As you move through your professional career, you will receive requests for favors and contributions. You will not be able to honor all the requests you receive and will sometimes refuse requests. When refusing a request, first think about the receiver, and then determine the approach for your message.

4. Refusing Typical Requests

As you move through your professional career, you will receive requests for favors and contributions. You will not be able to honor all the requests you receive and will sometimes refuse requests. When refusing a request, first think about the receiver, and then determine the approach for your message.

When refusing typical requests, you mightconcentrate on the refusal   .

Points:

0 / 1

Close Explanation

Explanation:

You may choose to gently imply the refusal instead of communicating it more bluntly. Implied refusals, which convey the fact of the matter without directly stating it, can soften bad news (for example, “Though we fully support your organization’s mission, our bandwidth at this time is such that we cannot pursue every volunteer opportunity that we’d like to” instead of “We do not have time to volunteer with your organization”). If you imply the refusal, just be sure that the message is still clearly communicated. When composing a refusal message, focus on positive elements and clear explanations.

Consider the following scenario and refusal message, and then answer the questions.

Teresa is the owner of a small chain of coffee shops, WhichBrew Coffee Company. She was recently invited to a local business luncheon hosted by the mayor of the city but will not be able to attend the event.

WhichBrew Coffee Company

4356 Bean Plaza

Blend, OR 98675

(333) 349-3432

May 13, 2013

Mayor Sam Cho

City Hall

3495 Galvin Boulevard

Blend, OR 98675

Dear Mayor Cho:

Your hard work during your last three years in office has made a difference. The downtown beautification project is a colorful success. The addition of potted plants, flower beds, and window boxes makes our city a lovely place to be. Thank you for playing a key role in creating a pleasant destination for downtown shoppers and visitors.

Receiving an invitation to your downtown business luncheon next month was a privilege. Although I must decline your invitation, it is for a reason I am sure you can appreciate. WhichBrew is preparing to open a small chain of bakeries called WhatDough. The grand opening of our first WhatDough bakery is on the same day as your business luncheon. Since I would love to have the opportunity to visit with you, may I invite you to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of our second WhatDough location? I am aiming for the second week of August, but I will call to confirm the date and time.

WhichBrew and WhatDough are successful ventures because of your efforts to revitalize downtown. The customers who come into our stores are friendly and value this community. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance to you or to the city in the future. I will contact you next week regarding the date and time of our grand opening ceremony.

Sincerely,

Teresa Vaughn

Which refusal technique is successfully used in the opening of this message?

Opening with an offer of assistance

Opening cordially with praise

Opening with a subordinate clause

Points:

0 / 1

Close Explanation

Explanation:

You can buffer the impact of a refusal by putting sincere compliments or praise in the opening paragraph. This message does not open with a subordinate clause or an offer of assistance.

What is the overall tone of this refusal message?

Upbeat and positive

Neutral

Condescending and dismissive

Points:

1 / 1

Close Explanation

Explanation:

The overall tone of this message is upbeat and positive. Refusals to invitations are often taken personally, so use a positive tone to soften the refusal.