Strategic Communication in Business and the Professions

Description

Strategic Communication discusses the four essential elements of effective communication – setting goals, knowing the audience, mastering skills, and managing anxiety.  For the successful communicator this book provides the both framework and the necessary tools. 

 

This Seventh Edition helps the reader address the current challenges of communication within the realm of business. The updated examples provide an increased focus on the balance between technology and communication, the new forms of communication technology; in addition to the integration of new research in the area of business communication, management, interpersonal and group communication. Strategic Communication prepares readers for the business world of today.

PART ONE

An Introduction to Communication in Organizations

 

Chapter1: Communication in Organizations

Overview

The Interactive Communication Process

Reasons for Communication Failure

Understanding Organizational Communication

 

Chapter 2: The Model of Strategic Communication

A Model for Communication in the Information Age

Situational Knowledge: The Context of Organizational Communication

Goal Setting for Organizational Communication

Communication Competence

Anxiety Management

 

Chapter 3: Diversity in Business and the Professions

Overview

The Issues of Diversity

Communication Between Diverse People

Situational Knowledge: Understanding Your Perspectives

Communication Competence: Personality Traits

Anxiety Management: Resolving Cultural Conflict

Legal Guidelines and Diversity

 

PART TWO

Basic Communication Skills

 

Chapter 4: Listening Skills

Overview

Listening in Your Career

Hearing Versus Listening

The Role of Perception

Goal Setting for Interactive Listening

Situational Knowledge: Preparing for Interactive Listening

Communication Competence: Interactive Listening

Anxiety Management

Evaluating Your Listening

 

 

Chapter 5: Verbal and Nonverbal Skills

Overview

Goal Setting for Effective Messages

Situational Knowledge: Personal and Environmental Factors

Communication Competence: Verbal and Nonverbal Skills

Anxiety Management

Message Strategies

 

Chapter 6: Leadership and Management Skills

Overview

What Does a Leader Do?

Management Theory

Leadership Theories

Leadership Versus Management

Goal Setting: Managing the Present and the Future

Situational Knowledge: The Foundation of Strategic Leadership

Communication Competence: Demonstrating Leadership Skills

 

PART THREE

Interpersonal Communication Strategies

 

Chapter 7: Work Relationships

Overview

Manager-Employee Relationships

Coworker Relationships

Mentoring Relationships

Romantic Relationships in the Workplace

Sexual Harassment

Employee-Customer Relationships

 

Chapter 8: Interviewing Skills

Overview: Principles of Interviewing

The Interview

Goal Setting: Dyadic Communication

Situational Knowledge: Structuring the Interview

Communication Competence: Asking Effective Questions

Responding and Providing Feedback

Overview: Interviews in Business Settings

Interview Contexts: Employment Interviews

Appraisal Interviews

Disciplinary Interviews

 

 

PART FOUR

Group Communication Strategies

 

Chapter 9: Fundamentals of Group Communication

Overview

What Is a Group?

Factors Influencing Group Communication

Factors Affecting Group Participation

Teleconferences and Videoconferences

Special Groups

 

Chapter10: Meetings: Forums for Problem Solving 305

Overview

Situational Knowledge: Preparing for the Meeting

Situational Knowledge: Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Communication Competence: Problem Solving

Anxiety Management

Evaluating Group Effectiveness

 

Chapter 11: Negotiation and Conflict Management

Overview

Argumentativeness and Verbal Aggressiveness

Negotiation

Conflict Management

A Strategic Approach to Conflict

 

PART FIVE

Public Presentation Strategies

 

Chapter 12: Developing and Delivering Effective Presentations

Overview

Anxiety Management

Goal Setting: Identifying the Topic and the Purpose

Identifying the General and Specific Purposes of the Presentation

Situational Knowledge: Analyzing the Audience

Identifying and Researching Main Ideas

Providing Support for Ideas

Developing an Introduction and a Conclusion

The Outline: Basic Considerations

Communication Competence: Presenting the Message

Fielding Audience Questions

 

Chapter 13: Informative Presentations

Overview

The Range of Informative Presentations

Accumulation of information

Functions of Informative Presentations

Organizing the Presentation

Typical Formats

Guidelines for a Successful Presentation

Situational Knowledge: Technology

Communication Competence: Camera Skills and Special Occasions

Anxiety Management: Practice and Knowledge

 

Chapter 14: Persuasive and Special Presentations

Overview

Functions of Persuasive Presentations

Persuasive Formats

Basic Resources for Persuasion

The Persuasion Process

Special Occasion Presentations

Features:

• Real-World Application: Practicing Business Communication boxes examine communication practices in a wide range of businesses, broadening student awareness to the various communication practices in use. 
• Strategic Skills give students tools they will need as they transition from the classroom to a business setting.
• Ethical Issues boxes challenge students to think critically about the role ethics takes in business communication.

Designed for introductory business and professional communication classes, Strategic Communication employs four essential elements of effective communication – setting goals, knowing the audience, mastering skills, and managing anxiety – both as a framework for the book and as the necessary tools to be a successful communicator. 

 

The world of business is in constant flux, made more so by the volatile economic climate. The Seventh Edition helps students address the current challenges of business including the availability of more sophisticated technology, the shifting of ideas and loyalties in the global marketplace, changing work habits, new perspectives on private and public lives of employees, and the heated discussions on diversity.  The updated examples provide an increased focus on new forms of communication technology. With greater emphasis on the implications of technology to communication, the integration of new research in the area of business communication, management, and interpersonal and group communication, Strategic Communication in Business and the Professions prepares students for the business world of today.

New to this Edition:

• New and updated examples from contemporary organizations keep the text relevant and provide students with a realistic view of the current business climate.
• Streamlined writing style focuses students’ attention on ideas and concepts relevant to their success.
• Expanded focus on new forms of communication technology prepares students for the challenges they will face in communicating through new media.
• Greater emphasis on communication implications of technology, rather than on improving computer skills students have already mastered, keeps students engaged.
• Increased integration of strategic communication framework in all chapters enhances skill application.
• Integration of new research in the area of business communication, management, and interpersonal and group communication provides students with up-to-date research in the field of business and communication.