Persuasive Presentation & Email Invitation Will Help You Persuade Decision Makers How you earn points Student uploads a rehearsal AND provides peer feedback on rehearsal and slides ……………………………………………………………………………….. 20 points One email invitation persuading your bosses to attend your presentation ………….. 50 points 6-minute presentation with slides ………………………………………………………………….. 130 points Reflection on presentation …………………………………………………………………………… 25 points The rubrics are published in the Assessments/Assignment Folder and in the Content/Assignment Resources Cabinet in iCollege Dropbox. Note: The deadline posted on Connect is for the completion of the entire assignment: video + peer review. Be sure and submit your video ON THE DATE ASSIGNED. The deadline you see in Connect is the deadline for the peer review. OVERVIEW In many business situations, you may need to persuade others to accept an idea and to take action. In this assignment, you will develop your persuasive skills. You must support your position logically with valid evidence. The assignment requires two parts: 1) an invitation to your bosses convincing them to attend your presentation and asking for a RSVP. 2) a 6-minute persuasive presentation with slides on one of the topics provided in the list below. During this assignment, you will provide feedback to your peers. You must wear business professional attire. You must follow business professional staging directions. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS The skills learned during this assignment will help you to: ‘Organize material for a persuasive argument, written or spoken ‘Recognize logical fallacies ‘Polish visual aids for greatest impact ‘Create easily understood, meaningful graphics of data and statistical evidence ‘Convince people to take action ‘Evaluate effectiveness of persuasive content, organization, logic, and visual aids including charts ‘Demonstrate concise, grammatically correct writing skills ‘Practice the format and writing style used in business DELIVERABLES 1. Feedback to peers, as directed, by the deadline. 2. Email Invitation: Upload to the iCollege Assessments/Assignment box by the deadline. 3. Presentation: ‘Persuasive Communication Strategy Worksheet and Outline, works cited in MLA format, and PowerPoint file must be uploaded to the iCollege Assessments/Assignment box by the deadline. ‘6-minute presentation must be uploaded to Connect by clicking on the assignment link. ‘Reflection form. Fill out and upload to the iCollege Assessments/Assignment box by the deadline. EMAIL INVITATION INSTRUCTIONS You have worked hard building a persuasive case for your recommendation. You hope to present the case to all key decision makers in the company. Invite them to your presentation. Make such a convincing case to attend that they click on the registration link. Following these guidelines will help you write an effective email. 1. The subject heading should be enticing and descriptive. 2. Address the colleagues respectfully. For long lists, we suggest Dear CEO Last Name and Department Heads 3. Organize the email into three parts: introduction, body, close. 4. The introduction should build desire to attend your presentation. It should let the audience know who you are and briefly build your credibility. It should describe what the email is about. 5. The second paragraph should provide more details (what the presentation is about, how long, the benefits of attending). It should provide a way to register. (You can use a fictional Zoom or WebEx link). 6. The third paragraph should restate the overarching message and call the audience to action. 7. Follow business professional format for the email: ‘The text is block left (no paragraph indentation), ragged right (no justified margins). ‘All lines are single spaced. ‘An extra line space is used between paragraphs. 8. You must use Grammarly to check your work. You may access your FREE Grammarly account here. https://technology.gsu.edu/technology-services/it-services/training-and-learningresources/grammarly/ When you turn in your assignment, use the Comments box to report the Grammarly score for the memo. Upload a screen shot of the Grammarly score (should be 85 or higher). Grammarly does not catch everything, so be sure and proofread. PRESENTATION INSTRUCTIONS Make a professional business recommendation, based on one of the listed topics. Read the topic carefully. All of the appropriate bosses and the chief decision-maker will hear the six-minute presentation. Prove that there is a need to make a change. Tell them what change you recommend. Emphasize proven benefits of such a change. Convince the leadership team to accept your recommendation. The presentation will include visual aids and an original chart. The slides will be added to the recording (a feature in Connect). Wear business professional attire. Follow business professional staging directions (camera lens at eye level, plain background, well-lit, clear audio, shot shows speaker from sternum to just above the top of the head). Follow these steps: 1. Select a topic from the list following the directions provided by your instructor. 2. Research the topic thoroughly. The BCOM Library Resource webpage has excellent databases that will provide useful information. You must cite out loud at least three expert sources (not including the textbook) during the presentation. You must turn in a works cited page that uses MLA format. 3. Thoroughly complete the Persuasive Communication Strategy Worksheet and Outline. 4. Create a credible, effective 6-minute presentation that convinces your audience to allow you to make your recommendation to the key decision-maker. Follow this effective organization model for persuasion: Intro Body A) problem (or need for a change) B) the recommended change C) benefits of changing Close An outline of this model is provided on the Persuasive Communication Strategy Worksheet. Follow it to create the outline of your presentation. You will get and receive peer feedback on the worksheet and outline. 5. Your presentation must include appropriate and effective slides. Note: the first slide must help you grab attention! Use it to reinforce the content in the attention-grabbing introduction. Do not begin with a slide that states the topic. ‘You must include a professional, relevant, easy-to-read chart that you create. It must help to build your case. Provide the source of the data on the chart. Review Chapter 12, p. 377 Creating Effective Charts and information in Connect. ‘Use the slides to enhance your message. Each slide should be simple, visual, and memorable. Readers should be able to grasp the message easily and quickly. You may not use clip art. We have posted videos on iCollege on creating and designing effective slides. Review Chapter 14, Design Appealing Slides (p. 455). You will get and receive peer feedback on the PowerPoint slides. 6. Practice with the outline, but work to reduce the content to one 3×5 notecard with as few words as possible. You may use one note card during the recording. 7. Set up the shot in a well-lit, quiet room and stand in front of a plain background. Frame the shot so that shot from your sternum to just above the top of your head). The camera lens must be at eye level. You will speak right to the camera, pretending that you are delivering a presentation via the Internet. Do not edit the recording. It should be recorded from beginning to end, with no stops. Edits will count against your grade. 8. Add your slides to the recording. This link tells you how to add slides: Https://help.GoReact.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004267391-Adding-slides-to-a-video 9. Upload the following required materials to the iCollege Persuasive Presentation Dropbox: Communication Strategy Worksheet and final speaking outline, works cited, and copy of the visual aids. 10. Within 48 hours of making the presentation, submit the Reflection to the iCollege Persuasive Reflection Dropbox. Video Help: We use Connect/GoReact for the assignment. This site has useful information on how to record, upload, and review the video. Https://help.GoReact.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002346311 COMMUNICATION STRATEGY WORKSHEET AND OUTLINES FOR PERSUASIVE PRESENTATION Planning messages and presentations build on the AIM Planning Process for Business Messages. See Cardon, Chapter 5, pp. 140 – 144. More details on planning presentations are in Chapter 14, pp. 446-465. NAME: ASSIGNMENT: Please type your responses in this column. It will lengthen as needed. Proofread your responses carefully. ISSUE – What issue are you addressing? (Put the TOPIC, adapting the language so that the company name is specified.) OUTCOME – What do you want to happen after the audience receives your message? PERSUASIVE STRATEGY REQUIRES THOROUGH AUDIENCE ANALYSIS. THE BCOM 3950 LIBRARY RESEARCH PAGE SHOWS YOU HOW TO FIND THE ANSWER TO THESE QUESTIONS. BCOM RESEARCH LINK COMPANY ANALYSIS Name the company Where is the company headquartered, and briefly describe any other office or facility locations. When was the company founded? What is the industry code assigned by NAICS? The first five digits represent the industry, the 6-digit code is more specific. You can plug this code into search engines and find out A LOT about an industry. You can plug this code into search engines and find out A LOT about an industry. Is it public, and if so, what is the stock symbol and on what market(s) is it traded? Is it private? What type of private company? What products and services does it offer? Describe the company’s target customer or client group(s). Annual revenue (most recent full fiscal year; if the firm is private, check Reference USA in the database and industry analysis reports). Strengths-Weakness-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) Analysis: Describe the company’s weaknesses and competitive threats. Describe the company’s growth strengths and opportunities. AUDIENCE – now focus on the person or people who will receive your message List the name(s) of the person or people who will receive your message. List their title. If you can’t find the names, list the role(s) the people have in the company. How well does your audience already understand this April 2021 issue? Identify the audience’s values and beliefs related to the issue you are addressing. What resistances or objections will the audience have to your position? How will you overcome or reduce these concerns? How credible are you to the audience? How will you build your credibility? MESSAGE FRAMING State your message in one complete sentence (use no more than 20 words). BENEFITS List at least three benefits that your audience will receive if you achieve your specific purpose. The answer must illustrate what the audience will gain from your message. INFORMATION GATHERING What details do you need to include? What facts and other evidence do you need? What examples, expert opinions, and/or stories do you need? What visual appeal (photos, diagrams, charts) do you need to engage the audience and communicate your message? Once you have completed this form, you are REQUIRED to outline the message. Keep it brief. Under each key point, list the evidence and information you will use to support the point. Do it before you start writing. Template outlines are provided for written and oral messages. April 2021 OUTLINE FOR AN ORAL MESSAGE Do NOT write a script. Your message will have ONE main idea SUPPORTED BY three to four key points. Use just enough words to express the idea. Do not use complete sentences. Do NOT include the instructions on your outline. This outline should be stripped of all unnecessary content so that it will be useful during your rehearsals. Follow this structure: I. Introduction Capture the audience’s attention with a vivid example, dramatic demonstration, testimonial, relevant quotation, intriguing statistic, unexpected audience interaction, or challenge. Introduce the issue, give the audience a reason to listen, and preview what you will cover in the body. Transition to the 1st point. II. Body a. *Problem/Need for a change (a concise and catchy statement or phrase that conveys the idea of this section) i. detail ii. detail Transition to your 2nd point. (look backward/look forward) b. *Recommended solution (a concise and catchy statement or phrase that conveys the idea of this section) i. details ii. details Transition to your 3rd point. (look backward/look forward) c. *Benefits of solution (a concise and catchy statement or phrase that conveys the idea of this section) i. details ii. details Transition to the conclusion *Each point must be supported with credible and proper examples and evidence. Cite at least three sources out loud. III. Conclusion Restate the three main points, briefly! Reinforce your key message and overarching benefit. Call to action (what you want the audience to do). Do this is a compelling, memorable way. *Note, the problem/solution benefit model works well in persuasive strategy especially when the audience will be resistant or disinterested in a change. Read a more thorough outline on the Problem/Solution/Benefit model, posted on the iCollege Presentation Resources page. April 2021 Persuasive Presentation Assignment Will Help You Persuade Decision Makers CRITICALLY IMPORTANT! In all cases, you must FOLLOW THIS THREE POINT PROCESS IN THE BODY: ‘prove there is a need for a change ‘describe your solution (overcoming resistance as you go) ‘establish convincing benefits of implementing your recommendation. Topics Select a topic from the list and select the audience. (Topic #1 may have up to six students, as long as the company and cause are different. For the rest of the topics, up to three students may choose the same topic as long as the company they choose is not the same. You may sign up for your topic by following the system your instructor uses. 1. Up to 6 students may choose this topic, but the cause and the company have to be different. Sign up below and list the name of the company and the cause that you want the company to support. You work in the marketing department for a company with more than 500 employees (pick a real company with headquarters in metro Atlanta). Your company has decided to partner with an influencer that is closely connected with a specific cause of public interest (choose a real influencer and use their actual cause). One of the requirements for working with this influencer is that your company has to publicly support their cause. You think the company should do more than simply issue a statement. What could you recommend that would be more than empty rhetoric? Your argument must show why there is a need for the company to take a public position, exactly how the company should express its point of view, and what benefits the action would bring the company and possibly others. Up to three students may sign up for each of the topics below as long as they select different companies. 2. The company where you work is a locally owned, small- to medium-sized business. (Pick a locally owned company in metro Atlanta that does not have an internship program.) It does not have a paid internship program, and you think it should have one. Decide on a specific program – size, how many interns, how will they be found, how long will they work, what work will they do, who will supervise them, and so on. Build a strong persuasive case. Recommend to the CEO and key decision makers that they implement your paid internship program. 3. You work for a locally owned, small- to medium-sized business. (Your choice; pick a real company that is headquartered in metro Atlanta). The company includes employees of various ages, body types, and interests. Convince the CEO and key decision makers that they should offer a new employee benefit that promotes physical fitness. You must make a specific recommendation such as offering discounted fitness center memberships, vouchers for fitness classes, or some other plan to promote fitness. 4. You work for a locally owned, small- to medium-sized business. (Your choice; pick a real company that is headquartered in metro Atlanta that does not offer tuition reimbursement). Convince the CEO and key decision makers to offer a tuition reimbursement program. You must describe the scope of the reimbursement and how employees would qualify. 5. You work for a locally owned, small- to medium-sized business. (Your choice; pick a real company that is headquartered in metro Atlanta). All employees are expected to maintain communication with the company during working hours, and on an emergency basis at other times. Cell phones, computer access, and Internet services cost money. Convince the CEO and key decision makers to provide an annual stipend to defray the expense of staying connected. Describe how the plan would work, who would qualify, and all other critical details. 6. You have worked several years at a large, locally owned company. (Your choice; pick a real company with headquarters in metro Atlanta). You think that the company needs a fresh approach to its annual employee appreciation event. You recommend a specific new venue for the event. (Carefully research venues and sell your recommendation based on standards that are most relevant to your company.) Convince the head of human resources and key decision makers to move to a specific new venue. 7. You work at a locally owned company (your choice; pick a real company with headquarters in metro Atlanta) where much of the work is computer-based. Recommend to the CEO and chief decision makers that it adopt a computer monitoring system to ensure that employees are using their time ethically. You must convince the company that it needs to monitor employees, and you must propose a specific system that the company should use and justify that recommendation. 8. You work for a mid-sized health services provider. (Your choice; pick a real firm in Atlanta). You think the company should do more to prevent identity theft of patients’ information. Create a specific plan. Recommend to the CEO and chief decision makers that the company implement your plan. 9. You work for a small marketing company (Your choice; pick a real company), and you would like the firm to add a new benefit – bring your dogs to the office. Develop a plan for making the idea work. Decide on features that will help you overcome resistance to the plan. Convince the CEO and chief decision makers that your dog policy will work and be beneficial. 10. You work for a locally owned company (your choice; pick a real company with headquarters in metro Atlanta) and have noticed that the firm needs to upgrade its accounting software. Pick a specific software to recommend. Convince the CEO and chief decision makers that the software you recommend is the best for the business. 11. You work for a medium-sized to large company that offers a competitive package of employee benefits. (Your choice; pick a real company.) Convince the CEO, the head of human resources, and the chief decision makers that the company should add a new one: allow employees with five years’ continuous service to take a sabbatical of up to six months. This paid time off could be used for travel, volunteering, education, time with family, or whatever the employee desires. 12. You work for an Atlanta-based mid-sized company that sells its products nationwide. (Your choice, pick a real company). You would like the company to expand beyond its website and whatever social media it is using for marketing its products (you must find out what it is using). You will recommend that the company add a different digital technology to better serve the customer base and to expand its reach. Convince the CEO and chief decision makers to accept your recommendation. 13. You work for a consulting company that has about 200 employees. (Your choice; pick a real company.) Every consultant has an active personal social media presence, and some of them use social media for their job. You are worried about the fraught nature of the social media environment and the problems it could cause individuals and the company. Come up with a social media policy that you think the company should use. The policy must describe key guidelines, how it will be enforced, and what the consequences are of not following the guidelines. Convince the CEO and chief decision makers to implement this policy. 14. You work for a locally owned, mid-sized company that is based in Atlanta (your choice; pick a real company). Recommend to your company that it establish an employee volunteer workday program benefitting a specific non-profit organization. You must come up with a plan that is appropriate for your company. Which non-profit aligns best with the company’s values? You must decide on the scope of the program: How will it work? How many hours are involved? Compensated or not? Required or not? Justify your plan with proven benefits. Convince the CEO and chief decision makers to launch your employee volunteer program. 15. You work for a locally owned restaurant company. (Your choice; pick a real company). Convince the CEO, restaurant general manager, and chief decision makers that the serving staff should be paid a livable wage: no tips would be allowed. The wage would be financed by a surcharge on orders. Develop a strong persuasive case that focuses on why the business should change, how the plan will work, and what the business benefits are. 16. The next two topics focus on a similar issue, but the recommendation is different. You work for a marketing firm whose clients spend millions of dollars on ad displays in public places. (Your choice; pick a real company.) Convince the firm that it can improve its effectiveness if it includes facial recognition technology in the ad displays it creates. This technology provides information on how people respond to the ads. Some employees worry that the technology is too invasive and violates the public’s privacy, but you disagree. Convince the CEO and chief decision makers that the firm should include facial recognition technology in its public ad displays. 17. You work for a marketing firm whose clients spend millions of dollars on ad displays in public places. (Your choice; pick a real company.) Convince the firm that it must reform its practice of using facial recognition technology in ads. This technology provides information on how people respond to the ads. You worry that the technology is too invasive and violates the public’s privacy. Convince the CEO and chief decision makers that there is a need for a change. Advocate for a specific new policy. Describe the benefits of the policy. The next three topics focus on a similar problem, but the recommendation is different. 18. You work for a small- to medium-sized retail business in metro Atlanta (Your choice; pick a real company). The company is profitable, but you have gathered data that shows it is losing out on lots of revenue because of its location. Convince the CEO and chief decision makers that the business should close its current site and move to a more desirable location (you decide where). You must build a strong case that shows the need for a change AND why the location you recommend is a wise move. 19. You work for a small- to medium-sized retail business in metro Atlanta (Your choice; pick a real company). The company is profitable, but you have gathered data that shows it is losing out on lots of revenue because of its location. Convince the CEO and chief decision makers that the business should EXPAND and open another store in a more desirable location (you decide where). You must build a strong case that shows the need for a change AND why the location you recommend is a wise move. You must overcome the resistance of the cost of running two retail operations. 20. You work for a small- to medium-sized retail business in metro Atlanta (Your choice; pick a real company). The company is barely profitable, in part because of the overhead expenses. You think the company would do well if it were solely online. Convince the CEO and chief decision makers that the business should close its brick-and-mortar site and open an exclusively online business. Your plan must overcome the resistance of such a dramatic change, the costs of an effective online site, and the difficulty of breaking through in the digital world. 21. You may suggest a business recommendation topic to your instructor for consideration. To help you find an appropriate company, you may use the industry lists published by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. You will find lists of the top companies in Atlanta, grouped by industry. Go to Essential Resources on iCollege or to this address: Http://research.library.gsu.edu/bcom3950 There are also copies at the Research Support Desk on the first floor of Library North. Note: for our purposes, a small company has 150 or fewer employees. A medium-sized business has 151 – 3,000 employees. Purchase answer to see full attachment

Mastering the Art of Online Learning: Your Guide to Acing Online Courses

Introduction

In recent years, the popularity of online courses has skyrocketed, offering learners the flexibility to acquire new skills and knowledge from the comfort of their homes. However, succeeding in online courses requires a different approach compared to traditional classroom settings. To help you make the most of your online learning experience, this article presents essential strategies and tips to ace your online courses.

1. Set Clear Goals and Plan Ahead

Before embarking on an online course, establish clear goals and objectives. Determine what you hope to achieve by the end of the course and break down your goals into manageable milestones. Create a study schedule that aligns with your other commitments, ensuring you allocate dedicated time for coursework, assignments, and revision.

2. Create a Productive Study Environment

Establishing a conducive study environment is crucial for online learning success. Find a quiet, well-lit space where you can concentrate without distractions. Remove any potential interruptions, such as notifications from social media or email. Organize your study materials and have a reliable internet connection to ensure seamless access to course materials.

3. Actively Engage in the Course

Active participation is key to mastering online courses. Engage with course materials, including videos, readings, and interactive components. Take comprehensive notes, highlighting key concepts and ideas. Participate in discussion boards, forums, and virtual meetings to interact with instructors and peers, fostering a sense of community and enhancing your understanding of the subject matter.

4. Manage Your Time Effectively

Online courses offer flexibility, but it’s essential to manage your time wisely to avoid falling behind. Create a detailed schedule, allocating specific time slots for coursework, assignments, and studying. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable segments to prevent procrastination. Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and dedicate focused time to each one, ensuring consistent progress throughout the course.

5. Develop Effective Communication Skills

Online courses often rely on written communication, making it crucial to hone your skills in this area. Be concise and clear in your written responses, paying attention to grammar and spelling. Actively participate in discussions, asking thoughtful questions and providing constructive feedback to your peers. Regularly check your course emails and notifications, ensuring you stay updated with any important announcements or changes.

6. Utilize Available Resources

Take full advantage of the resources provided by your online course platform and instructors. Familiarize yourself with the learning management system (LMS) and explore its features. Access supplementary materials, such as textbooks, lecture slides, and external resources recommended by instructors. Utilize online libraries, research databases, and tutorial services to deepen your understanding of the subject matter.

7. Stay Motivated and Engaged

Maintaining motivation throughout an online course can be challenging, particularly when faced with competing priorities or a lack of face-to-face interaction. Set short-term goals and reward yourself upon their completion. Connect with fellow learners through virtual study groups or online forums to foster a sense of camaraderie. Regularly remind yourself of the benefits and personal growth associated with completing the course successfully.

8. Seek Support and Clarification

Don’t hesitate to seek support or clarification when needed. Reach out to your instructors for guidance or clarification on course material. Utilize online discussion forums to ask questions or engage in collaborative problem-solving. Leverage the support services provided by your course platform or institution, such as technical support or academic advising.

Conclusion

Online courses present unique opportunities for self-paced learning and personal growth. By setting clear goals, creating a productive study environment, actively engaging with course materials, and managing your time effectively, you can maximize your chances of acing online courses. Remember to stay motivated, seek support when needed, and make the most of the available resources. Embrace the flexibility and adaptability of online learning to achieve your educational goals.