10: Understanding and Planning Reports and Proposals
10–19
communication)
10-39. Message Strategies: Analytical Reports
Students are preparing this report for a counselor or academic adviser, so they can assume they
Students can conduct the necessary secondary research by reviewing course descriptions in the
The report should present the information in a clear, straightforward manner, using unbiased
language and eliminating any negative references to individuals teaching the various courses.
10-40. Message Strategies: Analytical Reports
determine what other campus bookstores are offering their patrons. Visiting other campus
bookstores may also provide information for comparison and ideas for improvement.
be changed or improved to increase profitability. Refer to the bookstore services and offerings
that you found during your secondary research. To give extra credibility to your statements,
10-41. Message Strategies: Analytical Reports
From Case Tables 10.1 through 10.3, students should be able to identify a possible “sweet spot”
finish carpentry and tile work (although these last two might be considered “lighter” tasks and
therefore might be covered adequately by other publications).
10: Understanding and Planning Reports and Proposals
10–20
publications rely heavily on advertising, the research also needs to identify how many advertisers
want to reach such a market. Lastly, the report should indicate how well or poorly this market is
10-42. Message Strategies: Proposals
Note: Below is a completed solution to this case. This email proposal will go to the landlord,
who is surely as frustrated as the tenant, so students can assume the reader is interested. The
purpose of the message is to inform the reader of areas that need improvement or change and
To: roger.greenberg@gmail.com
From: h.lockie@uchicago.edu
Subject: Reducing Repair Costs and Improving the Quality of Life at Cedarwood
Dear Mr. Greenberg,
Of late, the living conditions at Cedarwood Apartments have undergone a noticeable decline.
This obviously adds to your maintenance costs, as well as makes the property unattractive to
potential tenants.
One long-term solution to these problems is to foster a sense of shared ownership and
With some modest investment—repainting the storage room, constructing a kitchen with basic
utilities, and providing a large-screen television, informal seating arrangements, and indoor-
10: Understanding and Planning Reports and Proposals
10–21
Build a sense of ownership by encouraging residents to give their feedback on what they
Encourage residents to use the common room by making it available to them for free.
Motivate artistic residents to showcase their talents in this space.
common celebrations in the community room.
Not only will the residents enjoy having a common space to relax in, but also get to know each
by having:
Fewer instances of vandalism
Lower maintenance costs
this proposal, please call me.
Sincerely,
Heather Lockie
D-21, Cedarwood Apartments
(LO 10.7; AACSB Tag: Written and oral communication)
10-43. Message Strategies: Proposals
The report is an external, unsolicited proposal. Prior to conducting research on the product,
profits.
10: Understanding and Planning Reports and Proposals
10–22
The proposal should also highlight other benefits beyond the product itself, such as quantity
discounts, free training for store employees, return policies, and other services. (LO 10.7;
AACSB Tag: Written and oral communication)
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE
Level 1: Self-Assessment—Dashes and Hyphens
10-44. Three qualities—speed, accuracy, and reliability—are desirable in any applicant to the
10-45. A highly-placed source explained the top-secret negotiations. (AACSB Tag: Written and
oral communication)
10-48. A bottle-green sports jacket is hard to find. (AACSB Tag: Written and oral
communication)
10-49. Argentina, Brazil, Mexico—these are the countries we hope to concentrate on. (AACSB
Tag: Written and oral communication)
10-52. Your ever-faithful assistant deserves—without a doubt—a substantial raise. (AACSB
Tag: Written and oral communication)
10-53. Myrna Talefiero is this organization’s president-elect. (AACSB Tag: Written and oral
communication)
10: Understanding and Planning Reports and Proposals
10–23
10-57. Ron Franklin—do you remember him?—will be in town Monday. (AACSB Tag: Written
and oral communication)
Level 2: Workplace Applications
10-59. Commerce One helps its customers lower administrative costs, improve order times, and
communication)
10-60. The intermodal bus vehicle seats up to 35 passengers but is equipped with a 20-foot
(AACSB Tag: Written and oral communication)
10-61. “The American Dream of innovation, persistence, and a refusal to accept the status quo
communication)
10-62. This new transportation paradigm may have a global effect, and the barriers to entry will
10-63. Autobytel also owns and operates Carsmart.com, Autosite.com, and AIC (Automotive
Tag: Written and oral communication)
10-64. Mymarket.com offers a low-cost, high-reward entry into e-commerce not only for buyers
10-65. Eclipse Aviation’s main competitor is another start-up, Safire Aircraft, of West Palm
10-66. After identifying the factors that improve an industrial process, you must conduct
10-67. The Fair Labor Standards Act regulates minimum wages, establishes overtime
Tag: Written and oral communication)
10-68. The Chinese government is supporting use of the Internet as a business tool because the
Written and oral communication)
10-69. At a certain point in a company’s growth, the entrepreneur who wants to control
10: Understanding and Planning Reports and Proposals
10–24
10-70. City Fresh Foods is paid by city health agencies to provide ethnic food to the homebound
10-71. Having been in business since 1993, Ms. Rosen has boiled down her life story into a two-
10-72. Those who want to gain a new perspective on their product or service must cast aside
10-73. If I were Bill Gates, I’d handle the federal government’s antitrust lawsuit differently.
(AACSB Tag: Written and oral communication)
Level 3: Document Critique—Well-Written Solution
MEMO
DATE: March 14, 2015
TO: Jeff Black and HR staff
FROM: Carrie Andrews CA
SUBJECT: Recruiting and hiring seminar
Last week, I attended an American Management Association seminar on this subject. I got
enough useful information to warrant updating our online personnel handbook and perhaps
developing a quick training session for all interviewing teams. First, here’s a quick look at the
things I learned.
AVOIDING LEGAL MISTAKES
entanglements)
SCREENING AND INTERVIEWING MORE EFFECTIVELY
How to sort through résumés more efficiently (including looking for telltale signs of false
information)
MEASURING APPLICANTS
Which types of pre-employment tests have been proven most effective
10: Understanding and Planning Reports and Proposals
10–25
Which drug-testing issues and recommendations affect us
concepts should be emphasized.
It will take me a couple of weeks to get the personnel handbook updated, but we don’t have any
immediate hiring plans anyway. I’ll keep the seminar handouts and my notes on my desk, in case
you want to peruse them. After I’ve updated the handbook, we can get together and decide
sections as their schedules allow.
If you have any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to email me or drop by for a chat.
(AACSB Tag: Written and oral communication)