Strategies for Delivering Negative News: A Case Study Approach

Desklib provides past papers and solved assignments for students. This essay explores effective communication strategies for delivering bad news in business.

Running Head: Business Writing 1
Business Writing Task
Name:
Date:

Business Writing 2
By reading the chapters of the book ‘Delivering Bad News’ as the topic is selected for
the discussion. ‘A written message can be a good opener while providing bad news.' In
the negative situation, written message enables the individual to think through the facts
so that he or she can communicate in a more controlled manner. In order to deliver bad
news, managers are required to adopt some effective ways to communicate with the
employees (Nordquist, 2018).
Introducing quotation
In the book, ‘Extending Your Writing Skills’, Hal maintains that ‘Communicate basic
message in writing and follow-up face to face’.
Explaining the quotation
Hal is saying that it is essential to communicate the bad news in writing at the initial
level and then take follow-up face to face from the employees. In the case given in the
book, Hal has to provide unwelcome news to the employees related to no salary raises
in the current year. In this case, Hal has to deliver bad news to the employees. He
found the way to deliver the message to the employees, i.e. communicate the basic
message in writing and follow-up face to face with a short delay as this gives time to
everyone absorb the news and come in the meeting with open minds.
Introducing something implied or assumed
In business writing, bad news message conveys unpleasant and negative information
that can upset, or disappointing to the reader. In the given case, Hal has to deliver the
message of not raising salary in the current year due to the poor performance of the
company. The job of Hal in such situation is to deliver the news that will be unwanted,
unwelcome and possible dismissed reactions. In this manner, it is essential for the
manager to send a written message at the initial level and then take face-to-face
meeting so that employees can participate with open minds (Mallia, 2017).
Agreeing or disagreeing simultaneously
Though I concede that the written message should be sent at the initial level to the
employees to deliver bad news, I still insist that the communicator should spend more
time in framing the bad news in the positive light. In such situations, it is crucial to
creating perspective shifts without providing any false statements or misleading people.
Communicator is required to set a positive tone while delivering bad news to others.
Embedding a voice marker

Business Writing 3
I wholeheartedly endorse what Hal calls, i.e. communicate the basic message in writing
and follow-up face to face. This way of communication creates the silver lining which
helps employees to underwrite their prospects.
Establishing why claim matters
The claim matters to identify the way to deliver bad news with positivity. For example,
Hall provided the news in writing with the idea that employees can give their views in
dealing with the situation. These conclusions have significant implications for providing
bad news as well as for creating positivity to deal with the situation. The claim matters in
clarifying the talking points while delivering bad news to others.

Business Writing 4
References
Mallia, J. (2017). Strategies for Developing English Academic Writing Skills, Arab World
English Journal, 8(2).
Nordquist, R. (2018). Bad News Messages in Business Writing. Retrieved from
https://www.thoughtco.com/bad-news-message-business-writing-1689018