“Business briefs are a form of communication meant to bring a decision-maker (usually a high-ranking executive) up to speed on some issue or situation that needs attention. Briefs strive to present all the relevant facts and considerations that the reader will need to make a fully informed decision, but do so concisely. The trick, therefore, is to make the business brief succinct while also making it complete.” (Sam M. Walton College of Business, Business Communication Center, University of Arkansas)
Students are expected to carefully read 2 articles, and from their readings and knowledge of the course, write 2 memos/business briefs (one from each paper).
Students will write a full 1-page memo/business brief that details the key points of the article and makes recommendations for your CEO and top management team with regard to strategic management.
Some key characteristics of a well-written memo/business brief (from the Sam M. Walton College of Business, Business Communication Center, University of Arkansas):
1. Keep your specific audience in mind
2. “A brief isn’t about your opinion, rather what should happen based on research.”
3. “Although you should be formal, avoid dense prose and puffed-up language. Your goal is to inform your reader and lead him or her to a decision.”
4. “Respect your audience’s time. A brief should be informative but not ponderous. It should be easily read at a brisk pace.”
The short page limit hones and reinforces key skills in business: direct, clear and concise communication. It requires clarity in your thinking and brevity (getting to the point rather than rambling on and on). In business, long, rambling, general, meaningless, and unclear writing IS NOT VALUED NOR APPRECIATED NOR READ. In organizational life, poor communication is not valued, and it will devalue both your contribution and you.
In producing your memo/business brief, you need to be very focused, clear, and concise in your thinking about the key substantive issues of the paper and their implications for an executive team responsible for the company’s strategic management.
The memo/business brief should have three main parts:
a. Background: that you are addressing some issue in the strategic management process.
b. Analysis: this will be the key substantive issues of the article.
c. Recommendation for Action: this is your recommendation for action based on the reading of the article.
Format: 1 page, 12-point Times New Roman font, single spacing, 1 inch (2.54 cm) margins all around. Also, spelling, proofreading, and grammar are not to be neglected.“Business briefs are a form of communication meant to bring a decision-maker (usually a high-ranking executive) up to speed on some issue or situation that needs attention. Briefs strive to present all the relevant facts and considerations that the reader will need to make a fully informed decision, but do so concisely. The trick, therefore, is to make the business brief succinct while also making it complete.” (Sam M. Walton College of Business, Business Communication Center, University of Arkansas)
Students are expected to carefully read 2 articles, and from their readings and knowledge of the course, write 2 memos/business briefs (one from each paper).
Students will write a full 1-page memo/business brief that details the key points of the article and makes recommendations for your CEO and top management team with regard to strategic management.
Some key characteristics of a well-written memo/business brief (from the Sam M. Walton College of Business, Business Communication Center, University of Arkansas):
1. Keep your specific audience in mind
2. “A brief isn’t about your opinion, rather what should happen based on research.”
3. “Although you should be formal, avoid dense prose and puffed-up language. Your goal is to inform your reader and lead him or her to a decision.”
4. “Respect your audience’s time. A brief should be informative but not ponderous. It should be easily read at a brisk pace.”
The short page limit hones and reinforces key skills in business: direct, clear and concise communication. It requires clarity in your thinking and brevity (getting to the point rather than rambling on and on). In business, long, rambling, general, meaningless, and unclear writing IS NOT VALUED NOR APPRECIATED NOR READ. In organizational life, poor communication is not valued, and it will devalue both your contribution and you.
In producing your memo/business brief, you need to be very focused, clear, and concise in your thinking about the key substantive issues of the paper and their implications for an executive team responsible for the company’s strategic management.
The memo/business brief should have three main parts:
a. Background: that you are addressing some issue in the strategic management process.
b. Analysis: this will be the key substantive issues of the article.
c. Recommendation for Action: this is your recommendation for action based on the reading of the article.
Format: 1 page, 12-point Times New Roman font, single spacing, 1 inch (2.54 cm) margins all around. Also, spelling, proofreading, and grammar are not to be neglected.
