Down times mean opportunities, and if there were an opportunity it would be for in-the-loop decent creative for layoff memos. I am certain this is one area that is ripe for automation.
How ugly can a layoff memo be? Well, it can certainly be too long, and even if you’re an online media delivery technology company, that still doesn’t justify an accompanying video. That’s what Rob Glaser at Real Networks did. Really.
Hamilton Nolan, who has seen his fair share of layoff announcements, touched on the finer points of layoff memos yesterday, a five-point list that could easily be valid guidelines for good copywriting:
1. Be honest
2. But not too honest
3. Remember your audience
4. Look like you put some thought into it
5. Every time you use corporate doubletalk, an angel dies
Far too much communication today if overburdened with hollow statements couched in shallow terms, forgetting what’s at stake and handled hastily. Give every situation the full gravity of the consequences for all… like you put some thought into it.
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