Final answer:
Allan should send an e-mail to inform management staff of the payroll report due date changes, as it is efficient, professional, and provides a written record. A text message is too informal, and a meeting is unnecessary for a simple change unless further discussion is needed. He should ensure the email is clear, concise, and error-free. Hence, the correct answer is option (a).
Step-by-step explanation:
When Allan needs to communicate the change in payroll report due dates to all company managers, the most efficient and direct approach would be via electronic communication. Given that the information is straightforward and does not require immediate feedback, an e-mail would be pertinent. It's professional and provides a written record of the communication. Additionally, if certain managers handle timesheet submissions and payroll reporting more directly, Allan may consider sending the email to those specific individuals to avoid unnecessary confusion. A text message might be considered too informal for such an official notice, and calling a full meeting could be an overuse of everyone's time for a simple date change, unless there are further implications that necessitate a discussion.
Allen should therefore opt for a professional email, ensuring to cover all necessary details and implications due to the payroll schedule change. It should be proofread to avoid errors and ensure clarity. If a follow-up meeting is required based on the feedback received, it can then be scheduled accordingly. This respects the managers' time and allows for asynchronous processing of the change, while also providing a reliable paper trail for future reference.