Category: Information technology (IT)

A. Create an email for a professional context using 815 sentences, including the following components:

1. a subject line

2. an opening or salutation

3. a developed body of the email with an objective, using one of the four types of written communication (i.e., transactional, persuasive, informational, or instructional)

a. Employ cross-cultural communication practices throughout the body of your email.

4. concluding remarks

5. a closing or signature

B. Analyze your use of cross-cultural communication within the email written in part A (suggested length of 58 sentences) by doing the following:

1. Identify three principles of cross-cultural communication you applied within the email.

2. Explain how you applied each of the principles of cross-cultural communication from part B1.

C. Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.

D. Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of your submission.

Must be 400+ words

Must have 4 sources

No AI or Plargarism

Intructions are attached.

Discuss the current and future state of technical and customer support. Companies have taken great strides to improve the quality of their support services, and yet the media continues to report that customer service is poor. Have a conversation with your friends, family, or school peers to discuss the current state of technical and customer support.

Current State: Is service getting better? Why is there such a gap between the efforts companies are making to improve their services and customer perceptions about those services?

Future State: Predict the impact that trends discussed in the chapter and on the discussion board assignment will have on the support industry. How can the support industry respond to these trends and satisfy the needs of their increasingly demanding customers while at the same time maintaining costs?

Instructions:

• Write your answer in a Word document named “[StudentLastName]_Service_Desk_Trends”
• Make sure to include your name, date, title of the assignment, and course name.
• Create a Reference List for all sources used in the document. (Refer to module How to Create a Reference List) The use of Generative AI is not permitted.
• Your answer must be 350 words minimum, in 12-point font.
• Submit your completed document to the assignment in Week 4: Service Desk Trend and Direction (Assignment) (Graded)

Please read all attachments and links for clear understanding of the assignment.

To complete this assignment, you will need the attached files and the the documentation (click link to download) from the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) organization.

Please read the instructions carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear. You must use the attached template to complete this assignment. The PowerPoint presentation (PDF) Effective Professional Memo Writing provides other essential information to help guide your work on this assignment.

The ability to communicate effectively is a critical skill for all students and is required for success in the workplace. UMGC has a variety of resources to help students. The Effective Writing Center is available through the “Resources” link on the Navigation bar. You are strongly encouraged to avail yourself of these resources. Your writing abilities will be graded as part of the assignment.

https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/pdfs/Small_Merchant_Guide_to_Safe_Payments.pdf

please see Rubics for grading

Part 1: Policy Proposal

Your proposal must:

• Be at least 2,000 words (including the References page)
• Propose a new or significantly revised policy
• Clearly define the problem and explain why it matters
• Present a realistic, well-supported policy proposal
• Include at least four credible, reliable sources, cited in APA style
• Include a personal perspective or story that connects you to the issue
• Use clear structure, logical reasoning, and persuasive rhetorical strategies

Suggested Structure

Introduction

1. Introduce the problem
2. Briefly preview your proposed policy
3. End with a strong thesis statement

Problem Analysis

1. Describe the issue in depth using evidence
2. Explain who is affected and whats at stake
3. Discuss why the current policy is not working

Personal Connection

1. Share a story, experience, or observation that shows why this issue matters to you
2. Use it to deepen the readers emotional understanding

For this, my personal story is that I have 10+ years of experience, and 4 Professional Industry certifications, yet I still get turned down from jobs because of a lack of a degree, while individuals who have little to no experience, with no industry certifications, end up getting the job. Not only has this happened to me, but to people I know and it can cause hardship and stress.

Policy Proposal

1. Clearly explain your proposed policy
2. Who would implement it? How would it work?

Counterarguments & Challenges

1. Anticipate possible objections or limitations
2. Respond with reasoning and/or evidence

Conclusion

1. Re-emphasize the urgency and potential impact
2. Leave the reader with a call to action or a powerful final insight

Sources

You must include:

• At least four credible sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journals, government reports, reputable news outlets)
• Proper in-text citations and a References page in APA format

Here is my working thesis:

Technical organizations should revise hiring policies to shift IT roles from degree-based requirements to a skills-based model that prioritizes certifications and relevant experience to improve hiring efficiency, workforce quality, and employee retention.

Here are the sources I have so far:

Pong, C. (2024, December 26). 90% Of Companies Make Better Hires Based On Skills Over Degrees. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/cynthiapong/2024/12/26/90-of-companies-make-better-hires-based-on-skills-over-degrees/

SHRM Labs. (2024). Transforming HR: The Rise of Skills-Based Hiring and Retention Strategies. Retrieved February 7, 2026, from https://www.shrm.org/labs/resources/transforming-hr-the-rise-of-skills-based-hiring-and-retention-strategies

Crist, C. (2025, May 27). 1 in 4 employers say theyll eliminate degree requirements by years end. HR Dive. https://www.hrdive.com/news/employer-eliminate-degree-requirements-2025/748998/

The sources must be in apa

Here is the rubric:

• Clearly defines a significant problem with compelling evidence of urgency. Demonstrates thorough understanding of who is affected and what’s at stake.
• Presents a concrete, specific, and realistic policy proposal with clear implementation details (who, how, when). Proposal directly addresses the identified problem.
• Effectively integrates 4+ credible sources using varied signal phrases and perfect APA citations. Sources strongly support the argument.
• Includes a compelling personal story or perspective that effectively humanizes the issue and strengthens the argument’s emotional impact.
• Thoughtfully anticipates and addresses multiple potential objections with strong reasoning and evidence.
• Excellent organization with clear thesis, logical flow, effective transitions, and strong conclusion. Writing is engaging and error-free.
• Meets all requirements: 2,000+ words, double-spaced, proper APA format, complete References page.

Here is some more evaluation criteria:

Policy Proposal (150 points)

• Clear problem definition with evidence of urgency and impact
• Concrete, feasible policy proposal with specific implementation details
• Integration of 4+ credible sources with proper APA citations
• Personal connection that humanizes the issue
• Thoughtful consideration and response to counterarguments
• Strong organization, writing quality, and adherence to format requirements

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Conduct research online regarding the role that strategic information systems (SIS) have in creating an organizations competitive strategy. Discuss specifically how the SIS integrates the organizational strategic vision and accomplishes a competitive advantage for the organization. Provide examples to illustrate your discussion.

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Conduct research online regarding the role that strategic information systems (SIS) have in creating an organizations competitive strategy. Discuss specifically how the SIS integrates the organizational strategic vision and accomplishes a competitive advantage for the organization. Provide examples to illustrate your discussion.

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

You have been called in by your boss. The company is considering buying another smaller firm; however, some business analysis is needed for your company management to make its final decision about purchasing. Your boss has asked you to look at the firm that they are considering to buy in terms of competitive advantage. You have been asked to explain to senior management how you would provide this information. You have been tasked with using Porter’s five forces to make this determination. Discuss and defend to your management how utilizing Porter’s five forces to analyze any organization or industry would provide an understanding of competitive advantage.

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

You have been called in by your boss. The company is considering buying another smaller firm; however, some business analysis is needed for your company management to make its final decision about purchasing. Your boss has asked you to look at the firm that they are considering to buy in terms of competitive advantage. You have been asked to explain to senior management how you would provide this information. You have been tasked with using Porter’s five forces to make this determination. Discuss and defend to your management how utilizing Porter’s five forces to analyze any organization or industry would provide an understanding of competitive advantage.

our company has purchased the smaller company that was discussed in the Unit 1 and Unit 4 Individual Projects (IP). Your input was greatly valued. Senior management believes that you have a firm grasp on how to handle the new business; therefore, you have been assigned the role of project manager.

Your boss has asked you to write a project management plan. Your plan should contain the following sections:

• Initiating
• Planning
• Executing
• Monitoring and Controlling
• Closing

In addition, your plan should touch upon the following components:

• Integration
• Cost
• Human resources
• Stakeholder management
• Scope
• Quality
• Communications
• Time
• Procurement
• Risk management