MGT3003BadNewsWritingAssignment
There are 2 parts to this writing assignment 
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Part A: Bad News Writing Assignment – Rewriting of Bad News Message Part B: Bas News Writing Assignment – Plagiarism Check PartA:BadNewsWritingAssignment–RewritingofBadNewsMessage
Visit Blackboard and click on the “Part A: Bad News Message Writing Assignment”. Be sure to follow the instructions closely! 1. Please read the below reference file and answer the challenge to rewrite the bad‐news message p. 4 & 5 of this document. 2. Review the grading rubric on p. 6 & 7 of this document so you know how your paper will be evaluated. 3. Be sure to complete the assignment in Microsoft Word. 4. Save your MS Word document using the following naming convention: Lastname_Firstname_BadNews.doc (or .docx) 5. Return back to Blackboard, click on “Bad News Writing Assignment” and click on “Choose File” and browse for your document, and submit your document by the deadline. All submissions must be in documents with a .doc or .docx file extension. (see below for details) 6. Click on “Return to Blackboard” and complete “Part B: Bad News Writing Assignment – Plagiarism Check” and also submit the exact same document you have submitted for grading here. See detailed instructions on p. 3 of this document. Upload your submission by clicking “Choose File”, and then select the blue box “submit assignment” When your paper is graded, your score will be available in the Blackboard gradebook. For more information, clicking on “see report” next to your assignment from within Connect. After your paper is graded, only you will be able to access the graded paper, and the rubric you were scored on by copying the Dropbox URL in your browser window. PartB:BadNewsWritingAssignment–PlagiarismCheck
Visit Blackboard and click on the “Part B: Bad News Message Writing Assignment – Plagiarism Check”. Click on “Browse My Computer” and upload the same exact same document you have submitted for Part
A so I can ensure your paper is free of any plagiarism. I will be double checking to make sure the
documents are identical. Be sure to upload the file with an .doc or .docx file extension. Notifying Guests that the Rewards Program will be Downgraded
Delivering Bad News

Who’s

Involved
Scenario
Has worked as director
of marketing since 2010
Oversees all marketing
efforts with the exception of conventions


Has worked as general manager
since 2013
The marketing team reports
directly to her
Recently, Andrea Garcia and Nancy Jeffreys decided that the Prestigio should discontinue
many parts of the rewards program. Regarding the rewards program Nancy commented, “I
think we should lower rewards for several reasons. During the past two years since introducing the program, we’ve tracked the behavior of our guests. I compared guests who’ve been
coming here for at least the past four years. After starting the rewards program, these
guests did stay more days each year, probably because they could use their rewards points.
However, altogether they paid for fewer nights. I estimate that we lose nearly $14,000 per
year giving these guests perks that don’t justify the expense. Also, our rewards program is
currently far more generous than any of our local or national competitors. We should fall in
line with their rewards programs to ensure we’re maximizing revenue.” Andrea and Nancy
decided to make the following changes:

Increase the number of rewards points (or Prestigio Points) needed to get a free night
from 9,000 to 15,000 for most hotel rooms. In concrete terms, this generally meant
that to get a free night’s stay, a guest would generally need to pay for five nights at the
hotel (as opposed to roughly three nights in the past).

Place an expiration date on rewards points. The current policy is that rewards points
never expire. Nancy thought that they should create a new policy that rewards points
expire in two years in the absence of purchase activity at the Prestigio.

Reduce the free services given to Elite status guests, including the following: free Wi-Fi
access, free access to the Prestige Lounge (a club on the second floor with free snacks,
drinks, and other amenities), and free in-room snacks. She suggested giving 50 percent
discounts on each of these services.

Remove the Prestigio from the Galaxy Hotel Alliance. Starting just over a year ago ,
Prestigio began participating in the Galaxy Hotel Alliance. Guests could choose to have
their points redeemed at roughly 100 hotels nationwide that were part of this alliance.
Nancy thought that the costs of being aligned with the alliance far outweighed the
gains.
TASK: Rewrite this Bad-News Message
Assume the role of Nancy. Rewrite the bad-news message on the following page to fairly deliver the
bad news and best maintain customer loyalty.
Bad-News Message Written by Nancy
Re: Reduced Benefits in the Rewards Program
Dear Elite Status Member:
As a valued guest, we want you to know of exciting new changes at the Prestigio, we’ve
created a new business lounge. The new lounge contain new computer terminals, free
Wi-Fi, a mini-bar for to relax at, and you will enjoy other services as well. We’ve entirely
rennovated this space to make your stays more productive and enjoyable. Also, please be
aware of our August Weekend Specials in which you can book for only 119 dollars per
night as long as you book for at least 2 nights.
We’ve also developed some changes to the reward program that effect you in minor
ways. You may not like these changes at first, but please keep in mind that we create a
rewards program that give you the most benefits possible and we have to insure that we
provide these benefits and also remain profitable. Unfortunately, we’ve lost almost 15
thousand dollars in the past year due to the rewards program, which necessitates some
minor changes. But, you still get great benefits, including the following: you may now get
a free nights stay in most rooms for just 15 thousand Prestigio Points; you need to use
your Prestigio Points within two years or you will lose the points; Prestigio Points may no
longer be used within the Galaxy Hotel Alliance; and you will now get the following services and amenities at a 50% discount: Wi-Fi Internet, Prestigio Lounge, and some inroom snacks.
These changes go into affect in three months from now. So, you can continue using
you’re points as desired for now.
Again, hurry and book soon to see our new business lounge and take advantage of our
August Weekend Specials.
Yours truly,
Nancy Jeffreys
Marketing Associate
Email:
njeffreyes@prestigiohotel.com
Phone:
202-760-5984
Rubric for Bad‐News Message Assignment Area of Evaluation Excellent Organization Provides a brief buffer – Buffer that establishes common ground, shows appreciation, states sympathy, or otherwise expresses goodwill. (30) Organization Provides a rationale for – Rationale the bad news that is clear and specific. (20) Good Provides a brief personal buffer, but doesn't express goodwill. (27) Rationale for the bad news is present, but more information would have provided a clearer understanding. Some verbiage is not clear. (18) Organization Delivers the bad news all Delivers the bad news – Bad News together early (after the all together in the buffer) in the message. middle of the (10) message. (9) Organization Includes a constructive, Includes a – Focus on forward‐looking approach constructive, forward‐
Future with realistic solutions, looking approach but steps to overcome the more information current problem, and/or would have provided the benefits that current a clearer sacrifices make possible. understanding. Some (20) verbiage is not clear. (18) Organization Demonstrates good will. Provides an – Show of Includes personal impersonal statement Goodwill statements that reflect a that reflects a desire desire for a positive future for a future relationship. (20) relationship. (18) Total Points: ____ /200 Satisfactory Provides a brief impersonal buffer, and doesn't express goodwill. (24) Rationale for the bad news is present, but information is extremely brief and not explicit. (16) Developing Provides an extensive buffer that is too long or an otherwise inappropriate buffer (i.e., not included in prior level). (21) Rationale for the bad news is vague or incongruous. (14) Unsatisfactory Buffer is not identifiable. (0) Explanation Rationale for the bad news is not identifiable. (0) Delivers the bad news Does not clearly all together only at the state the bad news end of the message. (7) or bad news is not identifiable. (0) Forward‐looking Forward‐looking approach is vague the approach is not majority of the time. identifiable. (0) (14) No indication for a Statement Vague indication of a positive future regarding a desire for a positive positive future future relationship. (14) relationship. (0) relationship is extremely brief. (16) Delivers the bad news in pieces throughout the document. (8) Forward‐looking approach is extremely brief, and vague in places. (16) Area of Evaluation Excellent Formatting Appropriate format (e.g., email, memo, or letter). Correct structure. (20) Tone Writing Style Message is professional, written in a positive tone, and personalized. Reflects genuine concern. (30) The writing style ensures ease of reading with completeness (including accuracy and specificity), conciseness, and a natural style. The document is designed for easy navigation. (30) Language The message is free of any Mechanics errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. (20) Good Appropriate format, but minor errors in structure. (18) Message is professional and written in a positive tone, but impersonal or genuine concern is vague. (27) The writing style ensures ease of reading with completeness, but organization and/or design are difficult to navigate. (27) Very few errors (1‐2) of 1‐2 different types of errors (e.g., subject/verb agreement or punctuation). (18) Satisfactory Appropriate format, but significant errors in structure. (16) Message is professional, but tends to have a negative tone. (24) Developing Incorrect format, but structure is correct for format chosen. (14) Message has an unprofessional tone in places, but is not offensive. (21) Unsatisfactory Incorrect format and errors in structure. (0) Multiple instances of unprofessional writing throughout document, some of which could be offensive. (0) The writing style is Some lapses or flaws Frequent clear in parts, and in organization, idea organizational organization and/or development or flaws, uneven design are difficult focus. (21) development of to navigate. Some ideas, or uncertain information is not focus. (0) specific. (24) More than 2 instances of 2‐3 different types of error (e.g., subject/verb agreement, article/preposition use or punctuation). (16) More than 2 instances of multiple types of errors (e.g., 2 subject/verb agreement errors, 1 verb tense error, 1 punctuation error). (14) Explanation Errors so severe they detract from meaning or multiple types of errors. (0)