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Students will work individually to develop a bad news message that demonstrates their ability to analyze a situation, evaluate and outline options, and create a document that effectively delivers the information. More details will be discussed in class. Use the following scenario to develop and communicate bad news to a client.

Scenario:

Jill's boss has just told her that due to budget cuts, several people in the team would have to go. Jill manages a happy, successful team, and she has no idea how to deliver this bad news.

User Pawan Rao
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Final answer:

Jill must develop a bad news message on budget cuts and layoffs with a focus on empathy and clear communication. She should consider her audience's perspective and integrate transparent evidence into her message while being prepared to revise the message through multiple drafts.

Step-by-step explanation:

Developing a Bad News Message in Business Communication

When tasked with creating a bad news message, it's important to analyze the situation at hand carefully. Begin by defining the situation; in this scenario, Jill needs to communicate budget-cut-induced layoffs to her team. Moving forward, define your purpose. The purpose of Jill's message should be to convey the difficult news while maintaining the team morale and offering support. The creation of this message involves a delicate balance of empathy and clarity.

To approach the scenario effectively, Jill must also consider the audience. Understanding the team's cultural, social, and linguistic backgrounds can guide Jill in crafting a message that resonates and is sensitive to her audience's potential reactions. As she strategizes on this message, Jill should focus on her team's feelings and the impact this news may have on their professional and personal lives.

Integration of Evidence and Multiple Drafting

Supplementing the message with evidence, such as details about the budget constraints, can provide transparency and help the team understand the reasoning behind the decisions being made. Additionally, Jill should be prepared to develop the writing project through multiple drafts, incorporating feedback where possible to refine the message.

Finally, after delivering the news, Jill should evaluate the feedback and apply it to her communication strategies moving forward. In doing so, she demonstrates her willingness to engage in open dialog and support her team through the transition.

User Evernoob
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