1. What are 5 main goals when delivering bad news?
1. Give the bad news
2. Ensure acceptance
3. Maintain Reader's goodwill
4. Maintain organization's good image
5. Reduce future correspondence on the matter
2. What questions should you ask when choosing between the indirect and direct approach?-Will the bad news come as a shock?
-Does the reader prefer short messages that get right to the point?
-How important is the news to the reader?
-Do you need to maintain a close working relationship with the reader?
-Do you need to get the reader's attention?
-What is your organization's preferred style?
3. What is the sequence of elements in a negative message organized using the indirect approach?
Buffer -> Reasons -> Bad News -> Positive Close
4. What is a buffer and why do some critics consider it unethical?
A buffer is a neutral, non-controversial statement that establishes common ground with the reader. Some critics feel a buffer misleads the reader.
5. When using the indirect approach when announcing a negative decision, what is the purpose of presenting your reasons before explaining the decision itself?
It helps ensure acceptance and get the people on your side before they hear the decision. If the explanation is made first then they will understand the decision better. If the reasons are delivered after the bad news is presented, the reasons will not be paid as much attention to because there will be much emotion in the way of logic.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Letter Revision
Number 9
a. Flaws: There are so many back to back questions and most of them he can find out on his own. The wording is confusing at times too. He should put why he is writing at the beginning of his letter and only provide the information he needs to. His order is all messed up too. The letter could be written so much better and I shall prove it. The probably should have been written as an email and since it is jsut requesting information an is not a business letter, it probably doesn't need the addresses at the top. However, I will leave them there anyway because it is always better to err on the side of formality.
5493 Beechwood Drive
Trenton, N.J. 08608
April 12, 2009
Florida Resort Bureau
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Dear Sir:
I am writing to request information about resorts in your area. My wife and I are planning a vacation with our two teenage children for late September. I am having trouble finding a suitable resort and would like to ask for your help. I am looking for a resort that is near the ocean, is near a place with suitable night entertainment for the whole family, is near public transportation, is near a golf course, and is near a large city.
In addition, would you please help me by answering the following questions:
-Do the off-season rates include amenities?
-What is the weather like in Florida during September?
-Who should we contact for concert schedules during our vacation?
We are finalizing our vacation plans soon, so please send the information in the next two weeks.
Thank you,
Frank C. Atlas
a. Flaws: There are so many back to back questions and most of them he can find out on his own. The wording is confusing at times too. He should put why he is writing at the beginning of his letter and only provide the information he needs to. His order is all messed up too. The letter could be written so much better and I shall prove it. The probably should have been written as an email and since it is jsut requesting information an is not a business letter, it probably doesn't need the addresses at the top. However, I will leave them there anyway because it is always better to err on the side of formality.
5493 Beechwood Drive
Trenton, N.J. 08608
April 12, 2009
Florida Resort Bureau
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Dear Sir:
I am writing to request information about resorts in your area. My wife and I are planning a vacation with our two teenage children for late September. I am having trouble finding a suitable resort and would like to ask for your help. I am looking for a resort that is near the ocean, is near a place with suitable night entertainment for the whole family, is near public transportation, is near a golf course, and is near a large city.
In addition, would you please help me by answering the following questions:
-Do the off-season rates include amenities?
-What is the weather like in Florida during September?
-Who should we contact for concert schedules during our vacation?
We are finalizing our vacation plans soon, so please send the information in the next two weeks.
Thank you,
Frank C. Atlas
Document Revision Activity
Number 1
1. One of the strengths of this letter is that it gets to the point quickly. telling why they are writing and the event that caused it.
Some weaknesses include the numbers instead of bullets. Numbers imply hierarchy whereas bullets merely bring attention to the different points without prioritizing. Another weakness is the fact that in the bullets, they sound very passive and not authoritative. They are the buyer. They have the power because they can choose who they would like to buy from.
2 Revision:
Since our college is closing our dining hall, we would like to give students the option of making their food in their rooms. Your ad in Collegiate Magazine caught our eye but before we make a final decision we need the following information:
-The earliest time you will be able to ship the microwaves. We need them shipped by August 15th.
-Types of warranties you offer for your products
-Cost and if you give discounts for mass orders
-If a special outlet is needed in order to plug the microwave into the wall
-if instructions are included
Please write back as soon as you can. We're on a tight schedule and we are looking at several different suppliers.
1. One of the strengths of this letter is that it gets to the point quickly. telling why they are writing and the event that caused it.
Some weaknesses include the numbers instead of bullets. Numbers imply hierarchy whereas bullets merely bring attention to the different points without prioritizing. Another weakness is the fact that in the bullets, they sound very passive and not authoritative. They are the buyer. They have the power because they can choose who they would like to buy from.
2 Revision:
Since our college is closing our dining hall, we would like to give students the option of making their food in their rooms. Your ad in Collegiate Magazine caught our eye but before we make a final decision we need the following information:
-The earliest time you will be able to ship the microwaves. We need them shipped by August 15th.
-Types of warranties you offer for your products
-Cost and if you give discounts for mass orders
-If a special outlet is needed in order to plug the microwave into the wall
-if instructions are included
Please write back as soon as you can. We're on a tight schedule and we are looking at several different suppliers.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Netiquette Rules
Netiquette is extremely is important when it comes to business communications. Below are some helpful tips to writing effective and business-like messages that will be well-received.
-Do not use all capital letters. typing in all caps MAKES IT LOOK LIKE YOU ARE YELLING.
-Sometimes you get an email that makes you angry, do not respond right away. Venting via email is called "Flaming" and it can get you into serious trouble. Instead, step away from the computer for a while in order to cool off.
-Important questions to ask yourself when you write an email are "How would I feel if my boss read this?" "How would I feel if this was distributed to the newspaper?" and "How would I feel if I got this email or the person I am sending it to is in the room?"
-Even though emails are more informal than regular mail, courts are now using emails as evidence. So be careful what you say, even in jest. Emotion and tone is much more difficult to convey through electronic communications.
-Do not use accepted Instant Message abbreviations, even when you are in a hurry. Many people do not know what they mean and they give off the vibe that you are sophomoric.
-The use of subject lines are important. Never leave them blank. Make sure your use concise and clear.
References:
Bootcamp 71, Newsgroup Part 2 Netiquette
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/advice/3303468/Bootcamp-71-newsgroups-part-2-netiquette.html
Top 26 Most important Rules of Email Etiquette
http://email.about.com/od/emailnetiquette/tp/core_netiquette.htm
Netiquette Rules- 10 best rules for Email Etiquette
http://ezinearticles.com/?Netiquette-Rules---10-Best-Rules-for-Email-Etiquette&id=785177
Basic Rules of Netiquette
http://networketiquette.net/
-Do not use all capital letters. typing in all caps MAKES IT LOOK LIKE YOU ARE YELLING.
-Sometimes you get an email that makes you angry, do not respond right away. Venting via email is called "Flaming" and it can get you into serious trouble. Instead, step away from the computer for a while in order to cool off.
-Important questions to ask yourself when you write an email are "How would I feel if my boss read this?" "How would I feel if this was distributed to the newspaper?" and "How would I feel if I got this email or the person I am sending it to is in the room?"
-Even though emails are more informal than regular mail, courts are now using emails as evidence. So be careful what you say, even in jest. Emotion and tone is much more difficult to convey through electronic communications.
-Do not use accepted Instant Message abbreviations, even when you are in a hurry. Many people do not know what they mean and they give off the vibe that you are sophomoric.
-The use of subject lines are important. Never leave them blank. Make sure your use concise and clear.
References:
Bootcamp 71, Newsgroup Part 2 Netiquette
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/advice/3303468/Bootcamp-71-newsgroups-part-2-netiquette.html
Top 26 Most important Rules of Email Etiquette
http://email.about.com/od/emailnetiquette/tp/core_netiquette.htm
Netiquette Rules- 10 best rules for Email Etiquette
http://ezinearticles.com/?Netiquette-Rules---10-Best-Rules-for-Email-Etiquette&id=785177
Basic Rules of Netiquette
http://networketiquette.net/
Revising Email Messages
To: Sarah@work.net
CC: jim@work.net
From: bill@work.net
Subject: Who do I talk to About Money?
Good Morning Sarah,
I am writing to see if you know who I should speak with in order to get money for the training trip. I thought you may know who to ask.
Thank You,
Bill
CC: jim@work.net
From: bill@work.net
Subject: Who do I talk to About Money?
Good Morning Sarah,
I am writing to see if you know who I should speak with in order to get money for the training trip. I thought you may know who to ask.
Thank You,
Bill
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
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