Slide 1

Slide 2 Michael Scott Kogod Center for Business Communications Michael Scott and the Kogod Center for Business Communications Slide 3 Remember Season 2 of The Office*? *Episode Title: Valentines Day Slide 4 Michael The new CFO asks Michael to come to New York to present the financials for the Scranton branch. other branch managers give PowerPoint At the meeting, other branch managers give PowerPoint presentations about their offices performances. Slide 5 But Michael shows a slow- motion video called The Faces of Scranton. He narrates, Life moves a little slower in Scranton, Pennsylvania. And thats the way we like it Slide 6 David, the new CFO, is baffled. He says Jan is appalled. Slide 7 Thanks, Michael. But what Im really interested in is the branchs financial performance. Do you have that information? Slide 8 Yes, David, I do. And then Michael hands David the financial report a bit late. Slide 9 Q: Kogod Center for Business Communications Q: But what if Michael had come to the Kogod Center for Business Communications first? A: A: He would have nailed it the first time! Slide 10 Oops! Michael made a common business communications mistake. He didnt adapt to his audiences needs, and he didnt put his bottom line on top (BLOT). Slide 11 Bottom line on top (BLOT) means stating your main message or take- away at the beginning of your text. BLOTing occurs in about 90 percent of good business communications. Slide 12 Which of the following opening sentences has the bottom line on top? The enclosed data summarizes the responses Biz Inc. received from customers in the survey. Our customers reported increased satisfaction with online customer support and other website services for the period January-March. Slide 13 The correct answer: The enclosed data summarizes the responses Biz Inc. received from customers in the survey. Our customers reported increased satisfaction with online customer support and other website services for the period January-March. Merely descriptive Gives the reader the most important take-away. Slide 14 Now its your turn. Write down your response, either on your computer or on paper. Try BLOTing the email on the next screen. Slide 15 Directions: Read the email segment below and write a new first BLOTed sentence. Recently I met with Ron Pettit, marketing director of Eagles Nest. It was a productive meeting, and we discussed a number of ideas for the store. Ron has authorized our new discount offer starting August 6 until September 4. Ron has approved the 15% discount for Eagles Nest items upon presentation of a Blue Crew card. To take advantage of this opportunity I suggest you make an announcement on the universitys daily e-newsletter, Today@AU. Also, Ron has recommended that we post flyers advertising the offer on bulletin boards in the dormitories. I suggest you begin working with Housing and Dining to find the optimal place for the flyers. Slide 16 Are you writing? Slide 17 BLOT Which BLOT is better? Ron Pettit, marketing director of Eagles Nest, has authorized our 15% discount offer for Blue Crew cardholders from August 6 to September 4. Ron and I had a productive meeting. Slide 18 Ron Pettit, marketing director of Eagles Nest, has authorized our 15% discount offer for Blue Crew cardholders from August 6 to September 4. Ron and I had a productive meeting. Gives the reader the most important take-away. Did you come up with something else or have a question? Email cbc@american.edu with your opening sentence and well respond. cbc@american.edu Slide 19 Heres the complete revised email: Ron Pettit, marketing director of Eagles Nest, has authorized our 15% discount offer for Blue Crew cardholders from August 6 to September 4. In addition, he has approved our announcement of the discount on Today@AU suggested we post advertising flyers in all the dorms. You can work with Housing and Dining to find the best place for the flyers in the dorms. Slide 20 Kogod Center for Business Communications What the Kogod Center for Business Communications can do for Michael, it can do for you, too! academic and professional business communications projects Heres how to improve your academic and professional business communications projects Slide 21 Visit the Kogod Center for Business Communications to improve the following: Business writingBusiness writing business papers, memos, and case analyses Public speakingPublic speaking job elevator pitches, venture capital pitches, and speeches of introduction Team presentationsTeam presentations and competition preparation for the annual Kogod Case Competition Slide 22 Come visit us when you want advice on: Revising an assignment in progress Organizing and practicing individual and team assignments Developing PowerPoint slides and other visual aides Brainstorming Figuring out your main idea Overcoming nervousness when presenting Getting videotaped Slide 23 Kogod Center for Business Communications Next time I have a big presentation, Ill head to the Kogod Center for Business Communications! Slide 24 Slide 25 KOGOD.AMERICAN.EDU