Agenda

1
Agenda

• Good writing and context
• Computer use case assignment
• Section assignment
• Electronic communication and channel choice

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Good writing

• Good writing always depends on the context
• For example, read the Navy memo on the next
  transparency (if you can)
• Is it good writing?

3
Computer use case

• Task
• To summarize, interpret, and transmit relevant
  information
• Requirements
• To identify and convey relevant information
• To place information in a meaningful context
• To make information easily accessible to a busy
  reader

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Ambiguity of information

• How will you look for something when you dont in
  the least know what it is? How on earth are you
  going to set up something you dont know as the
  object of your search? To put it another way,
  even if you come right up against it, how will
  you know what you have found is the thing you
  didnt know?
• From Becoming a Manager by Linda Hill

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Ambiguity of information

• Ambiguity of information is the normal state of
  affairs in corporate America
• Part of being an effective communicator is
  knowing how to analyze what a situation demands
  (tone, content, etc.)

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Ambiguity of information

• This assignment asks you to analyze the situation
  as well as the article
• To succeed, you need to
• Set criteria for relevance
• Determine what background on the data is needed
  to make it meaningful
• Present the information in clearly, concisely,
  and in an easy-to-follow manner

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Framing information

• How you frame information is critical to how it
  is received
• Examples
• Based on the information in this article, I will
  explain why the Board should not pursue a Web
  presence.
• This article is not relevant at all to the
  Boards decision, as I will explain in this memo.
• This article talks about ...

8
The relevance test

• Executive Directors View

• Your View

9
Framing information

• As part of my research on how use of the Internet
  impacts Kids ReACTs decision to invest in a web
  presence, the article About Time, Computer
  Time, is of limited use. While it does not
  focus directly on Internet use, it can offer some
  insight into A, B, and C.

10
Computer use case exercise

• If you brought a revised rough draft, work with a
  partner to review drafts
• If you did not bring a revised draft, complete
  the Situation Analysis exercise.
• You may work with a partner
• You must turn in the exercise
• We will discuss the Situation Analysis as a group
  when you have finished, so be ready to present
  your findings

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Computer use caseSituation analysis

• What data in the article relates directly to each
  of the EDs concerns (numbered points in the
  assignment and the statement that follows these
  numbered points)?
• What data in the article could suggest
  interpretations that are relevant to each concern?

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Section assignment

• General check-in
• Questions or concerns about the exercise?
• Differences youve observed between your
  expectations the communication style of your
  Japanese partner group?
• First e-mail and strategy document
• Group work time

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Channel choice

• Sending a message via a particular channel
  affects how it is received (e.g. the Kmart memo
  would have a very different impact if it were
  delivered orally in a one-on-one meeting)
• Use of multiple channels in one situation is
  sometimes required (e.g. a sales letter and
  follow up call or visit)
• Each channel has strengths and weaknesses that
  make it suitable for certain contexts

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Matching media to message

• What is media richness?
• What are direct and indirect media?
• How do these factors help determine message
  channel?

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Media richness

• Rich (direct) media
• Allow immediate feedback
• Are interactive
• Include extra information (body language,
  expression, etc.)
• Lean (indirect) media
• Do not allow immediate feedback (may not allow
  feedback at all)
• Do not facilitate interaction
• Contain only one type of information (text)

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Assignment

• Finish your Computer Use Case memo
• Be familiar with the E-Mail Position Memo
  assignment (p. 14, syllabus)