Research Report

  

The assignment objective is to define the problem persuasively and accurately, propose  solutions to the problem or issue, and to present that solution to a decision-maker or group of decision-makers who can implement the recommendation.

   

The problem or issue need not be enormous. Within the scope of the assignment are issues such as these:

 

• Communication among Account Managers within your the organization may be difficult. You could propose some interoffice communication strategies to facilitate communication and show how these might affect the organization’s bottom line.
• Concern about the company’s image and level of service has prompted much dialog. A possible strategy for improving the company’s image and perception could be using social networking, blogging, or other multimedia to improve the image and connect to its customers. Social media is now an important aspect of doing business. You could write a report recommending that your company set up an interactive customer blog or use social media to improve customer service.   

 

Please use the attached document as you see fit to expand on this assignment!!! 

   

Reference sources will be included that explain the problem, provide evidence of the problem, and support the solution. Your references should include both interviews (primary sources) and journals or peer-reviewed secondary sources. The report will include a discussion of resources necessary to implement the solution, the timeline, and the benefits of doing so. The report will include the following components: 

   

• executive summary
• transmittal letter or memo 
• table of contents
• introduction in the form of an executive summary
• body of the report to include headings and subheadings
• conclusion stated as a recommendation for implementation of the solution
• end matter to include reference page and any other data suitable for this section of the report

 

 The complete report should be no fewer than approximately 1,500 words, no more than 3,000. The word count includes all components except the reference list.

   

Grading Criteria:

 

• meets minimum requirements – no fewer than (approximately) 1,500 words; no more than 3,000
• shows skillful application of persuasive strategies audience is appealed to appropriately argument is developed well; relevant evidence supports your claims image of credibility is established objections are anticipated and addressed
• executive summary is no more than one page and is a mini-version of the entire report
• purpose of each section is clear and supported well
• organization is clear follows problem-solution, proposal, or recommendation-support pattern, etc. separate ideas in separate paragraph contains meaningful, relevant headings
• there are helpful transitions between and within paragraphs
• each paragraph has a clear topic sentence stating the main point and focusing the material
• each paragraph fully supports its topic sentence with very specific material appropriate for the purpose and audience: details, examples, reasons and explanations, evidence
• sentences are well-written: emphatic, condensed, varied in structure, fluent
• words are specific, precise, concrete, accurate; voice is consistent and appropriate for audience
• graphics are designed well and appropriately displayed; data are relevant to recommendations
• sources are precisely cited in APA style in the paragraphs of the report good selection of reliable material to support research issue few direct quotes (no more than 5 percent of the total paper word count) accurate paraphrasing and summarizing no plagiarizing
• correct in-text citation in APA style, according to A Writer’s Reference
• correct bibliography format in APA style, according to A Writer’s Reference
• contains no proofreading errors 

          

Writing Project #3

Memo: Requesting Permission for Final Report

November 23, 2013

November 23, 2013

ATTN: David Flynn, Director of Transportation Services

Mr. Flynn:

First, I would like to thank you for offering the opportunity to share my suggestions regarding the daily activities as Account Managers within the Division of Transportation Services. For the time I have been here I have noticed that improvements can be done on the organization’s policies to improve productivity as well as the relationships between employees. I therefore humbly request that am permitted to do research on how to improve working policies and conditions in this organization.

Relevance of research

My research project is very relevant to the situation in this organization because it is aimed at bringing changes that will be beneficial to the organization as well as at individual level. I think the suggestions noted herein will not only begin to make this division a more unified team, but also improve efficiency, and develop an equivalent knowledge base among all Account Managers. When granted permission to carry on with the project I will consider all the factors that affect the productivity of the employees in this organization as well as suggest ways to improve the management style and theories used in this workplace to those that are relevant and applicable.

The problem

The research project is aimed at pointing out the loopholes in this organization that lead to poor performance of both the management and the employees in general. For example, I’m currently the backup Account Manager for another member’s 4-agency customer. At the present time, I have no idea what is required of this division on a daily basis in regards to meeting the needs and expected service performances. In the event the primary Account Manager is out of the office, in my opinion, I would only be providing a dis-service to his/her customers because although I’m identified as the back-up I’m not equipped to assist effectively. The project will also have recommendations that if implemented, they can help in improving the quality of service and performance of this division.

Benefits and recommendations

The idea of the proposed project will have numerous benefits to the division. An electronic system will be developed for monitoring ‘out-of-office’ requests of all Account Managers. The system will provide one central location in which all planned absences will be viewable by all affected within the division. This system will be beneficial to the division from the perspective that all Account Managers will be apprised to any additional duties they become responsible for due to absences in the office. Management will also be advised, if necessary, the most effective way to handle leave-requests and unforeseen understaffing in the office.

The research project will also recommend standard operating procedures and policies to be implemented in the workplace. These policies will benefit the division in the sense that they will clearly define tasks that are to be performed. Clear definition of duties will avoid events in which several employees do the same thing that would otherwise be effectively accomplished by one person. Such a policy will make sure that each employee does a different job from others but if need be, the excess employees can be laid off. Such a move will save the division money that would be used as salaries and at the same time improving the productivity and effectiveness of the organization.

The organization will benefit from the research because more relevant management strategies will be proposed. These strategies will enable the management of the division apply skills and tactic that are relevant and applicable to this workplace. The strategies will improve the relationship between top management and lower level employees while keeping up the productivity of the division.

Resources and sources of information

If given the permission to conduct this research project, I promise to take between 2 and 3 months. This period is enough for me to carry out the research and refine it so that useful information can be drawn from it. I intend to use the current practices of the Account Managers within the office as my primary resource; I will study how they work and incorporate the same in my research.

As this is a great need within this division I look forward to your immediate response to move forward on this project and improving the work habits of Account Managers within this division.

Thank You,

Senior Account Manager

Division of Transportation Services