Government Employees Credit Union was charted in 1932; since then our membership has expanded. As one of El Paso’s largest financial institutions (Burge, 2004, F1) we must maintain certain professionalism. We are complimented by our many members, on a daily basis, on what professionalism we do uphold in our service and dress. It is rare occasions that we have members complain about any of our GECU services; unfortunately a problem has arisen. In the last few weeks we have had a number of visits and calls from our membership demanding an explanation about a letter received. The letter received was a “1st Notice- Payment Past Due” correspondence.
This letter is used as a reminder to our members that their payment is now seven days past due and if not paid within 15 days a late charge will be assessed. Unfortunately, the letter was so poorly written, members were feeling harassed. They felt as though GECU was demanding the payment be made that very instant or they would face a certain repercussion. Now GECU is faced with a dilemma; its employees’ writing skills must be updated. As a result of this poorly written communication, management has a responsibility to its members to send all GECU employees to a writing workshop. GECU has many employees, and we are discovering that some of our employees are displaying poor or rusty writing skills.
As a member-owned financial institution we must give our members the professionalism and courtesy we so proudly base our principles on. We are taught from the date of hire, our members are what keep GECU running and without them GECU would not exist. If this problem continues to be unaddressed, many of our long time members will retreat to other financial institutions that may display better correspondence. We have all heard and seen how easily an unsatisfied member will close and transfer all accounts to other financial institutions. We cannot afford to let our membership disintegrate based on poor writing skills. This will neither benefit our membership nor GECU.
The Term Paper on Writing a Letter of Recommendation
Making the Right Moves: A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty, second edition © 2006 by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Burroughs Wellcome Fund All rights reserved. “Writing a Letter of Recommendation”: Electronic addendum published 2009 Writer: Laura Bonetta, Ph. D. Production: Martine Bernard Design Permission to use, copy, and distribute this ...
GECU is competing with many financial institutions; some local while others are known nation-wide. We must improve our communication skills or we will lose our members. “The ability to write well is an important professional skill. Effective writing skills will help students advance in their careers and poor writing skills may hinder their chances for success” (Barker & Stowers, 2003).
In order for GECU to be successful, its employees must be successful. We can take the first step in being successful by sending our employees to a writing workshop. Effective writing skills will pay off in letters, and soon emails, to members; instead of members coming in upset that past due notices sound rude and harassing, they will be coming in to clear up the problem. GECU has made its move toward the future by implementing Smartbranch.
With Smartbranch our members can now access their accounts, make loan payments, and much more. We will soon be able to e-mail our members’ past due notices. “Advancements in technology have fueled perceptions that writing skills are not essential, the skill is perhaps more important than ever” Manoz (9/1/2004).
We are under the impression sometimes that our software is so modern we do not need to know who to write; the software will correct it for us. However, Appleman (2004) states that even for e-mail users, exceptional writing skills are still crucial. We must remain above and beyond our competition and give our members the service they know and rely on.
The Essay on Creative Writing 10
Creative Writing During the past few years the recruiting trends for professionals in IT industry has changed drastically. The majority of companies require a Bachelors degree as a minimum condition before they will take you in hand. Technology and the computer industry are constantly changing and for me to keep from being left behind, I must be educated on the now. I considered what actions I ...
Writing workshops will give us the knowledge we need to sound professional both in letters and e-mails. The only difficulty that may arise is the scheduling. GECU has so many employees it may be hard to get everyone to a workshop at once. I suggest that we start with those employees that have contact with our members through correspondence. Gradually we will work out schedules for all other employees, and we should definitely send all new employees to a writing workshop before starting their new position. Sending employees to writing workshops will save GECU money.
Although the workshops will be costly, GECU will save money in the long run. There will no longer be a need to send out letters of apology for poorly written communications. Thus saving on the money for paper, envelopes, postage and employees work time will be spend more efficiently. Other benefits, aside from saving money, will include saving time and having peace of mind. Employees will be saving time by writing the letters professionally and correctly the first time. In turn this will give employees time to catch up on other work that may have been put aside. GECU will have the peace of mind that our members have received a properly and professionally written notice.
We do not have to dread opening our doors and having members lined up because they are upset about the noticed they received. Many of our members are aware of GECU’s lenience on late payments. They are aware that payments made within 15 days of the due date will not assess a late fee. They are also aware of the reminder letter that is sent out after the payment is seven days past due. This does not mean that we should not consider sending our employees to a writing workshop. As I have explained, the workshop will provide GECU, its employees, and it’s members with many benefits.
We can communicate without worrying that a misunderstanding will occur. Writing workshops are available at all El Paso Community Colleges and as we know many of our branches are located very close to most of their locations. There is no reason we should not start setting up employees for classes as soon as possible. GECU’s success is the success of its employees. References Appleman, J. E., (2004, September 27) Bad writing can cost insurers time & money.
The Essay on Ebscohost Database Email Employees Writing
Electronic communications, improve efficiency and productivity, but poorly written emails can cause internal strife, low morale, and loss of clients. Effective written communication will enhance internal communications as well as external communications. The ability to write effectively is a core skill that all employees, no matter what their title is, should master. If the content of an email is ...
National Underwriter/ Property & Casualty Risk & Benefits. 108 (36), 34-35. Retrieved November 7, 2004 from EBSCOhost Database Barker, R. T. & Stowers, R. H. (2003).Improved student writing in business communication classes: Strategies for teaching and evaluation.
Journal of Technical Writing & Communication, 33 (4), 337-348. Retrieved November 7, 2004 form EBSCOhost Database. Burge, D. (2004, November 15).
Credit unions vs. banks.
The El Paso Times. pp F1, F2. Manzo, K. K., (2004, September 24) Writing skills. Education Week, 24 (5), 11-19. Retrieved November 7, 2004 from EBSCOhost Database..
