Download - OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Transcript
Page 1: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW1.1. Importance of Effective Importance of Effective

BulletsBullets

2.2. What is a Bullet Statement?What is a Bullet Statement?

3.3. Writing Effective Bullets Writing Effective Bullets

4.4. ExamplesExamples

Page 2: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Importance of Importance of Effective BulletsEffective Bullets

Impact on Impact on Careers Careers

Primary Primary UseUse

Page 3: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Impact on CareersImpact on Careers

Quarterly/Annual AwardsQuarterly/Annual Awards

Performance ReportsPerformance Reports EPRs, OPRs, Civilian Rating of RecordsEPRs, OPRs, Civilian Rating of Records

Regular Promotions Regular Promotions

Early Promotions--STEP/BTZEarly Promotions--STEP/BTZ

Meaningful DecorationsMeaningful Decorations

Page 4: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Primary UsePrimary Use

You…during trainingYou…during training

You…for your OPRYou…for your OPR

You…as a supervisorYou…as a supervisor

Others in the EPR/OPR/CRR Others in the EPR/OPR/CRR writing processwriting process

Page 5: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

What is a Bullet What is a Bullet Statement?Statement? Definition: “bullet”Definition: “bullet”

Elements of an A-I Bullet Elements of an A-I Bullet

ExampleExample

Page 6: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Definition: “BulletDefinition: “Bullet””

Brief “bottom line” of an idea Brief “bottom line” of an idea Talking papersTalking papers

Accomplishment (action) + impact Accomplishment (action) + impact EPRs, OPRs, CRRsEPRs, OPRs, CRRs Award packages (Form 1206)Award packages (Form 1206)

Note: Bullet statements are usually descriptive phrases

Single idea bullet

Accomplishment-impact bullet

Page 7: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Elements of an A-I BulletElements of an A-I BulletAccomplishmentAccomplishment:: (1 (1stst element) element)

What did the person do? What did the person do?

(performance, leadership, & mgmt)(performance, leadership, & mgmt) How well did the person do it?How well did the person do it? What was the result?What was the result?

(resources, effectiveness, efficiency)(resources, effectiveness, efficiency)

Ex:Ex:

- Restored 40 damaged/missing elements on six antennas in three days using decommissioned parts; saved $3479

Page 8: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

2 Elements of an A-I Bullet2 Elements of an A-I Bullet

ImpactImpact:: (2 (2ndnd element) element)

What level was impacted?What level was impacted? (unit, wing, base, AF)(unit, wing, base, AF)

Why was accomplishment important? Why was accomplishment important?

Ex: Ex: -- Sharply improved voice clarity for 30 Atlantic

Gateway Antenna System operators covering US and Europe

Page 9: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Ex: Complete A-I BulletEx: Complete A-I BulletTakes 2 lines on an EPR/OPR form; minimal white space.

- Restored 40 damaged/missing elements on 6 antennas in three days using decommissioned parts; saved $3479 -- Sharply improved voice clarity of 30 Atlantic Gateway Antenna System operators covering US and Europe

What did the person do? What did the person do? How well did the person do it?How well did the person do it? What was the result?What was the result? What level was impacted?What level was impacted? Why was accomplishment important? So What?Why was accomplishment important? So What?

Each bullet must answer these

questions!

Ex:

Page 10: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Writing Effective Writing Effective BulletsBullets

1.1. DocumentationDocumentation

2.2. FormatFormat

3.3. Writing Tips Writing Tips

4.4. Special BulletsSpecial Bullets

Page 11: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

DocumentationDocumentation Keep a daily record of duties Keep a daily record of duties Keep a daily record of additional Keep a daily record of additional

dutiesduties Keep letters, e-mails, or comments Keep letters, e-mails, or comments

of recognition or appreciationof recognition or appreciation Keep record of completed training Keep record of completed training

or educationor education Keep a record of any voluntary Keep a record of any voluntary

service to military or community service to military or community Crunch the numbers (# produced, Crunch the numbers (# produced,

#hrs saved, $ saved, # people #hrs saved, $ saved, # people involved)involved)

Page 12: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

FormatFormat

1 – 3 lines1 – 3 lines

Sub-bullets describe Sub-bullets describe impact, result, or scopeimpact, result, or scope

Minimize “white space” Minimize “white space” (but don’t fill with fluff!)(but don’t fill with fluff!)

Avoid carrying a few Avoid carrying a few words to next line—Don’t words to next line—Don’t waste space…waste space…

Size/Length of BulletsSize/Length of Bullets

- XXX XXX XXXXX XXX XXXX

-- XXX XXX XXX XXX XXXXX

-- XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX

- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

-- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

- YYY YYYYY YYY YYY

- ZZZZ ZZZZZ ZZZZZ ZZZZZ

- VVVV VVV VVVV VVVVVV

VVVV

Page 13: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

FormatFormat Bullets don’t have periods “.”Bullets don’t have periods “.” Use “!” sparinglyUse “!” sparingly

Avoid: articles--Avoid: articles--aa, , anan, , ththe e conjunctions--conjunctions--andand, , butbut, , oror

pronouns--pronouns--hehe, , sheshe, , himhim, , herher

Avoid: negative words--Avoid: negative words--isn’t, can’tisn’t, can’t

To indicate a pause, use: To indicate a pause, use:

double dash (--) ellipsis (…) semicolon (;)double dash (--) ellipsis (…) semicolon (;)

Page 14: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Writing TipsWriting Tips Start with a strong, fact-filled Start with a strong, fact-filled

statementstatement

Use “hard-hitting” facts, actions, & Use “hard-hitting” facts, actions, & phrasesphrases

Be enthusiastic; make your writing Be enthusiastic; make your writing come alive!come alive!

Look at other EPRs/OPRs/CRRs for Look at other EPRs/OPRs/CRRs for

same position same position

Page 15: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Writing TipsWriting Tips Use common termsUse common terms

Avoid job-specific Avoid job-specific jargonjargon

Validate with comments Validate with comments from outside agencies from outside agencies (HQ USAF, MAJCOM, (HQ USAF, MAJCOM, Wing, etc.)Wing, etc.)

Page 16: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Use verbs, adverbs & adjectives Use verbs, adverbs & adjectives with...with...Use verbs, adverbs & adjectives Use verbs, adverbs & adjectives with...with...

Writing TipsWriting Tips

Page 17: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Verbs withVerbs with Verbs withVerbs with

Revamped, rescuedRevamped, rescued

Pioneered, initiatedPioneered, initiated

Created, built, conceivedCreated, built, conceived

Spearheaded, pilotedSpearheaded, piloted

Recaptured, recoupedRecaptured, recouped

Captured, garneredCaptured, garnered

Briefed, presented, delivered Briefed, presented, delivered (a speech)(a speech)

Instead of ...Instead of ... Say ...Say ...Improved………….

Started……………

Made………………

Led………………..

Saved ($)…………

Received (award)..

Spoke ……………..

Writing TipsWriting Tips

Page 18: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Verbs withVerbs withUseUse activeactive voice -- not voice -- not passivepassive

““smooth transition smooth transition waswas achieved” achieved” ““achieved smooth transition”achieved smooth transition”

“ “patient’s life patient’s life waswas saved” saved” ““saved patient’s life”saved patient’s life”

“ “10 students 10 students werewere taught” taught” “ “educated 10 studentseducated 10 students””

Writing TipsWriting Tips

Page 19: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Adverbs with Adverbs with - explain how a task was accomplished

- use only if it truly adds value to the verb

enthusiastically proactively

expertly shrewdly

independently single-handedly

strategically flawlessly

meticulously selflessly

Writing TipsWriting Tips

Page 20: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Adjectives withAdjectives with - use only if they add value- use only if they add value

- use to describe the worker- use to describe the worker

dynamic dynamic talentedtalented visionaryvisionary

decisivedecisive motivated motivated inspirationalinspirational

versatileversatile proactiveproactive dynamicdynamic

high-outputhigh-output expedientexpedient expertexpert

inexhaustible inexhaustible

Writing TipsWriting Tips

Page 21: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Lead-ins withLead-ins with - Use sparingly; takes up space

- Followed with a fact or accomplishment Hard charger “Go to” person

Leader of the pack Pacesetter

Point-person Shining star

Quality champion Community advocate

Visionary Trailblazer

Writing TipsWriting Tips

Page 22: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Last bulletLast bullet in rating section recommends: in rating section recommends: Promotion (enlisted) Promotion (enlisted) PME (officer)PME (officer)

StratificationStratification:: Use to rank top personnelUse to rank top personnel Sets individual above his/her peers Sets individual above his/her peers Common phrases: Common phrases: top x%, my #1, my best, hard-hitting, top x%, my #1, my best, hard-hitting,

enthusiastic, strongenthusiastic, strong

Ex: - #2 of 312 CGOs in 90 SW

- Top 1% of captains in 20 AF

Special BulletsSpecial Bullets

Page 23: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

4a. Example4a. Example - - Piloted annual Combined Federal Piloted annual Combined Federal

Campaign Campaign -- Contacted 100% of personnel in 5 days -- Contacted 100% of personnel in 5 days

and reached 14% of monetary goaland reached 14% of monetary goal

Good What did the person do? What did the person do?

How well did the person do it?How well did the person do it? What was the result?What was the result? What level was impacted? What level was impacted? Why was accomplishment important? So What?Why was accomplishment important? So What?

Page 24: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

4b. Example4b. Example - Created an ISD reference library - Created an ISD reference library

-- provided a ready source of -- provided a ready source of

information for all element information for all element

membersmembers

Good and PoorGood and Poor What did the person do? GoodWhat did the person do? Good How well did the person do it? So-soHow well did the person do it? So-so What was the result? So-soWhat was the result? So-so What level was impacted? Yes, not impressive What level was impacted? Yes, not impressive Why was accomplishment important? So What? Why was accomplishment important? So What?

Page 25: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

4c. Example4c. Example Last Bullet from Senior Rater: Last Bullet from Senior Rater:

- - Extraordinary leader Extraordinary leader achieves achieves

unparalleled results; SOS in unparalleled results; SOS in

residence at first residence at first opportunityopportunity

Great

Stratification from commander for promotion and officer PME. Perfect for last bullet.

Page 26: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

4d. Example4d. Example

- - Requires constant Requires constant supervision; supervision;

sets low personal standards sets low personal standards

and then consistently fails to and then consistently fails to

achieve themachieve them Poor

Page 27: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

SUMMARYSUMMARY1.1. Importance of Effective Importance of Effective

BulletsBullets

2.2. What is a Bullet Statement?What is a Bullet Statement?

3.3. Writing Effective Bullets Writing Effective Bullets

4.4. ExercisesExercises

Page 28: OVERVIEW 1.Importance of Effective Bullets 2.What is a Bullet Statement? 3.Writing Effective Bullets 4.Examples.

Remember, in the highly competitive promotion Remember, in the highly competitive promotion arena, arena, written communicationwritten communication is the only tool we is the only tool we have.have.

Gen Eugene Habiger (Ret)CINC, US Strategic Command