1. Positive, Neutral, and Social Business Messages
Chapter 7
Positive, Neutral, and Social Business Messages

2. Learning Objective 1
Describe positive and neutral messages.

3. Positive and Neutral Messages
Convey information that is pleasant, favorable, or neutral to the receiver
Use the direct plan because the receiver will accept the message easily

4. Learning Objective 2
Describe the four specific guidelines for using the direct plan.

5. Four Guidelines - Direct Plan
Open with the positive or neutral information
Present the explanation concisely and objectively
Consider using a sales appeal
End with a friendly close

6. Learning Objective 3
Distinguish between poor and good positive and neutral messages.

7. Positive and Neutral Messages
Poor Messages
I-viewpoint
Impersonal style
Incomplete information
Impersonal sales message
No friendly close
Good Messages
You-viewpoint
Positive, friendly style
Concise, yet complete
You-viewpoint sales appeal
Concludes with a friendly close

8. Learning Objective 4
Prepare competently a variety of positive and neutral messages using the direct plan.

9. Positive and Neutral Messages
Present the information optimistically
Use the you-viewpoint
Use the direct plan
Opening
Explanation
Sales Appeal
Close

10. Learning Objective 5
Compose the six common types of social business messages.

11. Social Business Messages
Congratulations
Condolence
Appreciation
Invitation
Holiday greetings
Welcome

12. Learning Objective 6
Describe the criteria for selecting the style for a social business message.

13. Styles of Social Business Messages
Handwritten in times of sorrow
Printed invitation for a formal social function
Computer-printed message to welcome an employee or customer
Commercially produced cards for brief personal messages
Computer-printed letters for purely business situations
and electronic greeting cards lack the personal tone desirable in social business messages