Bad News to Customers: Rate Increase of Your Choice

Select a product or service that you now use. It could be your news- paper, Internet service provider, local water or electricity company, propane or natural gas supplier, cell or landline provider, car insurance company, or some other product or service you regularly use. Assume that the provider must raise its rates, and you are the employee who must notify customers. Should you use a letter, e-mail, company Web site, or blog? Decide whether you should use the direct or indirect strategy. Gather as much information as you can about the product or service. What, if anything, justifies the increase? What benefits can be cited?

Your Task. Prepare a rate increase announcement. Submit it along with a memo explaining your rationale for the strategy you chose.