Subject: Expanding Our Charitable Initiatives – Your Ideas Needed!

QUESTION

Background  

Good Eats is a chain of organic food stores with locations in Ottawa. The stores are big and well-lit, like their more traditional grocery store counterparts. They are also teeming with various attractively displayed foods and related products.

However, Good Eats is different from the average supermarket. Its products include everything from granola sold in bulk to environmentally sensitive household products. The meats sold come from animals that were never fed antibiotics, and the cheese is from cows said to be raised on small farms and treated humanely.

Along with selling these products to upscale shoppers, the company has given food to homeless shelters. Good Eats donates non-perishable food to three soup kitchens downtown every third weekend. Company executives believe they are in a unique position to help others.

You work for the chief operating officer of Good Eats. You have been asked to find ways to expand the donation pro- gram by involving the company’s eight branches, most of which are in the suburbs. Ideally, the company could increase the number of people it helps and get more of its employees involved.

You do not have much extra money for the program, so the emphasis must be on using resources already available to the stores. One idea is to use trucks from suburban branches to make the program mobile. Another idea is to join forces with a retail chain to give food and clothing to individuals. The key is to be original and not exclude any idea, no matter how absurd it might seem. The only stipulation is to keep ideas politically neutral. Good Eats executives do not want to be seen as supporting any party or candidate. They want to be good corporate citizens.

Your Task 

• Send a persuasive memo to all managers at Good Eats requesting ideas to expand the program. Invite employees to contribute ideas for this or any other charitable project for the company.
• Employ both logical and emotional appeals.
• Use the AIDA method.

Rubric

2.3. Persuasive Memo – 

ANSWER

To: All Good Eats Store Managers
Subject: Expanding Our Charitable Initiatives – Your Ideas Needed!

Dear Esteemed Managers,

I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. As we continue our journey towards being exemplary corporate citizens, I am excited to reach out to you today with an opportunity that embodies the core values of Good Eats – compassion, community, and creativity.

Our commitment to providing high-quality, organic products is only matched by our dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. We have successfully contributed to homeless shelters in downtown Ottawa by donating non-perishable food to soup kitchens every third weekend. Now, it’s time to bring our charitable endeavors closer to home.

Attention** – I invite you all to take part in an initiative that will not only amplify our contributions but also foster a sense of togetherness among our employees and customers. The time has come to expand our donation program, and your innovative ideas are the driving force behind this exciting endeavor.

Interest** – Picture this: Good Eats branches across the suburbs acting as beacons of hope, each playing a unique role in making a lasting difference. We have the resources and the dedication; all we need now is your creative thinking to propel us forward.

Desire** – We all know that the heart of Good Eats lies in our products, our people, and our passion. As we brainstorm ways to expand our charitable efforts, imagine the sense of pride and fulfillment that comes from knowing we are not just providing top-tier organic products, but also nourishing the lives of those who are less fortunate.

Action** – Here’s where you come in. We are eager to receive your ideas on how we can maximize our impact while utilizing the resources already at our disposal. This could range from partnering with other retail chains to collaborating with local organizations that share our values. Let your imagination run wild, and remember – no idea is too outrageous. Our collective brainstorming will be the catalyst for change.

As you contribute your suggestions, please bear in mind our key principles: remaining politically neutral and upholding the reputation of Good Eats as a responsible corporate entity. Let’s think outside the box, explore partnerships, and tap into the incredible potential of our suburban branches.

Your innovative ideas could lead us to a more mobile program, utilizing trucks to extend our reach, or even collaborating with like-minded partners for a broader impact. Together, we can take our commitment to a whole new level, both in terms of the number of lives touched and the sense of purpose instilled in our team.

In conclusion, I urge you to join forces with us in this pursuit of expanding our charitable initiatives. Your ideas are invaluable, and I look forward to witnessing the transformational power of our collective efforts.

Please submit your ideas by [Submission Deadline]. Let’s make a difference, one creative idea at a time.

Warm regards,

[Your Name]
Chief Operating Officer
Good Eats

P.S. Embrace this opportunity to inspire change – together, we can turn the abstract into the achievable and make a lasting impact on our community.