Week 3 Discussion Question 1 + 3

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Elisha: Message Strategy: Week 3, DQ 1 ( Reply Due Now)

Analyze each message scenario and identify which of the four message types routine, positive, negative, or persuasive, would be most appropriate

10.8 An unsolicited message to your department manager, explaining why you believe the company's experiment with self managed work teams has not been successful. 

In this instance the associate would need to be persuasive in the message to their department manager.  There is a likelihood this program was designed or suggested by the associate's manager or Human resources therefor the manager will more than likely prefer to stick with the program to please upper management.  In this scenario it is vital for the associate to understand his/her managers motivation or the combination of forces that drive people to satisfy their needs (Thill, & Bovee, p.289).  

The closer the associates persuasive message aligns with the managers existing motivation the more effective the associates message and influences will be (Thill, & Bovee).  If the manager is concerned with not wasting time or resources on ineffective programs then the associate should design her message based around the idea of wasting resources.  It would also be wise for the associate to use a positive polite language while being sensitive to organizational structures like the work team program (Thill, & Bovee).  The associate would be wise to also include objective evidence supporting their claims, establish common ground, display willingness to keep best interest for everyone, and build credibility in the message (Thill, & Bovee).

10.9 An unsolicited message to your department manager explaining why you believe the company's experiment with self managed work teams has not been successful and suggesting that one of the more experienced employees (such as yourself), should be promotes to supervisor.

This also appears to be an instance where the associate would also send an persuasive message to their manager, although this message is more personal because the associate thinks they should be the one to get promoted to supervisor.  The associate would be wise to provide objective evidence to support their claim to be promoted (Thill & Bovee).  The message should also contain logic and a compelling narrative supporting their claims (Thill, & Bovee).  The associate could also frame their message around gaining the managers attention, interest, desire, and action (Thill, & Bovee).  The associate could also base their message on logical appeals where the message is based on reasoning and evidence (Thill, & Bovee). 

10.10 A message to a long time industrial customer explaining that a glitch in your accounting system resulted in the customer being overcharged on its last five orders, apologizing for the problem, and assuring the customer that you will refund the overcharged amount immediately.  

This type of message can be both negative and persuasive.  The customer will most likely be upset about the over charge and this could possibly hurt their future business dealings.  The associate must be persuasive by understanding the customers psycho graphics consisting of their characteristics, personality, attitudes, and lifestyles (Thill, & Bovee).  Also in a matter such as this where a customer has been charged incorrectly and money is an issue the associate should select the right media or channel to send the message (Thill, & Bovee).  In this case since the associate and customer have a history it may be beneficial for the associate to have this message delivered in person.  

A message like this would be considered negative so it would be important for the associate to get the readers attention immediately (Thill, & Bovee).  An important customer has been overcharged and it important for both parties to be engaged in such a message.  The associate should also use the direct method approach for the negative message because money is the issue and a indirect approach would not be appropriate.  Other methods the associate could use to minimize the bad news would be to embed bad news in the middle of a paragraph, or minimize the space devoted to the bad news, or subordinate the bad news in a complex or compound sentence (Thill, & Bovee).  

10.11 A news release announcing that your company plans to invite back 50 employees who were laid off earlier in the year.

This type of message is obviously a positive or routine message.  In this type of positive message the message should start with the main idea first so the readers will be interested with the details to follow (Thill, & Bovee).  The opening statement should be clear and concise with the following information including necessary details and explanation (Thill, & Bovee).  This type of message is a news release and can also be a press release where the company could benefit from the positive publicity.  It may also be important for the message to include routine requests such as what the company wants the reader to know, why the company is making this request, and why it may be in the readers interest to help the company (Thill, & Bovee). 

Thill, J. V., & Bovee, C. L. (2015).  Excellence in Business Communication 12th ed.  Boston, MA: Pearson.