business 3

Executive Summary

A time-saving device that summarizes the entire proposal, business plan, or business report and addresses all its sections or chapters (p. 430, p. 432, p. 435).

Conclusions and Recommendations- whats the difference

Conclusion: The part of a formal business report that tells what the report findings mean (p. 437). Recommendation: Suggest a course of action to be taken after a report is read

Direct/Indirect Pattern of organization for business reports

Direct: When the purpose for writing is presented close to the beginning of a report, the organizational strategy is direct. Informational reports, such as the letter report shown in Figure 11.3, are usually arranged directly. They open with an introduction, which is followed by the facts and a summary. In Figure 11.3 the writer explains a legal services plan using a letter report. The report begins with an introduction. The facts, divided into three subtopics and identified by descriptive headings, follow. The report ends with a summary and a complimentary close. Indirect:The organizational strategy is indirect when the conclusions and recommendations, if requested, appear at the end of the report. Such reports usually begin with an introduction or description of the problem, followed by facts and interpretations from the writer. They end with conclusions and recommendations. This strategy is helpful when readers are unfamiliar with the problem. This strategy is also useful when readers must be persuaded or when they may be disappointed in or hostile toward the report's findings. The writer is more likely to retain the reader's interest by first explaining, justifying, and analyzing the facts and then making recommendations. This strategy also seems most rational to readers because it follows the normal thought process: problem, alternatives (facts), solution.

Functional and Talking Headings

Functional: Headings such as Introduction, Discussion of Findings, and Conclusion that describe functions or general topics to help the writer outline a report (p. 392). Talking: Headings such as Employees Strongly Support Amendment or Long-Term Parking Plan that describe content and provide information to the reader (p. 392).

Information and Analytical Reports

Informational - Reports that present data without analysis or recommendation; they may involve routine activities, compliance with regulations, and company policies and procedures Analytical - Reports that provides data or findings, analyses, and conclusions; may also provide recommendations and may intend to persuade readers to act or to change their beliefs

Mean Median and Mode

Mean: The arithmetic average of a group of figures (p. 383). Median: The midpoint in a group of figures arranged from lowest to highest, or vice versa (p. 383). Mode: The value that occurs most frequently in a group of figures (p. 383).

Primary/Secondary research (definition and examples)

Primary: Data that result from firsthand experience and observation Secondary: Data that come from reading what others have experienced or observed and written down

Business Reports - purpose, functions, and planning process

Purpose: Systematic attempt to convey information, answer questions, and solve problems (p. 338). Functions: Planning Process - Step 1: Analyze the problem and purpose. Step 2: Anticipate the audience and issues. Step 3: Prepare a work plan.

Solicited/Unsolicited proposals

Solicited: An external proposal written in response to a request for proposals Unsolicited: An external proposal that has been written without being requested by the intended audience

Work Plan - Components

Statement of the problem (based on key background/contextual information) Statement of the purpose including scope with limitations and significance Research strategy including a description of potential sources and methods of collecting data Tentative outline that factors the problem into manageable chunks Work schedule

Factoring for organization - breaking into subtopics by time, importance, component, citeria

Time: Ordering data by time means establishing a chronology of events. Agendas, minutes of meetings, progress reports, and procedures are usually organized by time. Importance: Organization by importance involves beginning with the most important item and proceeding to the least important—or vice versa Component: Especially for informational reports, data may be organized by components such as location, geography, division, product, or part. Criteria: Establishing criteria by which to judge helps writers to treat topics consistently.

Business Plan - type of proposal to secure funding

grant proposal