THE CASE

Instant messaging (IM) is a popular way to exchange messages in real time. It offers the convenience of telephone conversations and email. Best of all, it allows employees to contact anyone in the world while retaining a written copy of the conversation without incurring expensive telephone bills. IM is risky for companies; they may lose trade secrets or confidential information over insecure lines. They also may be liable if inappropriate material is exchanged. Moreover, IM opens the door to viruses that can infect a company's entire computer system. Your boss just read an article stating that 40 percent of companies now use IM for business and up to 90 percent of employees use IM without their manager's knowledge or authorization. She asks you to write a survey of your 48 member staff to learn how many are using IM. She wants to know what type of IM software they have downloaded, how many hours a day spent on IM, what advantages of IM are. The goal is not to identify those using or abusing IM. Instead, the goal is to learn when, how, and why employees use IM so that appropriate policies can be designed.

CASE ASSIGNMENT

Write an Informal Proposal with Introduction, Subheading, The proposal, Conclusion, Reccomadation.

1. Use the web or an electronic database to learn more about IM.

2. Make a short employee survey, include an appropriate introduction that explains the survey and encourages a response.

3. Should you ask for names on the survey? How can you encourage employees to return the forms?

4. If you are not able to provide actual names for your report make up the information required (results) analyze the findings.

5. You should include your conclusions and recommendation (s) and call for action as the final section.

6. references should be included