Write an introduction for a report.

T&C, a consumer products company, has long been known for its product development prowess. You were recently hired by the company's public affairs department to manage the development of a new and unusual product: a book about the history of T&C's product development. The company plans to use this book for new employee training. You believe that making the book available to a wider audience would enhance T&C's reputation without giving away any of its secrets. You also know that you will need professional help to research the book-based on information in your archives and on interviews with current and former employees-and to write it.

Doing a bit of research, you learn that you can choose among four companies specializing in corporate histories: Winthrop Group in Cambridge, Massachusetts; History Associates in Rockville, Maryland; History Factory in Chantilly, Virginia; and Business History Group in Columbia, Maryland. Before your boss will approve this expensive project, you need to prepare a brief report showing the services offered by each company, some clients served by each, and your recommendations for which company seems the best fi t given T&C's requirements.

How will you conduct more research? What do you need to know to make a recommendation? What is the purpose of your report? Describe your audience. What data will you include in the report? Using your knowledge of report writing, draft an introduction to this report.