Visit of a customer

Coventry Components are expecting an important visitor to their factory so they circulate this message on their electronic mail computer monitors, see email at 13.2.

Different systems may have a different layout or coding; this message is based on the Telecom Gold System.

Questions

1. What is the memo about?

2. How can employees help?

3. Why is their help so important?

4. Who will escort the visitors?

5. Is any answer expected to this memo?

6. When was the memo sent?

7. Which words in the memo correspond to the following: parts of an engine', a favourable view; the way things work', giving information', very important?

Keyser Shipbrokers Ltd.

123-5 Lowland Street, London EC1 2RH

MEMO

to: All staff Date: 2 November 20—

From: Head Office

Retirement of D. G, Crayford

Managing Director, and appointment

of Mrs Felicity Fawks.

Mr D.G. Crayford will retire on 20 December 19— and be replaced as Managing Director by Mrs Felicity Fawks whose appointment begins as from 2 January 19—.

Mr Crayford has been with the company for 30 years, and has been Managing Director since 1985. The Board, his colleagues, business associates, and staff, I am sure would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his excellent work in organizing and running the company to make it the successful concern it is today. His good-humoured presence will be missed by all those who worked with him, and we offer our best wishes to his successor.

Mr Crayford's leaving will not affect the present policy of the company.

Would all Department Managers please attend a meeting in room 358 on Monday 3 December at 15.30 hours, where they will be introduced to Mrs Fawks?

P.S. Keyser

Chairman

15.2.3

Retirement of Managing Director

Notice how this memo takes the opportunity to announce the retirement; advise everyone of the new appointment; thank the ex-Managing Director, and welcome his successor; inform the staff there will be no changes in policy; and announce a meeting. Therefore, you can see that it is not necessary to confine a memo to a specific topic, as long as there is a link between the subjects. However, a memo that dealt all at once with, say, canteen facilities, punctuality, and a new accounting system, would not be read properly, or would confuse those who read it.

15.2.4

Automation

This memo is issued to employees to explain that automated machinery is being introduced into the factory, but that job security will not be affected.

Questions

1. Why are the machines being introduced?

2. Will they mean redundancies?

3. How will they help employees?

4. Who have the management negotiated with for the introduction of the machines?

5. Which words in the memo correspond to the following: enlarge; expand; output; learning new skills; putting in (equipment); servicing?

Panton Manufacturing Ltd. MEMO

Panton Works, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW6 2BQ

to: All employees Date: 6 February 20—

From: The Managing Director

As part of the company's expansion programme over the next year, we are introducing RS 100 and DS100 machines which will increase productivity and lower costs of production to make us more competitive in overseas markets.

The new machinery will not in any way affect employees' job security, but will ensure it, as it will make us more efficient. It will also release men from boring, dirty jobs, and allow retraining for more technical and interesting work here.

Union representatives have already been consulted and have promised their co-operation in installing and maintaining the machinery. If any employee feels apprehensive about the changes, they should see their Union representative who will explain the situation to them.

D. Panton

Managing Director