Message strategies: Message routine

negative announcement
You ‘ve been proud of many thinks your gardening tool company has accomplished as it grew
from just you working in your basement shop to nationally known company that employs
more than 200 people. How ever nothing made you prouder then company’s Helping Our
Grown Hometown Grow Programme, in which employees volunteer on company time to help
residents in your city start their own vegetable gardens, using tools donated by the company.
Nearly 50 employees participated directly, helping some 500 families supplement their
grocery budgets with home ground produce. Virtually everyone in the company contributed,
though, because employees who didn’t volunteer to help in the gardens pitched in to cover the
work responsibilities of the volunteers.
Sadly, 10 years after you launched the program, you have reached the inescapable conclusion
that the company can no longer afford to keep program going. With consumers around the
country still struggling with the after effects of a deep recession, sales have been dropping for
the past three years- even as lower cost competitors step up their presence in the market. To
save the program, you would have to layoff several employees, but your employees come
first.
Your Task: Write an email to the entire company, announcing the cancellation of the
program
 SUMMARY

Overview:
•Company launched a volunteer program “HELPING OUR HOMETOWN GROW”.
•The program was about helping residents in the city, starting their own vegetable
gardens using tools donated by the company.
•Participation from nearly 50 employees helping some 500 families with home grown
produce.
•Virtually, everyone in the company contributed with the work responsibilities of the
volunteers.

 Issues:
•Gardening tool company struggling to continue volunteer program.
•After effects of recession
•In order to save the program, the company would have to lay-off several
employees, but because employees comes first, the company is announcing
cancellation of the program.
 RAW VERSION
Subject: Calling off Helping our Hometown Grow program

Hello,

I regret to inform you that I am shutting down “Helping Our Hometown Grow” program
permanently.

This won’t come as a surprise since everyone is aware about the aftereffects of deep recession due to
which the company is struggling to keep up with the market and hence, I am left with only two
options. It was difficult for me to choose between the two, but I am happy to report that instead of
laying off employees, I have decided to pull the plug on the program.

I’ll not entertain any requests regarding the revival of the program. I know you’ve voluntarily
contributed to the program, but unfortunately, we will not be able to continue with the program. I
hope I have made myself clear to everyone.

Thanks.
XYZ
 UNEDITED VERSION
Subject: Regarding the ‘Helping Our Hometown Grow’ program.

Dear Employees,

Having an excellent history for the past 10 years, “Helping Our Hometown Grow” program has
advanced exponentially & flourished through loyalty, mutual trust and responsibilities of the
employees who volunteered on company time by helping the residents to start their own
vegetable gardens. We were able to benefit around 500 families by minimizing their grocery bills
with home grown produce. We all cherish this program and the help you have brought to the
community.

Considering the recent struggle due to aftereffects of recession, we found that our expenses are
exceeding way more than the revenue & we are facing stiff competition from lower cost
competitors. Therefore, we’re left with only two options – either to lay off employees or to cancel
the program. As the employees are valuable to us, the only alternative we have is to cancel the
program.

If sales begin to grow sometime in the future, we will discuss bringing the program back. Thank
you for your support.

Sincerely,
XYZ.
 EDITED
Subject: Important update on Helping Our Hometown Grow program

Dear Employees,

Having an excellent history for the past 10 years, “Helping Our Hometown Grow” program has
advanced exponentially & flourished through loyalty, mutual trust and responsibilities of the
employees. We have been able to help many families to start their own vegetable gardens through
this program. The level of commitment you have given to the program has been a source of
immense pride.

Since our economy has hit a recession, sales have consistently dropped for three years as well as
lower cost competitors have entered the market. Each employee is a valuable asset to this
company, so the company has decided not to lay off any employees. But I am afraid, this means,
we have to discontinue the program. I wish I could have avoided this scenario.

I remain hopeful that we can restore the program when the economy turns around.
Thank you all for everything that you have done to make the program successful for 10
wonderful years.

Sincerely,
XYZ.