Case Studies for Project 1: 1) Bad News Letter: Explaining a Project Delay You work for Houston-based company Delvientos Construction as a Project Manager. You’ve been hired to oversee the construction of a small strip shopping center, and you have experienced a series of small delays about halfway through the project due to bad weather. Even worse, you’ve just been informed that there is heavy rain in the forecast for the entire upcoming week. Yesterday, just when you thought nothing else could go wrong, you discovered that your concrete supplier, Atlas Concrete, has a truck drivers’ strike in progress. Because you still need half the concrete for the project, you’ve started searching for another supplier. Your client, an investor/developer named Tanya Lee, located in a city about 200 miles away, probably will be upset by any delays in construction, whether or not they are within your control. Write her a letter in which you explain the weather and concrete problems. Try to ease her concerns, especially because you hope to continue working with her on future jobs. 2) Good News Email Notification of Raise As Human Resources Director of a community college in Lake Charles, Louisiana, you’ve just learned that the Board of Directors has approved a 3% raise for both full-time and adjunct professors. This raise has been deliberated for a period of three years, and has finally received a vote. The raise is the first part of a new policy acknowledging a larger workload for instructors to accommodate larger class sizes, and an expectation of additional professional development requirements. Congratulate your professors and let them know why they’re receiving the raise and when they can expect to see it in their paychecks. 3) Neutral Memo Notification of New Employee Onboarding Procedures As the Vice President of TaxRite Accounting, you have a number of announcements to make to the new employees of your accounting firm. Write a memo, including the subject line that clearly relates the following information: All new employees must attend the orientation session, which is offered each day at 10am in room 1324 during the week of October 14-18. Employees must register for the session through the company employee portal, and will receive a confirmation code that they will use to sign in at their chosen session. Additionally, each new employee will need to make their final selections for their benefits package by October 25. They need to decide whether to opt in to dental and vision coverage, determine the amount of life insurance coverage they will need, and indicate whether they would like to include dependents in their health insurance package. These decisions are final for the year once made, and employees may not make changes until the following October. HR representatives will be available for advising and consultation in breakroom each Friday from 3-5 pm before the deadline. New employees must also complete the Records Privacy and Sexual Harassment trainings. Department managers will provide these new employees with a link via email with further instructions. Don’t forget to welcome the new employees and assure them that you are available to answer questions. (Remember, you need to make decisions about how to break this information up into categories, use formatting, etc. Don’t just copy and paste the wording from the case study. Put in your own words.) From: Time Warner Customer Service Date: Tues., March 15, 2014 To: Barney P. Levinson Subject: RE: Possible Discounts Dear Mr. Levinson, We have received your inquiry about a discount on your monthly cable bill. Unfortunately, Time Warner cannot extend any additional offers to customers currently under contract. We apologize for the inconvenience. Feel free to check back in a few months, when new offers may be added. We are currently running a promotion for new referrals, however. If 3 of your friends join Time Warner as new customers, you can receive a one-time $50 discount on a monthly bill. Please see our website for further details. If you have any other questions, please visit Timewarner.com or call (866) 8GO-CABLE. Best, Michaela Smithson Customer Service Rep. Ext. 4667 Make the following sentences more concise by placing the action in the verb. You may need to change the structure of the sentence. I’ve completed the first one as an example. These are not the only solutions, but they are likely the simplest corrections. You always have the option of rewording the sentences completely. 1. The inspectors indicated that observation of the site occurred on July 16, 2011. Inspectors observed the site on July 16, 2011. 2. After three hours of discussion, the branch managers agreed that establishment of a new mission statement should take place in the next fiscal year. After three hours of discussion, the branch managers agreed to establish a new mission statement within the next fiscal year. 3. Assessment of the firm’s progress will happen during the annual meeting of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will assess the firm’s progress during their annual meeting. 4. Documentation of the results of the lab test appeared in the final report. Results of the lab test were documented in the final report. 5. The financial statement showed that computation of the annual revenues had been done properly. The financial statement showed that the annual revenues were computed properly. Replace the unnecessarily long words and phrases with shorter ones. I’ve completed the first one as an example. 1. In the final analysis, we decided to place the new pumping station in the proximity of the old one. We ultimately decided to place the new pumping station near the old one. 2. Endeavoring to complete the study on time, Sheila transported the supplies immediately from the field location to the lab. Trying to complete the study on time, Sheila moved the supplies immediately from the field location to the lab. 3. During the course of his career, he planned to utilize the experience he had gained the ambulance business. (Here, I would just change ‘utilize’ to ‘apply’ or ‘use.’) 4. His work with the firm terminated due to the fact that he took a job with another competing firm. His work with the firm ended because he took a job with a competing firm. 5. Subsequent to the announcement he made, he held a news conference for approximately one hour of time. After his announcement, he held an hour-long news conference. Rewrite these sentences to eliminate cliches and there are/it is constructions. I’ve completed the first one as an example. 1. There are many examples of skyrocketing equipment costs affecting the final budget for the project. An overall increase in equipment costs has affected our project’s final budget. 2. She explained to her staff that it was as plain as day that they would have to decrease their labor costs. She explained to her staff that they would have to decrease their labor costs. 3. The prospective client asked for a ballpark figure of the project costs. (Change ‘Ballpark figure’ to ‘estimate’) 4. Last but not least, there was the issue of quality control that he wanted to emphasize in his speech. Lastly, he wanted to emphasize the issue of quality control. 5. Though we have lost profits this quarter, if we think outside the box, we should be able to recover them. Though we have lost profits this quarter, we should be able to recover them if we think creatively. northland Theatre lab 1111 Parkway circle Holyoke, MA 01041 August 2, 2015 Ms. Casey Turnbaugh 2025 Forney Drive Greensboro, NC 27435 Dear Ms. Turnbaugh: It is my great pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted into Northland Theatre Lab’s 2015-2016 Repertory Company. You have been selected to play the roles of Hedda in Hedda Gabler and Francine in Two Fools. In addition to these lead roles, you will be allowed to audition for supporting roles in the other plays in our season. These plays will include the experimental play Don’t Tell Her! and the musicals Avenue Q and Anything Goes. Auditions will be held the week of August 23-27. For the musical audition, please prepare an up-tempo song and a brief comic monologue. You should also wear comfortable clothing and tap shoes for a brief dance assessment. Piano accompaniment will be provided, so you may bring sheet music. Please report to the theatre at 3pm on August 20. Housing is provided, as well as the salary we discussed and one meal per day. I have attached a list of other items that we usually recommend that company members bring to make their stay more comfortable. I am extremely excited to witness the talent and experience you will bring to our current season, and I look forward to working with you throughout the coming year. This company is shaping up to be one of the strongest groups of actors and crew members Northland has ever had. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. You may reach me via cell at (413) 228-4242, or by email at [email protected]. Welcome to the company! All my best, Mark K. Renshaw Artistic Director Encl: Cast Housing Memo 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.