It bears a date, the name of the originator, a subject, and the names and titles of the addressees. It always has a signature or, at least, the writer s written initials. Whenever I receive an unsigned memo or letter, I give it back to the sender and ask that he or she merely sign it for me. You would be amazed at the number of people who hesitate, and then look at it again before they sign it. Something on the bulletin board that tells when and where the company picnic will be is not a memo it s an announcement.
Announcements tell people about something they don t tell people to do anything.
It is a directive. Directives tell people to do something in a particular way. Once again, they bear the complete heading information as well as a procedure number and revision date. If you re still reading this article, Jerry would have loved you. This sort of subject is what makes busy executives slump back in their chairs with their eyes rolling skyward.