Effective Communication Strategies for Challenging Corporate Situations

Expressing concerns to Management Consulting Inc.

1. As a corporate client of Management Consulting Inc., you found your last visit totheir Edmonton office frustrating. Sara, the administrative assistant, was making apersonal phone call when you arrived at 1:30 p.m. and continued to talk for another10 minutes. In addition, the person with whom you were meeting kept you waiting forhalf an hour past your appointment time. You had a major meeting at your own officeat 2:30, and so you were extremely anxious. Express your concerns to John Philips,managing partner, and indicate what you expect MCI to do to keep your business.


2. The Edmonton Minor Hockey Association has approached your company for afavour. They have asked if your firm will create and maintain a webpage that outlinesall of their tournaments, statistics, fundraisers, important dates, and social activities.Although you and your partners are advocates of community involvement, you cannotafford the time and expense of creating and maintaining such a complex website forfree. After discussion, you decide to offer support in some other way, since you areaware of the potential loss of goodwill if you turn them down altogether. Write a replyto Doug Smith, president of the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association.


3. You are the CEO of Organics Unlimited and have just been voted Executive of theYear by the Organic Food Retailers Association. However, to receive the award, youhave to present the keynote address at theassociation’s annual meeting in Toronto.It’s impossible for you to attend since you will be overseas at that time lining up newsuppliers. You realize it’s unlikely, but if they could reschedule the meeting to next month, you could attend. Write to Leslie Grant, president of the Organic FoodRetailers Association, explaining the situation.