INTEROFFICE COMMUNICATION

To: Marni Presnall

From: Kalle Edwards
Subject: Review of Old School Instruction Manuals
Date: August 22, 2019

The purpose of this memo is to present a review of the Old-School Instruction Manuals article by
Kronsberg. The goal of the article is to remind users of the importance of having an instruction
manual whether you are putting an object together or fixing it.

Summary
Overall, I agree with the fact that having a printed manual is helpful. When comparing an old
school manual to an electronic manual or an app, I believe we should consider keeping a printed
manual even if the object comes with an electronic version.

Discussion
For years, pretty much every product sold came with a printed instruction manual so that the user
would know exactly how to put it together and they would also know how to fix it if something
went wrong. However, with technology quickly advancing, companies have been using either a
website or an app with an electronic manual or video instead of printing one. For some, this has
proposed a few issues and concerns, but others seem to find it much easier and more helpful.
Overall, it is hard to please every user if you only chose to give one type of manual.

By selling products with just an electronic manual, many things could go wrong. If you do not
have internet, the app or website will not work. Also, think of those users that buy a product and
do not have a smart phone, how will they access the manual? A few companies later realized that
only providing an online manual was not the best way to accommodate every user, so they
started providing both an electronic and printed version of the manual.

Recommendation
I’d like to talk to you, when you get a chance, about continuing to sell products with a printed
manual, even if the product also comes with an electronic version. I think that by doing this it
could make it easier to navigate and figure out the product because it will give the users two
ways to look up issues. Electronics are a great tool to have, but at the same time they can be
faulty and non-dependable. Handwritten manuals have illustrations and step by step instructions
to follow that are great for people with a more visual, hands on style of learning. If an individual
is not “tech-savvy”, electronic instructions can be difficult to maneuver or understand. Today’s
generation is better with technology, but if we are looking at the overall population—especially
worldwide—technology is not the most convenient method. Products sell best when they appeal
to all. Most people are looking for the most efficient products that are simple to assemble and put
to use. If you sell products with electronic AND handwritten manuals, you are catering to a
bigger audience, making the product more appealing. Give me a call and we can talk.