Maybe your peers are tackling the same policy problems as you, facing the same career conundra, or experiencing the same pressures at work. Whatever it is, it can be great to know that you’re not alone.
That’s why in each Apolitical workshop, we ask public servants to share their thoughts on policy issues, workplace culture, career progression, and much more.
In this article, we share the polling results from the workshop How to write effective memos, which took place on April 28th, 2022.
How often do you need to write memos for your work?
Being able to write a clear and effective memo is a key skill for any public servant.
At least thirty per cent of participants write memos at least once a week, with twelve per cent writing one every day.
What is the typical target audience for your memos?
Most participants write their memos for superiors or other senior colleagues.
Yet from briefing an external stakeholder on a project, to persuading a leader to make a change in policy, memos can have a variety of different uses.
What do you find most challenging about writing memos?
In an age of information overload and limited attention spans, keeping your memo short is crucial.
Most participants found concision particularly tricky to achieve, since it’s not always clear what needs to be included.
📚 **Further Reading: **
- The art of writing a good memo
- The public servants' guide to effective writing
- The challenges of communicating policy and where stories rescue us
💥 Want to weigh in on this issue? Learn more about writing for the Apolitical community.
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