Michael Scott and the Kogod Center for Business Communications

1. Michael Scottand theKogod Center for Business Communications

2. Remember Season 2 of The Office*? *Episode Title: Valentine’s Day

3. The new CFO asks Michaelto come to New York to present the financials for the Scranton branch. At the meeting, other branch managers give PowerPoint presentations about their offices’ performances.

4. But Michael shows a slow-motion video called The Faces of Scranton. He narrates, “Life moves a little slower in Scranton, Pennsylvania. And that’s the way we like it…”

5. Jan is appalled. David, the new CFO, is baffled. He says…

6. Thanks, Michael. But what I’m really interested in is the branch’s financial performance. Do you have that information?

7. Yes, David, I do. And then Michael hands David the financial report— a bit late.

8. Q: But what if Michael had come to the Kogod Center for Business Communications first…? A: He would have nailed it the first time!

9. Oops! Michael made a common business communications mistake. He didn’t adapt to his audience’s needs, and he didn’t put his bottom line on top (BLOT).

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. The correct answer: The enclosed data summarizes the responses Biz Inc. received from customers in the survey. Merelydescriptive Gives the reader the most important take-away. Our customers reported increased satisfaction with online customer support and other website services for the period January-March.

13. Now it’s your turn.Write down your response,either on your computer or on paper.Try BLOTing the email on the next screen.

14. Directions:Read the email segment below and write a new first BLOTed sentence. Recently I met with Ron Pettit, marketing director of Eagle’s 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 Eagle’s Nest items upon presentation of a Blue Crew card. To take advantage of this opportunity I suggest you make an announcement on the university’s 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.

15. Are you writing?

16. Which BLOT is better? Ron Pettit, marketing director of Eagle’s Nest, has authorized our 15% discount offer for Blue Crew cardholders from August 6 to September 4. Ron and I had a productive meeting.

17. Ron Pettit, marketing director of Eagle’s Nest, has authorized our 15% discount offer for Blue Crew cardholders from August 6 to September 4. Gives the reader the most important take-away. Ron and I had a productive meeting. Did you come up with something else or have a question? Email cbc@american.edu with your opening sentence and we’ll respond.

18. Here’s the complete revised email: • Ron Pettit, marketing director of Eagle’s 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.

19. What the Kogod Center for Business Communications can do for Michael, it can do for you, too! Here’s how to improve your academic and professional business communications projects…

20. Visit the Kogod Center for Business Communications to improve the following: • Business writing– business papers, memos, and case analyses • Public speaking– job elevator pitches, venture capital pitches, and speeches of introduction • Team presentations and competition preparation for the annual Kogod Case Competition

21. 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

22. Next time I have a big presentation, I’ll head to the Kogod Center for Business Communications!

24. KOGOD.AMERICAN.EDU