Chapter 12: Writing Workshop -- Outlining a Business Presentation

Which body outline is most effective? a.II. BODYBecoming a stronger player in the marketplaceOvercoming the safety-recall fiascoEliminating the "silo" mentalityReadying the company for the next 50 yearsPleasing big-truck buyersReceiving incentives from Plano and Texas$6.75 million of grants from PlanoDiscounts on property taxes$40 million of incentives by the state of TexasRolling out the relocation to PlanoPhase 1: A small staff contingent to transfer this yearPhase 2: Hundreds of employees to follow next yearPhase 3: All to move in 2-3 years when new Toyota campus is completed b.II. BODYThe reasons for the relocationConsolidating far-flung U.S. divisionsImproving communication and collaborationReceiving substantial incentives and tax breaksThe relocation processSeveral stages over three yearsConstruction on $300-million campus in PlanoGradual transfers of small contingents of workersYour benefits and incentivesLow cost of living in Plano (affordable homes)Quality of life (good schools, cultural offerings)Relocation package (free visit to Plano, covered moving costs)Retention bonus (cash bonus for staying on) c.II. BODYRelocation and retention benefitsToyota will pay for you to visit PlanoWe are trying to keep as many people as we can.Moving expenses will be covered.Receive retention pay if you stay till the move, even if you don't go to TexasThis isn't done in the industry; we're not about cost-cutting.Affordable living in TexasAverage home in L.A. $515,000—in TX $217,500!Access to major airports, direct flights to JapanSchools are excellentReorganizationTransfer of 3,000 jobs in marketing/finance from Torrance1,000 jobs will be pulled from other U.S. locations.2,300 workers to remain in Toyota design studio in Newport Beach$7.2 billion of economic activity for Plano over 10 years

II. BODY The reasons for the relocationConsolidating far-flung U.S. divisionsImproving communication and collaborationReceiving substantial incentives and tax breaks The relocation processSeveral stages over three yearsConstruction on $300-million campus in PlanoGradual transfers of small contingents of workers Your benefits and incentivesLow cost of living in Plano (affordable homes)Quality of life (good schools, cultural offerings)Relocation package (free visit to Plano, covered moving costs)Retention bonus (cash bonus for staying on)

How should the CEO open his remarks to draw in the audience and ensure his introduction is effective? a. A. Leaving balmy California for blistering Texas won't be easy for me either, but it's for the best. B. Today we will look at how the relocation will affect your employer, Toyota Motor North America. C. The selection process was tough. We looked at 100 cities. Then we narrowed the choices down and Plano trumped Denver, Atlanta, and Charlotte, NC. b. A. I've been at Toyota for 30-plus years, and this is the biggest announcement we've made since we've been in North America. B. Like many of you, I anticipate that moving to Plano will require major adjustments from all of us. Ultimately, though, I am confident that at the end of my remarks today you will be sold on the idea. C. As your CEO, I am happy to share the reasons behind the move with you, explain how it will be phased in, and describe how you may benefit from it. c. A. Relocating to Texas was a strategic decision and we are convinced that it will propel our company into the future. We are reorganizing our North American business for the next 50 years as I will show today. B. If Toyota thrives, everyone benefits. We will be closer to our manufacturing hubs in the South and better able to compete. C. We want to keep as many employees as possible, but we understand that we may lose many of you.

A. I've been at Toyota for 30-plus years, and this is the biggest announcement we've made since we've been in North America. B. Like many of you, I anticipate that moving to Plano will require major adjustments from all of us. Ultimately, though, I am confident that at the end of my remarks today you will be sold on the idea. C. As your CEO, I am happy to share the reasons behind the move with you, explain how it will be phased in, and describe how you may benefit from it.

Which closing is most appropriate? a.III. CONCLUSION A. To sum up, I set out to explain what has prompted us to move and how the relocation will go forward. I also hope to have demonstrated how this profound change will ultimately benefit us all. B. Certainly I'm not going to be around 50 years from now, but given that long-term horizon, we will get through the next three years and remain a strong, competitive market leader. b.III. CONCLUSION A. People are going to evaluate career-wise or family-wise if the move makes sense for them. We are about retaining associates, and not finding ways to get rid of them or replace them with cheaper headcount. B. We are not a cost-cutter place. We are a relationship place. Our relationship with our employees is critical if we want to have good relationships with our customers. c.III. CONCLUSION A. I've given you the reasons for the relocation, described the relocation process, and explained your benefits and incentives. B. That's it! Thank you for your time. Questions?

III. CONCLUSION A. To sum up, I set out to explain what has prompted us to move and how the relocation will go forward. I also hope to have demonstrated how this profound change will ultimately benefit us all. B. Certainly I'm not going to be around 50 years from now, but given that long-term horizon, we will get through the next three years and remain a strong, competitive market leader.

What is the purpose of Jim Lentz's series of presentations to Toyota employees in California? a.To apologize for the shocking news of the relocation and justify the company's decision b.To address workers' concerns and provide details of the relocation c.To recruit the workers and executives best suited for the move

To address workers' concerns and provide details of the relocation

What can you assume about the audience your CEO is about to meet and what does that mean for the presentation? a.The audience is likely to be emotional but not hostile. The workers will be listening eagerly because they are desperate for details. The CEO should be direct and disclose the rationale behind the relocation. He should focus on workers' benefits to lessen their fears. b.The audience will be angry and hostile for having to move to Texas. The presentation should be organized using a noncontroversial pattern. The speaker should stay calm and collected. He should include objective data and use humor to lighten the mood. c.The workers will be neutral because they haven't heard the full story yet. They will be calm because they will first want to hear both sides of the issue; therefore, an objective pro/con pattern is best. Now is the time to awe and sway them with flashy visuals. Feedback

The audience is likely to be emotional but not hostile. The workers will be listening eagerly because they are desperate for details. The CEO should be direct and disclose the rationale behind the relocation. He should focus on workers' benefits to lessen their fears.