Lesikar's Business Communication: Connecting in a Digital World 13th Edition by Kathryn Rentz,Paula Lentz

Exercise 6

Your company, MediTech, is an industry leader in manufacturing cardiac medical devices. MediTech lets its 20 senior management staff attend one professional development activity a year (e.g., an annual professional conference, continuing education) anywhere in the United States for up to five days. The senior managers really enjoy this program because it provides a break in their routine and lets them travel, network, and build their knowledge of the latest industry trends and products.
However, business has not been good this past year, so the company has decided to save money by limiting travel for these activities to within 150 miles of the office. The company also will not pay for hotel stays or any registration fees over $100. When the alternatives are layoff s, increased employee contributions toward health insurance, switching to an employee health insurance plan with less coverage, or eliminating sales performance bonuses, cutting this policy seems like one way to save money without affecting everyone in the company. If senior managers want to take vacation time or pay for activities beyond what the company covers, they certainly may.
As MediTech's budget director, you know senior managers will be upset. The policy has been around so long that some even see this policy as a right and a status symbol rather than a privilege. Some others may wonder how they will maintain their skills or network with others in their fields. They certainly won't want to pay for these activities themselves. Write a message to your senior management staff explaining why the new professional development restrictions are in place. Appeal to their management expertise so that they see this as a good business decision. Provide alternatives for networking and developing their skills.