ASSIGNMENT: WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

Business managers use written communication every day. Opportunities for written communication in the business world include everything from reports, memos, and documentation to emails, instant messaging, and social media. Effective written communication can help build and grow business relation- ships, accelerate results, solicit input and feedback, and rally personnel toward shared goals. Your ability to write messages that are clear and concise, while positioned strategically and presented professionally, will distinguish you
in your field.

In this assignment, you will develop a written communication for the challenge or opportunity scenario you have identified. The written message needed to fulfill this assignment will depend on your scenario.

INSTRUCTIONS

Compose a written communication based on your Strategic Communications Plan.

PART 1

1. Develop Your Written Communication

a) State your key message clearly

i. Do not "bury the headline" - the main point should be presented directly
ii. Your key message must be clear and concise

b) Provide the necessary information and build credibility

i. Provide an appropriate amount of background information for the audience, given the type of communication
ii. Get to the point without unnecessary verbiage
iii. Build your position as an expert or trusted colleague

c) Support your key message with three or four supporting points/reasons

i. Supporting points should be appropriate for the context and needs of the audience
ii. Reasons should be compelling and relevant

d) Employ either the Consult/Join or Tell/Sell techniques

e) Clearly relay to the audience an actionable request

2. Write Professionally

a) Communication should be clear and concise
b) Communication should build logically
c) Sentences should flow smoothly, using appropriate transitions and varying sentence structure
d) Employ appropriate formatting for ease of reading and clarity of message (headers, bullet points, etc.)

3. Demonstrate Professional Presence

a) Be authentic and genuine in your communication
b) Use the appropriate tone and vocabulary for your audience
c) Establish rapport to connect with your audience and grow the relationship

PART 2

4. Channel and Style

a) Explain why you chose the specific channel you used for the written communication
b) Explain what style you employed in your written communication and why (Sell/Tell or Consult/Join)

5. Use Feedback to Refine Your Communication

a) Describe or list the feedback you received on your written communication from the week 6 Discussion Board
b) Explain how you used the feedback to revise and improve your message

PROFESSIONAL AND APA FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS

Your assignment must follow these general APA formatting requirements:

Your document must be typed, double-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.

Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date.

The business written communication portion should be consistent with professional standards. For example, a business memo will have a subject line, does not indent paragraphs, etc. A business email will have a relevant subject line and will include a greeting, paragraphs, perhaps a bulleted list, a signature line, etc.