Training Recommendations Memo

Construct well-organized paragraphs, and put the components in this order:

·             Opening Statement: Include a statement about what prompts this document (restatement of the assignment scenario) and present your Position about new training that the company should offer for people in this industry, based on your interview and the Affinity Mapping Exercise. (What do you want the reader to do after reading this document?)

·             Methodology: Short description of the interview process (for example, the total number of interviewees that the team interviewed, the number of them who are in this industry, some details about your own interview (for example, “I conducted a 30-minute interview with a [job title] at [name of company], etc.)

·             Body: Present the “Why” for your Position.

o   Present your recommendations for 2-3 training topics (your Issues).

o   Present your Data and Conclusions (Pros and Cons) by drawing upon details from your interview and other students’ interviews (if applicable, highly recommended), as well as the Affinity Mapping Exercise. (If no one else interviewed people in this industry, you can still compare/contrast your findings to the findings from other industries.)

o   Include qualifiers or rebuttals in anticipation of any objections or reservations that they audience might have about your recommendations.

·             Next Steps: Briefly sum up by suggesting action, such as “The company should immediately begin developing training on [your topics].” Flesh out this statement by briefly explaining the benefits to the company or to the trainees.

·             Ensure that the text is a readable font and size.

·             Use headings, sub-headings, bulleted lists, and similar features to ensure readability.

·             Development/Support: Descriptive details, examples, explanations, etc., are used to develop the recommendations. There is no redundant or extraneous information and nothing that is inconsistent with the assignment requirements. For full points, document is full of details and as a result is useful, relevant, and actionable.

·             Organization/Format: Follows the required structure; presents the content in well-structured paragraphs; uses transitional phrases to create smooth flow. For full points, presents information in a manner that makes it easy for the reader to find, use, and understand the information.

·             Professional Ethos: Informal yet professional tone characterized by everyday words, active voice, concise sentences, and correct grammar/spelling/word choice; no $20 words and phrases; no wordiness. For full points, conveys the information with a strong sense of professionalism and accountability.

For due dates, see Blackboard.