Write a 1.5 ? 2-page business memo to the members of the department listed in your topic. Choose from a list of topics provided. Students will be recommending best practices for improving communication with a specific audience. Each topic tells you who your audience is and what the issue is that you are addressing.Â
1. Send clear, concise written messages, using effective tone and style
2. Persuade audience using logical, well-support arguments
3. Tailor content to an audience
4. Use library databases for insightful research
5. Use narrative source citation
1. Share concise and credible information on ways to improve communication as described in your topic. The student will pretend to be an intern in the department and will write to the professionals in the department.
2. Choose from the list of topics, noting that each business category may be chosen by no more than three students.
3. Research your topic by reviewing at least four articles from recent, reliable and credible sources. The textbook can be a fifth resource. Develop your ideas. Tailor the message to business professionals. Make sure the content benefits the audience.
4. Thoroughly complete the strategy worksheet and outline.
5. Use the business memo layout.
6. Cite sources narratively, within the text of the memo. Also, include a Works Cited page (MLA format) for your instructor.
7. Online tools help you catch many grammar, spelling, style, and punctuation problems. Use the proofing tools on MS Word, Grammarly, and the Hemingway App.
Select a topic from the list. Within each category, students will choose different businesses. your instructor will provide details on how to sign up for the topics.
Business Category |
Topic |
Accounting |
Memo to accountants Topic: Best practices for communicating with clients when you must advise them to make significant changes to their accounting processes. |
Banking & Financial Services |
Memo to the firmâs financial representatives Topic: Best practices for communicating critical financial concepts, such as various types of insurance products or retirement plans, to reasonably intelligent people with little to no financial education. |
Computer Information Systems |
Memo to the firmâs information technology staff Topic: Best practices for communicating computer systems and network information to reasonably intelligent people in the company who have limited technical knowledge. |
Health Care |
Memo to the administrative support staff (appointment makers, receptionist, health records clerks) Topic: Best practices for communicating in person, by phone, or by email, with patients about health issues. |
Hospitality â three to five-star hotels |
Memo to the front desk employees Topic: Best practices for communicating with guests when at the front desk or in any part of the hotel. |
Non-profit |
Memo to the staff (not the directors and officers) Topic: Best practices for communicating with prospective donors at fundraising events. |
Real estate |
Memo to the real estate agents Topic: Best practices for communicating critical real estate concepts, such as various types of mortgages or lease-to-purchase options, to clients and potential clients who are reasonably intelligent but have little to no real estate education. |
Restaurants â only full service (not fast food). |
Memo to the servers (waiters/waitresses) and the kitchen staff (food preparers) Topic: Best practices for improving communication between the wait staff and the kitchen staff. |