Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 1

Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Professional Communication Competence

What does the workplace demand?

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2Chapter 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?

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3Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

E-mail Web sites Videoconferencing Skype

Web conferencing Mobile phones E-learning Text and IMs

Social networking sites

Virtual organizations

Weigh in: How many of you use …

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4Chapter 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

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5Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

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.

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6Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

What is communication competence?

Knowing what’s appropriate.

Analyze people, tasks, and situations.

Learn the norms of your organization.

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7Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

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?

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8Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

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?

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9Chapter 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 …

1. Am easy to get along with.2. Adapt well to any situation I face.3. Find conversing with others a bit awkward.*4. Don't like to argue, even when I know I am right.*5. Generally know what is appropriate to say.

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10Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

How Competent Are You?

6. Try not to get too close to the people I work with.* 7. Make a concerted effort to listen to others.8. Sometimes I have a hard time following others' conversations.*9. Dislike meeting with my manager or supervisor. *10. 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.

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11Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

What goes wrong in business communication?

Mindless messaging

Ethical dilemmas

Self-interest

Communication apprehension

Incompetence

Ineffective use of new media

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12Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

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.

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13Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence

Preview of the course…

Interviewing

Relationship communication

Mediated communication

Presentational speaking

Group discussions and

meetings

Written documents

Training and consulting

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Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 14

Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Professional Communication Competence

What does the workplace demand?

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