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Chapter 6 Solutions to Activities
Zooming In: Applying Your Skills at Taco Bell
Revised Memo
Date: Current
To: Taco Bell, Executive Council
From: Erin Jackson, Culinary Product Manager
Subject: Fast-Food Trends and Menu Options
As you requested, I am submitting the following ideas based on my observation and
research about eating trends in fast-food restaurants. Below is a rough outline of possible
concepts to upgrade Taco Bell’s menu. This memo summarizes the findings to be presented
at our next meeting.
Mexican cuisine is increasingly popular from coast to coast, and in a depressed economy
our restaurants can offer value as well as tasty food. From my first-hand experience gained
as a chef and from current research, I have observed numerous eating trends. Below are
four that are of interest as we rethink the Taco Bell menu.
Current Eating Trends
• Low-fat, healthful choices. With as many as one in five U.S. consumers on a diet, our
menu should reflect low-calorie, healthful options that still taste good.
New Menu Concepts
• Spicy grilled items. Selections might include chicken marinated in lime juice, chipotle-
rubbed ahi tuna served with cranberry-mango salsa, and Volcano Beef Burrito served
with Lava sauce.
• Fresco menu. I suggest that we offer an entire menu of ten or more items that cater to
dieters and health-conscious customers. The Fresco menu might include Crunchy Beef
6.1 Flabby Expressions (Obj. 1)
a. We are sending a revised proposal now because building costs have jumped considerably.
b. Normally, we would seek additional funding; however, because rates have increased, we
6.2 Long Lead-Ins (Obj. 1)
a. All computer passwords must be changed every six months for security purposes.
b. Anyone who wants to apply for telecommuting may submit an application immediately.
c. Your new account executive is Edward Ho.
d. Cyber criminals use sophisticated tools to decipher passwords rapidly.
e. Social media services can position your company at the forefront of online marketing
opportunities.
6.3 There is/are and It is/was Fillers (Obj. 1)
a. A password-checker is now available that can automatically evaluate the strength of your
password.
6.4 Redundancies (Obj. 1)
40 Chapter 6 Solutions
a. Because his laptop was small, he could carry it everywhere.
6.5 Empty Words (Obj. 1)
a. Are you aware that social media can drive brand awareness and customer loyalty? OR: Did
you know that social media can drive brand awareness and customer loyalty?
b. Except for MySpace, social networking sites are booming.
c. If you seek to build an online customer-support community, social media services can help.
d. With such active participation in Facebook and Twitter, it’s easy to understand why
businesses are flocking to social sites.
e. We plan to schedule monthly online meetings.
6.6 Condensing for Microblogging (Obj. 1)
a. @HTWilson94 We strongly endorse Whole Trade certified–flowers and carry them year
round. Please check with your local store for selection. [138 characters]
6.7 Trite Business Phrases (Obj. 2)
a. As you request, I will submit your repair request immediately.
6.8 Clichés, Slang, and Wordiness (Obj. 2)
Note: Acceptable student responses may vary from the suggested responses.
Chapter 6 Solutions 41
a. Our manager insists that we must think creatively in promoting our new kitchen tool.
6.9 Buried Verbs (Obj. 2)
a. After investigating, the fire department concluded that the blaze was set intentionally.
6.10 Lists, Bullets, and Headings (Obj. 3)
a. You can build your online following, reputation, and customers’ trust with three simple
Twitter practices:
• Share. Share photos and behind-the-scenes information about your business.
b. Computer passwords are a way of life today. To create a strong password, follow these steps:
1. Think of an easy-to-remember eight-word phrase, such as my favorite uncle was a fireman
in Cleveland.
2. Select the first letter of each word, such as mfuwafic.
3. Change some of the letters to characters and caps, such as Mf@w&%iC.
c. Auto accidents account for a high number of accidental deaths. Common causes are the
following:
• Distracted drivers. Applying makeup, talking on cell phones, texting, eating, and
reading newspapers are all common ways that drivers are distracted.
d. Many people today want to improve their credit scores. Here are some simple tips for doing
so:
• Fix mistakes. Check your credit at least once a year and dispute any errors.
42 Chapter 6 Solutions
6.11 Document for Analysis: Ineffective E-Mail Suggestion to Boss
Documents for Analysis are available at the student premium website (www.cengagebrain.com).
Weaknesses
• Buries many verbs (e.g., improvement of customer relations instead of improving
customer relations; making a change instead of changing; made the discovery instead of
discovered).
• Includes long lead-in (I am writing you this message to let you know that).
Revision
To: Roger M. Karjala <r.m.karjala@firstbank.com>
From: Keiko Kurtz <k.kurtz@firstbank.com>
Subject: Suggestion for Improving Customer Relations
Cc:
Bcc:
Roger,
Because you asked for suggestions on how to improve customer relations, I am submitting my
idea. I think we can improve customer satisfaction easily by changing our counters.
Chapter 6 Solutions 43
However, customers were surprised by these large glass partitions. Communication through them
is difficult. Both the customer and the teller have to raise their voices to be heard. It’s even more
inconvenient when dealing with an elderly person or someone from another country. These new
barriers make customers feel that they are being treated impersonally.
6.12 Document for Analysis: Poor E-Mail Message Re PowerPoint (Objs. 1-5)
Documents for Analysis are available at the student premium website (www.cengagebrain.com).
Weaknesses
• Begins with long lead-in (This message is being written because ).
• Includes trite expression (pursuant to your request).
• Suffers from wordy fillers (there might be and There were several points).
Revision
To: Sanders Watson <swatson @circa.com>
From: Monique Vance <mvance@circa.com>
Subject: Avoiding Death by PowerPoint
Cc:
Bcc:
Sanders,
44 Chapter 6 Solutions
6.13 Document for Analysis: Poor Response to Customer Inquiry Re Improving Security
(Objs. 1-5)
Documents for Analysis are available at the student premium website (www.cengagebrain.com).
Weaknesses
• Says the obvious (We have received your request for information.)
• Uses trite business phrase (as per your request)
• Fails to use conversational language (the undersigned)
• Transforms verbs into nouns (improvement of security instead of improving security;
Revision
Dear Mr. Perez:
At your request I am sending you the attached materials about improving security in your
business. To improve your after-hours security, you should first decide what must be protected.
You are probably concerned about your electronic equipment and about company data.
Chapter 6 Solutions 45
Alternate Revision for Activity 6.13
Dear Mr. Perez:
At your request, I am sending you the attached materials about improving security in your
business. To improve your after-hours security, you should first decide what must be protected.
You are probably concerned about your electronic equipment and about company data.
Because we feel you will want to protect both equipment and data, we suggest the following
three steps to deter crime:
Note: Enumerated paragraphs may be indented or typed flush left.
6.14 Document for Analysis: Poor Response to Customer Inquiry About Social Media
(Objs. 1-5)
Documents for Analysis are available at the student premium website (www.cengagebrain.com).
Weaknesses
• Starts with a long lead-in (This is a message to thank you)
• Includes a flabby expression (Due to the fact that, in addition to the above)
46 Chapter 6 Solutions
Revision
To: Melanie Jackson <mjackson @mediasolutions.com>
From: Dakota Dalquist <ddalquist@mediasolutions.com>
Subject: Expanding Your Marketing by Joining the Social Media Buzz
Cc:
Bcc:
Thanks for your inquiry regarding Media Solutions! Because the buzz around social media is so
loud, you’re smart to want to understand the paths to success so that you can avoid mistakes
before you jump in.
Using social media tools and networks involves connecting, interacting, and sharing with people
online. Hardly a day goes by without hearing remarkable success stories from businesses getting
active on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
How can social media help your business?
• Drive brand awareness
6.15 How Much Do People in Your Field Write? (Objs. 1–5)
This activity could be one of the best possible for convincing students that writing is very
important to their future success. Be sure to have students either present their findings orally or
Chapter 6 Solutions 47
6.16 Pruning the Deadwood (Objs. 1, 2)
This activity provides an entertaining way for students to locate “deadwood” phrases on the
Web. Consider consolidating all of their findings into one comprehensive list to give out to the
class to help them with their future writing assignments.
Students may work individually or in teams on this activity. Individuals may locate ten
deadwood phrases (and their preferred substitutes) not included in the textbook. Examples:
Deadwood Phrase Substitute
a majority of most
6.17 Analyzing the Readability of an Apartment Lease (Objs. 1−3)
Apartment leases are a part of most people’s lives. Renters have problems with maintenance,
appliances, security, and cleaning deposits. This activity requires students to study rental
agreements, most of which are difficult to read. Your class members will probably be relieved