Business Communication Assignment | Online Assignment

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Write an 80-word Answer for Either Question

Experts have argued that social media fool us into thinking that we are connected when in reality they do not help us develop true friendships. Do you agree that technology diminishes personal relationships rather than bringing us closer together? Why?   (5 marks)

Bulleted and Numbered Lists

E-mails and memos frequently contain numbered (for items in a sequence) or bulleted lists. Study how the following wordy paragraph was revised into a more readable format with a list.

Before Revision

Our office could implement better environmental practices such as improving energy efficiency and reducing our carbon footprint. Here are three simple things we can do to make our daily work practices greener. For one thing, we can power down. At night we should turn off monitors, not just log off our computers. In addition, we could “Light Right.” This means installing energy-efficient lighting throughout the office. A final suggestion has to do with recycling. We could be recycling instantly if we placed small recycling bins at all workstations and common use areas.

After Revision

Our office could use energy more efficiently and reduce our carbon footprint in three simple ways:

• Power down: Turn off monitors rather than just logging off our computers.

• Light right: Install energy-efficient lighting throughout the office.

• Recycle instantly: Place small recycling bins at all workstations and common use areas to encourage recycling.

Your Task: Revise the following wordy, unorganized paragraphs. Include an introductory statement followed by a bulleted or numbered list. Look for ways to eliminate unnecessary wording. (5 marks)

If you are a job candidate interviewing for a job, you should follow a few guidelines that most people consider basic. You will be more successful if you do these things. One of the first things to do is get ready. Before the interview, successful candidates research the target company. That is, they find out about it. If you really want to be successful, you will prepare success stories. Wise candidates also clean up any digital dirt that may be floating around the Internet. Those are a few of the things to do before the interview. During the interview, the best candidates try to sound enthusiastic. They answer questions clearly but with short, concise responses. They also are prepared to ask their own questions. After the interview, when you can relax a bit, you should remember to send a thank-you note to the interviewer. Another thing to do after the interview is contact references. One last thing to do, if you don’t hear from the interviewer within five days, is follow up with an inquiry.

Radical Rewrite: Informational E-mail—Lining Up “Lunch and Learn” Talks

The following e-mail message from Kennedy Freed asks his assistant Camille Chavez to perform a task. However, she will struggle with that task because the message is so poorly written. It badly needs a radical rewrite.

To: Camille Chavez <c.chavez@firstfederal.com>

From: Kennedy Freed <k.freed@firstfederal.com>

Subject: Luncheon Talks

Cc:

Bcc:

You’ve probably seen us working hard to get good speakers to speak at our “Lunch and Learn” sessions. Well, we’ve finally lined up speakers for September and October. It took a little twisting of arms, but we do have some really good speakers lined up. We’re scheduling the talks from 12 to 1, but the speakers should plan to speak for only about 30 minutes and leave 10 to 20 minutes for questions and answer.

I need you to send messages to these speakers to confirm. If any of them has questions or needs to change his date, just have them call my cell at 213.348.4421. We will need to get this done as soon as possible since the listing will be released in early September. The speakers include Alaina Adams, who agreed to speak at our first fall session on Tuesday, September 24. Her topic is “How to Talk So People Will Listen.” Another interesting speaker is Caitlyn Cervantes. Her topic is “Ten Top Tips for Eating Healthy.” Caitlyn’s date is Tuesday, October 22. Another speaker who just agreed is Brandon Tabaldo, and his topic is “Staying Safe, Private, and Secure on Social Networks.” We were able to schedule Mr. Tabaldo for Tuesday, October 15.

Oh yes, here are the e-mail addresses: alina.adams@circe.com, btabaldo@intercoastal.com, and caitlyn.cervantes@rio.com. Thank you, Camille!

Kennedy Freed

Your Task:  Study the above message in light of what you have learned about how e-mail messages should be organized. What is Camille to do? Then answer these two questions:

1.    List at least three weaknesses of this message. (3 marks)

2.    Revise it ( Re-write it  in a better form )  (5 marks)

(Radical Rewrite: Claim Denial—Warranty Does Not Mean a New Device)

Following is a letter to a customer who demanded a brand-new replacement smartphone under her wireless phone protection plan.

Current date

Ms. Haley Tranquillo

501 Westhampton Way

Richmond, VA 23173

Dear Ms. Tranquillo:

This letter is being sent to you to inform you that warranty repairs or replacements are not available for damage caused by operator fault. The dot inside your smartphone indicates in bright red that the device suffered prolonged exposure to liquid. The phone also shows signs of heavy external abuse—quite rightly excluded from coverage under your protection plan.

Your phone retailer, Westhampton Wireless, at 422 Pleasant Valley Road, forwarded your device to us. Our service technician made an inspection. That’s when he discovered that your Droid had not been treated with proper caution and care. He said he had never seen such a gunky phone interior, and that without a doubt the gadget was subjected to blunt force on top of that! You are lucky that the touch screen did not crack or break and that you didn’t lose all your data irretrievably since you apparently didn’t bother to arrange for a backup. Today’s smartphones are sophisticated high-tech devices. They must be handled with utmost respect. You wouldn’t believe how many users accidentally drop their phones into the toilet.

The Peace of Mind Plan that you have purchased gets rave reviews from users. They love the protection their expensive equipment enjoys at a low monthly cost of $5.99. However, this plan plus the manufacturer’s warranty on your Droid covers only this one thing: manufacturing defects. Your warranty has expired by now, but it wouldn’t cover neglect and abuse anyway. Your Peace of Mind Plan is in effect but only covers you for theft, loss, and malfunction. It explicitly excludes liquid and physical damage. In any case, there is always a deductible of $89. We can’t replace the Droid at no charge, as you request. But we could sell you a remanufactured model, at a cost of $49 plus tax. Your other option is to purchase a new device at full retail cost. Furthermore, since you have a two-year contract, you will be eligible for an upgrade as you are nearing month 20. You could go to www.alphawireless.com to browse new calling plans and see current smartphones and perhaps order a product or service online.

Let us know what you want to do. We pride ourselves on our unparalleled customer service.

Sincerely,

Your Task: Answer he following:

1.    List at least Two weaknesses of this message.  (2 Marks) 

2.    Revise it (Re-write it in a better form)   (5 Marks)