Writing Workshop

Unit 15: Corporate Culture & Leadership

Writing: The Proposal

Task (Cambridge C1 Advanced, Part 2)

Context: You work for a multinational corporation that has recently seen a decline in employee morale and an increase in staff turnover. The Board of Directors has requested a proposal outlining how to improve the company's internal culture and leadership style to retain top talent.

Task: Write a proposal for the Board of Directors. In your proposal, you should: * Analyse the current issues regarding corporate culture. * Suggest specific leadership training or structural changes. * Explain how these changes will benefit the company's long-term goals.

Word count: 220–260 words.

Tips (en español)

Para este tipo de tarea, sigue estas estrategias para asegurar una puntuación alta:

• Structure: Utiliza subtítulos claros para cada sección. Un proposal no es un ensayo; debe estar organizado de forma lógica para que el lector encuentre la información rápidamente.
• Register: Mantén un tono formal y profesional. Evita contracciones (use do not instead of don't) y lenguaje coloquial. Dirígete a la junta directiva con respeto pero con autoridad.
• Linking: Usa conectores de transición para guiar al lector entre la identificación del problema y la solución (ej. Furthermore, In light of this, Consequently).
• Hedging (Lenguaje cauteloso): En propuestas profesionales, no afirmes cosas de forma absoluta. Usa verbos modales (would, could, might) para sugerir que tus ideas son recomendaciones, no imposiciones.
• Evaluación de ideas: No te limites a listar problemas. Cada sugerencia debe estar vinculada a un beneficio tangible para la empresa (ROI, productividad, retención).
• Time management: Dedica 5 minutos a planificar la estructura, 35 a escribir y 10 a revisar. En el C1, los errores gramaticales de "distracción" pueden bajar tu nota drásticamente.

Useful language

Model answer

🔊

To: The Board of Directors From: [Your Name], HR Manager Subject: Proposal for Enhancing Corporate Culture and Leadership

Introduction The purpose of this proposal is to outline strategies to address the recent decline in employee morale and the rising turnover rate within the company. This document suggests actionable changes to foster a more engaging corporate culture.

Current Issues It has become evident that the current top-down leadership style has created a disconnect between management and staff. Employees report feeling undervalued, which has led to a lack of engagement. Furthermore, the absence of clear career progression paths is a significant factor in the loss of high-performing talent.

Proposed Solutions To mitigate these issues, it is suggested that the company implements a "Leadership Development Programme" aimed at middle management. This training would focus on emotional intelligence and collaborative leadership, shifting the culture from authoritative to inclusive.

Additionally, introducing a flexible working policy and a structured mentorship scheme would demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being. While these changes require an initial investment, they would likely lead to higher retention rates.

Expected Benefits Should these measures be implemented, the company can expect a more motivated workforce and a stronger employer brand. By fostering a culture of trust and professional growth, we will be better positioned to attract and retain top-tier talent, ultimately securing our long-term competitive advantage.

Conclusion In conclusion, addressing the leadership gap is vital for our stability. It is recommended that the Board approves the initial phase of the leadership training immediately to halt the current trend of staff departures.

Marking checklist

• Content: Have you addressed all three bullet points from the task? Is the information relevant to the Board of Directors?
• Communicative Achievement: Is the tone appropriately formal? Does the proposal follow the correct format (headings, clear purpose)?
• Organisation: Are the ideas logically sequenced? Do you use effective cohesive devices (linking words) to connect paragraphs and ideas?
• Language: Have you used advanced vocabulary (e.g., mitigate, authoritative, mentorship) and complex grammatical structures (e.g., should these measures be implemented)? Are there any errors in spelling or punctuation?