Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Professional 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? Cengage Learning © 2012 Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 2

Weigh in: How many of you use … E-mail Web sites Videoconferencing Skype Web conferencing Mobile phones E-learning Text and IMs Social networking sites Virtual organizations Cengage Learning © 2012 Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 3

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 Cengage Learning © 2012 Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 4

What is communication? Communication isn’t as simple as it seems. Cengage Learning © 2012 In some cases, communication is a simple, linear process. In most cases, communication is a complex, interactive process. Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 5

What is communication competence? Knowing what’s appropriate. Analyze people, tasks, and situations. Learn the norms of your organization. Cengage Learning © 2012 Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 6

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? Cengage Learning © 2012 Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 7

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? Cengage Learning © 2012 Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 8

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. 2. 3. 4. 5. Am easy to get along with. Adapt well to any situation I face. Find conversing with others a bit awkward. * Don't like to argue, even when I know I am right. * Generally know what is appropriate to say. Cengage Learning © 2012 Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 9

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. Cengage Learning © 2012 Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 10

What goes wrong in business communication? Mindless messaging Ineffective use of new media Ethical dilemmas Incompetence Self-interest Communication apprehension Cengage Learning © 2012 Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 11

What are the unique challenges of communicating in the digital age? Making the right choices: Knowing when face-to-face is best. Stress, burnout, and information overload are common. Intercultural sensitivity can be difficult. Cengage Learning © 2012 Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 12

Preview of the course… Interviewing Training and consulting Relationship communication Written documents Mediated communication Group discussions and meetings Cengage Learning © 2012 Presentational speaking Chapter 1 Contemporary Business and Communication Competence 13