The Memorandum 

 

 

One of the most often used forms to business writing is still the memo - even in its electronic form. It often confirms announces company decisions and policies. You will notice the format of the email is similar to the memo. For example, both have the same headings.   

 

The memo's purpose is to convey information in a brief, organized manner. They are typically longer than an email.  Most companies have an online format in the form of a template the writer can use for transmittal. Other companies expect their employees to type the memo using plain paper letterhead. However, they are initiated, memos have the same elements:

 

• Single space (even the one you hand in for this course)
• Double spacing between paragraphs and sections
• No indented paragraphs
• No signature for the memo; instead you can initial your name at the top in the "From" section
• No  sign-off or complimentary closing at the end of a memo such as Thanks, Sincerely, Regards or other such words and phrases used in emails and letters  (just end the memo)

 

Your Progress Report is to be written in the form a memo.   Save your document as (your first name)(your last name).docx and upload to Blackboard Assignments Drop Box Progress Report by June 27th. EACH STUDENT will hand in his or her own progress report independently. This is the very last day you can submit this because after this date the other professor takes over the course. There are not extensions for this assignment unless there is a medical or legal emergency for which proof needs to be given and shown to the Department. The other professor will assess your work depending on how late it is submitted. Again the Department must approve the reason for an extension. 

 

Your team has been asked to take on a new project. This project involves researching, assessing and recommending improvements of an organization's communication strategy.(This could be either a charity or new startup company). 

Your team will be working on the project and will submit an analytical report of your findings and recommendations. 

 

 

 

 

What is in a communication strategy?

A communications strategy is a plan for communicating with your target audience. It includes

• WHO you are talking to  AUDIENCE
• WHY you are talking to them PURPOSE
• WHAT channels you should use to share it (CHANNEL: email, letter, social media, broadcast media, infographic poster/ad)
• WHEN you will talk to them

A company communication strategy is what is used by organizations to communicate with employees, customers, suppliers, and investors. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Template 

 

 

 

MEMO Contents (answer in sentences):

 

Introduction

 

• Which topic have you chosen for the report?  Why did you make this choice?
• Which students are you working with (who is on your team)?  Did you make a group decision on the topic choice?

 

 

Tasks I Have Completed So Far

 

• Explain what you have done so far for the project  (your own tasks)

 

     Primary Research

 

• Primary research is research that the group members create (like a survey or an interview). Are you going to communicate with /  interview someone who works or has worked for the company? If so, who? If you can't, why not?

 

     Secondary Research

 

• What types of secondary sources (books, articles, reports) do you think you will use for this report? Use the information from the library webinar to this part. The librarian showed you how to find information in various databases. Find and then provide TWO sources you think you will be using for this report ). EACH GROUP MEMBER MUST PROVIDE DIFFERENT SOURCES.  Explain why you selected these TWO sources.

 

Future Tasks That Need to be Completed 

• What do you and your group plan to do next for this project? (be specific). Refer to the assignment sheet. For example, the next step after completing all the research is to begin the report plan (that assignment is due after Study Break). Make a chart if you believe this would be a could way to show the next steps for the project.