MEMO:

TO: Open memo to all writers:

FROM: Max Quayle, VP of Technical Writing Dept.

DATE: February 6, 2010

SUBJECT: Proposed Schema for Re-organization: The Four-Pronged Thrust

(Please embed notes, criticisms and thoughts through Track Changes by Friday)

1. Provide the most accurate, up-to-date, software change reviews and write-ups:
a. Consider Industry trends as influence upon specific (diverse) clients.
b. Tailor proposals to reflect individual consideration (no form letters)
c. Develop process to quickly disseminate and apply latest trends/techniques to products
d. Develop client 'want list"- Prioritized outline of customer wants/needs

2. Peer review-provide pleasant framework for real criticism.

a. Introduce bi-weekly luncheon to openly share ideas and feedback to proposals
accurate minutes taken
let natural leadership traits guide input and discussion; equality on floor.
b. Define numerical criticism guideline to be included in subject line on forwarded ideas:

The Pain Scale:

1-mild - persuasion employed to suggest a change.

5-strong - Identify specific cause and effect scenarios applicable to proposal.
10-severe - Flag dangerous or inaccurate thinking (inadvertent sabotage).

c. Senior writers orient criticism to be constructive, helpful not distant or callous

3. Protect company reputation.

a. Let all correspondence reflect dedication to and support of clients interests -
eliminate all traces of showboating, even among the work coming out of R+D.
b. Format all discourse as though in may be made public - it just might.
c. Use style guide (provided) in proposal formatting

4. Project confidence and ‘positivity’ while pressing forward.

a. During submission review process, flesh out negative references (even overly
competitive, phrasing) about competition.
b. Always review drafts with an eye toward client 'want list'.
c. Maintain big picture view, asking always "How will [idea/proposal] affect company
MEMO:

perceptions?”
d. Remember that the 'box' has only two sides:
Inside - goals, reputation, schedule.
Outside - Flexibility, idea genesis, new views

Remember, our corporate product is measured by its performance, and that the tech writing
department is poised directly between our talented software programmers and our savvy-yet-
dependent clients. Balancing these broad spectrum pressures is our talent and passion. Know that
tomorrow, a new product may emerge from engineering that could boost our margins and set our
firm ahead of the pack - but that the introduction of and buildup to the product will be forged by
our department. We are makers or breakers.
MEMO:

TO: Open memo to all writers:

FROM: Max Quayle, VP of Technical Writing Dept.

DATE: February 6, 2010

SUBJECT: Follow-up to “Proposed Schema for Re-organization” - The Course Forward.

I have received your responses to the implementation of the Four Pronged Thrust. Your insights
are amazing and, collectively, your writing stands among the best I have ever seen. The overall
sense is that we accept the criteria proposed for operating within groups and individually and that
there is now a Pain Scale criticism review procedure – I especially appreciate the courage
required to almost unanimously accepting the proposed changes.

I would like to invite you now, to the larger view: Three exciting new products are to be unveiled
over the course of this spring that will result in major industry shifts:

1. The video phone – a pair of stylish, prescription, polarized or blank (no actual glass)
glasses equipped with a face scanning camera and stereo voice reproduction.

2. RECOG Voice recognition software that operates at the CPU level, transforming your
cubicle into your personal assistant – look for a tech memo from R+D for specs, but
rest assured you will flip through emails and navigate the web with simple, powerful
voice commands.

3. A marvelous tool that ties the above two breakthroughs together; so that with a small
(blackberry sized) device you may roam freely while chatting voice commands and
making calls for research, drafting copy, and being on the cusp of the effects caused by
these new products.

Okay, now STOP!

Our assignment here is to interpret the capabilities of these devices to three distinct markets:
- Corporate
- Consumer
- Tech-geeks
MEMO:

Spend a few minutes brainstorming the impact that this technical advancement will have on these
groups and start a series of developmental postings. In your post, please specify 4 things: 2 of the
products that interest you and 2 markets to whom you would like to pitch.

After reviewing preferences and feedback, assignments will be made for specific write-ups.

Remember to review the “pain scale”, and abide by the new guidelines in your posts.

As you all reflect upon the future of these marvelous devices, know that you are on the cutting
edge in this field. Our company is arriving way ahead of the pack on these and we are proud of
that fact.

The tech writing stage of this endeavor will shape the critical early market inquirers- the people
who like to know everything about new tech – the mavens (look this up, if you don’t know the
term). These people will form the pre-order base and will initially control the press. Write with a
flavor befitting of a new, time saving, industry improving innovator who really knows his stuff.

Invested in your success,

Mgmt