Introduction to business communication

1. Intro to Business
Communication

2. Critical thinking question:
To get a feel for how rapidly information technologies are changing and how
significant the impact is on business, list all the information technologies
(devices and applications) that you’ve learned to use over the last five years.
Now reflect on how your communication, work, and life have changed as a
result of these technologies.

3. • Form small groups of 2-3 students. Make
introductions. Conceptualize what
background factors might have influenced
your answers to the previous exercise.
Write a brief summary to present to the
class.

4. What do you believe are core skills
related to communication that are
sought for by employers?

5. NACE’s Job Outlook Survey 2016
identified the following core skills:

9. Let’s talk about the syllabus

10. IC Integrated Communications
landscape
• Why it is imperative to break down silos now – and five ways to do
it
• By Robyn McLeod - See more at:
http://chatsworthconsulting.com/2015/01/29/why-it-is-imperative-
to-break-down-silos-now-and-five-ways-to-do-
it/#sthash.7LTff4Md.dpuf

11. “Five ways to break down silos”
• Emphasize transparency – a lack of transparency
creates organizational silos
• Play nice – emphasize the importance of
teamwork
• Foster understanding –integrate cross-functional
meetings
• Manage conflict –provide policies to resolve
inter-organizational disputes
• Ensure continuous learning and improvement
• ”thought leader” “listicle” “silos” “building trust”

12. The Communication Process –
recursive process
• Sensing a communication need
• Defining the situation
• Considering possible communication strategies
• Selecting a course of action
• Composing a message
• Sending the message
• Receiving the message
• Interpreting the message
• Deciding on a response
• Replying to the message

13. Writing assessment exercise
Naturelle is Shells range of biodegradable oils for gear drives.
These 6 lubricants are fully synthetic, and more
environmentally considerate then mainstream oils. An
excellent balance of wear protection and oil life are offered
by naturelle. These products are priced at the premium level,
and as such as are usually only used in environmentally
sensitive areas which would mainly be in ports where the
gear drives are located over water. In some instances mine
sites are located in National Parks; given the focus local
governments place on the environment protection in these
areas some customers may also be under external pressure
to ensure that any the environmental impact is associated
with their operation kept to an absolute minimum. In these
instances opportunities can exist to look to introduce these
kinds of products.

15. Assignment #1 Facebook
Read Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities
• Write a brief summary (i.e. content and rhetorical
objective)
• Evaluate the writing in terms of its sentence structure,
vocabulary, typography, paragraphs, focus, organization
and how these decisions influence how readers relate
to or understand the content.
• How does this communication artefact address and/or
fail to address intercultural communication issues?
• Provide a brief recommendation for improvement.
• https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms%20

16. Writing an effective memo

17. Read the memo on the following slides
and take notes
 Evaluate the writing style, take note of the use of polysyllabic words,
the passive voice, and sentence structure.
 Note any inconsistencies between the writing style and the content
of the message.
 Evaluate the tone.
 Make a list of any information that you believe is useful.

20. A memo should include the following
parts:
Include a specific subject line.
Open with a clear statement of purpose.
Provide a brief summary.
Use informative headings.
End with a clear recommendation.

23. Let’s go home!