Write an original short report based on the case below3-4 pages maximum.

CASE:

You are a computer systems manager at Envision, a large chain of electronic stores. Envision has a policy of paying for professional development courses for employees on an individual basis. But you think it would be a good idea for your whole department

all 5 systems analysts, plus you to take BCIT courses together so you can discuss ideas and work on homework exercises together. You think both COMM 2202 and COMM 2203 would be good courses. But theres no way Envision will agree to pay for both courses this year. You will need to pick the best one to propose attending as a department this January; the other one can wait until September. You had the following conversation about them with your supervisor, Anthony Bruckner:

You: I'm not feeling all that comfortable about working on the Procedures report youve asked my department to create. I dont have any training in writing reports, and this has to be accurate and readable for all employees in the company. Also, all the members of my department will be contributing to the report over the next six months Im not sure about how to structure a group report like this. There's a course at BCIT on reports; I wondered if that would help.

Anthony: The report writing course? That's a good one. I took it a few years ago, and I think you could adapt most of the principles to our needs. Youd get some useful ideas, anyway. I'm sure the Personnel department will approve it. You just have to send a memo including the details - you know, what, where, when, how much, why its important, all that.

You: How much justification do they need for these courses?

Anthony: As long as you can show that it's relevant to the work you're doing for Envision, approval is virtually automatic.

You: But have they ever had anyone ask for all their department members to attend one course? Thats a lot of tuition. Also, will they go for two in the same quarter? I'd like to suggest taking another COMM course at BCIT, on writing persuasive and negative news messages. Our department often has to convince Envision employees to use new technologies and tools, and also announce bad news like system outage or network downtime I feel like we dont do a great job, and we create unnecessary tension for ourselves.

Anthony: BCIT has a course on that? That will be very useful to the company; I cant see Personnel having a problem with it, especially when you have my approval.

You: Can I include both courses in my memo?

Anthony: Well yes, but, I dont think you should ask for money for both courses this January. Why dont you talk about both courses, you know, compare the courses, and make a recommendation about sending your department to one this January and one next September. But dont just make a random choice show the Personnel dept you have compared the two courses to each other and selected the most appropriate one for your department to attend first. You can say I asked you to write this memo it shows I approve the idea.

You: Thats a good idea. Hmm. It sounds like an ordinary memo wont be good enough. Im going to have to write a short report with an introduction and everything. And I should mention that I did research online at the BCIT website, and maybe give the URLs for the course outlines. And I should organize my memo with headings and a separate conclusion and recommendations section. I wish I had taken COMM 2203 already!

TASK:

Write a memo report to the Personnel Director asking for approval and tuition funds for you and your whole department for the two courses, but remember to recommend one course for January and one course for next Fall. Your report discussion should provide clear evidence andanalysis backing up your recommendations.

Divide the body of your report using appropriate headings. Following the format of the sample reports, include a short Summary at the start, an Introduction, and Conclusions and Recommendations following your report body.

Read the case carefully to decide what information your reader requires and what information from the case can be omitted. Not all the information in the case is necessary or even appropriate for a professional report! You may invent details you feel are necessary for a thorough and effective report (as long as your details are consistent with the information already provided in the case).

Below is the course information on the two courses mentioned in the case. You do not need to do any additional research to complete the report.

Communication COMM 2202 - Business and Technical Correspondence

Term: September 2015

Total Hours: 36.0 Course

Credits:

3.0

Course description

This course teaches skills needed to write all types of business correspondence. It covers claim, bad-news and sales letters, job applications, and the writing of procedures and instructions.

COMM 2202 plus COMM 2203 are equivalent to most full-time diploma program level 2 COMM courses at BCIT. (3 Credits $455.00)

Course learning outcomes/competencies

Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:

• Follow a systematic process in planning and writing memos and letters.
• Select and organize information to meet the needs of readers.
• Write sentences that are clear, concise, and correct.
• Achieve a positive, persuasive reader-oriented tone in your writing.
• Use effective planning strategies and organizational patterns for:
  • Requests and replies
  • Claim and adjustment messages
  • 'Bad news' messages
  • Persuasive messages and sales letters
  • Definitions, descriptions, instructions and graphics.
  • Prepare a professional resume and application letter.

Communication COMM 2203 - Business and Technical Reports

Term: September 2015

Total Hours: 36.0 Course

Credits:

3.0

Course description

This course teaches skills needed to write effective business and technical reports: inspection, trip, incident, and progress reports, proposals, feasibility studies, formal reports, oral reports, summaries and graphics. COMM 2202 plus COMM 2203 are equivalent to most full-time diploma level 2 COMM courses at BCIT. (3 credits $455.00)

Course learning outcomes/competencies

Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:

• Plan and write business/technical reports that meet professional standards of organization, style, and presentation.
• Use an appropriate and correct writing style.
• Plan and write reports that effectively present information.
• Identify and analyze problems.
• Propose and evaluate solutions.
• Use the most effective organizational pattern for various types of informational and analytical reports.
• Make correct and effective use of graphics and illustrations in reports.
• Write a persuasive proposal.
• Follow appropriate conventions in preparing and packaging a formal report.
• Prepare and deliver an informative and persuasive oral report.