Assignment 1: Write a Promotional Message (25%)

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to give you an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to identify various types of business correspondence, select the most appropriate type for a given purpose, and write a clear, cohesive, and concise business message.

How to Proceed

1. Read through the below scenario.

2. Identify the purpose of the communication.

3. Apply the Audience Analysis template provided to identify your audience and capture their needs. Consider potential barriers and sources of miscommunication, as you complete the chart.

4. Based on your assessment of the purpose of the communication and your audience analysis, identify three potential formats and recommend the best choice.

5. In Microsoft Word, write a short, promotional message using the format of your choice.

6. Your final assignment should include a(n):

   • identified purpose of the communication;

   • completed audience analysis chart;

   • list of formats considered and a short rationale for your choice of format; and

   • promotional message (75-150) in the format of your choice.

7. Submit your assignment through the Assignment 1 dropbox in UM Learn.

Scenario

The UMCycle Bike Kiosk is a full-service bike shop at the centre of the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry Campus. The bike shop is expanding to include a bike sharing program similar to that used by Humber College and other Canadian colleges and Universities.

Bike Havens (pickup/drop off stations) will be positioned around the Fort Garry Campus and in popular areas within 10 kilometers of the University (e.g. grocery stores, parks, etc.).

As the Communications Coordinator for UMCycle, your job is to get the word out to full-time students attending university on the Fort Garry Campus about this exciting new venture. You have been tasked with creating and publishing a message that will get people talking and sharing the news. You also need to provide a quick and easy link to download the app needed to begin using the service. As an incentive, users who sign up in the first 30 days will receive a credit for three hours of free bike rental time. You can assume that your target audience is familiar with the UMCycle bike shop, interested in issues related to sustainability and the environment and live within a 10 km radius of the campus.