Individual Short Business Report Memo

Your task is to write a 2-3 page memo report addressing the research questions and report headings your team assigned to you.  Be sure to review the feedback you received in Module 5 on the "Researching Reports" Assignment.

The content areas you cover in your memo report should reflect your INDIVIDUAL contribution to the business report.  Thus, while the overall business report will integrate research themes, your memo report will contain different information than that of your teammates.  You may share the feedback you receive from the instructor with your teammates to improve the final analytical business report and presentation due at the end of the quarter. 

Use standard business memo report format - a sample memo is provided in this module.  You may also refer to Chapter 9 for additional information on memo reports. 

Short Report Assignment Tips

A short report is usually written in the direct order style, especially if the audience is internal. Direct order style reports state the main point first, then follow with supporting information and end with next steps/conclusions/recommendations.  Listed below is the suggested short memo report content:

Purpose Statement   

Please include some version of a purpose statement at the beginning of the report. State why you are you giving this report using professional language.

Methodology Section   

Include a brief methods section describing how your team approached the research process.  The methodology section usually describes and rationalizes your choice of sources.  It also includes information concerning how primary research was conducted.

Findings

Present your findings (data that answers the assigned research questions).  

• Graphic treatment (i.e. bullet lists, figures, tables) is recommended.  The text describing the visual should include a reference to the visual (Figure 1, Table 1) within the body text and should be located near the visual.  
• Be sure to develop talking, parallel headings.  Include in-body citations and a reference section at the end of the memo.  

Next Steps/Conclusions and/or Recommendations

Finally, give your next steps, preliminary conclusions (if applicable) and possible recommendations (if applicable).