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Individual Assignment: Business Writing Portfolio

You are a public relations manager called upon to present some information regarding changes in retail store operations to three different sets of stakeholders of a retail clothing store chain. The stakeholders include store managers, store employees, retail customers and the public. You must explain adjustments made to combat rising gas prices in an effort to save money on store operations, while allowing employees to come to work on fewer days per week.

Stores will now be closed on Sundays. Monday through Saturday, stores will be open an hour later and closed an hour earlier. Full-time employees, including managers, will have four 10-hour-day workweeks and part-time employees will consolidate their hours into 1-, 2-, or 3-day workweeks, depending on how many hours they work. In addition, no stores are closing, but no new stores will be opened at this time.

While constructing your messages, determine what audience characteristics must be considered for each stakeholder. You must consider the appropriate communication types and communication styles for each audience

Complete Part I: Business Writing Steps

oBefore you begin writing the messages in Part II, outline the steps you plan to take in drafting these business communications.

oYou may record your steps on a list, flowchart, or Web diagram.

Complete Part II: Portfolio

oPair each audience with one of the three communication formats. Use one message format for each audience.

oExplain the changes in the retail store operations. Consider how the three messages contain potentially negative information.

oAddress the information presented in the scenario so your audience will perceive it in a positive way.

oInclude the following in your Portfolio:

Write a business letter

Write a business memo

Write an e-mail

Store managers

Store employees

Retail customers and the public

Complete Part III: Reflection

oWrite a 200- to 300-word reflection that compares and contrasts the business writings in this assignment with academic papers you have completed.

Submit the Business Writing Steps, Portfolio, and the Reflection.