You may use one of two basic strategies when delivering negative news: direct or indirect organization. Your choice of which strategy to use will be determined by the particular situation and the receiver of the message. Understanding which strategy is appropriate in which situation will help improve the reception of your message.

In which situation would it be more effective to use the direct strategy? Check all that apply.

When the receiver may overlook the bad news

When it is necessary to be firm

When the bad news will provoke a hostile reaction

Consider the following outline of a business letter, and then answer the question.

I.

Express understanding for employees request for leave

II.

Explain situations when employees are granted paid leave

A.	Qualifying circumstances
B.	Tenure with company

III.

Inform employee she is not eligible for paid leave

IV.

Alternative to extended leave

A.	Vacation time

V.

Pleasant close

Which approach does this outline illustrate?

Indirect

Direct

Read the scenario, and then answer the following question.

You are the director of marketing. Your department has been doing well, but the company as a whole has been losing revenue steadily each quarter. In an effort to stay in business, the company is reducing each department's budgets by 15 percent. Your employees are expecting that there will be budget reductions. When you informed your employees of the pending budget reductions, they voted unanimously for a salary reduction rather than to fire employees to balance the budget.

You now must tell the employees they will each receive a 15 percent pay cut.

Which outline would be most appropriate in this situation?

I.

Thank employees for being willing to make a sacrifice for the good of the company

II.

Inform the employees they will receive a 15 percent pay cut

III.

Restate the facts of the companys financial situation

IV.

Explain

A.	The reasons why the company needs to take drastic action
B.	The benefits of the companys strategy

V.

Close with a forward-looking statement

I.

State the facts of the companys financial situation

II.

Provide alternatives the company considered

A.	Unemployment
B.	Bankruptcy

III.

Inform the employees they will receive a 15 percent pay cut

I.

State the facts of the companys financial situation

II.

Explain

A.	The reasons the company needs to take drastic action
B.	The benefits of the companys strategy

III.

Inform the employees they will receive a 15 percent pay cut

IV.

Close with a forward-looking statement