To: BUS 3000 Students
From: Professor X
Date: April 16, 2019
Re: Conflict Resolution Action Memo
__________________________________________________________________________
Write an action memo addressing one of the following situations detailed below. You should be sensitive, professional, persuasive, and concise while also including relevant information concerning the scenario and its conflict.
Consider:
• Audience: to whom should you write your action memo? And what tone should the memo have?
• What research, examples, or evidence do you need to support your recommendations?
Scenarios:
1st Group for Presentations A, “Tell a Story” addresses scenario 1:
1. You have been working to get a project greenlighted with your coworker, Alex, for weeks. It has involved a lot of research, and you two are proud of the work you’ve accomplished and hopeful. Alex submitted the proposal last week and today, she shares that one of the company’s executives said he was on the fence about the project. Alex shares that when she tried to point out the data and evidence demonstrating the need for your project, the executive said, “I like that you’re feisty. Especially in that flattering dress. Say what you just said again, and I might be more convinced a second time.” Alex says she got flustered and excused herself, and now she feels embarrassed. What is your response?
2nd Group for Presentations A, “Tell a Story” addresses scenario 2:
2. Sam and Taylor both work in accounting. Sam was hired a few months ago and Taylor has been with the company for eight years. Taylor, while being a proficient worker, tends to wait until the last minute to get his work done. Sam works more steadily and keeps on top of her work daily. Sam complains that she feels she has to worry now about his work and her own. And, because they rely on each other for certain tasks, she is uncomfortable with waiting until an hour or so before a deadline when they are forced to collaborate. Because Sam is new, she confides in you, another coworker. What would you do/say?
3rd Group for Presentations A, “Tell a Story” addresses scenario 3:
3. Chris and Dee have been assigned to a team project for BUS 3000. Chris is a Republican and wears a prominent cross around her neck. Dee is a professed atheist and liberal who feels that religious people are less intelligent. Both students avoid discussing politics or religion, but they both know the other’s feelings on current events and at times there is palpable tension. One day Chris comes to class wearing a shirt that says, “Marriage is sacred,” and Dee feels this action is alienating and hostile. Dee tells you, a classmate in another team that she wants to drop out of the class. What would you do/say?
4th Group for Presentations A, “Tell a Story” addresses scenario 4:
4. This is your first job and you are excited to show your new boss what you have learned in business school. Your employer is a Federal government agency that handles many sensitive classified documents belonging to the military branch. Accordingly, you have strict instructions to never copy, share with anyone outside the agency or remove any documents from the office. One day you notice that a fellow worker is copying some documents and taking them home in violation of the confidentiality directive. What would you do/say?
5th Group for Presentations A, “Tell a Story” addresses scenario 5:
5. Recently, Nike launched an advertising campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick. With their slogan of “Just Do It”, the advertisement has Colin Kaepernick saying, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” Because Colin Kaepernick is seen as the originator of the protest to social injustice of people of color by kneeling during a football game’s national anthem, many companies have elected to stop supporting or buying Nike products in protest of this controversial advertising campaign. As a new employee, you have been asked by your new boss to evaluate and recommend a position of whether your new company should or should not support Nike during this time. Your evaluation and recommendation will be reviewed by the company’s executive management team.
Guidelines:
Please review the situation carefully, taking in consideration the audience who is receiving the memo. Who should receive your recommendations, and how can you communicate in a manner that is sensitive, but professional and persuasive?
The memo should:
• Identify the conflict.
• Identify and detail the next steps or actions that need to be taken.
• Provide options and supporting details for the actions you are recommending.
Format:
You are required to use the standard memo format, which can be found on Canvas > Files > Resources > Templates > Template_basicmemo.pdf . This assignment description is also an example of a memo format.
• Use the traditional memo header only.
• Do not double space the assignment.
• It should be skimmable and employ “chunking” of text.
• There should be bold headings/headers and descriptive heading titles.
• Use bulleted or numbered lists.
Structure:
Use the classic message structure of an opening, middle, and closing.
The opening should briefly:
• Identify what prompted you to compose this message
• Clearly and specifically explain what this message is designed to accomplish—that is, your purpose for writing
The middle is your substantive discussion:
• Use appropriate formatting so the document can easily be skimmed
• State what should be done using succinct bullets. Explain why it is advisable for the recipient to take the recommended action. Reference any relevant attachments which support your recommendation.
• Cover all relevant topics in appropriate detail
The closing should be brief and provide:
• A concise summary of the recommendation.
• A sense of completeness or closure.