Background
You are the Director of Talent Development at Planit, an advertising agency in Philadelphia. Your position involves providing training and professional development opportunities for Planit employees. The company has offices in London, Tokyo, and Paris.
Situation
Planit is preparing for two seasoned advertising managers, Zeena and John, to transfer to the company's Tokyo office. Zeena and John are important members of the organization and are excited about the transfer.
Natalie is your direct supervisor. She is also well acquainted with Zeena and John and has been involved in planning for their transfer.
After a meeting earlier this week, Zeena and John shared with you some concern about their transition to the Tokyo office. Although excited about the opportunity, they both expressed a desire to learn more about the Japanese culture in advance of their transfer. You agree with the rationale behind their request and conduct research to identify training firms that can provide cross-cultural training.
You identify a firm that provides customized training for employees transferring abroad. Connections LLC, recently won "Top Consulting Firm" in Philadelphia Today magazine. They have an excellent reputation and proven success in cross cultural training. In addition, they have worked with a number of Fortune 100 firms including Johnson & Johnson and Target.
After your virtual meeting with Connections, you receive a quote for the training program for Zeena and John. The quote includes a six-week, intensive training program which would include training in the Japanese language, in nonverbal communication, in business and dining etiquette, and in general Japanese culture, customs, and norms.
The cost for the six-week training has been quoted at $12,500 for both employees. This quote also includes access to Connections' consulting services and virtual training opportunities in Japanese culture for one full year.
You are excited about this opportunity and believe it is well worth the investment.
Submission Guidelines
Use the planning checklist to plan your persuasive email to Natalie. Once you complete your first draft of the email submit it to Smarthinking for feedback. Consider the feedback from Smarthinking and make improvements to your original draft.
Submit your planning checklist, the original draft and your final draft in one document in Canvas under Written Assignment - Persuasive Email. Directions for Submitting through Smarthinking are located at the end of the document and within Canvas.
Part 1 - The Planning Checklist
Read and briefly address each of the questions in the planning checklist.
1. State your general purpose: are you trying to inform, persuade, entertain, facilitate interaction, or motivate a reader?
2. Determine your specific purpose (the desired outcome):
3. What information will you include from the case scenario above and why?
4. As a manger, what discuss what Natalie cares about in terms of the case scenario?
5. How might Natalie feel about the issue you are raising?
6. Determine whether you'll use the direct or indirect approach.
Part 2 - The Persuasive Email
Directions: Compose a persuasive email that includes a clear statement of purpose at the beginning. Ensure that the tone is conversational and that it has been written to reflect the concerns and interests of the audience.
Follow the guidelines for business writing by ensuring your email is clear, concise, correct, and audience-centered. Make sure that the information is organized in a logical way, and that it closes effectively.
· Has each question in the planning checklist been answered clearly and completely?
· Do answers demonstrate an understanding of the context of the situation and a strategy for persuading?
· Is the planning checklist free of spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes?
· Does the email include a clear statement of purpose at the start of the email?
· Is the tone conversational?
· Is the message clear and concise?
· Has it been adapted to meet the profile (i.e. concerns and values) of the audience?
· Is the information well-organized and does it flow logically?
· Is it free of spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes?