© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Achieving Success Through Effective Business Communication

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Achieving Success Today Sending Receiving Understanding Acting

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Effective Communication Quicker problem solving Stronger decision making Increased productivity Steadier work flow

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Effective Communication Stronger business relationships Clearer promotional materials Enhanced professional image Improved stakeholder response

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter What Employers Expect Organizing and presenting ideas Listening effectively Communicating across cultures Using communication technologies Practicing business etiquette Communicating ethically

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Characteristics of Effective Messages Practicality Factual basis Clarity and conciseness Precision Persuasion Recommendations

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Internal Communication Official structure –Chain of command –Formal lines of power The grapevine –Informal networking –Unofficial lines of power

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter External Communication Formal contacts –Marketing –Public relations Informal contacts –Employees –Managers

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter The Communication Process Sender has an idea Sender encodes the idea Sender transmits the message Receiver gets the message Receiver decodes the message Receiver sends feedback

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Why Is Business Communication Unique? Globalization and diversity Information value Pervasiveness of technology Reliance on teamwork New corporate structures Communication barriers

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Globalization and Workforce Diversity Products and markets Business partnerships Employees and executives

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Increasing Value of Business Information Knowledge workers –Competitive insights –Customer needs –Regulations and guidelines

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Pervasive Technology Voice systems Virtual agents Mobile communication Networking advances

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Evolving Organizations Tall structures Flatter structures Flexible structures Corporate cultures

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Reliance on Teamwork Employee satisfaction Overall flexibility Responsiveness to competition

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Communication Barriers Perception and language Restrictive environments Distractions Deceptive tactics Information overload

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Effective Communication Minimize distractions Consider the audience Improve your skills Give and get feedback Apply business etiquette

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Using Business Communication Technology Maintaining perspective Improving productivity Investing wisely Reconnecting with people

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Observing Business Communication Ethics Unethical practices –Plagiarism –Selective misquoting –Misinterpreting numbers –Distorting visuals

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Making Business Choices Ethical dilemma –Stakeholders Conflicting loyalties Difficult tradeoffs Ethical lapse –Business pressures Illegal choices Unethical choices

© Prentice Hall, 2005 Business Communication Today 8eChapter Ensuring Ethical Communication Individual employees Corporate management Policies and procedures