Randall, the plant manager, must inform the plant's $500$ employees about pending layoffs. While he knows the audience will be hostile, Randall hopes to persuade them that this is the only way to prevent a total shutdown. In this situation, what is a suggested communication strategy for Randall?

Hide the information about the layoffs in the middle of the message.

Search social media to determine attitudes about the company before he speaks.

Downplay the importance of the message.

Obtain a complete demographic profile of the audience.

Begin his message with areas of common ground shared with the audience.