1. Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

2. Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence
Discussion ….
In the opening scenario, Ron is visibly stressed. Why?
How can you relate to Ron’s experiences?
Can we communicate too much?
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

3. Weigh in: How many of you use …
Web sites
Videoconferencing
Skype
Web conferencing
Mobile phones
E-learning
Text and IMs
Social networking sites
Virtual organizations
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

4. Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence
Discussion ….
Recruiters and hiring managers reveal that the most important predictors of success are related to the ability to communicate well. Why is that the case?
Warren Buffet weighs in….
Warren Buffett Video
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

5. What is communication?
Communication isn’t as simple as it seems.
In some cases, communication is a simple, linear process.
In most cases, communication is a complex, interactive process.
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

6. What is communication competence?
Knowing what’s appropriate.
Analyze people, tasks, and situations.
Learn the norms of your organization.
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

7. What is communication competence?
Having communication skills.
Some skills are unique to the organization.
Some are universally important.
What skills are valuable in your workplace?
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

8. What is communication competence?
Being motivated to communicate competently.
People vary in their motivation to communicate.
Individuals vary across time and context.
What motivates you to communicate competently?
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

9. Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence
How Competent Are You?
Respond to the following items quickly and honestly using the following key: 5 = Strongly Agree; 4 = Agree; 3 = Neutral; 2 = Disagree; 1 = Strongly Disagree.
At work, I …
Am easy to get along with.
Adapt well to any situation I face.
Find conversing with others a bit awkward.*
Don't like to argue, even when I know I am right.*
Generally know what is appropriate to say.
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

10. Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence
How Competent Are You?
Try not to get too close to the people I work with.*
Make a concerted effort to listen to others.
Sometimes I have a hard time following others' conversations.*
Dislike meeting with my manager or supervisor. *
Am generally supportive of the people I work with.
Asterisked items (#3, 4, 6, 8, 9) should be reverse-coded; then sum all 10 items.
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

11. What goes wrong in business communication?
Mindless messaging
Ethical dilemmas
Self-interest
Communication apprehension
Incompetence
Ineffective use of new media
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

12. What are the unique challenges of communicating in the digital age?
Making the right choices: Knowing when face-to-face is best.
Intercultural sensitivity can be difficult.
Stress, burnout, and information overload are common.
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

13. Preview of the course… Interviewing Relationship communication
Mediated communication
Presentational speaking
Group discussions and meetings
Written documents
Training and consulting
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

14. Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence
Cengage Learning © 2012
Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence