Business Communication: ENG 301

Spring 2016
Assignment 3
Sadaf latif
Bs100200089

Q1. Market surveys —an important part of market research report—measure the
feelings and preferences of potential customers in a given market. Keeping this in
mind, write down the basic steps of making an effective market survey to optimize
your results. (10 Marks)

As market surveys end up being a part of market research, they are supposed to
provide logical facts for important decisions. Following points can help in making an
effective market survey:

 Simplify the objectives and goals of the survey: Gather all the necessary
information from internal and external sources that are needed to make a survey
whether its interview based or a mail/online questionnaire. Decide what goals are
to be achieved by a survey like introducing a product or conquering new market
share etc.

 Determine major factors like market and its demographics: It’s important to
know respondents belong to what age group, which geographical location, what’s
the nature and size of market is etc. Choose appropriate samples accordingly.

 Create clear-cut survey questions: The questions should be simple and concise
so that laymen can also understand and fill out the survey. Questions should be
quantitative (ranking/rating) and qualitative (multiple choice) depending on the
nature of the survey so that it helps in adding facts to the market research. If its
questions are quantitative then rating scale should be consistent throughout the
survey.

 Length of the survey should be appropriate: If there are too many questions in
a survey, respondents would feel bored to answer all of them so it should be
adequate. The length of questions should also be taken into account for it.
Respondents shouldn’t feel that each question is taking too much of their time.

 The over-all content of the survey should be cohesive with the specified goals:
Avoid unspecific questions. Arrange questions in such a manner that creates a
positive and concise response from the respondent. Questionnaire shouldn’t be out
of order or out of context.
Q2. Define buffer and choose the appropriate buffer type from the provided list and
write it against each buffer statement given in the table below: (2+8=10 Marks)
(Agreement, Resale, Fairness, Praise, Compliment, Cooperation, Good News,
Understanding)

Buffer Definition:

A buffer is a strategically planned statement that is used when the writer has to impart
unpleasant/bad news or a refusal to the reader. A buffer is always supposed to be neutral
and slightly sympathetic without being wordy and lengthy.

Sr. Buffer Statement Type of Buffer

No.
1. We both realize how much the economy has been Agreement
affected by this disaster.

2. You can now achieve significant savings and avoid Good News
trips to the drugstore by having your prescription
drugs delivered to your home.
3. For the past week, we have carefully monitored those Fairness
using the photocopying machine to see whether we
can detect any pattern of use that might explain its
frequent breakdowns.

4. With their heavy-duty, full-suspension hardware and Resale

fine veneers, the desks and file cabinets in our
Montclair line have become a hit with value-
conscious professionals.

We know that you expect superior service when ….. Understanding

5.
6. The Malaysians have my sincere admiration for their Employment
fundraising projects on behalf of hungry children. I
am honored that you asked me to speak Friday,
November 15.

7. Employee Service is here to smooth the way for all of Cooperation

you who work to achieve company goals.

8. Your résumé shows an admirable breadth of Praise

experience, which should serve you well as you
progress in your career.