Business Communication Chapter 12 Writing Persuasive Messages Hell Find Time For The Company Doesnt Offer Parttime

12: Writing Persuasive Messages 12–20

he’ll find time for it. The company doesn’t offer part-time jobs, so some of us are reaching the painful

conclusion that we might need to quit our jobs to create the time we need. None of us want to leave, but

we might have to.

Job sharing does present some challenges, but lots of people have found creative ways around the hurdles.

To keep things from falling through the gap, some duos divide their responsibilities by project, client, or

some other definable boundary. For those jobs where things can’t be divided quite so cleanly, the pair has

a weekly hand-off meeting that covers every ongoing detail so nothing is lost in the transition. And our

Slack messaging system saves every information exchange, so nothing need ever be forgotten. Colleagues

and supervisors sometimes need to make adjustments to working with a “two–minded” teammate, but I

think most would agree it is better to deal with those details than to face the loss of one or both valued

employees.

Would you consider pitching this idea to executive management at your next meeting? I can provide more

12.40. Message Strategies: Persuasive Business Messages

Note: Students can find supporting information on the websites of manufacturers such as

www.lifespanfitness.com, but they should be sure to complement this with objective reviews and studies.

As with all such messages, the sender’s relationship with the recipient should determine the tone, of

course. This message assumes a casual, comfortable working relationship.

Here are the benefits that people are reporting from using treadmill desks:

• Reductions in lower back pain. As many of us have experienced, sitting in a chair all day can be

awful for one’s back.

• Improved cognitive function. Moving increasing blood flow and respiration, which appears to

help people think more clearly.

month will also give us enough time to see how compatible these desks are with our office environment

and general workflow.

If this sounds to you like a worthwhile experiment, I’ll contact Purchasing to arrange the rental and put in

a work order with Facilities to remove one of the desk surfaces from my cubicle to make room.

Thanks,

Jon

12.41. Message Strategies: Persuasive Business Messages

Note: This is an unsolicited message, a type that is often construed as negative. The sender runs the risks

of pushing the proprietor into a defensive posture if the message is incorrectly written. Students should be

clear that this is a persuasive message intended to benefit both customers and business. They should

begin with complimentary comments regarding the business, then move into the request and the reasons

12: Writing Persuasive Messages 12–22

in your shop, doing my schoolwork. During this time, I spend between $5 to $8 on coffee and snacks. I’m

sure this is true of many other students in this locality.

I am certain that college students would spend more time at Daily Brew—and hence spend more on

coffee and food—if you were to provide a printer at your shop. Considering how inexpensive printers are

these days, you won’t need to invest much. To keep it feasible, you could charge a minimal fee that

covers your paper, ink, and printer costs.

12.42. Message Strategies: Persuasive Business Messages

Note: A key point here is to avoid an emotional reaction that could lead to an offensive message (along

the lines of “I can’t believe how backward this company is”). Your message has, in effect, already been

rejected, so the indirect approach is definitely called for. A good strategy would be to acknowledge the

[subject line] Re: New social media policies

Hello Aaron,

I’ve just read the new policy prohibiting the use of social media at this company, and I certainly agree that

all of us need to manage or time wisely and use company resources appropriately.

The “social” label attached to these networking technologies does make them sound inappropriate for the

workplace. Moreover, like telephones and email, all these new media can be misused.

However, as someone who has been an active user of various social media, I thought I might offer some

insights into the many business benefits of these tools. The two fundamental benefits of social media are

making connections and sharing information. Here are just a few of the ways business professionals are

using social media to make valuable connections:

And here are several examples of using social media to find or share information:

• Solving customer support issues

• Sharing information quickly during a crisis or to combat false rumors

In all of these areas and many more, social media allow professionals to get things done that would be

time consuming, expensive, or even impossible otherwise. In other words, although misusing social

media is bad for the company, not using social media can be just as detrimental. By not using these

media, we risk losing contact with large segments of consumers, potential employees, and influential

members of the online community—and allowing our competitors greater opportunity to build all these

relationships instead.

[LO-2] AACSB: Information technology

12.43. Message Strategies: Requests for Action

Note: Open with an emotional appeal that paints an image (broadening it to include the diverse

populations served), then lead into your request. Supply dates and logistics to encourage timeliness and

make action easy. Close with additional appeals to employees’ natural desire to share, give, and spread

12: Writing Persuasive Messages 12–28

weeks. Last year, my manager was let go the day after doing my evaluation, leaving me to wonder just

how thorough my review was. Looking back over this experience, I have grown concerned that my

overall contribution to the company might not have received a consistent or comprehensive review up to

this point.

I realize that employees are allowed to ask for copies of their reviews each year, but I confess I didn’t

appreciate the importance of doing so until now, and I don’t have copies. My understanding is that

company policy prevents the release of an employee’s review without approval from the manager who

wrote the review, but I’m in the difficult situation in which three of the managers who wrote my reviews

are no longer with the company.

Given the circumstances, could I ask for copies of my past five reviews? I would like to discuss my

12.49. Message Strategies: Marketing and Sales Messages

Note: Relocating an entire company—or choosing the location to start a new business—is an enormously

complex decision. Moreover, every state in the union tries to lure businesses, so the competition is fierce.

Your argument will need to be clear and compelling in order to stand apart from the crowd. However,

800–626–2930 • econdev@ky.gov

[date]

[name and address from database]

Dear [name from database]:

If your company is considering moving your existing operations or establishing new facilities, you may

12.53. Message Strategies: Marketing and Sales Messages [LO-3]

Note: With millions of podcasts appearing on thousands of podcasting websites and channels, you need to

clearly identify your podcasting service, define who might be interested, and explain why this audience

would want to listen to your podcasts.

Website promotion for podcast station:

12.55. Message Strategies: Marketing and Sales Messages

Note: Whatever approach students take with this message, they shouldn’t try to downplay or denigrate

online advertising. Doing so will only harm the writer’s credibility and give the message an air of

desperation. Instead, promote the benefits of magazine advertising objectively and explain that for many

companies, a mix of online and print advertising can be the ideal strategy. At the same time, don’t try to

• The physical presence of print. Online ads are great, but they disappear when visitors leave the

website or switch off the computer. Not so with magazines. Day after day, they’re still there—in

the library, at the doctor’s office, in the airport lounge—waiting for the next reader to pick them

up and encounter your ad.

• Portability. Computers may be getting smaller, but they will never be as easy to tuck under your