Subject: Expanding Our Charitable Initiatives – Calling for Innovative Ideas

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.

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.

ANSWER

To: All Good Eats Store Managers**
CC: [Chief Operating Officer’s Name], [Other Relevant Stakeholders]**

Subject: Expanding Our Charitable Initiatives – Calling for Innovative Ideas

Dear Esteemed Managers,

I hope this memo finds you in good health and high spirits. As the heart of our Good Eats family, you are uniquely positioned to inspire positive change within the communities we serve. We are proud of the strides we have made in supporting those in need through our donation program to homeless shelters, yet we believe there is so much more we can do together.

A – Attention
I’d like to draw your attention to a remarkable opportunity that lies before us. At Good Eats, we have always believed in going beyond being a mere grocery store. Our commitment to providing organic, environmentally conscious products has been our way of fostering a healthier future for all. Now, it’s time to take this commitment to the next level and make an even more substantial impact in the lives of those less fortunate.

I – Interest
We aim to expand our donation program by involving all eight branches, extending our reach to the suburbs, and increasing employee participation. This is where your invaluable creativity and dedication come into play. We want to tap into the collective brilliance of our team and explore innovative ways to enhance our charitable initiatives.

D – Desire
Imagine the profound effect we could have by bringing our nourishing offerings to communities that might not have easy access to our stores. Picture the smiles on the faces of families receiving nutritious meals and essential goods, knowing that they are supported by a company that genuinely cares.

A – Action
I am inviting each and every one of you to be part of this meaningful endeavor. Share your ideas, no matter how unconventional they may seem. We want to hear every suggestion, whether it’s leveraging resources already at our disposal or venturing into uncharted territory.

Let me provide a few potential starting points:

Mobile Donation Fleet:** Could we use our suburban branches’ trucks as mobile donation vehicles, reaching underserved areas and delivering essentials directly to those who need them?

Collaborative Partnerships:** Can we join forces with local retail chains, creating a unified effort to provide both food and clothing to individuals in need, while remaining politically neutral?

Employee Engagement Events:** How about organizing volunteer drives where our employees can actively participate in packing and distributing donations, fostering a stronger sense of community both within our team and among our customers?

Remember, the key is to embrace your ingenuity and let your ideas flow freely. We have always prided ourselves on being good corporate citizens, and this is a golden opportunity for each one of us to contribute to a cause greater than ourselves.

Please send your ideas to [Your Email Address] by [Submission Deadline]. Our executive team will review all submissions and work towards implementing the most impactful ones.

Together, we can redefine the boundaries of compassion and make a lasting difference. Thank you for your dedication and enthusiasm. Let’s sow the seeds of change and watch our charitable efforts bloom.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Good Eats – Nourishing Communities Together

P.S. Together, we can create a wave of positive change. Your ideas matter, and your actions can touch lives. Let’s do this!