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Bullet Statements with Impact

Bullet Statements with Impact. Importance of Effective Bullets What is a Bullet Statement? Writing Effective Bullets Examples. OVERVIEW. Impact on Careers Primary Use. Importance of Effective Bullets. Impact on Careers. Quarterly/Annual Awards Performance Reports

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Bullet Statements with Impact

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  1. Bullet Statements with Impact

  2. Importance of Effective Bullets What is a Bullet Statement? Writing Effective Bullets Examples OVERVIEW

  3. Impact on Careers Primary Use Importance of Effective Bullets

  4. Impact on Careers • Quarterly/Annual Awards • Performance Reports • EPRs, OPRs, Civilian Appraisals (CAs) • Regular Promotions • Early Promotions--STEP/BTZ • Meaningful Decorations

  5. You…during training You…for your OPR You…as a supervisor Others in the EPR/OPR/CA writing process Primary Use

  6. What is a Bullet Statement? • Definition: “bullet” • Elements of an A-I Bullet • Example

  7. Definition: “Bullet” • Brief “bottom line” of an idea • Talking papers • Accomplishment (action) + impact • EPRs, OPRs, CAs, Award packages (Form 1206) Single idea bullet Accomplishment-impactbullet Note: Bullet statements are usually descriptive phrases

  8. Elements of an A-I Bullet • Accomplishment: (1st element) • What did the person do? (performance, leadership, & mgmt) • How well did the person do it? • What was the result? (resources, effectiveness, efficiency) Ex: - Restored 40 damaged/missing elements on six antennas in three days using decommissioned parts; saved $3479

  9. Elements of an A-I Bullet • Impact: (2nd element) • What level was impacted? (unit, wing, base, AF) • Why was accomplishment important? Ex: -- Sharply improved voice clarity for 30 Atlantic Gateway Antenna System operators covering US and Europe

  10. Ex: Complete A-I Bullet - 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? • How well did the person do it? • What was the result? • What level was impacted? • Why was accomplishment important? So What? Each bullet must answer these questions!

  11. Ex: Complete Bullet“Short Version” - Successfully restored 40 damaged elements on 6 antennas in three days -- Sharply improved voice clarity of 30 system operators and saved $3479 • using decommissioned parts • Atlantic Gateway Antenna • covering US and Europe Minimum requirements for a short version bullet statement: • Accomplishment • Impact

  12. Ex: Complete Bullet“Shorter Version” - Restored 6 antennas in three days, improved voice clarity; saved $3,479 • using decommissioned parts • Atlantic Gateway Antenna • covering US and Europe • Successfully • 40 damaged elements • Sharply • 30 operators Minimum requirements for a short version bullet statement: • Accomplishment • Impact

  13. Documentation Format Writing Tips Special Bullets Writing Effective Bullets

  14. Keep a daily record of duties Keep a daily record of additional duties Keep letters, e-mails, or comments of recognition or appreciation Keep record of completed training or education Keep a record of any voluntary service to military or community Crunch the numbers (# produced, #hrs saved, $ saved, # people involved) Documentation

  15. Format Size/Length of Bullets • 1 – 3 lines Sub-bullets describe impact, result, or scope • Minimize “white space” (but don’t fill with fluff!) • Avoid carrying a few words to next line—Don’t waste space… - XXX XXX XXXXX XXX XXXX -- XXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXX -- XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX - AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA -- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA - YYY YYYYY YYY YYY - ZZZZ ZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZ - VVVV VVV VVVV VVVVVV VVVV

  16. Format • Bullets don’t have periods “.” • Use “!” sparingly • Avoid: articles--a, an, the conjunctions--and, but, or pronouns--he, she, him, her • Avoid: negative words--isn’t, can’t • To indicate a pause, use: double dash (--) ellipsis (…) semicolon (;)

  17. Start with a strong, fact-filled statement Use “hard-hitting” facts, actions, & phrases Be enthusiastic; make your writing come alive! Look at other EPRs/OPRs/CAs for same position Writing Tips

  18. Use common terms Avoid job-specific jargon Validate with comments from outside agencies (HQ USAF, MAJCOM, Wing, etc.) Writing Tips

  19. Use verbs, adverbs & adjectives with... Writing Tips Punch

  20. Verbs with Writing Tips Punch Revamped, rescued Pioneered, initiated Created, built, conceived Spearheaded, piloted Recaptured, recouped Captured, garnered Briefed, presented Instead of ...Say ... Improved…………. Started…………… Made……………… Led……………….. Saved ($)………… Received (award).. Spoke ……………..

  21. Verbs with Writing Tips Punch Use active voice – not passive “smooth transition was achieved” “achieved smooth transition” “patient’s life was saved” “saved patient’s life” “10 students were taught” “educated 10 students”

  22. Adverbs with Writing Tips Punch - 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

  23. Adjectives with Writing Tips Punch - use only if they add value - use to describe the worker dynamic talented visionary decisive motivated inspirational versatile proactive dynamic high-output expedient expert inexhaustible

  24. Lead-ins with Writing Tips Punch - 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

  25. Special Bullets • Last bullet in rating section recommends: • Promotion (enlisted) • PME (officer) • Stratification: • Use to rank top personnel • Sets individual above his/her peers • Common phrases: top x%, my #1, my best, hard-hitting, enthusiastic, strong • Ex: - #2 of 312 CGOs in 90 SW • - Top 1% of captains in 20 AF

  26. 4a. Example - Piloted annual Combined Federal Campaign -- Contacted 100% of personnel in 5 days and reached 14% of monetary goal • Good • What did the person do? • How well did the person do it? • What was the result? • What level was impacted? • Why was accomplishment important? So What?

  27. 4b. Example - Created an ISD reference library -- provided a ready source of information for all element members Good and Poor What did the person do? Good How well did the person do it? So-so What was the result? So-so What level was impacted? Yes, not impressive Why was accomplishment important? So What?

  28. 4c. Example Last Bullet from Senior Rater: - Extraordinary leader achieves unparalleled results; SOS in residence at first opportunity Great Stratification from commander for promotion and officer PME. Perfect for last bullet.

  29. 4d. Example - Requires constant supervision; sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them Poor

  30. Importance of Effective Bullets What is a Bullet Statement? Writing Effective Bullets Exercises SUMMARY

  31. Remember, in the highly competitive promotion arena, written communication is the only tool we have. Gen Eugene Habiger (Ret) CINC, US Strategic Command

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