Feb. 17, 2004

• Exam review

• Intro to major teamed writing project

• Overview of types of reports & proposals

Curve for BC Exam 1

85 A 5 Average: 77 is B

82 A- 5

79.5 B+ 3

75 B 2

73 B- 2

70 C+ 7

67 C 1

64 C- 1

61 D+

58 D

55 D- 1

Housekeeping

• Web project questions• Exam review

Report = poWer

Assimilation & analysis of information

Show clarity of decisions & recommendations

Requests for resources

Legal compliance

Why reports more important today

• More data to analyze, but data dump makes analysis more important

• Computer analysis makes process easier…but meaning must be communicated.

• Organizations solve problems, not write reports: points of difference

• Compliance is a more important issue• Teams make them more complicated

Proposals vs. Reports

• Proposals--prior to action- Requires clear planning skills- Used to request or supply resources

• Reports: after___???______recommendation reports are after researchprogress reports are during processtrip reports are after event

Types of Reports

• Info only: trip reports, sales & quarterly reports, etc.

• Info plus analysis: annual reports, audit reports, pay-back reports

• Info plus analysis plus recommendation: feasibility, justification, problem-solving reports…such as your recommendation report

Types of reports & their order

• Informational• Periodic• Situational: trip, progress &

interim reports• Investigative • Compliance• Analytical• Justification/recommendation• Feasibility

• Yardstick• Research

• Direct, chron, indirect• Direct or chron.• Direct or chron.

• Chron, direct, indirect• Required order• Direct/indirect• Direct/indirect• Direct/indirect• Indirect/direct• Indirect

Major report project

• Team project

• Use realistic situation and researched info to recommend decision

• Requires persuasion to skeptical reader, so indirect order of ideas

• Uses graphic representation of info

• Used as basis for final teamed speech

Qualities of successful teams

• Small size, diverse makeup by gender/intl status

• Agreement on purpose• Agreement on procedures such as schedules• Confront conflict• Good communication skills• Collaborative rather than competitive• Shared leadership

Audience analysis

• You can determine who audience is

• Assume skeptical view of purchaser

• Need to recommend not only technology but also source if possible

Good topics…..Not good

• Laptops…but limit to type of use: budget, photo editing, etc.

• Vehicles…but only within a narrow range of price & purpose

• Software categories, etc.

• Too broad: Windows vs. Linux

• Items under $150 not worth written report

• Complex products not understood by class members in short time

• Products without unbiased info easily available

Possible topics• PDAs• Digital cameras at entry or expert

level• Digital storage devices: • Home sound/entertainment

equipment system• Desktop computers• Large screen TV systems• GPS systems (dif. mfg)• Flat screen monitor• Musical instruments• Energy-saving washing machine• Energy-saving refrigerator/freezer

with ice-maker • Whole-office/house stereo systems

• Automobiles—within range• Business color copier• Best on-line brokerage firm• Digital camcorders• Cell phones (phone, not service)• Portable DVD system• MP3 players• High quality photo printers• Fax /printer systems• Graphics software• Data projectors• Treadmills• Unitized weight lifting system

Purpose statement:

• Infinitive: To recommend the best possible digital editing software for video clips to be used on ___’s web page

• Question: Which digital editing software should be purchased for ____?

• Declarative statement: X digital editing software is better than Y for ____use (not for use with a skeptical audience)

Challenge

• Problem is real now or in future

• Important enough to you both to study

• Narrow enough to study in 3 weeks

• Data is available to you

Your Team’s Timeline:

• Report Timeline• Gathering of info• Analyzing info• Organizing info• First draft with

graphics• Revision

• Speech Timeline• Use report draft

feedback to revise strategy if needed

• Select key report content

• Develop slides• Develop graphics• Practice speech

Process

• Email topic to get approval: Rpt Laptops

Jones & Miller • Ask questions as

research continues• Turn in draft by 3/11 • Conference on 3/14• Speeches on 3/30 & 4/1• Final report due 4/6

• ?

What research resources might you use?

• Internet Resources• Search engines:

Lexus/Nexus• Google • Mysimon.com• CNET.com• Pricegrabber.com• Prof. sites dedicated to

specific technology

• Other Resources• Proposed users of

technology• Current users of

proposed systems• Computer Services• Periodicals• Market research websites• Retailers

How do you evaluate these resources?

• Primary vs. secondary sources?

• Expert vs. novice source?

• News vs. sales purposes?

• Biases from teaming or ads?

• Updates?

Survey Development: Types of Samples

• Convenience sample

• Judgment sample• Random--no conscious bias

-Simple--list of all population + random number table-Systematic--consistent unit-Cluster--divide by geographic units-Stratified--population divided into groups

Types of survey questions

• Open vs. closed endedHow were you treated by the repair person?Were you treated fairly by the repair person?

• Direct vs. indirectWhat is your opinion of the Handspring?How do you thing salespeople feel about the Handspring?

• Forced ChoiceWhat is the one most important feature you appreciate?

• Check List: Place a check mark after all the features you use:Calendar___ Email___Address book___Alarm___

Types of survey questions

• Rating Scale Circle the number that indicates how you feel about each statement.The Handspring Screen is clearer than the PalmIII_Disagree_________________________Agree____

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7• Please rank the following features in order of importance to you:

Use a 1 for most important and a 4 for least important

• ___Color options ___Weight___Upgradability ___Mfg. Reputation

• ProbingCould you give me an example?What do you mean by that?

Types of questions

• NecessaryNot: What percentage of new start-up companies failed in Iowa last year?But: What percentage of new start-up companies do you think failed in Iowa last year?

• UnbiasedNot: Do you think new products fail primarily because of lack of adequate funding?But: What do you think is the major reason new products fail?

• UnambiguousNot: Do you think it takes a long time for the average new product to be rolled out?But: How long do you think it takes for the average new product introduction?

Types of questions

• Exhaustive & Mutually Exclusive:How many months did it take you to install the new equipment?___4 months ___4-6 months ___more than 6 months|

• One IdeaCompanies should budget more for technology because of the need to improve quality___agree ____no opinion ___disagree

More survey issues

• Administration of survey: directions• Confidentiality issues of survey process• Feedback component—what % is

enough?

---What type of optional survey might work with your report?

• Develop topic and develop content for survey

What citation issues develop?

• Print vs. web source?

• Site URL vs. that found from link?

• APA vs. MLA? (APA in Business dept. and on paper)

• Frequency of citations?

Citations within report

• Attribution statement in body of report shows name of source used

• (Author, date, page) endnote follows attribution.

• ( [date if not current], URL) Use full URL within paper to provide linkable check point)

APA Referencs

• Business PeriodicalWilstrom, Stephen H. (2002, Feb. 7) Laptops catch up to desktops. Business Week, pp. 22-3.

• WWW SiteHewlett Packard. (2003) Omnibook 900 meets your needs. Retrieved February 15, 2003 from the World Wide Web: http://www.hp/laptops/omni900/

• InterviewsIdentified within text of report but not in ref. list (for purposes of paper, go against APA and include interviews as a reference)

Best Resource for APA

• Http://www.apa.org

• Newest edition on reserve in library

• Text samples should be followed

Your Challenge

• Work with assigned team member• Decide on category of topic• Email me ASAP to get choice Ok—Rec Rpt

team names plus topic in subject line

• Check with me if you have questions• Next Tuesday: rec. report topic due

plus Ch. 14. But remember that earliest requests get the topic.