Exam 17: Business Communication: Creating and Delivering Messages That Matter

You have been asked to speak to your high school's senior class about how and why you chose your college/university. Describe the opening, the body, and the closing elements of your presentation. What will you include in your preparation, use of visual aids, and any methods employed to generate audience participation.

List three ways you can strike the right tone for any written message. Provide an example of each.

What does the richness of a communication channel refer to?

Words or statements suggesting negative attitudes toward an ethnic group are acceptable if no members of that ethnic group are likely to receive the message.

Which of the following is a basic category of communication barriers?

Managers use business communication to disseminate information to their employees, stakeholders, and competitors.

Amie Johannson is the CEO of Megabux Inc. Her company has just worked out an agreement to merge with Lottadoe Enterprises, and Amie wants to announce the deal to her employees. She knows that the merger will require a reorganization and that some employees will worry about their job security. She wants to assure them of her personal commitment to minimizing layoffs. One of the best ways for Amie to communicate information about the merger would be to issue a memo to all employees.

What does two-way communication represent?

An enthusiastic CEO spoke to his audience, "Our employees sold $10 million worth of services last year!" His wording is an example of how to use passive voice to present information.

What is slang?

A manager is an effective speaker when he or she can articulate a message using dialect and jargon, because these nuances usually enrich the message.

What is the key to a dynamic delivery?

Texting provides a richer communication channel than telephone conversations.

"The referral was completed after the client requested technical support for the new software application." What is this statement an example of?

Consider the sentences "The baseball player caught the ball in midair" and "The ball was caught in midair." What voice are these two sentences using?

At the beginning of her presentation, Delaney told the audience she would answer questions at the end of her delivery. Jim arrived late and began asking questions during Delaney's presentation. What should Delaney do?

Andrew Beck has a great idea for new accounting software that will enhance efficiency in his company's operation. His manager has asked him to present his ideas to the entire department. Andrew is excited about the opportunity, but he is also a little nervous because he has never given a presentation. Which of the following comments would help Andrew the most?

What is one characteristic of good business writing?

Barney Chang is interviewing Web developers for his company. Over lunch, he tells you that his top candidate showed lots of enthusiasm when he first entered the office. "His tone and attitude really showed an interest in the job," Barney said. "And he just looked confident and composed. Unlike some other candidates, he looked me right in the eye when he answered some tough questions." What is Barney impressed by about this candidate?

What is the term for a negative preconception or prejudice directed toward a specific group?