{"id":430878,"date":"2018-03-19T12:18:49","date_gmt":"2018-03-19T12:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essaypaper.org\/annual-performance-evaluation-my-online-homework-helper\/"},"modified":"2018-10-24T09:14:48","modified_gmt":"2018-10-24T09:14:48","slug":"annual-performance-evaluation-my-online-homework-helper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/annual-performance-evaluation-my-online-homework-helper\/","title":{"rendered":"Annual Performance Evaluation – My Online Homework Helper"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Annual Report Formats<\/p>\n

Go to AnnualReports.com and review the annual reports recently released by two corporations in the same industry. Review each report and discuss the following questions:<\/p>\n

a. What organizational differences, if any, do you see in the way each corporation discusses its annual performance? Is the data presented clearly so that shareholders can draw conclusions about how well the company performed?<\/p>\n

b. What goals, challenges, and plans do top managers emphasize in their discussion of results?<\/p>\n

c. How does the format and organization of each report enhance or detract from the information being presented?<\/p>\n

Write a two- to three-page report (excluding the title and reference pages), formatted according to APA style, that discusses your findings from the annual reports. Make sure you appropriately cite your sources from AnnualReports.com.<\/p>\n

There are three important points to make.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Discuss Any Organizational Differences in the Way Each Corporation Discusses its Annual Performance \u2013 This part of the assignment requires that you focus on the delivery of reporting the companies\u2019 performance (the way each corporation discusses its annual performance) and not on the actual performance of the corporations. Please see attached Chapter 4.5, for example. You can also read attached Chapter 14.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Discuss the Goals, Challenges, and Plans Top Managers Emphasize in Discussion of Results \u2013 This is your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding on adapting to your audience and this week\u2019s course reading and attached Chapter 14.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Discuss How the Format and Organization of Each Report Enhances or Detracts from the Information Presented \u2013 Chapter 4.5; use of visual design to support and enhance the message. You can also read attached Chapter 14.<\/p>\n

FINALLY, use APA style of writing:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Use double space, 1\u201d margins on all sides, font size 12<\/p>\n

\u2022 Use at least first level heading to separate the main points of your paper, which will help you write clearly and concisely and not stray off topic. Use bold and centering for first-level headings. Capitalize all major words. Do not use the prompt as a heading, shorten it, use different words, etc.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The word conclusion is always used.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Avoid the use of the first person (the pronouns I, we) and second person (the pronoun you). Avoid saying, \u201cI think\u201d or \u201cI feel\u201d or \u201cin my opinion.\u201d It weakens your argument. Simply state your assertion.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

4.5\u00a0Organizing\u00a0Your\u00a0Information<\/p>\n

Organization\u00a0can\u00a0make\u00a0the\u00a0difference\u00a0between\u00a0success\u00a0and\u00a0failure.\u00a0Good\u00a0organization\u00a0helps\u00a0your\u00a0readers\u00a0or\u00a0listeners\u00a0in\u00a0three\u00a0key\u00a0ways.\u00a0First,it\u00a0helps\u00a0them\u00a0understand\u00a0your\u00a0message.\u00a0In\u00a0a\u00a0well-organized\u00a0message,\u00a0you\u00a0make\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0point\u00a0clear\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0outset,\u00a0present\u00a0additional\u00a0pointsto\u00a0support\u00a0that\u00a0main\u00a0idea,\u00a0and\u00a0satisfy\u00a0all\u00a0the\u00a0information\u00a0needs\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0audience.\u00a0But\u00a0if\u00a0your\u00a0message\u00a0is\u00a0poorly\u00a0organized,\u00a0your\u00a0meaning\u00a0can\u00a0beobscured,\u00a0and\u00a0your\u00a0audiences\u00a0may\u00a0form\u00a0inaccurate\u00a0conclusions\u00a0about\u00a0what\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0written\u00a0or\u00a0said.<\/p>\n

Second,\u00a0good\u00a0organization\u00a0helps\u00a0receivers\u00a0accept\u00a0your\u00a0message.\u00a0If\u00a0your\u00a0writing\u00a0appears\u00a0confused\u00a0and\u00a0disorganized,\u00a0people\u00a0will\u00a0likelyconclude\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0thinking<\/i>\u00a0behind\u00a0the\u00a0writing\u00a0is\u00a0also\u00a0confused\u00a0and\u00a0disorganized.\u00a0Moreover,\u00a0effective\u00a0messages\u00a0often\u00a0require\u00a0a\u00a0bit\u00a0more\u00a0thansimple,\u00a0clear\u00a0logic.\u00a0A\u00a0diplomatic\u00a0approach\u00a0helps\u00a0receivers\u00a0accept\u00a0your\u00a0message,\u00a0even\u00a0if\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0not\u00a0exactly\u00a0what\u00a0they\u00a0want\u00a0to\u00a0hear.\u00a0In\u00a0contrast,\u00a0apoorly\u00a0organized\u00a0message\u00a0on\u00a0an\u00a0emotionally\u00a0charged\u00a0topic\u00a0can\u00a0alienate\u00a0the\u00a0audience\u00a0before\u00a0you\u00a0have\u00a0the\u00a0chance\u00a0to\u00a0get\u00a0your\u00a0point\u00a0across.<\/p>\n

Good\u00a0organization\u00a0benefits\u00a0your\u00a0audiences\u00a0by\u00a0helping\u00a0them\u00a0understand\u00a0and\u00a0accept\u00a0your\u00a0message\u00a0in\u00a0less\u00a0time.<\/p>\n

Good\u00a0organization\u00a0helps\u00a0you\u00a0by\u00a0reducing\u00a0the\u00a0time\u00a0and\u00a0creative\u00a0energy\u00a0needed\u00a0to\u00a0create\u00a0effective\u00a0messages.<\/p>\n

Third,\u00a0good\u00a0organization\u00a0saves\u00a0your\u00a0audience\u00a0time.\u00a0Well-organized\u00a0messages\u00a0are\u00a0efficient.\u00a0They\u00a0contain\u00a0only\u00a0relevant\u00a0ideas,\u00a0and\u00a0they\u00a0arebrief.\u00a0Moreover,\u00a0each\u00a0piece\u00a0of\u00a0information\u00a0is\u00a0located\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0logical\u00a0place\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0overall\u00a0flow;\u00a0each\u00a0section\u00a0builds\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0one\u00a0before\u00a0to\u00a0create\u00a0acoherent\u00a0whole,\u00a0without\u00a0forcing\u00a0people\u00a0to\u00a0look\u00a0for\u00a0missing\u00a0pieces.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0addition\u00a0to\u00a0saving\u00a0time\u00a0and\u00a0energy\u00a0for\u00a0your\u00a0readers,\u00a0good\u00a0organization\u00a0saves\u00a0you<\/i>\u00a0time\u00a0and\u00a0consumes\u00a0less\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0creative\u00a0energy.\u00a0Writingmoves\u00a0more\u00a0quickly\u00a0because\u00a0you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0waste\u00a0time\u00a0putting\u00a0ideas\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0wrong\u00a0places\u00a0or\u00a0composing\u00a0material\u00a0that\u00a0you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0need.\u00a0You\u00a0spend\u00a0farless\u00a0time\u00a0rewriting,\u00a0trying\u00a0to\u00a0extract\u00a0sensible\u00a0meaning\u00a0from\u00a0disorganized\u00a0rambling.\u00a0Last\u00a0but\u00a0far\u00a0from\u00a0least,\u00a0organizational\u00a0skills\u00a0are\u00a0good\u00a0foryour\u00a0career\u00a0because\u00a0they\u00a0help\u00a0you\u00a0develop\u00a0a\u00a0reputation\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0clear\u00a0thinker\u00a0who\u00a0cares\u00a0about\u00a0your\u00a0readers.<\/p>\n

REAL-TIME\u00a0UPDATES<\/p>\n

Smart\u00a0advice\u00a0for\u00a0brainstorming\u00a0sessions<\/p>\n

Generate\u00a0better\u00a0ideas\u00a0in\u00a0less\u00a0time\u00a0with\u00a0these\u00a0helpful\u00a0tips.\u00a0Go\u00a0to\u00a0http:\/\/real-timeupdates.com\/bct13.\u00a0Under\u00a0\u201cStudents,\u201d\u00a0click\u00a0on\u00a0\u201cLearnMore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Business\u00a0Communicators\u00a0Innovating\u00a0with\u00a0Mobile<\/p>\n

As\u00a0the\u00a0third\u00a0major\u00a0revolution\u00a0in\u00a0business\u00a0communication\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0past\u00a0two\u00a0decades\u00a0(after\u00a0the\u00a0World\u00a0Wide\u00a0Web\u00a0and\u00a0social\u00a0media),\u00a0mobilecommunication\u00a0has\u00a0the\u00a0potential\u00a0to\u00a0change\u00a0nearly\u00a0every\u00a0aspect\u00a0of\u00a0business\u00a0communication.\u00a0Here\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0small\u00a0sample\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0ways\u00a0companiesare\u00a0putting\u00a0mobile\u00a0to\u00a0work.<\/p>\n

Training<\/p>\n

In\u00a0the\u00a0face\u00a0of\u00a0changing\u00a0markets,\u00a0government\u00a0regulations,\u00a0and\u00a0other\u00a0forces\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0business\u00a0environment,\u00a0developing\u00a0and\u00a0maintainingemployee\u00a0skill\u00a0sets\u00a0is\u00a0an\u00a0ongoing\u00a0challenge\u00a0for\u00a0most\u00a0companies.\u00a0The\u00a0challenge\u00a0is\u00a0made\u00a0even\u00a0more\u00a0difficult\u00a0when\u00a0employees\u00a0are\u00a0constantlyon\u00a0the\u00a0move\u00a0or\u00a0geographically\u00a0dispersed.\u00a0With\u00a0training\u00a0materials\u00a0developed\u00a0specifically\u00a0for\u00a0mobile\u00a0devices,\u00a0companies\u00a0can\u00a0deliver\u00a0trainingcontent\u00a0when\u00a0and\u00a0where\u00a0it\u00a0helps\u00a0employees\u00a0the\u00a0most.8<\/p>\n

Distributed\u00a0Decision\u00a0Making<\/p>\n

A\u00a0complementary\u00a0aspect\u00a0to\u00a0managing\u00a0remote\u00a0workers\u00a0via\u00a0mobile\u00a0apps\u00a0is\u00a0giving\u00a0employees\u00a0the\u00a0authority\u00a0to\u00a0make\u00a0decisions\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0field,rather\u00a0than\u00a0relying\u00a0on\u00a0managers\u00a0back\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0office.\u00a0In\u00a0the\u00a0oil\u00a0and\u00a0gas\u00a0industry,\u00a0for\u00a0instance,\u00a0specialized\u00a0mobile\u00a0apps\u00a0include\u00a0tools\u00a0for\u00a0datavisualization,\u00a0collaboration,\u00a0and\u00a0data\u00a0collection\u00a0to\u00a0help\u00a0on-site\u00a0employees\u00a0and\u00a0supervisors\u00a0communicate\u00a0and\u00a0coordinate\u00a0their\u00a0efforts.\u00a0Thiscapability\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0particularly\u00a0vital\u00a0after\u00a0accidents\u00a0or\u00a0other\u00a0crisis\u00a0events,\u00a0because\u00a0it\u00a0lets\u00a0employees\u00a0who\u00a0are\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0scene\u00a0choose\u00a0the\u00a0bestcourse\u00a0of\u00a0action\u00a0without\u00a0delay.9<\/p>\n

Mobile\u00a0Glossary<\/p>\n

In\u00a0addition\u00a0to\u00a0terms\u00a0defined\u00a0elsewhere\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0book,\u00a0here\u00a0are\u00a0some\u00a0helpful\u00a0mobile\u00a0terms.<\/p>\n

3G,\u00a04G,\u00a0and\u00a05G<\/p>\n

Successive\u00a0generations\u00a0of\u00a0mobile\u00a0phone\u00a0technology,\u00a0although\u00a0the\u00a0generational\u00a0boundaries\u00a0are\u00a0loosely\u00a0defined\u00a0and\u00a0each\u00a0generationincludes\u00a0a\u00a0number\u00a0of\u00a0competing\u00a0technologies;\u00a0roughly\u00a0speaking,\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0transition\u00a0from\u00a03G\u00a0to\u00a04G\u00a0now,\u00a0and\u00a05G\u00a0(whatever\u00a0it\u00a0ends\u00a0upbeing)\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0arrive\u00a0for\u00a0at\u00a0least\u00a0several\u00a0more\u00a0years.<\/p>\n

Android\u00a0and\u00a0iOS<\/p>\n

The\u00a0two\u00a0major\u00a0operating\u00a0systems\/platforms\u00a0for\u00a0mobile\u00a0devices.\u00a0Android\u00a0devices\u00a0are\u00a0made\u00a0by\u00a0a\u00a0wide\u00a0variety\u00a0of\u00a0manufacturers,\u00a0but\u00a0iOSdevices\u00a0are\u00a0made\u00a0only\u00a0by\u00a0Apple.<\/p>\n

Bandwidth<\/p>\n

A\u00a0measure\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0data-carrying\u00a0capacity\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0mobile,\u00a0Wi-Fi,\u00a0or\u00a0other\u00a0network\u00a0connection;\u00a0streaming\u00a0video\u00a0and\u00a0other\u00a0demandingapplications\u00a0require\u00a0a\u00a0broadband<\/i>\u00a0connection,\u00a0but\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0no\u00a0general\u00a0agreement\u00a0on\u00a0exactly\u00a0what\u00a0constitutes\u00a0broadband.<\/p>\n

Cellular\u00a0Versus\u00a0Mobile<\/p>\n

Two\u00a0terms\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0concept;\u00a0cellular<\/i>\u00a0(derived\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0way\u00a0phone\u00a0networks\u00a0are\u00a0configured)\u00a0is\u00a0used\u00a0mainly\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0United\u00a0States,whereas\u00a0mobile<\/i>\u00a0is\u00a0used\u00a0more\u00a0generally\u00a0around\u00a0the\u00a0world\u00a0and\u00a0is\u00a0also\u00a0more\u00a0descriptive,\u00a0so\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0the\u00a0term\u00a0used\u00a0in\u00a0this\u00a0book.<\/p>\n

Remote\u00a0Workforce\u00a0Management<\/p>\n

Dispersed\u00a0workforces\u00a0also\u00a0present\u00a0a\u00a0variety\u00a0of\u00a0supervision\u00a0and\u00a0management\u00a0difficulties.\u00a0Mobile\u00a0workforce\u00a0management\u00a0apps\u00a0can\u00a0addressmany\u00a0of\u00a0these\u00a0problems,\u00a0from\u00a0basic\u00a0functions\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0ensuring\u00a0that\u00a0workers\u00a0show\u00a0up\u00a0on\u00a0time\u00a0at\u00a0remote\u00a0job\u00a0sites\u00a0to\u00a0rescheduling\u00a0customerappointments\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0fly\u00a0to\u00a0collecting\u00a0information\u00a0to\u00a0share\u00a0with\u00a0technical\u00a0support\u00a0staff.\u00a0Sales\u00a0managers\u00a0can\u00a0give\u00a0just-in-time\u00a0coaching\u00a0andencouragement\u00a0to\u00a0representatives\u00a0who\u00a0are\u00a0about\u00a0to\u00a0call\u00a0on\u00a0potential\u00a0customers.\u00a0Some\u00a0systems\u00a0can\u00a0even\u00a0embed\u00a0information\u00a0on\u00a0bestpractices\u00a0from\u00a0experienced\u00a0workers\u00a0and\u00a0deliver\u00a0virtual\u00a0coaching\u00a0to\u00a0less-experienced\u00a0workers\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0field.10<\/p>\n

Recruiting<\/p>\n

With\u00a0a\u00a0target\u00a0population\u00a0that\u00a0is\u00a0often\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0move,\u00a0companies\u00a0are\u00a0responding\u00a0by\u00a0integrating\u00a0mobile\u00a0into\u00a0their\u00a0recruiting\u00a0processes.\u00a0Theseefforts\u00a0include\u00a0mobile-friendly\u00a0job\u00a0postings,\u00a0mobile\u00a0application\u00a0and\u00a0recruiting\u00a0apps,\u00a0and\u00a0interviewing\u00a0systems\u00a0that\u00a0let\u00a0candidates\u00a0andrecruiters\u00a0connect\u00a0using\u00a0their\u00a0mobile\u00a0devices.11<\/p>\n

Project\u00a0Management<\/p>\n

Work\u00a0teams\u00a0are\u00a0often\u00a0dispersed\u00a0over\u00a0wide\u00a0geographic\u00a0ranges\u00a0and\u00a0frequently\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0move,\u00a0so\u00a0mobile\u00a0communication\u00a0is\u00a0an\u00a0essentialelement\u00a0of\u00a0contemporary\u00a0project\u00a0management.\u00a0Instant\u00a0access\u00a0to\u00a0task\u00a0status\u00a0and\u00a0other\u00a0vital\u00a0information\u00a0helps\u00a0project\u00a0managers\u00a0stay\u00a0on\u00a0topof\u00a0rapidly\u00a0moving\u00a0projects\u00a0and\u00a0helps\u00a0team\u00a0members\u00a0communicate\u00a0efficiently<\/p>\n

Context\u00a0Awareness<\/p>\n

A\u00a0mobile\u00a0device\u2019s\u00a0ability\u00a0to\u00a0modify\u00a0its\u00a0operation\u00a0based\u00a0on\u00a0knowledge\u00a0of\u00a0where\u00a0it\u00a0is;\u00a0silencing\u00a0the\u00a0ringer\u00a0when\u00a0you\u00a0arrive\u00a0at\u00a0your\u00a0office\u00a0isa\u00a0simple\u00a0example.<\/p>\n

Geofencing<\/p>\n

Using\u00a0the\u00a0location-sensing\u00a0capabilities\u00a0of\u00a0mobile\u00a0devices\u00a0to\u00a0remotely\u00a0monitor\u00a0and\u00a0control\u00a0the\u00a0device\u00a0and\u00a0its\u00a0user;\u00a0delivery\u00a0companies,\u00a0forexample,\u00a0can\u00a0monitor\u00a0where\u00a0their\u00a0drivers\u00a0are\u00a0and\u00a0make\u00a0sure\u00a0they\u00a0stay\u00a0within\u00a0designated\u00a0areas.<\/p>\n

Over-the-Top\u00a0(OTT)\u00a0Application<\/p>\n

A\u00a0digital\u00a0service\u00a0that\u00a0bypasses\u00a0a\u00a0traditional\u00a0distribution\u00a0network\u00a0to\u00a0provide\u00a0similar\u00a0capability,\u00a0often\u00a0by\u00a0using\u00a0cloud\u00a0capabilities;\u00a0anexample\u00a0is\u00a0WhatsApp\u00a0using\u00a0Internet\u00a0connections\u00a0to\u00a0create\u00a0services\u00a0traditionally\u00a0provided\u00a0by\u00a0mobile\u00a0phone\u00a0carriers.12<\/p>\n

Phablet<\/p>\n

A\u00a0rather\u00a0ungainly\u00a0name\u00a0for\u00a0mobile\u00a0devices\u00a0that\u00a0are\u00a0larger\u00a0than\u00a0phones\u00a0but\u00a0smaller\u00a0than\u00a0tablets.<\/p>\n

Quick\u00a0Response\u00a0(QR)\u00a0Codes\u00a0and\u00a0Near-Field\u00a0Communication\u00a0(NFC)<\/p>\n

Two\u00a0ways\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0mobile\u00a0device\u00a0to\u00a0access\u00a0additional\u00a0information;\u00a0QR\u00a0codes\u00a0are\u00a0square,\u00a0phone-scannable\u00a0barcodes\u00a0that\u00a0connect\u00a0the\u00a0phoneto\u00a0a\u00a0website;\u00a0NFC\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0short-distance\u00a0radio\u00a0technology\u00a0that\u00a0enables\u00a0a\u00a0data\u00a0link\u00a0between\u00a0a\u00a0phone\u00a0and\u00a0tags\u00a0that\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0attached\u00a0to\u00a0productsor\u00a0other\u00a0locations.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0topic\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0broad\u00a0subject;\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0makes\u00a0a\u00a0statement\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0topic.<\/p>\n

DEFINING\u00a0YOUR\u00a0MAIN\u00a0IDEA<\/p>\n

The\u00a0topic\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0message\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0overall\u00a0subject,\u00a0and\u00a0your\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0specific\u00a0statement\u00a0about\u00a0that\u00a0topic\u00a0(see\u00a0Table\u00a04.2).\u00a0For\u00a0example,\u00a0ifyou\u00a0believe\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0current\u00a0system\u00a0of\u00a0using\u00a0paper\u00a0forms\u00a0for\u00a0filing\u00a0employee\u00a0insurance\u00a0claims\u00a0is\u00a0expensive\u00a0and\u00a0slow,\u00a0you\u00a0might\u00a0craft\u00a0amessage\u00a0in\u00a0which\u00a0the\u00a0topic\u00a0is\u00a0employee\u00a0insurance\u00a0claims\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0is\u00a0that\u00a0a\u00a0new\u00a0web-based\u00a0system\u00a0would\u00a0reduce\u00a0costs\u00a0for\u00a0thecompany\u00a0and\u00a0reduce\u00a0reimbursement\u00a0delays\u00a0for\u00a0employees.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0longer\u00a0documents\u00a0and\u00a0presentations,\u00a0you\u00a0often\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0unify\u00a0a\u00a0mass\u00a0of\u00a0material\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0that\u00a0encompasses\u00a0all\u00a0the\u00a0individualpoints\u00a0you\u00a0want\u00a0to\u00a0make.\u00a0Finding\u00a0a\u00a0common\u00a0thread\u00a0through\u00a0all\u00a0these\u00a0points\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0a\u00a0challenge.\u00a0Sometimes\u00a0you\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0even\u00a0be\u00a0sure\u00a0what\u00a0yourmain\u00a0idea\u00a0is\u00a0until\u00a0you\u00a0sort\u00a0through\u00a0the\u00a0information.\u00a0For\u00a0tough\u00a0assignments\u00a0like\u00a0these,\u00a0consider\u00a0a\u00a0variety\u00a0of\u00a0techniques\u00a0to\u00a0generate\u00a0creativeideas:<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Brainstorming.\u00a0Working\u00a0alone\u00a0or\u00a0with\u00a0others,\u00a0generate\u00a0as\u00a0many\u00a0ideas\u00a0and\u00a0questions\u00a0as\u00a0you\u00a0can,\u00a0without\u00a0stopping\u00a0to\u00a0criticize\u00a0or\u00a0organize.After\u00a0you\u00a0capture\u00a0all\u00a0these\u00a0pieces,\u00a0look\u00a0for\u00a0patterns\u00a0and\u00a0connections\u00a0to\u00a0help\u00a0identify\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0groups\u00a0of\u00a0supporting\u00a0ideas.\u00a0Forexample,\u00a0if\u00a0your\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0concerns\u00a0whether\u00a0to\u00a0open\u00a0a\u00a0new\u00a0restaurant\u00a0in\u00a0Denver,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0probably\u00a0find\u00a0a\u00a0group\u00a0of\u00a0ideas\u00a0related\u00a0to\u00a0financialreturn,\u00a0another\u00a0related\u00a0to\u00a0competition,\u00a0and\u00a0so\u00a0on.\u00a0Identifying\u00a0such\u00a0groups\u00a0helps\u00a0you\u00a0see\u00a0the\u00a0major\u00a0issues\u00a0that\u00a0will\u00a0lead\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0conclusionyou\u00a0can\u00a0feel\u00a0confident\u00a0about.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Journalistic\u00a0approach.\u00a0The\u00a0journalistic\u00a0approach\u00a0(see\u00a0page\u00a097)\u00a0asks\u00a0who,\u00a0what,\u00a0when,\u00a0where,\u00a0why<\/i>,\u00a0and\u00a0how<\/i>\u00a0questions\u00a0to\u00a0distill\u00a0majorideas\u00a0from\u00a0unorganized\u00a0information.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Question-and-answer\u00a0chain.\u00a0Start\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0key\u00a0question,\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0audience\u2019s\u00a0perspective,\u00a0and\u00a0work\u00a0back\u00a0toward\u00a0your\u00a0message.\u00a0In\u00a0mostcases,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0find\u00a0that\u00a0each\u00a0answer\u00a0generates\u00a0new\u00a0questions\u00a0until\u00a0you\u00a0identify\u00a0the\u00a0information\u00a0that\u00a0needs\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0in\u00a0your\u00a0message.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Storyteller\u2019s\u00a0tour.\u00a0Some\u00a0writers\u00a0find\u00a0it\u00a0best\u00a0to\u00a0talk\u00a0through\u00a0a\u00a0communication\u00a0challenge\u00a0before\u00a0they\u00a0try\u00a0to\u00a0write.\u00a0Record\u00a0yourself\u00a0as\u00a0youdescribe\u00a0what\u00a0you\u00a0intend\u00a0to\u00a0write.\u00a0Then\u00a0listen\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0playback,\u00a0identify\u00a0ways\u00a0to\u00a0tighten\u00a0and\u00a0clarify\u00a0the\u00a0message,\u00a0and\u00a0repeat\u00a0the\u00a0processuntil\u00a0you\u00a0distill\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0down\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0single\u00a0concise\u00a0message.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Mind\u00a0mapping.\u00a0You\u00a0can\u00a0generate\u00a0and\u00a0organize\u00a0ideas\u00a0using\u00a0a\u00a0graphic\u00a0method\u00a0called\u00a0mind\u00a0mapping<\/i>.\u00a0Start\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0and\u00a0then\u00a0branchout\u00a0to\u00a0connect\u00a0every\u00a0other\u00a0related\u00a0idea\u00a0that\u00a0comes\u00a0to\u00a0mind.\u00a0You\u00a0can\u00a0find\u00a0a\u00a0number\u00a0of\u00a0free\u00a0mind-mapping\u00a0tools\u00a0online.<\/p>\n

MOBILE\u00a0APPS<\/p>\n

With\u00a0Mindjet\u00a0Maps,\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0quickly\u00a0build\u00a0mind\u00a0maps\u00a0to\u00a0brainstorm\u00a0a\u00a0writing\u00a0project,\u00a0using\u00a0text\u00a0boxes,\u00a0photos,\u00a0and\u00a0more.<\/p>\n

Limit\u00a0the\u00a0scope\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0message\u00a0so\u00a0that\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0convey\u00a0your\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0as\u00a0briefly\u00a0as\u00a0possible.<\/p>\n

LIMITING\u00a0YOUR\u00a0SCOPE<\/p>\n

The\u00a0scope\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0message\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0range\u00a0of\u00a0information\u00a0you\u00a0present,\u00a0the\u00a0overall\u00a0length,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0level\u00a0of\u00a0detail\u2014all\u00a0of\u00a0which\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0correspondto\u00a0your\u00a0main\u00a0idea.\u00a0The\u00a0length\u00a0of\u00a0some\u00a0business\u00a0messages\u00a0has\u00a0a\u00a0preset\u00a0limit,\u00a0whether\u00a0from\u00a0a\u00a0boss\u2019s\u00a0instructions,\u00a0the\u00a0technology\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0using,or\u00a0a\u00a0time\u00a0frame\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0individual\u00a0speaker\u00a0slots\u00a0during\u00a0a\u00a0seminar.\u00a0Even\u00a0if\u00a0you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have\u00a0a\u00a0preset\u00a0length,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0vital\u00a0to\u00a0limit\u00a0yourself\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0scopeneeded\u00a0to\u00a0convey\u00a0your\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u2014and\u00a0no\u00a0more.<\/p>\n

TABLE\u00a04.2\u00a0Defining\u00a0Topic\u00a0and\u00a0Main\u00a0Idea<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
GeneralPurpose<\/td>\nExample\u00a0of\u00a0Specific\u00a0Purpose<\/td>\nExample\u00a0ofTopic<\/td>\nExample\u00a0of\u00a0Main\u00a0Idea<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To\u00a0inform<\/td>\nTeach\u00a0customer\u00a0service\u00a0representativeshow\u00a0to\u00a0edit\u00a0and\u00a0expand\u00a0the\u00a0technicalsupport\u00a0wiki<\/td>\nTechnicalsupport\u00a0wiki<\/td>\nCareful,\u00a0thorough\u00a0edits\u00a0and\u00a0additions\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0wiki\u00a0help\u00a0theentire\u00a0department\u00a0provide\u00a0better\u00a0customer\u00a0support.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Topersuade<\/td>\nConvince\u00a0top\u00a0managers\u00a0to\u00a0increasespending\u00a0on\u00a0research\u00a0and\u00a0development<\/td>\nFunding\u00a0forresearch\u00a0anddevelopment<\/td>\nCompetitors\u00a0spend\u00a0more\u00a0than\u00a0we\u00a0do\u00a0on\u00a0research\u00a0anddevelopment,\u00a0enabling\u00a0them\u00a0to\u00a0create\u00a0more\u00a0innovativeproducts.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tocollaborate<\/td>\nSolicit\u00a0ideas\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0companywide\u00a0incentivesystem\u00a0that\u00a0ties\u00a0wages\u00a0to\u00a0profits<\/td>\nIncentive\u00a0pay<\/td>\nTying\u00a0wages\u00a0to\u00a0profits\u00a0motivates\u00a0employees\u00a0and\u00a0reducescompensation\u00a0costs\u00a0in\u00a0tough\u00a0years.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Whatever\u00a0the\u00a0length\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0message,\u00a0limit\u00a0the\u00a0number\u00a0of\u00a0major\u00a0supporting\u00a0points\u00a0to\u00a0half\u00a0a\u00a0dozen\u00a0or\u00a0so\u2014and\u00a0if\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0get\u00a0your\u00a0idea\u00a0acrosswith\u00a0fewer\u00a0points,\u00a0all\u00a0the\u00a0better.\u00a0Listing\u00a020\u00a0or\u00a030\u00a0supporting\u00a0points\u00a0might\u00a0feel\u00a0as\u00a0though\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0being\u00a0thorough,\u00a0but\u00a0your\u00a0audience\u00a0is\u00a0likely\u00a0toview\u00a0such\u00a0detail\u00a0as\u00a0rambling\u00a0and\u00a0mind\u00a0numbing.\u00a0Instead,\u00a0group\u00a0your\u00a0supporting\u00a0points\u00a0under\u00a0major\u00a0headings,\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0finance,\u00a0customers,competitors,\u00a0employees,\u00a0or\u00a0whatever\u00a0is\u00a0appropriate\u00a0for\u00a0your\u00a0subject.\u00a0Look\u00a0for\u00a0ways\u00a0to\u00a0combine\u00a0your\u00a0supporting\u00a0points\u00a0so\u00a0that\u00a0you\u00a0have\u00a0asmaller\u00a0number\u00a0with\u00a0greater\u00a0impact.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0ideal\u00a0length\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0message\u00a0depends\u00a0on\u00a0your\u00a0topic,\u00a0your\u00a0audience\u00a0members\u2019\u00a0familiarity\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0material,\u00a0their\u00a0receptivity\u00a0to\u00a0yourconclusions,\u00a0and\u00a0your\u00a0credibility.\u00a0You\u2019ll\u00a0need\u00a0fewer\u00a0words\u00a0to\u00a0present\u00a0routine\u00a0information\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0knowledgeable\u00a0audience\u00a0that\u00a0already\u00a0knowsand\u00a0respects\u00a0you.\u00a0You\u2019ll\u00a0need\u00a0more\u00a0words\u00a0to\u00a0build\u00a0a\u00a0consensus\u00a0about\u00a0a\u00a0complex\u00a0and\u00a0controversial\u00a0subject,\u00a0especially\u00a0if\u00a0the\u00a0members\u00a0of\u00a0youraudience\u00a0are\u00a0skeptical\u00a0or\u00a0hostile\u00a0strangers.<\/p>\n

CHOOSING\u00a0BETWEEN\u00a0DIRECT\u00a0AND\u00a0INDIRECT\u00a0APPROACHES<\/p>\n

After\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0defined\u00a0your\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0and\u00a0supporting\u00a0points,\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0ready\u00a0to\u00a0decide\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0sequence\u00a0you\u00a0will\u00a0use\u00a0to\u00a0present\u00a0your\u00a0information.You\u00a0have\u00a0two\u00a0basic\u00a0options:<\/p>\n

\u00b7 The\u00a0direct\u00a0approach\u00a0starts\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0(such\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0recommendation,\u00a0a\u00a0conclusion,\u00a0or\u00a0a\u00a0request)\u00a0and\u00a0follows\u00a0that\u00a0with\u00a0supportingevidence.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 The\u00a0indirect\u00a0approach\u00a0starts\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0evidence\u00a0and\u00a0builds\u00a0up\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea.<\/p>\n

To\u00a0choose\u00a0between\u00a0these\u00a0two\u00a0alternatives,\u00a0analyze\u00a0your\u00a0audience\u2019s\u00a0likely\u00a0reaction\u00a0to\u00a0your\u00a0purpose\u00a0and\u00a0message\u00a0(see\u00a0Figure\u00a04.5).\u00a0Bear\u00a0inmind,\u00a0however,\u00a0that\u00a0Figure\u00a04.5\u00a0presents\u00a0only\u00a0general\u00a0guidelines;\u00a0always\u00a0consider\u00a0the\u00a0unique\u00a0circumstances\u00a0of\u00a0each\u00a0message\u00a0and\u00a0audiencesituation.\u00a0The\u00a0following\u00a0sections\u00a0offer\u00a0more\u00a0insight\u00a0on\u00a0choosing\u00a0the\u00a0best\u00a0approach\u00a0for\u00a0routine\u00a0and\u00a0positive\u00a0messages,\u00a0negative\u00a0messages,\u00a0andpersuasive\u00a0messages.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0type\u00a0of\u00a0message\u00a0also\u00a0influences\u00a0the\u00a0choice\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0direct\u00a0or\u00a0indirect\u00a0approach.\u00a0In\u00a0the\u00a0coming\u00a0chapters,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0get\u00a0specific\u00a0advice\u00a0onchoosing\u00a0the\u00a0best\u00a0approach\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0variety\u00a0of\u00a0communication\u00a0challenges.<\/p>\n

With\u00a0the\u00a0direct\u00a0approach,\u00a0you\u00a0open\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0message\u00a0and\u00a0support\u00a0it\u00a0with\u00a0reasoning,\u00a0evidence,\u00a0and\u00a0examples.<\/p>\n

With\u00a0the\u00a0indirect\u00a0approach,\u00a0you\u00a0withhold\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0until\u00a0you\u00a0have\u00a0built\u00a0up\u00a0to\u00a0it\u00a0logically\u00a0and\u00a0persuasively\u00a0with\u00a0reasoning,evidence,\u00a0and\u00a0examples.<\/p>\n

Figure\u00a04.5\u00a0Choosing\u00a0Between\u00a0the\u00a0Direct\u00a0and\u00a0Indirect\u00a0Approaches<\/p>\n

\"Images\"\/<\/p>\n

Think\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0way\u00a0your\u00a0audience\u00a0is\u00a0likely\u00a0to\u00a0respond\u00a0before\u00a0choosing\u00a0your\u00a0approach.<\/p>\n

OUTLINING\u00a0YOUR\u00a0CONTENT<\/p>\n

Outlining\u00a0saves\u00a0time\u00a0and\u00a0helps\u00a0you\u00a0create\u00a0more\u00a0effective\u00a0messages.<\/p>\n

MOBILE\u00a0APPS<\/p>\n

Outliner\u00a0is\u00a0one\u00a0of\u00a0several\u00a0apps\u00a0that\u00a0make\u00a0it\u00a0easy\u00a0to\u00a0create\u00a0and\u00a0modify\u00a0writing\u00a0outlines.<\/p>\n

After\u00a0you\u00a0have\u00a0chosen\u00a0the\u00a0best\u00a0approach,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0time\u00a0to\u00a0figure\u00a0out\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0logical\u00a0and\u00a0effective\u00a0way\u00a0to\u00a0present\u00a0your\u00a0major\u00a0points\u00a0and\u00a0supportingdetails.\u00a0Get\u00a0into\u00a0the\u00a0habit\u00a0of\u00a0creating\u00a0outlines\u00a0when\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0preparing\u00a0business\u00a0messages.\u00a0You\u2019ll\u00a0save\u00a0time,\u00a0get\u00a0better\u00a0results,\u00a0and\u00a0do\u00a0a\u00a0betterjob\u00a0of\u00a0navigating\u00a0through\u00a0complicated\u00a0business\u00a0situations.\u00a0Even\u00a0if\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0just\u00a0jotting\u00a0down\u00a0three\u00a0or\u00a0four\u00a0key\u00a0points,\u00a0making\u00a0an\u00a0outline\u00a0willhelp\u00a0you\u00a0organize\u00a0your\u00a0thoughts\u00a0for\u00a0faster\u00a0writing.\u00a0When\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0preparing\u00a0a\u00a0longer,\u00a0more\u00a0complex\u00a0message,\u00a0an\u00a0outline\u00a0is\u00a0indispensablebecause\u00a0it\u00a0helps\u00a0you\u00a0visualize\u00a0the\u00a0relationships\u00a0among\u00a0the\u00a0various\u00a0parts.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re\u00a0no\u00a0doubt\u00a0familiar\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0basic\u00a0outline\u00a0formats\u00a0that\u00a0identify\u00a0each\u00a0point\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0number\u00a0or\u00a0letter\u00a0and\u00a0that\u00a0indent\u00a0certain\u00a0points\u00a0to\u00a0showwhich\u00a0ones\u00a0are\u00a0of\u00a0equal\u00a0status.\u00a0A\u00a0good\u00a0outline\u00a0divides\u00a0a\u00a0topic\u00a0into\u00a0at\u00a0least\u00a0two\u00a0parts,\u00a0restricts\u00a0each\u00a0subdivision\u00a0to\u00a0one\u00a0category,\u00a0and\u00a0ensuresthat\u00a0each\u00a0subdivision\u00a0is\u00a0separate\u00a0and\u00a0distinct\u00a0(see\u00a0Figure\u00a04.6).<\/p>\n

Another\u00a0way\u00a0to\u00a0visualize\u00a0the\u00a0outline\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0message\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0create\u00a0an\u00a0organization\u00a0chart\u00a0similar\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0charts\u00a0used\u00a0to\u00a0show\u00a0a\u00a0company\u2019smanagement\u00a0structure.\u00a0Put\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0highest-level\u00a0box\u00a0to\u00a0establish\u00a0the\u00a0big\u00a0picture.\u00a0The\u00a0lower-level\u00a0ideas,\u00a0like\u00a0lower-levelemployees,\u00a0provide\u00a0the\u00a0details.\u00a0All\u00a0the\u00a0ideas\u00a0should\u00a0be\u00a0logically\u00a0organized\u00a0into\u00a0divisions\u00a0of\u00a0thought,\u00a0just\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0company\u00a0is\u00a0organized\u00a0intodivisions\u00a0and\u00a0departments.13\u00a0Using\u00a0a\u00a0visual\u00a0chart\u00a0instead\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0traditional\u00a0outline\u00a0has\u00a0many\u00a0benefits.\u00a0Charts\u00a0help\u00a0you\u00a0(1)\u00a0see\u00a0the\u00a0various\u00a0levelsof\u00a0ideas\u00a0and\u00a0how\u00a0the\u00a0parts\u00a0fit\u00a0together,\u00a0(2)\u00a0develop\u00a0new\u00a0ideas,\u00a0and\u00a0(3)\u00a0restructure\u00a0your\u00a0information\u00a0flow.\u00a0The\u00a0mind-mapping\u00a0technique\u00a0usedto\u00a0generate\u00a0ideas\u00a0works\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0similar\u00a0way.<\/p>\n

Whichever\u00a0outlining\u00a0or\u00a0organizing\u00a0scheme\u00a0you\u00a0use,\u00a0start\u00a0your\u00a0message\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea,\u00a0follow\u00a0that\u00a0with\u00a0major\u00a0supporting\u00a0points,\u00a0and\u00a0thenillustrate\u00a0these\u00a0points\u00a0with\u00a0evidence.<\/p>\n

REAL-TIME\u00a0UPDATES \u00a0LEARN\u00a0MORE\u00a0BY\u00a0VIEWING\u00a0THIS\u00a0PRESENTATION<\/p>\n

Get\u00a0helpful\u00a0tips\u00a0on\u00a0creating\u00a0an\u00a0outline\u00a0for\u00a0any\u00a0project<\/p>\n

Learn\u00a0these\u00a0proven\u00a0steps\u00a0for\u00a0creating\u00a0robust,\u00a0practical\u00a0outlines.\u00a0Go\u00a0to\u00a0http:\/\/real-timeupdates.com\/bct13.\u00a0Under\u00a0\u201cStudents,\u201d\u00a0click\u00a0on\u201cLearn\u00a0More.\u201d<\/p>\n

The\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0establishes\u00a0what\u00a0you\u00a0want\u00a0your\u00a0readers\u00a0to\u00a0do\u00a0or\u00a0think\u00a0and\u00a0why\u00a0they\u00a0should\u00a0do\u00a0so.<\/p>\n

Start\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0Main\u00a0Idea<\/p>\n

The\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0helps\u00a0you\u00a0establish\u00a0the\u00a0goals\u00a0and\u00a0general\u00a0strategy\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0message,\u00a0and\u00a0it\u00a0summarizes\u00a0two\u00a0vital\u00a0considerations:\u00a0(1)\u00a0what<\/i>\u00a0youwant\u00a0your\u00a0audience\u00a0members\u00a0to\u00a0do\u00a0or\u00a0think\u00a0and\u00a0(2)\u00a0why<\/i>\u00a0they\u00a0should\u00a0do\u00a0so.\u00a0Everything\u00a0in\u00a0your\u00a0message\u00a0should\u00a0either\u00a0support\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0ideaor\u00a0explain\u00a0its\u00a0implications.\u00a0As\u00a0discussed\u00a0earlier,\u00a0the\u00a0direct\u00a0approach\u00a0states\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0quickly\u00a0and\u00a0directly,\u00a0whereas\u00a0the\u00a0indirect\u00a0approachdelays\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0until\u00a0after\u00a0the\u00a0evidence\u00a0is\u00a0presented.<\/p>\n

Figure\u00a04.6\u00a0Structuring\u00a0an\u00a0Outline<\/p>\n

\"Images\"\/<\/p>\n

No\u00a0matter\u00a0what\u00a0outlining\u00a0format\u00a0you\u00a0use,\u00a0think\u00a0through\u00a0your\u00a0major\u00a0supporting\u00a0points\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0examples\u00a0and\u00a0evidence\u00a0that\u00a0can\u00a0support\u00a0eachpoint.<\/p>\n

State\u00a0the\u00a0Major\u00a0Points<\/p>\n

You\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0support\u00a0your\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0with\u00a0major\u00a0points\u00a0that\u00a0clarify\u00a0and\u00a0explain\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0in\u00a0concrete\u00a0terms.\u00a0If\u00a0your\u00a0purpose\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0informand\u00a0the\u00a0material\u00a0is\u00a0factual,\u00a0your\u00a0major\u00a0points\u00a0may\u00a0be\u00a0based\u00a0on\u00a0something\u00a0physical\u00a0or\u00a0financial\u2014something\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0visualize\u00a0or\u00a0measure,such\u00a0as\u00a0activities\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0performed,\u00a0functional\u00a0units,\u00a0spatial\u00a0or\u00a0chronological\u00a0relationships,\u00a0or\u00a0parts\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0whole.\u00a0When\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0describing\u00a0aprocess,\u00a0the\u00a0major\u00a0points\u00a0are\u00a0almost\u00a0inevitably\u00a0steps\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0process.\u00a0When\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0describing\u00a0an\u00a0object,\u00a0the\u00a0major\u00a0points\u00a0often\u00a0correspond\u00a0tothe\u00a0parts\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0object.\u00a0When\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0giving\u00a0a\u00a0historical\u00a0account,\u00a0major\u00a0points\u00a0represent\u00a0events\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0chronological\u00a0chain\u00a0of\u00a0events.\u00a0If\u00a0yourpurpose\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0persuade\u00a0or\u00a0to\u00a0collaborate,\u00a0select\u00a0major\u00a0points\u00a0that\u00a0develop\u00a0a\u00a0line\u00a0of\u00a0reasoning\u00a0or\u00a0a\u00a0logical\u00a0argument\u00a0that\u00a0proves\u00a0your\u00a0centralmessage\u00a0and\u00a0motivates\u00a0your\u00a0audience\u00a0to\u00a0act.<\/p>\n

Choose\u00a0supporting\u00a0points,\u00a0evidence,\u00a0and\u00a0examples\u00a0carefully;\u00a0a\u00a0few\u00a0strong\u00a0points\u00a0will\u00a0make\u00a0your\u00a0case\u00a0better\u00a0than\u00a0a\u00a0large\u00a0collectionof\u00a0weaker\u00a0points.<\/p>\n

Provide\u00a0Examples\u00a0and\u00a0Evidence<\/p>\n

After\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0defined\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0and\u00a0identified\u00a0major\u00a0supporting\u00a0points,\u00a0think\u00a0about\u00a0examples\u00a0and\u00a0evidence\u00a0that\u00a0can\u00a0confirm,\u00a0illuminate,\u00a0orexpand\u00a0on\u00a0your\u00a0supporting\u00a0points.\u00a0Choose\u00a0examples\u00a0and\u00a0evidence\u00a0carefully\u00a0so\u00a0that\u00a0these\u00a0elements\u00a0support\u00a0your\u00a0overall\u00a0message\u00a0withoutdistracting\u00a0or\u00a0overwhelming\u00a0your\u00a0audience.\u00a0One\u00a0good\u00a0example,\u00a0particularly\u00a0if\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0conveyed\u00a0through\u00a0a\u00a0compelling\u00a0story\u00a0(see\u00a0the\u00a0next\u00a0section),is\u00a0usually\u00a0more\u00a0powerful\u00a0than\u00a0several\u00a0weaker\u00a0examples.\u00a0Similarly,\u00a0a\u00a0few\u00a0strong\u00a0points\u00a0of\u00a0evidence\u00a0are\u00a0usually\u00a0more\u00a0persuasive\u00a0than\u00a0a\u00a0largecollection\u00a0of\u00a0minor\u00a0details.\u00a0Keep\u00a0in\u00a0mind\u00a0that\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0back\u00a0up\u00a0your\u00a0major\u00a0supporting\u00a0points\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0variety\u00a0of\u00a0ways,\u00a0depending\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0subjectmaterial\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0available\u00a0examples\u00a0and\u00a0evidence\u00a0(see\u00a0Table\u00a04.3).<\/p>\n

If\u00a0your\u00a0schedule\u00a0permits,\u00a0put\u00a0your\u00a0outline\u00a0aside\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0day\u00a0or\u00a0two\u00a0before\u00a0you\u00a0begin\u00a0composing\u00a0your\u00a0first\u00a0draft.\u00a0Then\u00a0review\u00a0it\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0fresh\u00a0eye,looking\u00a0for\u00a0opportunities\u00a0to\u00a0improve\u00a0the\u00a0flow\u00a0of\u00a0ideas.<\/p>\n

Figure\u00a04.7\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0next\u00a0page\u00a0illustrates\u00a0several\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0key\u00a0themes\u00a0about\u00a0organizing\u00a0a\u00a0message:\u00a0helping\u00a0readers\u00a0get\u00a0the\u00a0information\u00a0they\u00a0needquickly,\u00a0defining\u00a0and\u00a0conveying\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea,\u00a0limiting\u00a0the\u00a0scope\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0message,\u00a0choosing\u00a0the\u00a0approach,\u00a0and\u00a0outlining\u00a0your\u00a0information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Type\u00a0ofDetail<\/td>\nExample<\/td>\nComment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Facts\u00a0andfigures<\/td>\nSales\u00a0are\u00a0strong\u00a0this\u00a0month.\u00a0We\u00a0have\u00a0two\u00a0new\u00a0contracts\u00a0worth\u00a0$5million\u00a0and\u00a0a\u00a0good\u00a0chance\u00a0of\u00a0winning\u00a0another\u00a0worth\u00a0$2.5\u00a0million.<\/td>\nEnhances\u00a0credibility\u00a0more\u00a0than\u00a0any\u00a0other\u00a0type,but\u00a0can\u00a0become\u00a0boring\u00a0if\u00a0used\u00a0excessively.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Example\u00a0orillustration<\/td>\nWe\u2019ve\u00a0spent\u00a0four\u00a0months\u00a0trying\u00a0to\u00a0hire\u00a0recent\u00a0accounting\u00a0graduates,but\u00a0so\u00a0far,\u00a0only\u00a0one\u00a0person\u00a0has\u00a0joined\u00a0our\u00a0firm.\u00a0One\u00a0candidate\u00a0told\u00a0methat\u00a0she\u00a0would\u00a0love\u00a0to\u00a0work\u00a0for\u00a0us,\u00a0but\u00a0she\u00a0can\u00a0get\u00a0$10,000\u00a0more\u00a0ayear\u00a0elsewhere.<\/td>\nAdds\u00a0life\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0message,\u00a0but\u00a0one\u00a0example\u00a0does\u00a0notprove\u00a0a\u00a0point.\u00a0Idea\u00a0must\u00a0be\u00a0supported\u00a0by\u00a0otherevidence\u00a0as\u00a0well.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Description<\/td>\nUpscale\u00a0hamburger\u00a0restaurants\u00a0target\u00a0burger\u00a0lovers\u00a0who\u00a0want\u00a0morethan\u00a0the\u00a0convenience\u00a0and\u00a0low\u00a0prices\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0McDonald\u2019s\u00a0burger.\u00a0Theseplaces\u00a0feature\u00a0wine\u00a0and\u00a0beer,\u00a0half-pound\u00a0burgers,\u00a0and\u00a0generous\u00a0sidedishes\u00a0(nachos,\u00a0potato\u00a0skins).\u00a0Atmosphere\u00a0is\u00a0key.<\/td>\nHelps\u00a0audience\u00a0visualize\u00a0the\u00a0subject\u00a0by\u00a0creating\u00a0asensory\u00a0impression.\u00a0Does\u00a0not\u00a0prove\u00a0a\u00a0point\u00a0butclarifies\u00a0it\u00a0and\u00a0makes\u00a0it\u00a0memorable.\u00a0Begins\u00a0withan\u00a0overview\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0function,\u00a0defines\u00a0its\u00a0purpose,lists\u00a0major\u00a0parts,\u00a0and\u00a0explains\u00a0how\u00a0it\u00a0operates.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Narration(storytelling)<\/td>\nWhen\u00a0Rita\u00a0Longworth\u00a0took\u00a0over\u00a0as\u00a0CEO,\u00a0she\u00a0faced\u00a0a\u00a0tough\u00a0choice:shut\u00a0down\u00a0the\u00a0tablet\u00a0PC\u00a0division\u00a0entirely\u00a0or\u00a0outsource\u00a0manufacturingas\u00a0a\u00a0way\u00a0to\u00a0lower\u00a0costs\u00a0while\u00a0keeping\u00a0the\u00a0division\u00a0alive.\u00a0As\u00a0her\u00a0firststep,\u00a0she\u00a0convened\u00a0a\u00a0meeting\u00a0with\u00a0all\u00a0the\u00a0managers\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0division\u00a0toget\u00a0their\u00a0input\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0two\u00a0options.\u00a0(Story\u00a0continues\u00a0from\u00a0there.)<\/td>\nStimulates\u00a0audience\u00a0interest\u00a0through\u00a0the\u00a0use\u00a0ofdramatic\u00a0tension.\u00a0In\u00a0many\u00a0instances,\u00a0must\u00a0besupplemented\u00a0with\u00a0statistical\u00a0data\u00a0in\u00a0order\u00a0toprove\u00a0a\u00a0point\u00a0convincingly.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reference\u00a0toauthority<\/td>\nI\u00a0discussed\u00a0this\u00a0idea\u00a0with\u00a0Jackie\u00a0Loman\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0Chicago\u00a0plant,\u00a0and\u00a0shewas\u00a0very\u00a0supportive.\u00a0As\u00a0you\u00a0know,\u00a0Jackie\u00a0has\u00a0been\u00a0in\u00a0charge\u00a0of\u00a0thatplant\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0past\u00a0six\u00a0years.\u00a0She\u00a0is\u00a0confident\u00a0that\u00a0we\u00a0can\u00a0speed\u00a0up\u00a0thenumber\u00a02\u00a0line\u00a0by\u00a0150\u00a0units\u00a0an\u00a0hour\u00a0if\u00a0we\u00a0add\u00a0another\u00a0worker.<\/td>\nBolsters\u00a0a\u00a0case\u00a0while\u00a0adding\u00a0variety\u00a0andcredibility.\u00a0Works\u00a0only\u00a0if\u00a0authority\u00a0is\u00a0recognizedand\u00a0respected\u00a0by\u00a0audience.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Visual\u00a0aids<\/td>\nGraphs,\u00a0charts,\u00a0tables,\u00a0infographics,\u00a0data\u00a0visualization,\u00a0photos,\u00a0video<\/td>\nHelps\u00a0audience\u00a0grasp\u00a0the\u00a0key\u00a0points\u00a0about\u00a0sets\u00a0ofdata\u00a0or\u00a0visualize\u00a0connections\u00a0between\u00a0ideas.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

TABLE\u00a04.3\u00a0Six\u00a0Types\u00a0of\u00a0Detail<\/p>\n

Figure\u00a04.7\u00a0Improving\u00a0the\u00a0Organization\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0Message<\/p>\n

\"Images\"\/<\/p>\n

This\u00a0writer\u00a0is\u00a0following\u00a0up\u00a0on\u00a0a\u00a0conversation\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0previous\u00a0day,\u00a0in\u00a0which\u00a0he\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0recipient\u00a0discussed\u00a0which\u00a0of\u00a0two\u00a0forms\u00a0of\u00a0ownership,\u00a0apartnership\u00a0or\u00a0a\u00a0corporation,\u00a0they\u00a0should\u00a0use\u00a0for\u00a0their\u00a0new\u00a0company.\u00a0(Partnership<\/i>\u00a0has\u00a0a\u00a0specific\u00a0legal\u00a0meaning\u00a0in\u00a0this\u00a0context.)\u00a0That\u00a0question\u00a0isthe\u00a0topic\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0message;\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0recommendation\u00a0that\u00a0they\u00a0incorporate,\u00a0rather\u00a0than\u00a0form\u00a0a\u00a0partnership.\u00a0Notice\u00a0how\u00a0the\u00a0Improvedversion\u00a0uses\u00a0the\u00a0direct\u00a0approach\u00a0to\u00a0quickly\u00a0get\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0and\u00a0then\u00a0supports\u00a0that\u00a0by\u00a0comparing\u00a0the\u00a0advantages\u00a0and\u00a0disadvantages\u00a0of\u00a0bothforms\u00a0of\u00a0ownership.\u00a0In\u00a0contrast,\u00a0the\u00a0Poor\u00a0version\u00a0contains\u00a0irrelevant\u00a0information,\u00a0makes\u00a0the\u00a0comparison\u00a0difficult\u00a0to\u00a0follow,\u00a0and\u00a0buries\u00a0the\u00a0mainidea\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0middle\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0message.<\/p>\n

BUILDING\u00a0READER\u00a0INTEREST\u00a0WITH\u00a0STORYTELLING\u00a0TECHNIQUES<\/p>\n

Storytelling\u00a0might\u00a0seem\u00a0like\u00a0an\u00a0odd\u00a0subject\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0business\u00a0communication\u00a0course,\u00a0but\u00a0narrative\u00a0techniques\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0an\u00a0effective\u00a0way\u00a0to\u00a0organizemessages\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0surprising\u00a0number\u00a0of\u00a0business\u00a0situations,\u00a0from\u00a0recruiting\u00a0and\u00a0training\u00a0employees\u00a0to\u00a0enticing\u00a0investors\u00a0and\u00a0customers.Storytelling\u00a0is\u00a0such\u00a0a\u00a0vital\u00a0means\u00a0of\u00a0communicating\u00a0that,\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0words\u00a0of\u00a0management\u00a0consultant\u00a0Steve\u00a0Tobak,\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0hard\u00a0to\u00a0imagine\u00a0yourcareer\u00a0going\u00a0anywhere\u00a0if\u00a0you\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0tell\u00a0a\u00a0story.\u201d14\u00a0Fortunately,\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0been\u00a0telling\u00a0stories\u00a0all\u00a0your\u00a0life,\u00a0so\u00a0narrative\u00a0techniques\u00a0already\u00a0comenaturally\u00a0to\u00a0you;\u00a0now\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0just\u00a0a\u00a0matter\u00a0of\u00a0adapting\u00a0those\u00a0techniques\u00a0to\u00a0business\u00a0situations.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve\u00a0already\u00a0been\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0receiving\u00a0end\u00a0of\u00a0thousands\u00a0of\u00a0business\u00a0stories:\u00a0Storytelling\u00a0is\u00a0one\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0common\u00a0structures\u00a0used\u00a0intelevision\u00a0commercials\u00a0and\u00a0other\u00a0advertisements.\u00a0People\u00a0love\u00a0to\u00a0share\u00a0stories\u00a0about\u00a0themselves\u00a0and\u00a0others,\u00a0too,\u00a0which\u00a0makes\u00a0social\u00a0mediaideal\u00a0for\u00a0storytelling.15<\/p>\n

Career-related\u00a0stories,\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0how\u00a0someone\u00a0sought\u00a0and\u00a0found\u00a0the\u00a0opportunity\u00a0to\u00a0work\u00a0on\u00a0projects\u00a0he\u00a0or\u00a0she\u00a0is\u00a0passionate\u00a0about,\u00a0can\u00a0enticeskilled\u00a0employees\u00a0to\u00a0consider\u00a0joining\u00a0a\u00a0firm.\u00a0Entrepreneurs\u00a0use\u00a0stories\u00a0to\u00a0help\u00a0investors\u00a0see\u00a0how\u00a0their\u00a0new\u00a0ideas\u00a0have\u00a0the\u00a0potential\u00a0to\u00a0affectpeople\u2019s\u00a0lives\u00a0(and\u00a0therefore\u00a0generate\u00a0lots\u00a0of\u00a0sales).\u00a0Stories\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0cautionary\u00a0tales\u00a0as\u00a0well,\u00a0dramatizing\u00a0the\u00a0consequences\u00a0of\u00a0career\u00a0blunders,ethical\u00a0mistakes,\u00a0and\u00a0strategic\u00a0missteps.<\/p>\n

A\u00a0key\u00a0reason\u00a0storytelling\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0so\u00a0effective\u00a0is\u00a0that\u00a0stories\u00a0help\u00a0readers\u00a0and\u00a0listeners\u00a0imagine\u00a0themselves\u00a0living\u00a0through\u00a0the\u00a0experience\u00a0of\u00a0theperson\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0story.\u00a0Chip\u00a0Heath\u00a0of\u00a0Stanford\u00a0University\u00a0and\u00a0his\u00a0brother,\u00a0Dan\u00a0Heath\u00a0of\u00a0Duke\u00a0University,\u00a0have\u00a0spent\u00a0years\u00a0exploring\u00a0the\u00a0questionof\u00a0why\u00a0some\u00a0ideas\u00a0\u201cstick\u201d\u00a0and\u00a0others\u00a0disappear.\u00a0One\u00a0of\u00a0their\u00a0conclusions\u00a0is\u00a0that\u00a0ideas\u00a0conveyed\u00a0through\u00a0storytelling\u00a0tend\u00a0to\u00a0thrive\u00a0becausestories\u00a0\u201cput\u00a0knowledge\u00a0into\u00a0a\u00a0framework\u00a0that\u00a0is\u00a0more\u00a0lifelike,\u00a0more\u00a0true\u00a0to\u00a0our\u00a0day-to-day\u00a0existence.\u201d16<\/p>\n

Storytelling\u00a0is\u00a0an\u00a0effective\u00a0way\u00a0to\u00a0organize\u00a0many\u00a0business\u00a0messages\u00a0because\u00a0it\u00a0helps\u00a0readers\u00a0personalize\u00a0the\u00a0message\u00a0andunderstand\u00a0causes\u00a0and\u00a0consequences.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0addition,\u00a0stories\u00a0can\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0cause-and-effect\u00a0relationships\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0compelling\u00a0fashion.17\u00a0Imagine\u00a0attending\u00a0a\u00a0new\u00a0employee\u00a0orientationand\u00a0listening\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0trainer\u00a0read\u00a0off\u00a0a\u00a0list\u00a0of\u00a0ethics\u00a0rules\u00a0and\u00a0guidelines.\u00a0Now\u00a0imagine\u00a0the\u00a0trainer\u00a0telling\u00a0the\u00a0story\u00a0of\u00a0someone\u00a0who\u00a0sounded\u00a0alot\u00a0like\u00a0you\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0very\u00a0near\u00a0future,\u00a0fresh\u00a0out\u00a0of\u00a0college\u00a0and\u00a0full\u00a0of\u00a0energy\u00a0and\u00a0ambition.\u00a0Desperate\u00a0to\u00a0hit\u00a0demanding\u00a0sales\u00a0targets,\u00a0the\u00a0personin\u00a0the\u00a0story\u00a0began\u00a0entering\u00a0transactions\u00a0before\u00a0customers\u00a0had\u00a0actually\u00a0agreed\u00a0to\u00a0purchase,\u00a0hoping\u00a0the\u00a0sales\u00a0would\u00a0eventually\u00a0come\u00a0throughand\u00a0no\u00a0one\u00a0would\u00a0be\u00a0the\u00a0wiser.\u00a0However,\u00a0the\u00a0scheme\u00a0was\u00a0exposed\u00a0during\u00a0a\u00a0routine\u00a0audit,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0rising\u00a0star\u00a0was\u00a0booted\u00a0out\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0companywith\u00a0an\u00a0ethical\u00a0stain\u00a0that\u00a0would\u00a0haunt\u00a0him\u00a0for\u00a0years.\u00a0You\u00a0may\u00a0not\u00a0remember\u00a0all\u00a0the\u00a0rules\u00a0and\u00a0guidelines,\u00a0but\u00a0chances\u00a0are\u00a0you\u00a0will\u00a0rememberwhat\u00a0happened\u00a0to\u00a0that\u00a0person\u00a0who\u00a0sounded\u00a0a\u00a0lot\u00a0like\u00a0you.\u00a0This\u00a0ability\u00a0to\u00a0share\u00a0organizational\u00a0values\u00a0is\u00a0one\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0major\u00a0benefits\u00a0of\u00a0usingstorytelling\u00a0in\u00a0business\u00a0communication,\u00a0particularly\u00a0across\u00a0diverse\u00a0workforces.18<\/p>\n

Organize\u00a0stories\u00a0in\u00a0three\u00a0parts:\u00a0a\u00a0beginning\u00a0that\u00a0introduces\u00a0a\u00a0sympathetic\u00a0person\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0dream\u00a0or\u00a0a\u00a0challenge,\u00a0a\u00a0middle\u00a0thatshows\u00a0the\u00a0obstacles\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0overcome,\u00a0and\u00a0an\u00a0ending\u00a0that\u00a0resolves\u00a0the\u00a0situation\u00a0and\u00a0shows\u00a0the\u00a0moral\u00a0or\u00a0message\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0story.<\/p>\n

A\u00a0classic\u00a0story\u00a0has\u00a0three\u00a0basic\u00a0parts.\u00a0The\u00a0beginning\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0story\u00a0presents\u00a0someone\u00a0whom\u00a0the\u00a0audience\u00a0can\u00a0identify\u00a0with\u00a0in\u00a0some\u00a0way,\u00a0and\u00a0thisperson\u00a0has\u00a0a\u00a0dream\u00a0to\u00a0pursue\u00a0or\u00a0a\u00a0problem\u00a0to\u00a0solve.\u00a0(Think\u00a0of\u00a0how\u00a0movies\u00a0and\u00a0novels\u00a0often\u00a0start\u00a0by\u00a0introducing\u00a0a\u00a0likable\u00a0character\u00a0whoimmediately\u00a0gets\u00a0into\u00a0danger,\u00a0for\u00a0example.)\u00a0The\u00a0middle\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0story\u00a0shows\u00a0this\u00a0character\u00a0taking\u00a0action\u00a0and\u00a0making\u00a0decisions\u00a0as\u00a0he\u00a0or\u00a0shepursues\u00a0the\u00a0goal\u00a0or\u00a0tries\u00a0to\u00a0solve\u00a0the\u00a0problem.\u00a0The\u00a0storyteller\u2019s\u00a0objective\u00a0here\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0build\u00a0the\u00a0audience\u2019s\u00a0interest\u00a0by\u00a0increasing\u00a0the\u00a0tension:Will\u00a0the\u00a0\u201chero\u201d\u00a0overcome\u00a0the\u00a0obstacles\u00a0in\u00a0his\u00a0or\u00a0her\u00a0path\u00a0and\u00a0defeat\u00a0whatever\u00a0adversary\u00a0is\u00a0keeping\u00a0him\u00a0or\u00a0her\u00a0away\u00a0from\u00a0her\u00a0goal?19\u00a0The\u00a0endof\u00a0the\u00a0story\u00a0answers\u00a0that\u00a0question\u00a0and\u00a0usually\u00a0offers\u00a0a\u00a0lesson\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0learned\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0outcome\u00a0as\u00a0well.<\/p>\n

By\u00a0the\u00a0way,\u00a0even\u00a0though\u00a0these\u00a0are\u00a0\u201cstories,\u201d\u00a0they\u00a0must\u00a0not\u00a0be\u00a0made-up\u00a0tales.\u00a0Telling\u00a0stories\u00a0that\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0happen\u00a0to\u00a0people\u00a0who\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0exist\u00a0whilepresenting\u00a0them\u00a0as\u00a0real-life\u00a0events\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0serious\u00a0breach\u00a0of\u00a0ethics\u00a0that\u00a0damages\u00a0a\u00a0company\u2019s\u00a0credibility.20<\/p>\n

Consider\u00a0adding\u00a0an\u00a0element\u00a0of\u00a0storytelling\u00a0whenever\u00a0your\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0involves\u00a0the\u00a0opportunity\u00a0to\u00a0inspire,\u00a0to\u00a0persuade,\u00a0to\u00a0teach,\u00a0or\u00a0to\u00a0warnreaders\u00a0or\u00a0listeners\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0potential\u00a0outcomes\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0particular\u00a0course\u00a0of\u00a0action.<\/p>\n

For\u00a0fresh\u00a0ideas\u00a0and\u00a0media\u00a0materials\u00a0on\u00a0planning\u00a0messages,\u00a0visit\u00a0http:\/\/real-timeupdates.com\/bct13\u00a0and\u00a0click\u00a0on\u00a0Chapter\u00a04.\u00a0For\u00a0a\u00a0quickrefresher\u00a0on\u00a0message-planning\u00a0tasks,\u00a0see\u00a0\u201cChecklist:\u00a0Planning\u00a0Business\u00a0Messages.\u201d<\/p>\n

CHECKLIST\u00a0\u2713\u00a0Planning\u00a0Business\u00a0Messages<\/p>\n

A. Analyze\u00a0the\u00a0situation.<\/p>\n

. Determine\u00a0whether\u00a0the\u00a0purpose\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0message\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0inform,\u00a0persuade,\u00a0or\u00a0collaborate.<\/p>\n

. Identify\u00a0what\u00a0you\u00a0want\u00a0your\u00a0audience\u00a0to\u00a0think\u00a0or\u00a0do\u00a0after\u00a0receiving\u00a0the\u00a0message.<\/p>\n

. Make\u00a0sure\u00a0your\u00a0purpose\u00a0is\u00a0worthwhile\u00a0and\u00a0realistic.<\/p>\n

. Make\u00a0sure\u00a0the\u00a0time\u00a0is\u00a0right\u00a0for\u00a0your\u00a0message.<\/p>\n

. Make\u00a0sure\u00a0your\u00a0purpose\u00a0is\u00a0acceptable\u00a0to\u00a0your\u00a0organization.<\/p>\n

. Identify\u00a0the\u00a0primary\u00a0audience.<\/p>\n

. Determine\u00a0the\u00a0size\u00a0and\u00a0composition\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0audience.<\/p>\n

. Estimate\u00a0your\u00a0audience\u2019s\u00a0level\u00a0of\u00a0understanding\u00a0and\u00a0probable\u00a0reaction\u00a0to\u00a0your\u00a0message.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Gather\u00a0information.<\/p>\n

. Decide\u00a0whether\u00a0to\u00a0use\u00a0formal\u00a0or\u00a0informal\u00a0techniques\u00a0for\u00a0gathering\u00a0information.<\/p>\n

. Find\u00a0out\u00a0what\u00a0your\u00a0audience\u00a0needs\u00a0to\u00a0know.<\/p>\n

. Provide\u00a0all\u00a0required\u00a0information\u00a0and\u00a0make\u00a0sure\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0accurate,\u00a0ethical,\u00a0and\u00a0pertinent.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Select\u00a0the\u00a0best\u00a0combination\u00a0of\u00a0medium\u00a0and\u00a0channel\u00a0for\u00a0your\u00a0message.<\/p>\n

. Understand\u00a0the\u00a0advantages\u00a0and\u00a0disadvantages\u00a0of\u00a0oral,\u00a0written,\u00a0and\u00a0visual\u00a0medium\u00a0distributed\u00a0through\u00a0both\u00a0digital\u00a0andnondigital\u00a0channels.<\/p>\n

. Consider\u00a0media\u00a0richness,\u00a0formality,\u00a0media\u00a0limitations,\u00a0urgency,\u00a0cost,\u00a0and\u00a0audience\u00a0preference.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Organize\u00a0your\u00a0information.<\/p>\n

. Define\u00a0your\u00a0main\u00a0idea.<\/p>\n

. Limit\u00a0your\u00a0scope.<\/p>\n

. Choose\u00a0the\u00a0direct\u00a0or\u00a0indirect\u00a0approach.<\/p>\n

. Outline\u00a0content\u00a0by\u00a0starting\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0idea,\u00a0adding\u00a0major\u00a0points,\u00a0and\u00a0illustrating\u00a0with\u00a0evidence.<\/p>\n

. Look\u00a0for\u00a0opportunities\u00a0to\u00a0use\u00a0storytelling\u00a0to\u00a0build\u00a0audience\u00a0interest.<\/p>\n

COMMUNICATION\u00a0CHALLENGES\u00a0AT H&R\u00a0Block<\/p>\n

Robert\u00a0Turtledove,\u00a0H&R\u00a0Block\u2019s\u00a0chief\u00a0marketing\u00a0officer,\u00a0was\u00a0impressed\u00a0enough\u00a0with\u00a0your\u00a0communication\u00a0skills\u00a0and\u00a0social\u00a0media\u00a0experienceto\u00a0add\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0team\u00a0that\u00a0markets\u00a0H&R\u00a0Block\u2019s\u00a0digital\u00a0tax-preparation\u00a0solutions.\u00a0Using\u00a0the\u00a0insights\u00a0you\u00a0gained\u00a0in\u00a0this\u00a0chapter,\u00a0addressthese\u00a0two\u00a0communication\u00a0challenges.<\/p>\n

INDIVIDUAL\u00a0CHALLENGE:\u00a0Your\u00a0first\u00a0assignment\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0write\u00a0a\u00a050-word\u00a0introduction\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0H&R\u00a0Block\u00a0tax\u00a0software\u00a0that\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0usedwhenever\u00a0the\u00a0company\u00a0needs\u00a0a\u00a0concise\u00a0summary.\u00a0For\u00a0example,\u00a0your\u00a0text\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0loaded\u00a0into\u00a0the\u00a0IM\u00a0chat\u00a0system\u00a0so\u00a0that\u00a0whenever\u00a0anyoneasks\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0software,\u00a0customer\u00a0service\u00a0representatives\u00a0can\u00a0send\u00a0your\u00a0text\u00a0with\u00a0just\u00a0one\u00a0mouse\u00a0click.\u00a0Visit\u00a0the\u00a0HR\u00a0Block\u00a0website\u00a0to\u00a0learnmore\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0various\u00a0versions\u00a0of\u00a0its\u00a0software.\u00a0Use\u00a0this\u00a0information\u00a0to\u00a0write\u00a0your\u00a050-word\u00a0summary\u00a0and\u00a0then\u00a0email\u00a0it\u00a0to\u00a0your\u00a0instructor.<\/p>\n

TEAM\u00a0CHALLENGE:\u00a0An\u00a0ongoing\u00a0dilemma\u00a0for\u00a0marketers\u00a0in\u00a0many\u00a0industries\u00a0is\u00a0trying\u00a0to\u00a0offer\u00a0targeted\u00a0products\u00a0and\u00a0services\u00a0that\u00a0meet\u00a0theneeds\u00a0of\u00a0specific\u00a0market\u00a0segments\u00a0without\u00a0creating\u00a0so\u00a0many\u00a0versions\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0range\u00a0of\u00a0choices\u00a0overwhelms\u00a0the\u00a0consumer.\u00a0For\u00a0example,\u00a0H&RBlock\u00a0can\u00a0help\u00a0taxpayers\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0variety\u00a0of\u00a0ways:\u00a0several\u00a0versions\u00a0of\u00a0web-based\u00a0tax\u00a0software,\u00a0several\u00a0versions\u00a0of\u00a0downloadable\u00a0software,professional\u00a0preparation,\u00a0and\u00a0a\u00a0hybrid\u00a0service\u00a0called\u00a0Best\u00a0of\u00a0Both,\u00a0in\u00a0which\u00a0the\u00a0taxpayer\u00a0does\u00a0most\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0work\u00a0using\u00a0the\u00a0software\u00a0and\u00a0anH&R\u00a0Block\u00a0professional\u00a0helps\u00a0with\u00a0advice\u00a0and\u00a0verification.\u00a0Simply\u00a0helping\u00a0consumers\u00a0understand\u00a0the\u00a0choices\u00a0available\u00a0can\u00a0become\u00a0aconsiderable\u00a0communication\u00a0challenge\u00a0in\u00a0its\u00a0own\u00a0right.<\/p>\n

With\u00a0your\u00a0team,\u00a0analyze\u00a0the\u00a0company\u2019s\u00a0website\u00a0in\u00a0terms\u00a0of\u00a0its\u00a0ability\u00a0to\u00a0help\u00a0a\u00a0taxpayer\u00a0understand\u00a0the\u00a0various\u00a0options\u00a0and\u00a0choose\u00a0the\u00a0onethat\u00a0meets\u00a0his\u00a0or\u00a0her\u00a0unique\u00a0needs.\u00a0For\u00a0example,\u00a0are\u00a0the\u00a0services\u00a0clearly\u00a0distinguished\u00a0from\u00a0one\u00a0another,\u00a0and\u00a0can\u00a0the\u00a0average\u00a0taxpayerunderstand\u00a0the\u00a0distinctions\u00a0being\u00a0made?\u00a0What\u00a0improvements\u00a0might\u00a0you\u00a0suggest?\u00a0Prepare\u00a0a\u00a0brief\u00a0summary\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0analysis\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0classpresentation\u00a0or\u00a0a\u00a0post\u00a0on\u00a0your\u00a0class\u00a0blog,\u00a0as\u00a0your\u00a0instructor\u00a0directs.<\/p>\n

14.1 Applying the Three-Step Writing Process<\/b><\/p>\n

1\u00a0LEARNING\u00a0OBJECTIVE<\/b><\/p>\n

Adapt\u00a0the\u00a0three-step\u00a0writing\u00a0process\u00a0to\u00a0reports\u00a0and\u00a0proposals.<\/p>\n

14.1\u00a0Applying\u00a0the\u00a0Three-Step\u00a0Writing\u00a0Process\u00a0to\u00a0Reports\u00a0and\u00a0Proposals<\/b><\/p>\n

Whether\u00a0they\u00a0are\u00a0printed\u00a0documents\u00a0or\u00a0online\u00a0resources,\u00a0 reports<\/b> \u00a0are\u00a0written\u00a0accounts\u00a0that\u00a0objectively\u00a0communicate\u00a0information\u00a0aboutsome\u00a0aspect\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0business\u00a0(see\u00a0Figure\u00a014.1).\u00a0 Informational\u00a0reports<\/b> \u00a0offer\u00a0data,\u00a0facts,\u00a0feedback,\u00a0and\u00a0other\u00a0types\u00a0of\u00a0information,\u00a0withoutanalysis\u00a0or\u00a0recommendations.\u00a0 Analytical\u00a0reports<\/b> \u00a0offer\u00a0both\u00a0information\u00a0and\u00a0analysis\u00a0and\u00a0can\u00a0also\u00a0include\u00a0recommendations.\u00a0 Proposals<\/b> \u00a0area\u00a0special\u00a0category\u00a0of\u00a0reports\u00a0that\u00a0combine\u00a0information\u00a0delivery\u00a0and\u00a0persuasive\u00a0communication.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0nature\u00a0of\u00a0these\u00a0reports\u00a0can\u00a0vary\u00a0widely,\u00a0depending\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0circumstances.\u00a0Some\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0reports\u00a0you\u00a0write\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0voluntary,\u00a0launched\u00a0atyour\u00a0own\u00a0initiative\u00a0and\u00a0following\u00a0whatever\u00a0structure\u00a0you\u00a0find\u00a0most\u00a0effective.\u00a0Other\u00a0reports\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0in\u00a0response\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0manager\u2019s\u00a0or\u00a0customer\u2019srequest,\u00a0and\u00a0you\u00a0may\u00a0or\u00a0may\u00a0not\u00a0receive\u00a0guidance\u00a0regarding\u00a0the\u00a0organization\u00a0and\u00a0content.\u00a0You\u2019ll\u00a0also\u00a0write\u00a0reports\u00a0that\u00a0follow\u00a0strict,\u00a0specificguidelines\u00a0for\u00a0content\u00a0and\u00a0layout.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0purpose\u00a0and\u00a0content\u00a0of\u00a0business\u00a0reports\u00a0varies\u00a0widely;\u00a0in\u00a0some\u00a0cases,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0follow\u00a0strict\u00a0guidelines,\u00a0but\u00a0in\u00a0others,\u00a0theorganization\u00a0and\u00a0format\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0up\u00a0to\u00a0you.<\/p>\n

Your\u00a0audience\u00a0will\u00a0sometimes\u00a0be\u00a0internal,\u00a0which\u00a0gives\u00a0you\u00a0more\u00a0freedom\u00a0to\u00a0discuss\u00a0sensitive\u00a0information.\u00a0At\u00a0other\u00a0times,\u00a0your\u00a0audiencemight\u00a0include\u00a0customers,\u00a0investors,\u00a0community\u00a0members,\u00a0or\u00a0news\u00a0media,\u00a0any\u00a0of\u00a0which\u00a0can\u00a0create\u00a0additional\u00a0demands\u00a0as\u00a0you\u00a0presentcompany\u00a0information\u00a0to\u00a0such\u00a0external\u00a0groups.<\/p>\n

Many\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0reports\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0written\u00a0for\u00a0internal\u00a0audiences,\u00a0but\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0also\u00a0likely\u00a0to\u00a0write\u00a0reports\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0wide\u00a0range\u00a0of\u00a0outsidereaders.<\/p>\n

Finally,\u00a0your\u00a0reports\u00a0will\u00a0vary\u00a0widely\u00a0in\u00a0length\u00a0and\u00a0complexity.\u00a0You\u00a0may\u00a0write\u00a0one-page\u00a0memo-\u00a0or\u00a0letter-format\u00a0reports\u00a0that\u00a0are\u00a0simple\u00a0andstraightforward.\u00a0Or\u00a0you\u00a0may\u00a0write\u00a0reports\u00a0that\u00a0cover\u00a0complicated\u00a0subjects,\u00a0running\u00a0into\u00a0hundreds\u00a0or\u00a0even\u00a0thousands\u00a0of\u00a0pages\u00a0and\u00a0involvingmultiple\u00a0writers.<\/p>\n

No\u00a0matter\u00a0what\u00a0the\u00a0circumstances,\u00a0preparing\u00a0reports\u00a0requires\u00a0all\u00a0the\u00a0skills\u00a0and\u00a0knowledge\u00a0that\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0gained\u00a0throughout\u00a0this\u00a0course\u00a0and\u00a0willcontinue\u00a0to\u00a0gain\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0job.\u00a0View\u00a0every\u00a0business\u00a0report\u00a0as\u00a0an\u00a0opportunity\u00a0to\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0your\u00a0understanding\u00a0of\u00a0business\u00a0challenges\u00a0andyour\u00a0ability\u00a0to\u00a0contribute\u00a0to\u00a0your\u00a0organization\u2019s\u00a0success.<\/p>\n

By\u00a0adapting\u00a0the\u00a0three-step\u00a0writing\u00a0process,\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0reduce\u00a0the\u00a0time\u00a0required\u00a0to\u00a0write\u00a0effective\u00a0reports\u00a0and\u00a0still\u00a0produce\u00a0documents\u00a0that\u00a0makelasting\u00a0and\u00a0positive\u00a0impressions\u00a0on\u00a0your\u00a0audiences.\u00a0The\u00a0concepts\u00a0are\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0as\u00a0those\u00a0you\u00a0explored\u00a0in\u00a0Chapters\u00a04\u00a0through\u00a06\u00a0and\u00a0applied\u00a0toshorter\u00a0messages\u00a0in\u00a0Chapters\u00a010\u00a0through\u00a012.\u00a0However,\u00a0the\u00a0emphasis\u00a0on\u00a0specific\u00a0tasks\u00a0can\u00a0vary\u00a0considerably.\u00a0For\u00a0instance,\u00a0planning\u00a0can\u00a0takedays\u00a0or\u00a0weeks\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0complex\u00a0report\u00a0or\u00a0proposal.<\/p>\n

Given\u00a0the\u00a0length\u00a0and\u00a0complexity\u00a0of\u00a0many\u00a0reports,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0crucial\u00a0to\u00a0define\u00a0your\u00a0purpose\u00a0clearly\u00a0so\u00a0you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0waste\u00a0time\u00a0with\u00a0avoidablerework.<\/p>\n

ANALYZING\u00a0THE\u00a0SITUATION<\/b><\/p>\n

The\u00a0complexity\u00a0of\u00a0most\u00a0reports\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0magnitude\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0work\u00a0involved\u00a0heighten\u00a0the\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0analyze\u00a0the\u00a0situation\u00a0carefully.\u00a0With\u00a0an\u00a0email\u00a0oranother\u00a0short\u00a0message,\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0change\u00a0direction\u00a0halfway\u00a0through\u00a0the\u00a0first\u00a0draft\u00a0and\u00a0perhaps\u00a0lose\u00a0only\u00a0a\u00a0few\u00a0minutes\u00a0of\u00a0work.\u00a0In\u00a0contrast,\u00a0ifyou\u00a0change\u00a0direction\u00a0halfway\u00a0through\u00a0a\u00a0major\u00a0report,\u00a0you\u00a0could\u00a0lose\u00a0days\u00a0of\u00a0work.\u00a0To\u00a0minimize\u00a0that\u00a0chance,\u00a0pay\u00a0special\u00a0attention\u00a0to\u00a0yourstatement\u00a0of\u00a0purpose.\u00a0In\u00a0addition,\u00a0for\u00a0anything\u00a0beyond\u00a0the\u00a0simplest\u00a0reports,\u00a0take\u00a0the\u00a0time\u00a0to\u00a0prepare\u00a0a\u00a0work\u00a0plan\u00a0before\u00a0you\u00a0start\u00a0writing.<\/p>\n

Figure\u00a014.1<\/b>\u2003Common\u00a0Types\u00a0of\u00a0Business\u00a0Reports\u00a0and\u00a0Proposals<\/b><\/p>\n

\"images\"\/<\/p>\n

You\u00a0will\u00a0have\u00a0the\u00a0opportunity\u00a0to\u00a0read\u00a0and\u00a0write\u00a0many\u00a0types\u00a0of\u00a0reports\u00a0in\u00a0your\u00a0career;\u00a0here\u00a0are\u00a0some\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0common.<\/p>\n

Defining\u00a0Your\u00a0Purpose<\/b><\/p>\n

Informational\u00a0reports\u00a0often\u00a0address\u00a0a\u00a0predetermined\u00a0need\u00a0and\u00a0must\u00a0meet\u00a0specific\u00a0audience\u00a0expectations.\u00a0For\u00a0example,\u00a0you\u00a0may\u00a0be\u00a0asked\u00a0towrite\u00a0reports\u00a0that\u00a0verify\u00a0your\u00a0company\u2019s\u00a0compliance\u00a0with\u00a0government\u00a0regulations,\u00a0that\u00a0summarize\u00a0sales,\u00a0or\u00a0that\u00a0monitor\u00a0a\u00a0process\u2014all\u00a0ofwhich\u00a0have\u00a0audiences\u00a0who\u00a0expect\u00a0certain\u00a0information\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0certain\u00a0format.\u00a0With\u00a0other\u00a0informational\u00a0reports,\u00a0you\u00a0will\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0uncoveraudience\u00a0needs\u00a0before\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0define\u00a0the\u00a0optimum\u00a0purpose.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0some\u00a0cases,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0be\u00a0told\u00a0the\u00a0purpose\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0report;\u00a0in\u00a0others,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0up\u00a0to\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0identify\u00a0the\u00a0purpose.<\/p>\n

Analytical\u00a0reports\u00a0and\u00a0proposals\u00a0are\u00a0almost\u00a0always\u00a0written\u00a0in\u00a0response\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0perceived\u00a0problem\u00a0or\u00a0a\u00a0perceived\u00a0opportunity.\u00a0A\u00a0clear\u00a0statementof\u00a0this\u00a0problem\u00a0or\u00a0opportunity\u00a0helps\u00a0frame\u00a0the\u00a0communication\u00a0challenge\u00a0by\u00a0identifying\u00a0what<\/i>\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0going\u00a0to\u00a0write\u00a0about,\u00a0but\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0insufficientto\u00a0guide\u00a0your\u00a0writing\u00a0efforts.\u00a0To\u00a0plan\u00a0effectively,\u00a0address\u00a0the\u00a0problem\u00a0or\u00a0opportunity\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0clear\u00a0 statement\u00a0of\u00a0purpose<\/b> \u00a0that\u00a0defines\u00a0why<\/i>\u00a0youare\u00a0preparing\u00a0the\u00a0report\u00a0(see\u00a0Table\u00a014.1\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0next\u00a0page).<\/p>\n

The\u00a0most\u00a0useful\u00a0way\u00a0to\u00a0phrase\u00a0your\u00a0purpose\u00a0statement\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0begin\u00a0with\u00a0an\u00a0infinitive\u00a0phrase\u00a0(to\u00a0plus\u00a0a\u00a0verb).\u00a0Using\u00a0an\u00a0infinitive\u00a0phraseencourages\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0take\u00a0control\u00a0and\u00a0decide\u00a0where\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0going\u00a0before\u00a0you\u00a0begin.\u00a0When\u00a0you\u00a0choose\u00a0an\u00a0infinitive\u00a0phrase\u00a0(such\u00a0as\u00a0to\u00a0inform,\u00a0toconfirm,\u00a0to\u00a0analyze,\u00a0to\u00a0persuade<\/i>,\u00a0or\u00a0to\u00a0recommend<\/i>),\u00a0you\u00a0pin\u00a0down\u00a0your\u00a0general\u00a0goal\u00a0in\u00a0preparing\u00a0the\u00a0report.\u00a0Consider\u00a0these\u00a0examples\u00a0forinformational\u00a0reports:<\/p>\n

TABLE\u00a014.1\u00a0Problem\u00a0Statements\u00a0versus\u00a0Purpose\u00a0Statements<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Problem\u00a0Statement<\/td>\nStatement\u00a0of\u00a0Purpose<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Our\u00a0company\u2019s\u00a0market\u00a0share\u00a0is\u00a0steadily\u00a0declining.<\/td>\nTo\u00a0explore\u00a0new\u00a0ways\u00a0of\u00a0promoting\u00a0and\u00a0selling\u00a0our\u00a0products\u00a0and\u00a0torecommend\u00a0the\u00a0approaches\u00a0most\u00a0likely\u00a0to\u00a0stabilize\u00a0our\u00a0market\u00a0share<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Our\u00a0current\u00a0computer\u00a0network\u00a0lacks\u00a0sufficientbandwidth\u00a0and\u00a0cannot\u00a0be\u00a0upgraded\u00a0to\u00a0meet\u00a0our\u00a0futureneeds.<\/td>\nTo\u00a0analyze\u00a0various\u00a0networking\u00a0options\u00a0and\u00a0to\u00a0recommend\u00a0the\u00a0system\u00a0that\u00a0willbest\u00a0meet\u00a0our\u00a0company\u2019s\u00a0current\u00a0and\u00a0future\u00a0needs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
We\u00a0need\u00a0$2\u00a0million\u00a0to\u00a0launch\u00a0our\u00a0new\u00a0product.<\/td>\nTo\u00a0convince\u00a0investors\u00a0that\u00a0our\u00a0new\u00a0business\u00a0would\u00a0be\u00a0a\u00a0sound\u00a0investment\u00a0sothat\u00a0we\u00a0can\u00a0obtain\u00a0desired\u00a0financing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Our\u00a0current\u00a0operations\u00a0are\u00a0too\u00a0decentralized\u00a0andexpensive.<\/td>\nTo\u00a0justify\u00a0the\u00a0closing\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Newark\u00a0plant\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0transfer\u00a0of\u00a0East\u00a0Coastoperations\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0single\u00a0Midwest\u00a0location\u00a0in\u00a0order\u00a0to\u00a0save\u00a0the\u00a0company\u00a0money<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00b7 To\u00a0update\u00a0clients\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0progress\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0research\u00a0project\u00a0(progress\u00a0report)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 To\u00a0develop\u00a0goals\u00a0and\u00a0objectives\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0coming\u00a0year\u00a0(strategic\u00a0plan)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 To\u00a0identify\u00a0customers\u00a0and\u00a0explain\u00a0how\u00a0the\u00a0company\u00a0will\u00a0serve\u00a0them\u00a0(marketing\u00a0plan)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 To\u00a0submit\u00a0monthly\u00a0sales\u00a0statistics\u00a0to\u00a0management\u00a0(operating\u00a0report)<\/p>\n

\u00b7 To\u00a0summarize\u00a0what\u00a0occurred\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0annual\u00a0sales\u00a0conference\u00a0(personal\u00a0activity\u00a0report)<\/p>\n

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A\u00a0detailed\u00a0work\u00a0plan\u00a0saves\u00a0time\u00a0and\u00a0often\u00a0produces\u00a0more\u00a0effective\u00a0reports.<\/p>\n

Figure\u00a014.2<\/b>\u2003Work\u00a0Plan\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0Report<\/b><\/p>\n

\"images\"\/<\/p>\n

A\u00a0formal\u00a0work\u00a0plan\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0this\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0vital\u00a0tool\u00a0for\u00a0planning\u00a0and\u00a0managing\u00a0complex\u00a0writing\u00a0projects.\u00a0The\u00a0preliminary\u00a0outline\u00a0here\u00a0helps\u00a0guide\u00a0theresearch;\u00a0the\u00a0report\u00a0writers\u00a0may\u00a0well\u00a0modify\u00a0the\u00a0outline\u00a0when\u00a0they\u00a0begin\u00a0writing\u00a0the\u00a0report.<\/p>\n

If\u00a0you\u00a0are\u00a0preparing\u00a0a\u00a0work\u00a0plan\u00a0for\u00a0yourself,\u00a0it\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0relatively\u00a0informal:\u00a0a\u00a0simple\u00a0list\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0steps\u00a0you\u00a0plan\u00a0to\u00a0take\u00a0and\u00a0an\u00a0estimate\u00a0of\u00a0theirsequence\u00a0and\u00a0timing.\u00a0However,\u00a0for\u00a0more\u00a0complicated\u00a0projects,\u00a0particularly\u00a0those\u00a0that\u00a0involve\u00a0multiple\u00a0team\u00a0members,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0want\u00a0to\u00a0preparea\u00a0formal,\u00a0detailed\u00a0work\u00a0plan\u00a0that\u00a0can\u00a0guide\u00a0the\u00a0performance\u00a0of\u00a0many\u00a0tasks\u00a0over\u00a0a\u00a0span\u00a0of\u00a0time.\u00a0For\u00a0consultants\u00a0and\u00a0others\u00a0whose\u00a0work\u00a0outputis\u00a0a\u00a0formal\u00a0report,\u00a0the\u00a0work\u00a0plan\u00a0can\u00a0also\u00a0become\u00a0the\u00a0basis\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0contract\u00a0if\u00a0the\u00a0proposal\u00a0is\u00a0accepted.\u00a0A\u00a0formal\u00a0work\u00a0plan\u00a0might\u00a0include\u00a0thefollowing\u00a0elements\u00a0(especially\u00a0the\u00a0first\u00a0two):<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Statement\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0problem\u00a0or\u00a0opportunity<\/b>.\u00a0The\u00a0problem\u00a0statement\u00a0clarifies\u00a0the\u00a0challenge\u00a0you\u00a0face,\u00a0helps\u00a0you\u00a0(and\u00a0anyone\u00a0working\u00a0withyou)\u00a0stay\u00a0focused\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0core\u00a0issues,\u00a0and\u00a0helps\u00a0everyone\u00a0avoid\u00a0the\u00a0distractions\u00a0that\u00a0are\u00a0likely\u00a0to\u00a0arise\u00a0along\u00a0the\u00a0way.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Statement\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0purpose\u00a0and\u00a0scope\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0investigation<\/b>.\u00a0The\u00a0purpose\u00a0statement\u00a0describes\u00a0what\u00a0you\u00a0plan\u00a0to\u00a0accomplish\u00a0andtherefore\u00a0also\u00a0defines\u00a0the\u00a0boundaries\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0work.\u00a0Delineating\u00a0which\u00a0subjects\u00a0you\u00a0will\u00a0cover\u00a0and\u00a0which\u00a0you\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0is\u00a0especially\u00a0importantfor\u00a0complex\u00a0investigations.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Discussion\u00a0of\u00a0tasks\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0accomplished<\/b>.\u00a0For\u00a0simple\u00a0reports,\u00a0the\u00a0list\u00a0of\u00a0tasks\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0accomplished\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0short\u00a0and\u00a0probably\u00a0obvious.However,\u00a0longer\u00a0reports\u00a0and\u00a0complex\u00a0investigations\u00a0require\u00a0an\u00a0exhaustive\u00a0list\u00a0so\u00a0that\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0reserve\u00a0time\u00a0with\u00a0customers,\u00a0withexecutives,\u00a0or\u00a0for\u00a0outside\u00a0services,\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0market\u00a0researchers\u00a0or\u00a0print\u00a0shops.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Description\u00a0of\u00a0any\u00a0additional\u00a0products\u00a0or\u00a0activities\u00a0that\u00a0will\u00a0result\u00a0from\u00a0your\u00a0investigation<\/b>.\u00a0In\u00a0many\u00a0cases,\u00a0the\u00a0only\u00a0outcome\u00a0of\u00a0yourefforts\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0the\u00a0report\u00a0itself.\u00a0In\u00a0other\u00a0cases,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0produce\u00a0something\u00a0or\u00a0perform\u00a0some\u00a0task\u00a0in\u00a0addition\u00a0to\u00a0completing\u00a0thereport.\u00a0Make\u00a0such\u00a0expectations\u00a0clear\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0outset.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Review\u00a0of\u00a0project\u00a0assignments,\u00a0schedules,\u00a0and\u00a0resource\u00a0requirements<\/b>.\u00a0Indicate\u00a0who\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0responsible\u00a0for\u00a0what,\u00a0when\u00a0tasks\u00a0will\u00a0becompleted,\u00a0and\u00a0how\u00a0much\u00a0the\u00a0investigation\u00a0will\u00a0cost.\u00a0If\u00a0more\u00a0than\u00a0one\u00a0person\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0involved,\u00a0you\u00a0may\u00a0also\u00a0want\u00a0to\u00a0include\u00a0a\u00a0briefsection\u00a0on\u00a0coordinating\u00a0report\u00a0writing\u00a0and\u00a0production,\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0whether\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0use\u00a0a\u00a0wiki\u00a0to\u00a0develop\u00a0the\u00a0report\u00a0content.\u00a0If\u00a0constraints\u00a0ontime,\u00a0money,\u00a0personnel,\u00a0or\u00a0data\u00a0are\u00a0likely\u00a0to\u00a0affect\u00a0the\u00a0quality\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0report,\u00a0identify\u00a0these\u00a0limitations\u00a0up\u00a0front.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Plans\u00a0for\u00a0following\u00a0up\u00a0after\u00a0delivering\u00a0the\u00a0report<\/b>.\u00a0Follow-up\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0as\u00a0simple\u00a0as\u00a0making\u00a0sure\u00a0people\u00a0received\u00a0the\u00a0information\u00a0theyneed\u00a0or\u00a0as\u00a0complex\u00a0as\u00a0conducting\u00a0additional\u00a0research\u00a0to\u00a0evaluate\u00a0the\u00a0results\u00a0of\u00a0proposals\u00a0included\u00a0in\u00a0your\u00a0report.\u00a0Even\u00a0informal\u00a0follow-upcan\u00a0help\u00a0you\u00a0improve\u00a0your\u00a0future\u00a0reports\u00a0and\u00a0communicate\u00a0that\u00a0you\u00a0care\u00a0about\u00a0your\u00a0work\u2019s\u00a0effectiveness\u00a0and\u00a0its\u00a0impact\u00a0on\u00a0theorganization.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Working\u00a0outline<\/b>.\u00a0Some\u00a0work\u00a0plans\u00a0include\u00a0a\u00a0tentative\u00a0outline\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0report,\u00a0as\u00a0does\u00a0the\u00a0plan\u00a0in\u00a0Figure\u00a014.2.<\/p>\n

GATHERING\u00a0INFORMATION<\/b><\/p>\n

The\u00a0amount\u00a0of\u00a0information\u00a0needed\u00a0in\u00a0many\u00a0reports\u00a0and\u00a0proposals\u00a0requires\u00a0careful\u00a0planning\u2014and\u00a0may\u00a0even\u00a0require\u00a0a\u00a0separate\u00a0researchproject\u00a0just\u00a0to\u00a0get\u00a0the\u00a0data\u00a0and\u00a0information\u00a0you\u00a0need.\u00a0As\u00a0Chapter\u00a013\u00a0emphasizes,\u00a0you\u00a0should\u00a0prioritize\u00a0your\u00a0information\u00a0needs\u00a0before\u00a0youstart\u00a0and\u00a0focus\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0important\u00a0questions.\u00a0Whenever\u00a0possible,\u00a0try\u00a0to\u00a0reuse\u00a0or\u00a0adapt\u00a0existing\u00a0information\u00a0to\u00a0save\u00a0time.<\/p>\n

Some\u00a0reports\u00a0require\u00a0formal\u00a0research\u00a0projects\u00a0in\u00a0order\u00a0to\u00a0gather\u00a0all\u00a0the\u00a0necessary\u00a0information.<\/p>\n

SELECTING\u00a0THE\u00a0BEST\u00a0MEDIA\u00a0AND\u00a0CHANNELS<\/b><\/p>\n

In\u00a0addition\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0general\u00a0media\u00a0selection\u00a0criteria\u00a0discussed\u00a0in\u00a0Chapter\u00a04,\u00a0consider\u00a0several\u00a0points\u00a0for\u00a0reports\u00a0and\u00a0proposals.\u00a0First,\u00a0for\u00a0manyreports\u00a0and\u00a0proposals,\u00a0audiences\u00a0have\u00a0specific\u00a0media\u00a0requirements,\u00a0and\u00a0you\u00a0might\u00a0not\u00a0have\u00a0a\u00a0choice.\u00a0For\u00a0instance,\u00a0executives\u00a0in\u00a0manycorporations\u00a0now\u00a0expect\u00a0to\u00a0review\u00a0many\u00a0reports\u00a0via\u00a0their\u00a0in-house\u00a0intranets,\u00a0sometimes\u00a0in\u00a0conjunction\u00a0with\u00a0an\u00a0executive\u00a0dashboard<\/i>,\u00a0acustomized\u00a0online\u00a0presentation\u00a0of\u00a0highly\u00a0summarized\u00a0business\u00a0information.\u00a0Executive\u00a0dashboards\u00a0are\u00a0particularly\u00a0helpful\u00a0for\u00a0accessingreport\u00a0content\u00a0on\u00a0mobile\u00a0devices\u00a0(see\u00a0Figure\u00a014.3).<\/p>\n

MOBILE\u00a0APPS<\/b><\/p>\n

Sage\u00a0Evolution\u00a0Executive\u00a0Dashboard\u00a0and\u00a0Databox\u00a0are\u00a0two\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0executive\u00a0dashboard\u00a0apps\u00a0available\u00a0for\u00a0mobile\u00a0devices.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0some\u00a0situations,\u00a0you\u00a0may\u00a0be\u00a0required\u00a0to\u00a0use\u00a0a\u00a0specific\u00a0medium\u00a0for\u00a0your\u00a0reports.<\/p>\n

Second,\u00a0consider\u00a0how\u00a0your\u00a0audience\u00a0members\u00a0want\u00a0to\u00a0provide\u00a0feedback\u00a0on\u00a0your\u00a0report\u00a0or\u00a0proposal.\u00a0Do\u00a0they\u00a0prefer\u00a0to\u00a0write\u00a0comments\u00a0on\u00a0aprinted\u00a0document\u00a0or\u00a0edit\u00a0a\u00a0wiki\u00a0article?\u00a0Third,\u00a0will\u00a0people\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0search\u00a0through\u00a0your\u00a0document\u00a0electronically\u00a0or\u00a0update\u00a0it\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0future?Fourth,\u00a0bear\u00a0in\u00a0mind\u00a0that\u00a0your\u00a0choice\u00a0of\u00a0medium\u00a0sends\u00a0a\u00a0message.\u00a0For\u00a0instance,\u00a0a\u00a0routine\u00a0sales\u00a0report\u00a0dressed\u00a0up\u00a0in\u00a0expensive\u00a0multimediawill\u00a0look\u00a0like\u00a0a\u00a0waste\u00a0of\u00a0valuable\u00a0company\u00a0resources.<\/p>\n

Figure\u00a014.3<\/b>\u2003Executive\u00a0Dashboards<\/b><\/p>\n

\"images\"\/<\/p>\n

To\u00a0help\u00a0managers\u00a0avoid\u00a0information\u00a0overload,\u00a0many\u00a0companies\u00a0now\u00a0use\u00a0executive\u00a0dashboards\u00a0to\u00a0present\u00a0carefully\u00a0filtered\u00a0highlights\u00a0of\u00a0keyperformance\u00a0parameters.\u00a0Dashboards\u00a0are\u00a0essentially\u00a0super-summarized\u00a0reports.\u00a0The\u00a0latest\u00a0generation\u00a0of\u00a0software\u00a0and\u00a0mobile\u00a0apps\u00a0make\u00a0iteasy\u00a0to\u00a0customize\u00a0screens\u00a0to\u00a0show\u00a0each\u00a0manager\u00a0the\u00a0specific\u00a0summaries\u00a0he\u00a0or\u00a0she\u00a0needs\u00a0to\u00a0see.<\/p>\n

eSource<\/i>:\u00a0Executive\u00a0Dashboards\u00a0from\u00a0My\u00a0Business\u00a0Online,\u00a0powered\u00a0by\u00a0Pastel.\u00a0Copyright\u00a0\u00a9\u00a0by\u00a0Sandra\u00a0Claassen.\u00a0Used\u00a0by\u00a0permission\u00a0of\u00a0SandraClaassen.<\/p>\n

ORGANIZING\u00a0YOUR\u00a0INFORMATION<\/b><\/p>\n

The\u00a0length\u00a0and\u00a0complexity\u00a0of\u00a0most\u00a0reports\u00a0and\u00a0proposals\u00a0require\u00a0extra\u00a0emphasis\u00a0on\u00a0clear,\u00a0reader-oriented\u00a0organization.\u00a0Your\u00a0readers\u00a0mighthave\u00a0the\u00a0patience\u00a0to\u00a0struggle\u00a0through\u00a0a\u00a0short,\u00a0disorganized\u00a0email\u00a0message\u00a0but\u00a0not\u00a0through\u00a0a\u00a0poorly\u00a0organized\u00a0200-page\u00a0report.\u00a0As\u00a0Chapters\u00a04discusses,\u00a0when\u00a0an\u00a0audience\u00a0is\u00a0likely\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0receptive\u00a0or\u00a0at\u00a0least\u00a0open-minded,\u00a0use\u00a0the\u00a0direct\u00a0approach:\u00a0Lead\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0summary\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0keyfindings,\u00a0conclusions,\u00a0recommendations,\u00a0or\u00a0proposal,\u00a0whichever\u00a0is\u00a0relevant.\u00a0This\u00a0\u201cup-front\u201d\u00a0arrangement\u00a0is\u00a0by\u00a0far\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0popular\u00a0andconvenient\u00a0for\u00a0business\u00a0reports.\u00a0It\u00a0saves\u00a0time\u00a0and\u00a0makes\u00a0the\u00a0rest\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0report\u00a0easier\u00a0to\u00a0follow.\u00a0For\u00a0those\u00a0who\u00a0have\u00a0questions\u00a0or\u00a0want\u00a0moreinformation,\u00a0later\u00a0parts\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0report\u00a0provide\u00a0complete\u00a0findings\u00a0and\u00a0supporting\u00a0details.\u00a0The\u00a0direct\u00a0approach\u00a0also\u00a0produces\u00a0a\u00a0more\u00a0forcefulreport.\u00a0You\u00a0sound\u00a0sure\u00a0of\u00a0yourself\u00a0when\u00a0you\u00a0state\u00a0your\u00a0conclusions\u00a0confidently\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0outset.<\/p>\n

Most\u00a0business\u00a0reports\u00a0use\u00a0the\u00a0direct\u00a0approach.<\/p>\n

At\u00a0times,\u00a0however,\u00a0confidence\u00a0may\u00a0be\u00a0misconstrued\u00a0as\u00a0arrogance.\u00a0If\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0a\u00a0junior\u00a0member\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0status-conscious\u00a0organization,\u00a0or\u00a0if\u00a0youraudience\u00a0is\u00a0skeptical\u00a0or\u00a0hostile,\u00a0consider\u00a0the\u00a0indirect\u00a0approach:\u00a0Introduce\u00a0your\u00a0complete\u00a0findings\u00a0and\u00a0discuss\u00a0all\u00a0supporting\u00a0details\u00a0beforepresenting\u00a0your\u00a0conclusions\u00a0and\u00a0recommendations.\u00a0The\u00a0indirect\u00a0approach\u00a0gives\u00a0you\u00a0a\u00a0chance\u00a0to\u00a0prove\u00a0your\u00a0points\u00a0and\u00a0gradually\u00a0overcomeyour\u00a0audience\u2019s\u00a0reservations.\u00a0By\u00a0deferring\u00a0the\u00a0conclusions\u00a0and\u00a0recommendations\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0end\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0report,\u00a0you\u00a0imply\u00a0that\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0weighedthe\u00a0evidence\u00a0objectively.\u00a0You\u00a0also\u00a0imply\u00a0that\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0subordinating\u00a0your\u00a0judgment\u00a0to\u00a0that\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0audience,\u00a0whose\u00a0members\u00a0are\u00a0capable\u00a0ofdrawing\u00a0their\u00a0own\u00a0conclusions\u00a0when\u00a0they\u00a0have\u00a0access\u00a0to\u00a0all\u00a0the\u00a0facts.<\/p>\n

Use\u00a0the\u00a0indirect\u00a0approach\u00a0when\u00a0you\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0build\u00a0support\u00a0for\u00a0your\u00a0main\u00a0idea\u00a0or\u00a0you\u00a0want\u00a0to\u00a0avoid\u00a0coming\u00a0across\u00a0as\u00a0arrogant.<\/p>\n

Figure\u00a014.4<\/b>\u2003Direct\u00a0Approach\u00a0Versus\u00a0Indirect\u00a0Approach\u00a0in\u00a0an\u00a0Introduction<\/b><\/p>\n

\"images\"\/<\/p>\n

In\u00a0the\u00a0direct\u00a0version\u00a0of\u00a0this\u00a0introduction,\u00a0the\u00a0writer\u00a0quickly\u00a0presents\u00a0the\u00a0report\u2019s\u00a0recommendation,\u00a0followed\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0conclusions\u00a0that\u00a0led\u00a0to\u00a0thatrecommendation.\u00a0In\u00a0the\u00a0indirect\u00a0version,\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0topics\u00a0are\u00a0introduced\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0order,\u00a0but\u00a0no\u00a0conclusions\u00a0are\u00a0drawn\u00a0about\u00a0them\u00a0(theconclusions\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0ultimate\u00a0recommendation\u00a0appear\u00a0later,\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0body\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0report).<\/p>\n

Although\u00a0the\u00a0indirect\u00a0approach\u00a0has\u00a0advantages,\u00a0some\u00a0readers\u00a0will\u00a0always\u00a0be\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0hurry\u00a0to\u00a0get\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0answer\u00a0and\u00a0will\u00a0immediately\u00a0flip\u00a0to\u00a0therecommendations\u00a0anyway,\u00a0thus\u00a0defeating\u00a0your\u00a0purpose.\u00a0Therefore,\u00a0consider\u00a0length\u00a0before\u00a0choosing\u00a0the\u00a0direct\u00a0or\u00a0indirect\u00a0approach.\u00a0Ingeneral,\u00a0the\u00a0longer\u00a0the\u00a0message,\u00a0the\u00a0less\u00a0effective\u00a0an\u00a0indirect\u00a0approach\u00a0is\u00a0likely\u00a0to\u00a0be.<\/p>\n

Long\u00a0reports\u00a0sometimes\u00a0combine\u00a0direct\u00a0and\u00a0indirect\u00a0approaches,\u00a0building\u00a0support\u00a0for\u00a0interim\u00a0conclusions\u00a0or\u00a0recommendationsalong\u00a0the\u00a0way.<\/p>\n

Because\u00a0both\u00a0direct\u00a0and\u00a0indirect\u00a0approaches\u00a0have\u00a0merit,\u00a0businesspeople\u00a0often\u00a0combine\u00a0them.\u00a0They\u00a0reveal\u00a0their\u00a0conclusions\u00a0andrecommendations\u00a0as\u00a0they\u00a0go\u00a0along\u00a0rather\u00a0than\u00a0put\u00a0them\u00a0either\u00a0first\u00a0or\u00a0last.\u00a0Figure\u00a014.4\u00a0presents\u00a0the\u00a0introductions\u00a0from\u00a0two\u00a0reports\u00a0that\u00a0follow\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0general\u00a0outline.\u00a0In\u00a0the\u00a0direct\u00a0version,\u00a0a\u00a0series\u00a0of\u00a0statements\u00a0summarizes\u00a0the\u00a0conclusion\u00a0reached\u00a0in\u00a0relation\u00a0to\u00a0each\u00a0main\u00a0topicin\u00a0the\u00a0outline.\u00a0In\u00a0the\u00a0indirect\u00a0version,\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0topics\u00a0are\u00a0introduced\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0order\u00a0but\u00a0without\u00a0drawing\u00a0any\u00a0conclusions\u00a0about\u00a0them.Instead,\u00a0the\u00a0conclusions\u00a0appear\u00a0within\u00a0the\u00a0body\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0report.<\/p>\n

TABLE\u00a014.2\u00a0Types\u00a0of\u00a0outline\u00a0Headings<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
DESCRIPTIVE\u00a0(TOPICAL)\u00a0OUTLINE<\/b><\/td>\nINFORMATIVE\u00a0(TALKING)\u00a0OUTLINE<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/td>\nQuestion\u00a0form<\/td>\nSummary\u00a0form<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1. Industry\u00a0Characteristics<\/p>\n

a. Annual\u00a0sales<\/p>\n

b. Profitability<\/p>\n

c. Growth\u00a0rate<\/p>\n

i. Sales<\/p>\n

ii. Profit<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

1. What\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0nature\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0industry?<\/p>\n

a. What\u00a0are\u00a0the\u00a0annual\u00a0sales?<\/p>\n

b. Is\u00a0the\u00a0industry\u00a0profitable?<\/p>\n

c. What\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0pattern\u00a0of\u00a0growth?<\/p>\n

i. Sales\u00a0growth?<\/p>\n

ii. Profit\u00a0growth?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

1. Flour\u00a0milling\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0mature\u00a0industry.<\/p>\n

a. Market\u00a0is\u00a0large.<\/p>\n

b. Profit\u00a0margins\u00a0are\u00a0narrow.<\/p>\n

c. Growth\u00a0is\u00a0modest.<\/p>\n

i. Sales\u00a0growth\u00a0averages\u00a0less\u00a0than\u00a03\u00a0percent\u00a0a\u00a0year.<\/p>\n

ii. Profits\u00a0are\u00a0flat.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Regardless\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0format,\u00a0length,\u00a0or\u00a0order\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0report,\u00a0think\u00a0carefully\u00a0about\u00a0how\u00a0your\u00a0ideas\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0subdivided\u00a0and\u00a0developed.\u00a0Take\u00a0care\u00a0tochoose\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0logical\u00a0argument\u00a0structure\u2014one\u00a0that\u00a0suits\u00a0your\u00a0topic\u00a0and\u00a0goals\u00a0and\u00a0that\u00a0makes\u00a0sense\u00a0to\u00a0your\u00a0audience.<\/p>\n

Audience\u00a0expectations\u00a0are\u00a0one\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0important\u00a0considerations\u00a0when\u00a0deciding\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0organization\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0report.<\/p>\n

As\u00a0you\u00a0outline\u00a0your\u00a0content,\u00a0use\u00a0informative\u00a0(\u201ctalking\u201d)\u00a0headings\u00a0rather\u00a0than\u00a0simple\u00a0descriptive\u00a0(\u201ctopical\u201d)\u00a0headings\u00a0(see\u00a0Table\u00a014.2).\u00a0With\u00a0aquestion\u00a0or\u00a0summary\u00a0form,\u00a0informative\u00a0headings\u00a0force\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0really\u00a0think\u00a0through\u00a0the\u00a0content\u00a0rather\u00a0than\u00a0simply\u00a0identify\u00a0the\u00a0general\u00a0topicarea.\u00a0Using\u00a0informative\u00a0headings\u00a0also\u00a0facilitates\u00a0collaborative\u00a0writing\u00a0by\u00a0reducing\u00a0ambiguity\u00a0about\u00a0what\u00a0each\u00a0person\u00a0needs\u00a0to\u00a0write.<\/p>\n

For\u00a0a\u00a0quick\u00a0review\u00a0of\u00a0adapting\u00a0the\u00a0three-step\u00a0process\u00a0to\u00a0long\u00a0reports,\u00a0refer\u00a0to\u00a0\u201cChecklist:\u00a0Adapting\u00a0the\u00a0Three-Step\u00a0Process\u00a0to\u00a0Reports\u00a0andProposals.\u201d\u00a0The\u00a0following\u00a0sections\u00a0provide\u00a0specific\u00a0advice\u00a0on\u00a0how\u00a0to\u00a0plan\u00a0informational\u00a0reports,\u00a0analytical\u00a0reports,\u00a0and\u00a0proposals.<\/p>\n

CHECKLIST<\/b>\u00a0\u2713\u00a0Adapting\u00a0the\u00a0Three-Step\u00a0Process\u00a0to\u00a0Reports\u00a0and\u00a0Proposals<\/b><\/p>\n

A. Analyze\u00a0the\u00a0situation<\/b>.<\/p>\n

. Clearly\u00a0define\u00a0your\u00a0purpose\u00a0before\u00a0you\u00a0start\u00a0writing.<\/p>\n

. If\u00a0you\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0accomplish\u00a0several\u00a0goals\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0report,\u00a0identify\u00a0them\u00a0all\u00a0in\u00a0advance.<\/p>\n

. Prepare\u00a0a\u00a0work\u00a0plan\u00a0to\u00a0guide\u00a0your\u00a0efforts.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Gather\u00a0information<\/b>.<\/p>\n

. Determine\u00a0whether\u00a0you\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0launch\u00a0a\u00a0separate\u00a0research\u00a0project\u00a0to\u00a0collect\u00a0the\u00a0necessary\u00a0information.<\/p>\n

. Reuse\u00a0or\u00a0adapt\u00a0existing\u00a0material\u00a0whenever\u00a0possible.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Select\u00a0the\u00a0best\u00a0medium<\/b>.<\/p>\n

. Base\u00a0your\u00a0decision\u00a0on\u00a0audience\u00a0expectations\u00a0or\u00a0requirements.<\/p>\n

. Consider\u00a0the\u00a0need\u00a0for\u00a0commenting,\u00a0revising,\u00a0distributing,\u00a0and\u00a0storing.<\/p>\n

. Remember\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0medium\u00a0you\u00a0choose\u00a0also\u00a0sends\u00a0a\u00a0message.<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Organize\u00a0your\u00a0information<\/b>.<\/p>\n

. Use\u00a0the\u00a0direct\u00a0approach\u00a0if\u00a0your\u00a0audience\u00a0is\u00a0receptive.<\/p>\n

. Use\u00a0the\u00a0indirect\u00a0approach\u00a0if\u00a0your\u00a0audience\u00a0is\u00a0skeptical.<\/p>\n

. Use\u00a0the\u00a0indirect\u00a0approach\u00a0when\u00a0you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0want\u00a0to\u00a0risk\u00a0coming\u00a0across\u00a0as\u00a0arrogant.<\/p>\n

. Combine\u00a0approaches\u00a0if\u00a0doing\u00a0so\u00a0will\u00a0help\u00a0build\u00a0support\u00a0for\u00a0your\u00a0primary\u00a0message.<\/p>\n

2\u00a0LEARNING\u00a0OBJECTIVE<\/b><\/p>\n

Explain\u00a0the\u00a0difference\u00a0between\u00a0structured\u00a0and\u00a0free-form\u00a0slides,\u00a0and\u00a0suggest\u00a0when\u00a0each\u00a0design\u00a0strategy\u00a0is\u00a0more\u00a0appropriate.<\/p>\n

17.2\u00a0Choosing\u00a0Structured\u00a0or\u00a0Free-Form\u00a0Slides<\/b><\/p>\n

The\u00a0most\u00a0important\u00a0design\u00a0choice\u00a0you\u00a0face\u00a0when\u00a0creating\u00a0slides\u00a0is\u00a0whether\u00a0to\u00a0use\u00a0conventional\u00a0 structured\u00a0slides<\/b> \u00a0or\u00a0the\u00a0looser,\u00a0 free-formslides<\/b> \u00a0that\u00a0many\u00a0presentation\u00a0specialists\u00a0now\u00a0advocate.\u00a0Compare\u00a0the\u00a0two\u00a0rows\u00a0of\u00a0slides\u00a0in\u00a0Figure\u00a017.2.\u00a0The\u00a0structured\u00a0slides\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0top\u00a0rowfollow\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0basic\u00a0format\u00a0throughout\u00a0the\u00a0presentation;\u00a0in\u00a0fact,\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0based\u00a0directly\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0templates\u00a0built\u00a0into\u00a0PowerPoint,\u00a0which\u00a0tend\u00a0tofeature\u00a0lots\u00a0of\u00a0bullet\u00a0points.<\/p>\n

Structured\u00a0slides\u00a0are\u00a0usually\u00a0based\u00a0on\u00a0templates\u00a0that\u00a0give\u00a0all\u00a0the\u00a0slides\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0presentation\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0general\u00a0look.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0free-form\u00a0slides\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0bottom\u00a0row\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0follow\u00a0a\u00a0rigid\u00a0structure.\u00a0However,\u00a0choosing\u00a0a\u00a0free-form\u00a0design\u00a0strategy\u00a0does\u00a0not\u00a0mean\u00a0youshould\u00a0just\u00a0randomly\u00a0change\u00a0the\u00a0design\u00a0from\u00a0one\u00a0slide\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0next.\u00a0Effectively\u00a0designed\u00a0slides\u00a0should\u00a0still\u00a0be\u00a0unified\u00a0by\u00a0design\u00a0elements\u00a0suchas\u00a0color\u00a0and\u00a0typeface\u00a0selections,\u00a0as\u00a0Figures\u00a017.2c\u00a0and\u00a017.2d\u00a0show.\u00a0Also,\u00a0note\u00a0how\u00a0Figure\u00a017.2d\u00a0combines\u00a0visual\u00a0and\u00a0textual\u00a0messages\u00a0toconvey\u00a0the\u00a0point\u00a0about\u00a0listening\u00a0without\u00a0criticizing.\u00a0This\u00a0complementary\u00a0approach\u00a0of\u00a0pictures\u00a0and\u00a0words\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0highlight\u00a0of\u00a0free-form\u00a0design.<\/p>\n

Free-form\u00a0slides\u00a0typically\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0follow\u00a0any\u00a0set\u00a0design\u00a0plan\u00a0but\u00a0are\u00a0unified\u00a0by\u00a0color\u00a0and\u00a0other\u00a0elements.<\/p>\n

ADVANTAGES\u00a0AND\u00a0DISADVANTAGES\u00a0OF\u00a0STRUCTURED\u00a0SLIDES<\/b><\/p>\n

Structured\u00a0slides\u00a0have\u00a0the\u00a0advantage\u00a0of\u00a0being\u00a0easy\u00a0to\u00a0create;\u00a0you\u00a0simply\u00a0choose\u00a0an\u00a0overall\u00a0design\u00a0scheme\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0presentation,\u00a0select\u00a0atemplate\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0new\u00a0slide,\u00a0and\u00a0start\u00a0typing.\u00a0If\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0schedule\u00a0crunch,\u00a0going\u00a0the\u00a0structured\u00a0route\u00a0might\u00a0save\u00a0the\u00a0day\u00a0because\u00a0at\u00a0least\u00a0you\u2019llhave\u00a0something<\/i>\u00a0ready\u00a0to\u00a0show.\u00a0Given\u00a0the\u00a0speed\u00a0and\u00a0ease\u00a0of\u00a0creating\u00a0them,\u00a0structured\u00a0slides\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0a\u00a0more\u00a0practical\u00a0choice\u00a0for\u00a0routinepresentations\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0project\u00a0status\u00a0updates.<\/p>\n

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Figure\u00a017.2<\/b>\u2003Structured\u00a0Versus\u00a0Free-Form\u00a0Slide\u00a0Design<\/b><\/p>\n

\"images\"\/<\/p>\n

Compare\u00a0the\u00a0rigid,\u00a0predictable\u00a0design\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0two\u00a0slides\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0top\u00a0row\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0free-form\u00a0designs\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0bottom\u00a0row.\u00a0Although\u00a0the\u00a0two\u00a0free-formslides\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0follow\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0design\u00a0structure,\u00a0they\u00a0are\u00a0visually\u00a0linked\u00a0by\u00a0color\u00a0and\u00a0font\u00a0choices.\u00a0As\u00a0you\u00a0compare\u00a0these\u00a0two\u00a0styles,\u00a0you\u00a0canimagine\u00a0how\u00a0the\u00a0free-form\u00a0designs\u00a0will\u00a0require\u00a0more\u00a0slides\u00a0to\u00a0cover\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0subject\u00a0and\u00a0require\u00a0the\u00a0speaker\u00a0to\u00a0convey\u00a0more\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0message.<\/p>\n

(Note\u00a0that\u00a0Figure\u00a017.2d\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0lighthearted\u00a0but\u00a0effective\u00a0way\u00a0of\u00a0conveying\u00a0the\u00a0first\u00a0bullet\u00a0point\u00a0in\u00a0Figure\u00a017.2b.)<\/p>\n

The\u00a0primary\u00a0disadvantage\u00a0of\u00a0structured\u00a0design\u00a0is\u00a0that\u00a0mind-numbing\u00a0effect\u00a0Garr\u00a0Reynolds\u00a0describes,\u00a0caused\u00a0by\u00a0text-heavy\u00a0slides\u00a0that\u00a0all\u00a0lookalike.\u00a0Slide\u00a0after\u00a0slide\u00a0of\u00a0dense,\u00a0highly\u00a0structured\u00a0bullet\u00a0points\u00a0with\u00a0no\u00a0visual\u00a0relief\u00a0can\u00a0put\u00a0an\u00a0audience\u00a0to\u00a0sleep.<\/p>\n

Structured\u00a0slide\u00a0designs,\u00a0which\u00a0can\u00a0lead\u00a0to\u00a0screen\u00a0after\u00a0screen\u00a0of\u00a0identical-looking\u00a0bullet\u00a0points,\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0boring\u00a0and\u00a0overwhelming.<\/p>\n

ADVANTAGES\u00a0AND\u00a0DISADVANTAGES\u00a0OF\u00a0FREE-FORM\u00a0SLIDES<\/b><\/p>\n

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With\u00a0appropriate\u00a0imagery\u00a0and\u00a0thoughtful\u00a0design,\u00a0free-form\u00a0designs\u00a0can\u00a0also\u00a0create\u00a0a\u00a0more\u00a0dynamic\u00a0and\u00a0engaging\u00a0experience\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0audience. Given\u00a0their\u00a0ability\u00a0to\u00a0excite\u00a0and\u00a0engage,\u00a0free-form\u00a0designs\u00a0are\u00a0particularly\u00a0good\u00a0for\u00a0motivational,\u00a0educational,\u00a0and\u00a0persuasive\u00a0presentations\u2014particularly\u00a0when\u00a0the\u00a0slides\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0used\u00a0multiple\u00a0times\u00a0and\u00a0therefore\u00a0compensate\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0extra\u00a0time\u00a0and\u00a0effort\u00a0required\u00a0to\u00a0create\u00a0them.\u00a0Bytaking\u00a0advantage\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0animation\u00a0capabilities\u00a0in\u00a0PowerPoint\u00a0or\u00a0Keynote,\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0also\u00a0possible\u00a0to\u00a0create\u00a0some\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0dynamic,\u00a0flowing\u00a0feel\u00a0of\u00a0aPrezi.<\/p>\n

A\u00a0key\u00a0disadvantage\u00a0of\u00a0free-form\u00a0slide\u00a0designs\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0time\u00a0and\u00a0effort\u00a0that\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0required\u00a0to\u00a0create\u00a0them.<\/p>\n

Free-form\u00a0slides\u00a0have\u00a0several\u00a0potential\u00a0disadvantages,\u00a0however.\u00a0First,\u00a0effectively\u00a0designing\u00a0slides\u00a0with\u00a0both\u00a0visual\u00a0and\u00a0textual\u00a0elements\u00a0ismore\u00a0creatively\u00a0demanding\u00a0and\u00a0more\u00a0time\u00a0consuming\u00a0than\u00a0simply\u00a0typing\u00a0text\u00a0into\u00a0preformatted\u00a0templates.\u00a0The\u00a0emphasis\u00a0on\u00a0visual\u00a0contentalso\u00a0requires\u00a0more\u00a0images,\u00a0which\u00a0take\u00a0time\u00a0to\u00a0find.<\/p>\n

Second,\u00a0because\u00a0far\u00a0less\u00a0textual\u00a0information\u00a0tends\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0displayed\u00a0on\u00a0screen,\u00a0the\u00a0speaker\u00a0is\u00a0responsible\u00a0for\u00a0conveying\u00a0more\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0content. Ideally,\u00a0of\u00a0course,\u00a0this\u00a0is\u00a0how\u00a0a\u00a0presentation\u00a0should<\/i>\u00a0work,\u00a0but\u00a0presenters\u00a0sometimes\u00a0find\u00a0themselves\u00a0in\u00a0less\u00a0than\u00a0ideal\u00a0circumstances,\u00a0such\u00a0asbeing\u00a0asked\u00a0to\u00a0fill\u00a0in\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0colleague\u00a0on\u00a0short\u00a0notice.<\/p>\n

Third,\u00a0if\u00a0not\u00a0handled\u00a0carefully,\u00a0the\u00a0division\u00a0of\u00a0information\u00a0into\u00a0smaller\u00a0chunks\u00a0can\u00a0make\u00a0it\u00a0difficult\u00a0to\u00a0present\u00a0complex\u00a0subjects\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0cohesive, integrated\u00a0manner.\u00a0For\u00a0instance,\u00a0if\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0discussing\u00a0a\u00a0business\u00a0problem\u00a0that\u00a0has\u00a0five\u00a0interrelated\u00a0causes,\u00a0it\u00a0might\u00a0be\u00a0helpful\u00a0to\u00a0insert\u00a0aconventional\u00a0bullet-point\u00a0slide\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0summary\u00a0and\u00a0reminder\u00a0after\u00a0discussing\u00a0each\u00a0problem\u00a0on\u00a0its\u00a0own.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Annual Report Formats Go to AnnualReports.com and review the annual reports recently released by two corporations in the same industry. Review each report and discuss the following questions: a. What organizational differences, if any, do you see in the way Read More …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[152,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-430878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-completed-assignments","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/430878","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=430878"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/430878\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=430878"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=430878"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=430878"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}