Solutions – Chapter 8 ⚫ 11
8.9 Persuasive Request: Making a Case for Tuition Reimbursement
Date: Current
To: Boss’s name
From: Your Name
Subject: Improving Employee Productivity, Morale, and Recruiting
We employees here at First Federal believe that the two most important elements that contribute
to workplace productivity are skills and high morale.
Both of these elements can be boosted through an employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement
program. Here’s how most programs work. Employees attend evening or online college classes.
If they finish approved courses with a grade of C or better, they are reimbursed for the costs of
books and tuition.
Solutions – Chapter 8 ⚫ 12
8.10 Persuasive Request: Junk Food Props Up School Budget
Current date
Board of Directors
Gresham-Barlow School District
P.O. Box 310
Gresham, OR 97033
Dear Directors:
Recent surveys show that approximately one third of U.S. children aged 6 to 19 are overweight,
and this obesity epidemic threatens the health of current and future generations. Obesity is
known to be associated with diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and arthritis.
Although many factors including lack of exercise contribute to the obesity problem, a significant
element is poor nutrition. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that cutting out soda would
help to reduce obesity among school-age children. Cans of sugar-loaded carbonated drinks
provide empty calories and should not be readily available to our children. For this reason, the
PTA strongly opposes an extension of the Coca-Cola vending machine contract now under
consideration.
Solutions – Chapter 8 ⚫ 13
8.11 Persuasive Claim: Pricey Hotel Breakfast
Current date
Customer Service
Country Inn & Suites
1310 Darby Drive
Lexington, KY 40505
Dear Customer Service Representative:
In recent years my company has recommended that its traveling employees use the Country Inn
& Suites in Lexington because we have been pleased with your accommodations, your rates, and
especially your service. That’s why I’m sure you will want to reverse a charge that I believe was
made in error to our account.
On May 9 and 10 two employees and I attended a conference in Lexington. We spent the
evening of May 9 at your hotel and had breakfast on May 10 in the Atrium. Because this was a
weekend, we understood that we were being charged the weekend special rate, which included a
full hot breakfast—in the restaurant. I realize that many weekend guests, as part of your special
rate, are given a continental breakfast in a lounge on their floor. However, when we made the
Solutions – Chapter 8 ⚫ 14
8.12 Persuasive Claim: Nothing Magical About These Legal Fees
Current date
Mr. Henry Giordano, Esq.
Attorney-at-Law
Giordano, Murphy, and Associates
254 Sherborn Street
Boston, MA 02215
Dear Mr. Giordano:
Mystic Pizza has a reputation for excellent pizzas made from its secret recipes. Naturally, when
Mystic Pizza was asked to distribute its product in grocery and convenience stores, the company
sought only excellent legal advice for doing so.
Solutions – Chapter 8 ⚫ 15
8.13 Persuasive Claim: Toner Scam at Tony Florida Resort
Current date
Copyco Supplies
8548 NW 88th Street
Miami, FL 33135
Dear Copyco Supplies Representative:
Subject: Returning Two Bottles of Toner
Your telephone marketer misrepresented himself in a recent call to the Aqualina Resort & Spa.
As a result, our assistant ordered two bottles of inferior toner. With this letter, we are returning
those bottles.
Solutions – Chapter 8 ⚫ 16
8.14 Persuasive Organizational Message Flowing Upward:
Training Telecommuters
To: Chris Crittenden <chris.crittenden@beta.com>
From: [Your Name <your e-mail address>]
Subject: Improving Training for Telecommuters and Their Managers
Cc:
Bcc:
An increasing number of our employees are becoming telecommuters. Although working at
home or at remote locations promised reduced overhead costs and higher productivity, not all
telecommuting has been successful. Many teleworkers do not succeed because they and their
managers have not been trained in effective procedures.
Currently, we have 83 telecommuters, and an increasing number are asking for permission to
work at remote locations. These workers and their managers could be more effective if we better
prepared them for the telecommuting experience.
A good training program, according to one consultant, integrates four key issues:
• How to set good objectives and measure productivity
• How to develop performance management skills
• How to enhance communication with people in the office
• What to expect when you are a telecommuter