Routine Business Letter Assignment Instructions
Purpose: To practice planning, writing, and completing a routine message letter that requests
information regarding business practices.
This assignment links to course learning objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 8.
Type of Assignment and Weight: This group writing assignment is worth 100 points.
Audience: A contact at the company for which you performed research.
Assignment:
Part 1: You and your team must choose a company for which you would like to work.
Research one article about the company. Your goal with this assignment is to make a contact and
obtain additional information about the company which you will need for all other assignments
this semester.
Your team then must prepare a business letter using the letter format on page 256 of the text and
applying the techniques described on pages 257-258. The purpose of this letter is obtain specific
information about the company. Begin your letter with a brief statement of your reasons for
writing and by providing some information about what you learned about the company already
prior to making your request in the article you read; mentioning the article in the introduction to
the letter is also a good idea.
Specifically, you may like information on:
• Company history
• What is the composition of their products/services, and who is their primary competition?
• What are the primary departments in the company and what are their responsibilities? In
other words, how is the company organized?
• When they recruit, what positions and kind of people do they look for? What are the
qualifications?
• Ask if they can send you marketing information or other information regarding history,
milestones achieved, or progress of the company
• What are the key factors for success of the business? What is the corporate culture like?
Why would a new grad want to work for the company?
• What are some industry trends that are affecting the company?
Ask if you may contact them with other questions.
Part 2. A draft of your letter is due to the assignment link/turn-it-in. We will conduct a peer
review of the letter in class.
In addition,
Limit your letter to no more than ONE page
Review Figure 8.1 in your text regarding proper letter format.
Begin your letter by stating your specific purpose for writing followed by a brief
explanation of the research you have performed and what you are requesting. Each
paragraph must clearly relate back to the purpose and request of the letter.
Use the Times New Roman 12pt. font.
Your draft and finalized letter must be formatted as a Word file and named Team __
Routine Business Letter.
Submit the draft through the link provided in the course shell. Each person must
submit a draft.
Submit the Finalized Letter to the Assignment Link. Only one person from the team
must submit on behalf of the entire team.
Grading: For all assignments, refer to the syllabus grading criteria as well as the rubric
provided.
Category: Business Communication
Overview
This assignment aims to equip you with the necessary skills and strategies to excel in virtual meetings, a crucial aspect of modern business communication. You will analyze the obstacles faced in virtual communication, develop techniques for active participation, and present your findings through a professionally written report.
Instructions
Research and Analysis
Conduct comprehensive research to identify both challenges and advantages associated with virtual meetings.
Explore factors such as barriers to effective communication, technological issues, levels of engagement, and differences in time zones.
Explore communication practices to ensure meetings are inclusive and promote equity and diversity.
Research or use virtual meetings you have attended in the past from various contexts (e.g., team meetings, client presentations, webinars).
These can be hosted by Strayer University or any other source/location.
Evaluate each meeting’s strengths and weaknesses concerning communication effectiveness, level of participation, and overall impact.
Using the research and analysis you have conducted; you will write a 4–6 page report.
Develop a concise introduction highlighting the importance of virtual meetings within contemporary business communication practices.
Summarize critical findings regarding challenges faced during virtual meetings and their corresponding benefits based on the research you have conducted.
Include advice on managing distractions effectively while maintaining high levels of engagement using digital tools.
Present detailed observations derived from analyzing the three observed virtual meetings, including assessing their strengths and weaknesses pertaining to effective communication channels utilized throughout these sessions.
Develop strategies that encompass best practices that enhance active participation and effective communication during virtual meetings.
Elaborate upon developed strategies to optimize active participation within virtual meeting settings supported by relevant research material.
Illustrate how these strategies could be applied within real-world scenarios using examples from the earlier analysis.
Visual aids: This includes drawings, diagrams, charts, graphs, photographs, videos, animations, etc. Visual aids should be relevant to the topic and designed to support the main points being communicated.
Examples: Providing real-life examples or scenarios that demonstrate the concept being discussed. Examples help students relate theoretical knowledge to practical applications.
Develop key insights obtained throughout the assignment, emphasizing the significance of effective virtual communication in today’s business landscape.
Incorporate visually appealing layouts and relevant visuals such as charts, graphs, or screenshots that effectively support presented arguments.
search for credible, third party research and information to support your argument.
You will need to find at least 3 credible sources (Example: scholarly journal articles, pewreserach.org, Wall Street Journal article). You can use more than three if you feel it is necessary for a credible message.
Write a memo to me, the president of ABC Company, in the proper memo format (see Canvas for this format). The final memo should be about 2.5-3 pages in business format (not including your references on a References page at the end of your report). Business format is 12-point font, left justified text, no indented paragraphs, and a line space between each paragraph.
Your memo should contain the following sections:
Start with an opening paragraph stating the purpose of the memo – why you are writing this.
About XXXX: Provide a short description of the topic and why it is controversial.
Position: Briefly discuss your position on the topic and tell me why you believe this.
Research: Discuss the current research that supports your position. This section must summarize data from your sources.
State who conducted the research, the sample size, and what the findings were.
This can be a few paragraphs as needed.
Include in-text citations in APA format. (Go online and look up how to do in-text citations and references in APA format).
Include two charts and/or graphs and interpret them. Refer to them within your report. You must show evidence that you understand the information being conveyed in the charts/graphs and how it supports your position.
Conclusion: Summarize the importance of the topic and restate your position. This is where your persuasive messaging skills matter.
End with a paragraph that tells me how to reach you if I have questions.
Use section titles in bold to denote the sections of your memo (e.g., About, Position, Research, Conclusion). Your intro paragraph and last paragraph do not need a section title.
— BELOW WAS GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF FORMAT AND SETUP—–
search for credible, third party research and information to support your argument.
You will need to find at least 3 credible sources (Example: scholarly journal articles, pewreserach.org, Wall Street Journal article). You can use more than three if you feel it is necessary for a credible message.
Write a memo to me, the president of ABC Company, in the proper memo format (see Canvas for this format). The final memo should be about 2.5-3 pages in business format (not including your references on a References page at the end of your report). Business format is 12-point font, left justified text, no indented paragraphs, and a line space between each paragraph.
Your memo should contain the following sections:
Start with an opening paragraph stating the purpose of the memo – why you are writing this.
About XXXX: Provide a short description of the topic and why it is controversial.
Position: Briefly discuss your position on the topic and tell me why you believe this.
Research: Discuss the current research that supports your position. This section must summarize data from your sources.
State who conducted the research, the sample size, and what the findings were.
This can be a few paragraphs as needed.
Include in-text citations in APA format. (Go online and look up how to do in-text citations and references in APA format).
Include two charts and/or graphs and interpret them. Refer to them within your report. You must show evidence that you understand the information being conveyed in the charts/graphs and how it supports your position.
Conclusion: Summarize the importance of the topic and restate your position. This is where your persuasive messaging skills matter.
End with a paragraph that tells me how to reach you if I have questions.
Use section titles in bold to denote the sections of your memo (e.g., About, Position, Research, Conclusion). Your intro paragraph and last paragraph do not need a section title.
— BELOW WAS GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF FORMAT AND SETUP—–
In the business world, you must be able to identify and solve problems based upon factual evidence. You will have to conduct business research to obtain the facts and evidence that lead you to conclusions and recommendations as solutions. Once you have developed your solution(s), you must “sell” them to decision-makers within the business organization. The purpose of this project is to allow you the opportunity to experience completing such a project by submitting a written report and an oral (video) presentation.
For this project, you will submit a minimum nine-page paper using APA format guidelines for citations and references on a topic of your choice regarding a situation in your workplace, college, or community where you have identified a need for improvement. Select a project that you can complete within the 6-week deadline for the draft report.
In the first week, you will submit your project proposal for approval and feedback from your instructor. Once approved, you can begin researching information and collecting evidence. Your project must include primary data and secondary data. You will need to include cost information and justification for allocating funds based on the benefits realized from implementing your recommendations. You do not have to implement the recommendations as part of this project; only submit a report and presentation to “management” to approve your recommendations.
Touchstone 3.1: Sending Good News and Bad News
ASSIGNMENT: In any job, you need to be an effective communicator, and sometimes that means delivering information that has an impact on the recipient. In this touchstone, you will practice writing a message with both good news and bad news. The nature of the message will affect the structure of the message as well as the tone and word choice.
Review the submission sample below.
Touchstone 3 Sample
In order to foster learning and growth, all work you submit must be newly written specifically for this course. Any plagiarized or recycled work will result in a Plagiarism Detected alert. Review Touchstones: Academic Integrity Guidelines for more about plagiarism and the Plagiarism Detected alert. For guidance on the use of generative AI technology, review Ethical Standards and Appropriate Use of AI.
A. Assignment
Step 1: Select Scenario
Select ONE of the following scenarios:
Announce a new hire to the organization. It is a new position at a leadership level called Director of Customer Engagement. The new hire is named Natalie Lopez and comes to the job from another company where she had a similar job for six years. You want to share this as good news and get workers to warmly welcome Natalie, but you know the outside candidate was chosen over two popular internal applicants and some people in the office are upset about this.
Announce the pay increase and benefits for the upcoming fiscal year. The pay increase is lower than usual due to company revenue being less than expected, while copays on health insurance are going up for unrelated reasons. To mitigate the bad news the company is giving all workers an additional three days of vacation and a small one-time bonus of 0.5% their annual salary that they’ll receive on their anniversary date in the next fiscal year. You know these combined benefits are substantially less than the difference in expected raise and insurance copays.
Announce that the entire company is going to relocate to a new location, 1010 Mill Road. The current location has had many complaints about cramped space, unreliable heat and air conditioning, and limited parking. The new location is further away, but has plenty of parking, new and reliable HVAC, and ample space. However, at the current location most staff have private offices, while at the new location all but the most senior staff will use an open, shared space with less privacy and personalization of work spaces. Key facts to communicate are the dates of the move (April 15-19), that professional movers will take care of everything, and that workers need to remove all personal belongings before April 14.
Step 2: Draft Message
Draft a message of 250-400 words. Be sure to include an appropriate subject line, a greeting, and an opening. The body of your message should be two paragraphs, each 4-6 sentences, communicating the two pieces of news in your chosen scenario. You should end with an appropriate closing to your message.
B. Rubric
The application for social work includes 7 essay questions that must all be completed, each response must be 350 words or less. The question I truly need help with, is question #2.
” Review the Social Work Code of Ethics (Code_of_Ethics_-_printable_poster.pdf (caswacts.ca). Reflect and describe how the values and principles in the Code of Ethics align with your own values.”
This is the most important thing I have ever done, and I think caring so much is causing me to cripple myself in overthinking.
The reason I am struggling so much, is because:
I believe these values are intrisincally interconnected to everything I do, and that I am already practicing the principles in my personal life, to the point that I am having a hard time deciding what is important to include. I am also having a hard time knowing if I should have just picked a few of my values that apply to all of this, or if I should be specifically referencing the code and then connecting it to myself. I did attempt that but realized I struggled with word count.
The things which I value most in this world are:
Respect (both being deserving of it and providing it)
Integrity***
Personal Growth
Connection
Meaningful Work/Having something that gives my life purpose virutally keeps me alive.
I have attached the following:
The entire application for reference as it is important to consider potential overlap of content between the question prompts.
One of my completed responses *these will help you get familiar with who I am a bit more and should help you quite considerably.
A page of some ideas I had for this question.
PLEASE
REFER TO THE RESEARCH PAPER GUIDELINES AT THE END OF THE SYLLABUS FOR OTHER
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT.
NOT FOLLOWING BOTH THE BELOW REQUIREMENTS AND THE RESEARCH PAPER
GUIDELINES WILL RESULT IN DEDUCTED POINTS.
Title page Letter of
transmittal
Table of
contents
Executive
summary
Report 10
pages of text
1
illustration
MLA
or APA style for references
Works cited 3 (At least one from the internet and one from a periodical)
Format
of the paper
Typewritten
10 pages of text (cover page and
reference page are not considered part of the 10 pages)
Double spaced
10 – 12 point fonts
1-inch margins
Page numbers
Typo’s, spelling and grammar – 1
point deduction for each
The
presentation portion of this project is your opportunity to share your work and
understanding of your business topic with your instructor. You will do a presentation of your report for
the entire class. The length of the presentation
will be discussed during class. You are
required to dress as if you are going to a job interview. Have someone record your presentation and
submit it on Blackboard. Time limit (10 pts.) Presentation (15 pts.)
Research
Paper Topic: For this research paper you will choose
ONE social media platform and either higher education or health care industry. Your research will focus on how the social
media platform you chose impacts the business of the industry you chose to
research. For example “How Does the Use of Facebook for
Business Functions Impact the Health Care Industry?” “How Does the Use of Facebook for Business
Functions Impact the Higher Education Industry?” Headings: For
BODY of your report you will use the following headings. (You will want to follow the information
regarding the other sections of this project found in the textbook.) Introduction
(First level heading)
Present the
social media platform and industry you chose to research as well as what you
will be presenting in your paper. Social
Media Platform – your heading should be the social media platform you chose
(Facebook) First level
heading
In
this section you will present the history (second level heading) of the
social media platform
The
advantages (second level heading) of the social media platform
The disadvantages (second
level heading) of the social media platform
Industry
– your heading should be the industry you chose to research (Health Care or
Higher Education) First
level heading
In this section you will present and
overview (second level heading) of the industry you chose
What is this industry?
How (service) or what (product) does
it provide to the public or other industries?
How
the Social Media Platform is Used in the Industry (How the Health Care Industry
is Using Facebook or How the Higher Education Industry is Using Facebook?)
The successes (second level
heading) of using the social media platform
The challenges (second level
heading) of using the social media platform
Future Plans of Using the Social
Media Platform (second level heading)
Conclusion
(First level heading)
Wrap up and review your findings
from your research. Reference
Page (heading and separate page)
You are required to use a minimum of 3 references for this
research paper.
Research Paper Guidelines
This
research paper is your opportunity to further explore a topic relating to Business
Communication. A list of topics to
choose from and a structure is provided for you to follow in this
syllabus. Not choosing a topic from the
list and following the structure provided will result in lost points, up to
half of the total possible points. You
will also want to adhere to the following guidelines. Cover
page
You will
have a cover page with the:
Title of your Paper
Your Name
Course Title and BADM number Headings
In this
syllabus specific headings are provided for you to use. Not using the provided headings will result
in lost points. Under each heading you
will write your response in paragraph format.
Your research for each of the heading prompts should be in
well-developed paragraph format. Each of
the sections will require at least one paragraph, and in many instances,
multiple paragraphs. In-text
citations
In-text
citations are required for this paper.
In-text citations give credit to the original source of the material
that you are using in your paper.
Missing in-text citations in the paper will result in lost points up to
one half of the total amount of possible points. If it is not your original thought or
research, you need to provide a reference.
Reference
page
A reference
page of the sources that you used for your research is required. Minimum number of references is provided in
this syllabus. Each reference used in
the paper should be represented in your reference page, as well as each
reference in the reference page is presented in the text of the paper. If you did not use the reference and did not
cite it in the text of your paper, you cannot list it in your reference
page. General
research paper writing
You should
be familiar with how to reference research using either MLA or APA style. Please be sure to choose either style and be
consistent throughout the paper and reference page. If you need a reminder, you can refer back to
your English composition course or you can refer to owl.purdue.edu. This is an excellent resource for how to
reference using either MLA or APA reference styles. Often times
students like to include their personal experiences and opinions. This can add some of your personality to the
paper. If you choose to share either
your experience or opinion, make it brief (1 or 2 sentences). It also needs to connect to some specific
research in your paper. This is not an
opinion or personal reflection paper.
You need to base your experience or opinion on referenced research.