DATE: February 1, 2010
FROM: NBC Executive Staff
TO: NBC Employees
SUBJECT:Time-slot Change
It has been brought to our attention that there has been a significant controversy pertaining to the time-slot switch of our two late-night programs hosted by Jay Leno and Conan O Brian. We are aware of the concerns brought to us by our viewers and are taking every route possible to resolve these issues.
The first thing we will be doing is pushing the shows back to their original time-slots.
The second thing we will be doing is notifying all of the shows’ employees that their jobs are secure in the locations they are presently located.
The third thing we will be doing is to advertise this change on our station, as well as in magazines and newspapers.
We thank you for being cooperative during this time, and our main focus is to make these changes quickly and efficiently.
Memo repsonse.
1. Yes
2.
a. Time slot change controversy
b. Notify employees of the issue
c. They are aware of the issue and trying to fix it quickly
d. Not much background info.
e. Important, needs to be stressed.
3. -Correcting time slots.
-ensuring employees of job security
-Advertise change to station, media and public.
4.
a. Thanks reader for being cooperative.
b. Does not restate main point.
c. Slightly mentions future by stating main focus to fix the changes.
5. Memo type - Response memo
6.
a. No use of "you style."
b. appropriate tone is used.
c. Bureaucratic phrasing IS used throughout the memo.
comment
Please respond to the following prompts as a group for the Internal Memo draft workshop (use the back if necessary).
1. Is the memo’s formatting correct? Does it contain a complete header and message?
The NBC memo is missing a title but still retains the majority of the required information. The memo also contains some spelling and grammatical errors.
2. Read the memo’s introduction and report its stated:
a. Subject- Time slot changes
b. Purpose- inform internal parties of time changes and actions to resolve conflict
c. Main Point- same as purpose
d. Background Information- provides some info about the matter at hand
e. Importance of the Subject- just bringing the situation to attention
3. The memo’s body is divided into what topics?
Pushing back shows to original time
Notifying show’s employees
Advertising the change
4. Read the memo’s conclusion and report how it:
a. Thanks the reader
b. Restates the main point
c. Looks to the future
The conclusion does thank the reader but did not restate the main point and did not give a goal.
5. What type of memo does this appear to be (Inquiry, Response, Transmittal, Claim, Adjustment, Refusal, other)?
Adjustment
6. Note any places where the memo does not:
a. Use the “you” style- they did not use the you style at any point in the memo
b. Create an appropriate tone- not really, using a tone other than “we”
c. Avoid bureaucratic phrasing- definitely
NBC comment
OK, you have a start here, but you'll want to beef this memo up. Look at the information in TCT on pages 457-61. Your introduction does address its subject, but you also want to state your purpose and main point. The topics in the body also would be more effective with some development. Your conclusion does thank your readers and look to the future, but you also want to restate your main point. I think you don't do this because it isn't completely clear what the main point is. What do you want employees to take away from this memo? You want this document to prevent employees from thinking "What does this have to do with me?" or "What do you want me to do?"