Navigating the Business Communication Environment Chapter 4 Navigating the Business Communication Environment

Chapter 4 Learning Objectives LO 4-1 Why ethics is so important in business communication LO 4-2 How corporate culture impacts business environments LO 4-3 Why interpersonal communication is important LO 4-4 How to use your time more efficiently LO 4-5 What the trends in business communication are

Business Environment Shaped by Ethics Corporate Culture Interpersonal Communication Time Management Trends

Ethics Daily communication decisions involve ethics Language, graphics, and document design can all be ethical or manipulative

Corporate Culture Vary widely among organizations (even those within the same field) Wise companies use it to retain workers International differences can impact it

Interpersonal Communication Communication between people Includes multiple skills Listening Conversation style Nonverbal Etiquette Networking

Listening Crucial to building trust Harder on job than in class Information not as organized on job Jobs require listening to feelings as well as information Nods, smiles, frowns show you’re listening

Avoid Listening Errors To reduce errors Paraphrase what the speaker has said Check your understanding with speaker Write down key points Don’t ignore instructions that seem unnecessary Consider other person’s background

Conversation Style Denotes our conversational patterns and the meaning we give to them Consider these features: Rate of speech Rate of turn-taking Persistence if turn not acknowledged Preference for personal stories Tolerance of simultaneous speech Abrupt topic shifting

Nonverbal Communication Communication without words Signals such as smiles and gestures Can be misinterpreted as easily as words Be aware of Spatial cues Body language

Etiquette Treating people with respect Using “please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome” Making customers feel welcomed Using technology appropriately

Networking Ability to connect with many different kinds of people Create connections before they are needed Being part of the grapevine Even more important as you climb corporate ladder

Time Management Crucial to success of professionals Prioritize demands of your time Complete most important demands first

Time Management Keep lists Ask yourself where you want to be in five years Do large, important tasks first Break large tasks into small ones Create blocks of times Avoid time sinks Decide at the end of today what to do tomorrow Evaluate performance at end of week

12 Business Trends Data Security Electronic Privacy Customer Service Work/Family Balance Environmental Concern Globalization and Outsourcing Diversity Teamwork Job Flexibility Innovation and Entrepreneurship Big Data Rapids Rate of Change