Discussed persuasive messages and how they are meant to convincean audience to act or change beliefs.The following letter waswritten from a program chair to a well-known, and very hard to get,gourmet chef in Beverly Hills. The letter is meant to request forthe chef to present to a local restaurant association but it is notvery persuasive or professional.
Analyze the letter to determine how it could be more persuasiveand professional. Consider all the components of effectivepersuasion discussed in the lesson. Answer the followingquestions.
What is your initial response to the the way the chair wrote theletter to the chef?
What are at least five weaknesses you identify in the letter,based on concepts learned in the lesson?
In what way could each of the components of AIDA (attention,interest, desire, action) be more effectively implemented in theletter? How would you specifically improve the letter using eachcomponent?
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Dear Ms. Mazzetti:
We know you are a very busy hospitality professional as chef atthe Beverly Hills Hotel, but we would like you to make apresentation to the San Diego chapter of the National RestaurantAssociation. I was asked to write you since I am program chair.
I heard that you made a really good presentation at your localchapter in Los Angeles recently. I think you gave a talk called“Avoiding the Seven Cardinal Sins in Food Service” or somethinglike that. Whatever it was, I'm sure we would like to hear the sameor a similar presentation. All restaurant operators are interestedin doing what we can to avoid potential problems involvingdiscrimination, safety at work, how we hire people, etc. As youwell know, operating a fast-paced restaurant is frustrating—even ona good day. We are all in a gigantic rush from opening the doorearly in the morning to shutting it again after the last customerhas gone. It's a rat race and easy to fall into the trap with foodservice faults that push a big operation into trouble.
Enclosed please find a list of questions that our memberslisted. We would like you to talk in the neighborhood of 45minutes. Our June 10 meeting will be in the Oak Room of the WestinSt. Francis Hotel in San Diego and dinner begins at 7 p.m.
How can we get you to come to San Diego? We can only offer youan honorarium of $200, but we would pay for any travel expenses.You can expect a large crowd of restaurateurs who are known forhooting and hollering when they hear good stuff! As you can see, weare a rather informal group. Hope you can join us!
Sincerely,
