Task:

Assignment Overview:

The purpose of this assignment is to reflect, research and explore how the successful business book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, is important to becoming a better communicator, leader and employee in the workplace by creating a newsletter that explores the main ideas of the book using a variety of properties common to an internal business newsletter.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

1. Create digitally-written professional communications for readability, coherence, clarity, conciseness, and tone.

2. Demonstrate self-reflection and strengthen intrapersonal skills

The following is a list of ideas to include in your newsletter. You are not limited to this list. Be creative (Adapted from Sims, 2018).

Anniversaries or Milestones: Giving a “shout out” in the newsletter is a great way to recognize employees and make them feel appreciated. Who has achieved leadership awards or milestones? Did the book contribute to these milestones? Are there other awards to apply for in the future?

Create a “Top 10 List”: No one can resist a good list. What are good reasons for reading this book?

Behind the Scenes: What goes in each department and how do they do what they do? Employees understanding the goals, struggles and strengths of their colleagues helps them connect their personal work to the bigger picture. Does one topic in particular from the book lend itself to a particular department or challenge at Byron Resources?

Recommend Additional Reading: Connecting employees to more resources provides more engagement, which will either give employees more context for the book or further entice employees to read the book and attend the retreat.

Inspirational Quotes: A great way to break up content. Keep it leadership focused, particularly how it relates to the book.

Employee Profiles or Stories: These personalize the office. Has anyone read this book before? What did they think?

Contests: Everyone likes to win stuff! Is the Franklin Institute offering a workshop in your area soon? Can employees travel to a workshop as a prize?

Articles about the Theme of the Retreat: Why was this book chosen? How does it contribute to the theme?

Business Changes: How will the book change how employees view leadership?

Details of the Retreat: How will the book be used during the retreat?

Advice Column: How can problems at Byron Resources be resolved by the ideas in the book?

FAQ: Important questions answered so employees don’t give up before they get started. Where can they get a copy of the book? Is there an electronic version? Video? Why is one version better over another?

Training Opportunities: Byron Resources values employees continued education and growth. How does the book accomplish this?

Competitor News: Show how employee efforts to read the book, attend the workshop, develop new skills gives them a competitive advantage.

Reviews and Positive Critiques: Entice staff with these positive messages.

Visuals and Graphics: Create immediate interest by capturing their attention, not just a copy of the cover of the book or an image of Stephen Covey…think outside the box!

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