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

Which of the following is a strategy to improve your listening skills?

When should the key points be summarized during a presentation?

Two students in a management class were presenting their findings on "managing change." As one team member clicked through the PowerPoint presentation, the other team member leaned against the work station, clearly indicating that he was thinking about something else. If the PowerPoint presentation was well organized, the second team member's behaviour was unlikely to detract from the presentation's message.

The use of visual aids can significantly impact the amount of information an audience retains.

In Canadian culture, older people are more likely to experience age bias than younger people.

One of the most effective ways to improve business communications is to make extensive use of slang to enliven and enrich the message and set it apart from more formal messages.

Ted jokes with his employees at the end of every weekly staff meeting. He notices that Jeanne appears sullen and uninterested in his jokes today and wonders if something he said offended her. Which statement describes what is happening in this situation?

Which of the following is considered an excellent tip for sending e-mails?

At the beginning of his talk on global warming, David Suzuki suggested that the audience ask questions during the presentation. Experts suggest that it is appropriate protocol to inform the audience of your preference for taking questions during or after the presentation.

Define active listening. What role does active listening play in an organization?

Beatrice is the creative director for a children's television program. Although she works in media communications, she is not comfortable with her own presentation skills. One way Beatrice could improve her skills would be to videotape her presentations and have a friend go through the videos with her.

Effective communication happens when you transmit meaning-relevant meaning-to an audience.

In late 2007, Boeing announced that its 787 Dreamliner, scheduled to be delivered to several airlines by early 2008, would be delayed due to problems at various critical points in the project. The project director wants to distribute a detailed memo to all members of the project team outlining how to correct each of these problems. How can the director convey the memo's key points more effectively?

The key to finding the best communication channel is to evaluate the needs and expectations of your audience.

Larry Bergeron needs to quickly hear from his colleague Ralph concerning the prospect of changing vendors on the Harris Project. He leaves Ralph a lengthy voice mail on the subject. Ralph is in the habit of picking up voice mail messages once each day. If Larry is asked by his boss about the vendor problem, he is covered because he sent Ralph a message about it.

Effective communication is more about style (how the message is delivered) than it is about substance (the relevance of the message).

Julia has spent the last few minutes rewriting a memo that she intends to send to all of the employees in her department. She wants to clarify the message by making it short and to the point. What is Julia's goal?

Business communication differs from other types of formal communication, such as a wedding invitation, for example, because the use of slang and jargon is widely accepted in business communication.

When you do not want to reveal any additional information through body language, a memo is an effective tool to disburse information to employees on changes in company policies.

Describe three factors used to analyze an audience.