum
- notices that are distributed to the staff. They are reminders of company activities, or imminent changes in the company. o
Business introduction
- is done to introduce a new business to the readers
BUSINESS TO-CLIENT
1.Business Enquiry Letter
The letter written to sellers to know the details of the goods which they want to buy, like quality, quantity, price, mode of delivery and payment
2. Quotation Letter
After receiving the letter of enquiry from a prospective buyer, the sellers supply the relevant information by writing a letter that is called quotation letter
3. Order Letter Letters written by a buyer to the seller giving the order to purchase the goods is called order letter.
4. Complaint Letter A complaint letter is written when the purchaser does not find the goods upto his satisfaction.It is normally written by the purchaser when he receives wrong, defective or damaged goods or receives incorrect quantity of goods
5.Recovery Letter The letter written by the seller for collection of money for the goods supplied to the buyer
6
Welcome Letter
the company.
- welcomes the client and thanking him for choosing o
Letter of Appreciation
- thanks the client for having business with the company.
o
Apology Letter
failing to deliver.
- asking the client for reconsideration, and apologizes for o
Collection Letter
- notice outstanding payments due.
o
Invoice Letter Template
number of their transactions.
- this is asking the clients to state the invoice
o o o
Letter of Invitation
- inviting a client to join a certain gathering.
Marketing Letter
providing.
- is stating the newest products that the company will provide soon or is presently
Rejection Letter
- is stating the rejection of the client's request.
PART OF BUSINESS LETTERS
ESSENTIAL PARTS NON- ESSENTIAL PARTS
THE ESSENSIAL PARTS OF LETTER
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Letterhead (logo) Date Inside Address Salutation Body Complimentary Closing Signature (Writer’s name /type N) Enclosure (add if You send something) (Subject) Carbon Copy N.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
\
LETTER HEAD
The letter head is the heading at the top of a letter.
It usually consists of the name, address, telephone number and fax number of the company.
The letterhead can be typed out but it is usually printed on the company’s stationery
RETURN ADDRESS
2650 Jean Way West Jordan Utah 84084 Phone 1 801 569 9463 Fax 1 801 784 6734
If you do not have a letter head, you must write your name, address and telephone number at the top of the page or above the inside address
DATE
The date is used to indicate the date the letter was written.
If your letter is completed over a number of days, use the date it was finished and mailed.
When writing to companies within the United States, use the American convention for formatting a date places the month before the day.
For example: June 11, 2001. ) date format. (The United States-based
If you are writing to England use the day/month/ year
If you are writing to China year/month/day use the Depending which format you are using for your letter, either left justify the date or center it horizontally.
Write out the date two inches from the top of the page.
INSIDE ADDRESS
Name of addressee with title Address of Receiver
Example:
Mr. A. W. Raja, M.A, P.hd
General Manager, ABC Corporation, P.O. Box 1022 Islamabad.
If you do not have the person’s name, do some research by calling the company or speaking with employees from the company Follow a woman’s preference in being addressed as: Miss, Mrs., or Ms. If you are unsure of a woman’s preference in being addressed, use Ms.
If there is a possibility that the person to whom you are writing is a Dr. or has some other title, use that title. Usually, people will not mind being addressed by a higher title than they actually possess.
SALUTATION
Use the same name as the inside address, including the personal title.
If you know the person and typically address them by their first name, it is acceptable to use only the first name in the salutation (i.e., Dear Lucy:). In all other cases, however, use the personal title and full name followed by a colon. Leave one line blank after the salutation.
Dear Personnel Director,
Dear Sir/Madam/Sirs (Name not used) use if you don't know who you are writing to
Dear Mr., Mrs., Miss or Ms (use if you know who you are writing to.
VERY IMPORTANT use Ms for women unless asked to use Mrs. or Miss
Dear Dr/Mr/Mrs/Miss Raja, Dear Colleague Dear Customer use in friendly context (or would-be friendly, e.g. for selling or conciliatory letters).
Established relationships. Implied relationships
Dear Frank . Dear Javed/ sadia My dear Javed / sadia (use if the person is a close business contact or friend/ close, informal relationships, more personal)
A Business letter’s text starts with a simple and professional greeting such as, The Word Dear, Mr./Ms./Title, & Last name of Person:
Examples
Dear Dr. Smithsonian: Dear Ms. Cleopatra: The difference between personal and business letter greetings is that a colon letter (:) follows the greeting of a business letter and a comma (,) follows the greeting of a personal
BODY
A generally acceptable format for the body of most business letters is
block style, with no indentions or
centering of any parts.
Paragraphs should also be single spaced within the paragraph and double spaced between different paragraphs .
BODY
Semi-block Paragraph
__________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________ __________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________
Block Paragraph
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ __________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ __________________________________
GENERAL LETTER LAYOUTS / STYLES
http://www.englishplus.com/grammar/00000144.htm
Letter head
1. Block Style
(Simplified)
Letter Format SAMPLE
Everything flush to left margin with no indents.
Signature Block: Align this with the Complimentary Close. Leave four blank lines to sign your name. Don’t forget to sign your name exactly as you typed it. Your title is optional and depends on the relevancy and degree of formality you need or want to establish.
Source:http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/letters/l/bl_mblock_p.htm
2. Modified Block Style Letter Format SAMPLE Paragraphs are not indented; however, these parts of the letter are centered:
•Sender’s return address •Date letter written •Complimentary closing •Sender’s signature/title http://www.englishplus.com/grammar/00000144.htm
Explanation for layout : 1.
Letter Head 2.
3.
4.
5.
Date Inside Addres Salutation Body of the Letter 6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Complimentary Close Signature Enclosure Subject Carbon Copy Notation Postcript Reference
Modified Block Style
March 15, 2007
Company Logo or Letterhead
Mr. John Smith, Director of Operations SomeGroup Group 100 SomeStreet Drive Sometown, Alabama 34567 Dear Mr. Smith: Thank you for your inquiry about Semi-Block format for letters. What follows is a quick summary of the format and the conventions it uses. Semi-block format or style is frequently called modified semi-block because it is a slightly less formal modification of full block format. This letter style places the date line in alignment with, or slightly to the right of dead center. Another option for placing the date line in semi-block is flush right. Similar to full block, semi-block places the inside address, salutation and any end notations flush with the left margin. However, unlike full block, each body paragraph of semi-block is indented five spaces. The complimentary close and signature block are aligned under the date. This page illustrates the spacing and layout of semi-block format. Both full block and semi-block formats generally contain all of the necessary parts of a letter. Sincerely yours ,
3. Semi-block Style Letter Format SAMPLE
Indent paragraphs 5 spaces. Everything else is flush at the left margin.
Dr. Sheila Carter-Todd
Semi Block Style
Explanation for layout : 1.
Letter Head 2.
3.
4.
5.
Date Inside Addres Salutation Body of the Letter 6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Complimentary Close Signature Enclosure Subject Carbon Copy Notation Postcript Reference
Hanging Style Full Block Style / American Style Indented Style / British Style
Business Letter Body Content
Each paragraph in the business letter should contain different topics. The first paragraph should grab attention and state the reason for the letter.
The middle paragraphs , as in most letters, should support your reason and go into details.
In the final paragraph, it professional etiquette for the writer to thank the reader for taking his or her time to read the letter.
COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE
The end of a business letter marks the biggest difference between business and personal letters.
The ending of a business letter usually states ‘Sincerely,’ followed by three blank lines for the writer’s signature and then the writer’s typed name.
Yours sincerely, Sincerely yours, Yours faithfully, Faithfully yours, Yours cordially, Cordially yours, Yours truly, Truly yours, Sincerely Cordially
Example of Complimentary Close
Cordially yours, Your’s Sincerely Yours sincerely, √
SIGNATURE AREA
Sign Name Designation
Example: __________________ Saleem Azmat Marketing Manager
Read this Sample Business Letter (Letter of Application) below.
Inside address (receiver) Taylor, Inc.
Mr./Ms. S. Student, Human Resources Director 694 Rockfoot Lane Durham, North Carolina 27708 Dear Mr./Ms. Student: Sender’s Return address 6123 Farrington Road Troy, Alabama 27514 January 11, 2007 This letter is written in Modified Block Style. Indent the sender’s address, letter date, complimentary close, & signature. Everything else is flush to the left margin. Single Space throughout, except double Space between new paragraphs. Center letter on the page.
I just read an article in the
News and Observer
about Taylor's new computer center just north of Durham. I would like to apply for a position as an entry-level programmer at the center. I understand that Taylor produces both in-house and customer documentation. My technical-writing skills, as described in the enclosed resume, are well suited to your company. I am a recent graduate of Troy University in Troy, Alabama, with an Associate's Degree in Computer Science. In addition to having taken a broad range of courses, I served as a computer consultant at the college's computer center where I helped train computer users on new systems.
I will be happy to meet with you at your convenience and discuss how my education and experience match your needs. You can reach me at my home address, at (919) 233-1552, or at [email protected].
Complimentary Closing Sincerely, Raymond Graduate
Letter-writing Practice Exercise: Response letter
Behave as if you have just received the Letter of Application in the before slide. You must notify the person that he or she did not get the job and that your company has recently filled the advertised position.
Write a one-paragraph letter to the applicant. (See upcoming slide for a suggested approach to writing the letter.)
Suggestions for Responding
Reminder to supply address information.
Include salutation.
Acknowledge receipt of the application package.
Thank the applicant for his interest.
Notify the applicant that the position has been filled.
Let the applicant know that you will keep the application packet on file.
NONESENTIAL PARTS
1.
Enclosure 2.
Subject 3.
Copy Notation 4.
Post-script 5.
Reference initial
1. Enclosure
The notation alerts the receiver to check for enclosure. It is usually typed a single or double space under the reference initial. It also reminds whoever prepares your envelope for mailing that something is to be enclosed. For an attachment that word may be typed in place of “enclosure”.
Example: Enc. (or Encs, for more than one items) Enclosures 2 (two docs are enclosed) Enclosed: 1) CV 2) Attested copy of NIC 3) Attested Final Transcript
2. Subject
Subject Line helps tell your reader at a glance what your letter is about. It also helps in filing. It may or may not include the word is normally placed on the second line below the salutation and centered. It may be capital and lowercase or just capital and also underlined.
Example:
Subject: Summer 2007 Sales Meeting Subject: Summer 2007 Sales Meeting Subject: subject Summer 2007 Sales Meeting SUBJECT: SUMMER 2007 SALES MEETING . It
3. Carbon Copy Notation
When you want persons other than the addressee to receive a copy of your letter, the names of these persons should be typed just below the reference initials or the enclosure notation whichever is last. Type the copy notation names if you are sending them a carbon copy. Type “c,”, “pc,” or “copy” if it is a photocopy. Recipient’s address may be included after their names.
When you do not want the addressee to know that other persons are getting a copy of the letter, type “bc” (blind copy) or “bpc” ( blind photocopy) and the recipients’ names on the copies only.
“cc” before
4. Post-script
If you forget to write any thing in body of the letter, or if you want to emphasize or stress upon a point already in your letter or if you want to include a brief personal message (greetings) unrelated to the letter, a postscript, typed or handwritten (with or without “P.S.,” “PS,” or “PS:”) can be written at the end. Example: P.S., Please also send the rate list.
PS, Eid Mubarik PS: Mary Christmas and Happy New Year
5. Reference Initial
Sincerely, Signature Umar Talal Manager UT/sn or UT:sn or UT:SN Sometimes the writer and the signer of a letter are different people. At least the file copy of a letter should bear both their initials and as well as the typist’s.
Example: UT/sn/mak (signer, writer, typist)
: Example
M.R.ENGINNERING WORKS Your Ref: NTPC/PUR/2010/95 Our Ref :MREW/SALES/2010/72 46-B Mathura Road Faridabad , Haryana The General Manager National Thermal Power Corporation Badarpur, Delhi Kind Attention: Shri S.C. Sharma, Asst Works Manager Subject : Your order No.1245 dated 12 May 2010 Dear Sir, Thank you very much for your letter No. NTPC/PUR/2010/95 dated 12 May 2010. We are glad that you have sent an order for the machine tools.
The work on your order would have started by now, but I regret to say that two of our drawing accompanying the order are not quite clear. These drawings are enclosed. Kindly Send the fair copies of the drawing through a courier so that we may start the work without any delay.
With Regards.
Yours Sd/ ( Mahesh Malhotra) Proprietor Enc l: Two Sheets of Drawings Cc : Account Department PS : 12 %Vat tax would be included on each order.
RK/MM
THE STYLE OF FORMAL LETTER IN AMERICA AND UK IS DIFFERENT FROM SOME ASPECT.
AMERICAN STYLE 1. Heading According to the format, but usually aligned to the left.
2. Date January 17, 2009(month-day year).
According to the format but usually aligned to the left (two lines below the heading).
3. Salutation Dear Mr. / Mrs. Ana: Dear Sir or Madam: Gentlemen: After the salutation there is a colon (:) 4. Complimentary close Sincerely, Sincerely yours, Yours truly, BRITISH STYLE 1. Heading The heading is usually placed in the top right corner of the letter (sometimes centered).
2. Date 17 January 2009 (day-month year) Usually placed directly (or one blank line) below the heading.
3. Salutation Dear Mr. / Mrs. Ana, Dear Sir or Madam, Gentlemen, After the salutation there is a comma (,) 4. Complimentary close Sincerely, Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully,
ABBREVIATIONS USED IN LETTER WRITING
The following abbreviations are widely used in letters:
asap cc enc.
pp ps pto RSVP
= as soon as possible = carbon copy (when you send a copy of a letter to more than one person, you use this abbreviation to let them know) = enclosure (when you include other papers with your letter) = per procurationem (A Latin phrase meaning that you are signing the letter on somebody else's behalf; if they are not there to sign it themselves, etc) = postscript (when you want to add something after you've finished and signed it)
(informal)
= please turn over (to make sure that the other person knows the letter continues on the other side of the page) = please reply
TYPES OF PERSONAL LETTERS
Apologies Appreciation and Thank You: For favors, kindness or generosity Friendly letter Congratulations Personal Complaints Invitations Offering Condolences (sympathy or get well)
Personal Letters . . .
whether typed or handwritten, may include personal touches that reflect your style or personality.
Special stationery Date Salutation (Greeting) Signature
December 4, 2007 Dear Maxwell, I just wanted to take a moment to write to you to express my thanks for the extra tutoring help you gave me this fall as I struggled in my Math 1112 course. People like you make our world a better place simply because you take the extra time to help others overcome fears and learn important skills. I think I can safely say, you are going to make a great math teacher one day!
You stand head and shoulders above others in the field of math and I so appreciate the information, time and patience you provided to me. So, once again, thank you so much for everything, and especially for encouraging me! Best wishes, Rita Person
Complimentary Closing
Example : A Letter To A Friend
Guidelines for Writing Apologies:
•Write as soon as possible after the incident. •Apologize, but do not go overboard by saying, "I am very, very, very sorry." •Keep it simple and to the point. Summarize what you are apologizing for, and apologize only for the particular situation or problem. Be brief. •Apologize cheerfully and sincerely. Do not express feelings of guilt. •Explain what you will do to correct the mistake or situation. •Do not put blame on another person and do not blame problems on computer errors or carelessness.
Sample Complaint Letter
mm/dd/yyyy To Betty Grimes, I am writing to inform you that your daughter, Sarah, broke the front passenger window of my Ford Taurus while playing softball yesterday afternoon. The car is brand new. Hopefully, your homeowner's insurance will cover this kind of damage. Please check with them to see if it is covered. If they will not pay for it, I will get two repair estimates for you so that you can determine how you will pay for the repair.
Perhaps we could meet this Saturday afternoon to discuss our options. You can reach me at (202) 555-1098. Thank you for your timely attention to this matter. Thank you,
Rita Green
Rita Green 124 Huckabee Littletown, AL 34567
When to Write a Personal Thank You, congratulations or Appreciation Letters
To thank or show gratitude for: Gift Group efforts Introduction to other people Invitations to speak Helpful advice or suggestions Personal favors Recommendations for position or awards References Sympathy Volunteers Graduations
Guidelines for writing personal appreciation / thank you letters:
State what you appreciate and briefly explain why. Do not add other news or information not related to the appreciative gesture Be brief, warm, and sincere. (Two to three lines should suffice.) Example: Thank you for the character reference you provided to Troy University on my behalf. I truly appreciate your willingness to provide the reference, as well as your time and attention to completing it. Again, thank you, and best wishes. – Tina Applicant Postcards may be used for short notes. Personal notes should be handwritten.
Writing an Invitation
(Formal (Business) or Informal Events) Identify date/time/ location of event.
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Raphael-Leon cordially invite you to a reception celebrating the engagement of Mary Jane Raphael-Leone & Robert Wilson Yates to be held Sunday, the sixth of June, in the year two thousand and eight, at six o'clock in the evening at Pierre's Cafe 800 23rd Street NW Washington, DC.
Semi-formal dress
RSVP
(202) 555-6908 yourself and one guest. Thank you.
Identify the host and type of event.
Identify guests of honor (if applicable).
Invitation for informal event
ENVELOPES
The quality of the envelope is just as important for first impression as the quality of the stationery. In fact, letterhead and envelopes should be of the same paper stock, have the same color ink, and be imprinted with the same address and logo. Most envelopes used by businesses are No. 10 envelopes (9 ½ inches long) which are sized to contain an 8 ½ -by-11-inches piece of paper folded in third. Some occasions call for a smaller, No. 6 ¾, envelope or for envelopes proportional to fit special stationery.
Next slides show the two most common sizes.
BUSINESS ENVELOPE FORMAT
PERSONAL ENVELOPE FORMAT