Pg 330 Test Your Knowledge
1. What Skills do oral presentations give you the opportunity to practice and demonstrate?
ANSWER: They let you demonstrate your ability to think on your feet, grasp complex business issues, and handle challenging situations.
2. What three goals should you accomplish during the introduction of an oral presentation?
ANSWER: Arouse the audience's interest, establish credibility, and prepare the audience for what will follow.
3. What techniques can you use to get an audience's attention during your introduction?
ANSWER: Unite the audience around a common goal, tell at story, pass around a sample, ask a question, state a startling statistic, use humor.
4. What three tasks should you accomplish in the close of your presentation?
ANSWER: Restate the main points, describe the next steps, end on a strong note.
5. What steps can you take to ensure success with online presentations?
ANSWER: Consider sending preview study materials ahead of time, keep your presentation as simple as possible, ask for feedback frequently, consider the viewing experience from the audience members' point of view, make sure your audience can receive the sort of content you intend to use, and allow plenty of time for everyone to get connected and familiar with the screen they are viewing.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Reports on Proposals
Test Your Knowledge:
1. How are reports for monitoring and controlling operations used?
ANSWER: They are used to provide feedback and other information for decision making (plans, operating reports, personal activity reports)
2. How does primary research differ from secondary research?
ANSWER: Primary research contains information that you gather specifically for a new research project; secondary research contains information that others have gathered.
3. What makes a survey reliable and valid?
ANSWER: The survey would be reliable if it would produce identical results if it were repeated. The survey would be considered valid it measures what it is supposed to measure.
4. How does a conclusion differ from a recommendation?
ANSWER: A conclusion interprets information whereas a recommendation suggests what to do about the information.
5. How do proposal writers use an RFP?
ANSWER: Proposal writers use an RFP to bid on their contracts. It includes instructions that specify exactly the type of work to be performed or products to be delivered, along with budgets, deadlines, and other requirements.
1. How are reports for monitoring and controlling operations used?
ANSWER: They are used to provide feedback and other information for decision making (plans, operating reports, personal activity reports)
2. How does primary research differ from secondary research?
ANSWER: Primary research contains information that you gather specifically for a new research project; secondary research contains information that others have gathered.
3. What makes a survey reliable and valid?
ANSWER: The survey would be reliable if it would produce identical results if it were repeated. The survey would be considered valid it measures what it is supposed to measure.
4. How does a conclusion differ from a recommendation?
ANSWER: A conclusion interprets information whereas a recommendation suggests what to do about the information.
5. How do proposal writers use an RFP?
ANSWER: Proposal writers use an RFP to bid on their contracts. It includes instructions that specify exactly the type of work to be performed or products to be delivered, along with budgets, deadlines, and other requirements.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Persuasive Messages
1. What are some questions to ask when guaging the audience's needs during the planning process?
ANSWER: Who is my audience? What are my audience members' needs? What do I want them to do? How might they resist? Are there alternative positions I need to examine? What does the decision maker consider to be the most important issue? How might the organization's culture influence my strategy?
2. What role do demographics and psychographics play in audience analysis during the planning of a persuasive message?
ANSWER: Demographics and psychographics help you understand and categorize audience needs. Demographics help you categorize your audience based on age, gender, occupation, income, education, etc. Psychographics help you categorize your audience based on their lifestyle, attitude, and personality.
3. How do emotional appeals differ from logical appeals?
ANSWER: Emotional appeals attempt to connect with the reader's feelings or sympathies where as logical appeals are based on the reader's notions of reason (analogy, induction, deduction).
4. What three types of reasoning can you use in logical appeals?
ANSWER: Analogy, Induction, Deduction
5.What is the AIDA model, and what are its limitations?
ANSWER: The AIDA model organizes and frames your argument into 4 phases: attention, interest, desire, action). It is also tailored to the indirect approach. The AIDA approach has its limitations. It talks at audiences, not with them and it also focues on one-time events, not long-term relationships.
ANSWER: Who is my audience? What are my audience members' needs? What do I want them to do? How might they resist? Are there alternative positions I need to examine? What does the decision maker consider to be the most important issue? How might the organization's culture influence my strategy?
2. What role do demographics and psychographics play in audience analysis during the planning of a persuasive message?
ANSWER: Demographics and psychographics help you understand and categorize audience needs. Demographics help you categorize your audience based on age, gender, occupation, income, education, etc. Psychographics help you categorize your audience based on their lifestyle, attitude, and personality.
3. How do emotional appeals differ from logical appeals?
ANSWER: Emotional appeals attempt to connect with the reader's feelings or sympathies where as logical appeals are based on the reader's notions of reason (analogy, induction, deduction).
4. What three types of reasoning can you use in logical appeals?
ANSWER: Analogy, Induction, Deduction
5.What is the AIDA model, and what are its limitations?
ANSWER: The AIDA model organizes and frames your argument into 4 phases: attention, interest, desire, action). It is also tailored to the indirect approach. The AIDA approach has its limitations. It talks at audiences, not with them and it also focues on one-time events, not long-term relationships.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Test Your Knowledge pg 188
1. What are the five main goals in delivering bad news?
ANSWER: convey the bad news, gain acceptance for it, maintain as much goodwill as possible with your audience, maintain a good image for your organization, reduce/eliminate the need for future correspondence on the matter.
2. What questions should you ask yourself when choosing between the direct and indirect approaches?
ANSWER: Will the bad news come as shock? Does the reader prefer short messages that get right to the point? How important is this news to the reader? Do you need to maintain a close working relationship with the reader? Do you need to get the reader's attention? What is your organization's preferred style?
3. What is the sequence of elements in a negative message organized using the indirect approach?
ANSWER: open with a buffer, provide reasons and additional information, continue with a clear statement of bad news, close on a positive note.
4. What is a buffer and why do some critics consider it unethical?
ANSWER:A buffer establishes common ground with the reader. They find them unethical only if they are insincere or deceptive.
5. When using the indirect approach to announce a negative decision, what is the purpose of presenting your reasons before explaining the decision itself?
ANSWER: By providing your reasons before explaining the decision itself, you help maintain focus on the issues at hand and defuse the emotions that always accompany bad news. IT helps readers follow your train of thought.
ANSWER: convey the bad news, gain acceptance for it, maintain as much goodwill as possible with your audience, maintain a good image for your organization, reduce/eliminate the need for future correspondence on the matter.
2. What questions should you ask yourself when choosing between the direct and indirect approaches?
ANSWER: Will the bad news come as shock? Does the reader prefer short messages that get right to the point? How important is this news to the reader? Do you need to maintain a close working relationship with the reader? Do you need to get the reader's attention? What is your organization's preferred style?
3. What is the sequence of elements in a negative message organized using the indirect approach?
ANSWER: open with a buffer, provide reasons and additional information, continue with a clear statement of bad news, close on a positive note.
4. What is a buffer and why do some critics consider it unethical?
ANSWER:A buffer establishes common ground with the reader. They find them unethical only if they are insincere or deceptive.
5. When using the indirect approach to announce a negative decision, what is the purpose of presenting your reasons before explaining the decision itself?
ANSWER: By providing your reasons before explaining the decision itself, you help maintain focus on the issues at hand and defuse the emotions that always accompany bad news. IT helps readers follow your train of thought.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
pg 160-161/163 #9
pg160 #1
Since our college is closing its dining hall, we wanted to do something to help the students prepare their own food in their dorm rooms. We were looking through the Collegiate Magazine when your microwave ad caught our eye. However, before we make a decision we need the following information:
1. Would you be able to ship the microwaves by August 15?
2. Do the microwaves have any kind of warranty?
3. How much will they cost and do you give a discount for a big order?
4. Do we have to provide a special outlet?
5. Will students know how to use them, or will we need to provide instructions?
We are currently operating under a tight timeline and would appreciate any information from you as soon as possible. We look forward to talking with you soon.
pg 163 #9
5493 Beechwood Drive
Trenton, NJ 08608
April 12, 2009
Florida Resort Bureau
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Dear Sir:
My wife and I are planning a late September vacation with our two teenage children and your advertisement about Florida resorts in the April 2009 issue of Smithsonian magazine caught my eye.
Looking through the different types of resorts, I am really interested in the ones that have golf courses and are close to the beach. However, I would also like to be near night entertainment suitable for the whole family. Also, I am particularly interested in resort areas that have public transportation available; some family members may want to participate in activities away from the resort.
I would also like more information about the following:
1. Which resorts are near large cities?
2. Which resorts are within reach by public transportation?
3. Which resorts have attractions for teenagers?
4. Do off-season rates include all the amenities?
5. How are the weather conditions in Florida during the Month of September?
6. Who should we call for concert schedules during our vacation?
Finally, it is important that I receive any information in the next two weeks so I can schedule my time off from work in the fall. My family and I hope to hear from you soon.
Frank C. Atlas
Since our college is closing its dining hall, we wanted to do something to help the students prepare their own food in their dorm rooms. We were looking through the Collegiate Magazine when your microwave ad caught our eye. However, before we make a decision we need the following information:
1. Would you be able to ship the microwaves by August 15?
2. Do the microwaves have any kind of warranty?
3. How much will they cost and do you give a discount for a big order?
4. Do we have to provide a special outlet?
5. Will students know how to use them, or will we need to provide instructions?
We are currently operating under a tight timeline and would appreciate any information from you as soon as possible. We look forward to talking with you soon.
pg 163 #9
5493 Beechwood Drive
Trenton, NJ 08608
April 12, 2009
Florida Resort Bureau
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Dear Sir:
My wife and I are planning a late September vacation with our two teenage children and your advertisement about Florida resorts in the April 2009 issue of Smithsonian magazine caught my eye.
Looking through the different types of resorts, I am really interested in the ones that have golf courses and are close to the beach. However, I would also like to be near night entertainment suitable for the whole family. Also, I am particularly interested in resort areas that have public transportation available; some family members may want to participate in activities away from the resort.
I would also like more information about the following:
1. Which resorts are near large cities?
2. Which resorts are within reach by public transportation?
3. Which resorts have attractions for teenagers?
4. Do off-season rates include all the amenities?
5. How are the weather conditions in Florida during the Month of September?
6. Who should we call for concert schedules during our vacation?
Finally, it is important that I receive any information in the next two weeks so I can schedule my time off from work in the fall. My family and I hope to hear from you soon.
Frank C. Atlas
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Memorandum Re-do
I don't think the other post displayed correctly on drop.io
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Netiquette
Netiquette is an important tool used when communicating on the computer through email, wikis, podcasts, and other types of online communication. It is a form of manners that is followed in order to be professional, respectful, and courteous to others.
The following are some guidelines for practicing netiquette.
Be conservative in what you send and liberal in what you receive. Keeping your emotions under control in an email is a very important skill that will keep other people from thinking you are insensitive and insulting. All caps is considered impolite. On the other hand, don't expect people to be the same. Be ready to handle people that send angry emails, just not in a way that evokes a fight.
Keep your emails short and to the point. Avoid acronyms like "LOL" and "BRB" because they make you look unprofessional. If you have been the only one addressed to read the email, it is understood that you will take action so there is no need to go into great detail of explaining what you will do. Also, include a signature at the end of the email that includes your name, title and other contact information. This way, if the person whom you are emailing ever needs to contact you in another way, they have the information to do so.
Finally, proofread your message. Check for grammatical and mechanical mistakes. These mistakes make you look unprofessional. Also, consider what you are sending and ask yourself, "can this come back to haunt me?" Anything too personal should not be sent over an email.
http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc1855
http://www.swref.com/story/20090705/the_rules_of_netiquette
http://edition.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/07/21/netiquette.tools/
The following are some guidelines for practicing netiquette.
Be conservative in what you send and liberal in what you receive. Keeping your emotions under control in an email is a very important skill that will keep other people from thinking you are insensitive and insulting. All caps is considered impolite. On the other hand, don't expect people to be the same. Be ready to handle people that send angry emails, just not in a way that evokes a fight.
Keep your emails short and to the point. Avoid acronyms like "LOL" and "BRB" because they make you look unprofessional. If you have been the only one addressed to read the email, it is understood that you will take action so there is no need to go into great detail of explaining what you will do. Also, include a signature at the end of the email that includes your name, title and other contact information. This way, if the person whom you are emailing ever needs to contact you in another way, they have the information to do so.
Finally, proofread your message. Check for grammatical and mechanical mistakes. These mistakes make you look unprofessional. Also, consider what you are sending and ask yourself, "can this come back to haunt me?" Anything too personal should not be sent over an email.
http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc1855
http://www.swref.com/story/20090705/the_rules_of_netiquette
http://edition.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/07/21/netiquette.tools/
Email Revising
To: sarah@work.net
From: bill@work.net
CC: jim@work.net
Subject: Financing for Training Trip
Hey Sarah,
I need to talk to someone who is in control of finances for the training trip so I can figure out how I can go. Do you know anybody I can ask?
Please let me know if you have any information.
Thank you,
Bill
From: bill@work.net
CC: jim@work.net
Subject: Financing for Training Trip
Hey Sarah,
I need to talk to someone who is in control of finances for the training trip so I can figure out how I can go. Do you know anybody I can ask?
Please let me know if you have any information.
Thank you,
Bill
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Memorandum
Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io
http://drop.io/download/public/6qp33ktvaevjgbkpspsj/4a2506671b518858f35a9a4d9e2631d0f21e7428/7578e5b0-f3ea-012c-c6ca-f8b0a4c27cbe/aab96530-f3ea-012c-2c26-f1de6a6db773/v2/content">Save File: Memorandum_Eng304.docx
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Creating Effective Sentences
Our e-tailing company, Best Baby Gear, specializes in top of the line products for parents of newborns, infants, and toddlers. We constantly explore the world looking for products that satisfy both the needs and desires of our customers to put on our award-winning website, www.bestbabygear.com. In our efforts to better assist our customers and provide them with the best products to date, at Best Baby Gear it is our promise to select only the top of the line items that would maximize the customers benefits as well as our own. After careful consideration, Best Baby Gear has concluded that your Inglesina lines are tailored towards both the needs of our customers and ourselves. We look forward to talking with you more in the days and weeks ahead about adding your product to our website.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Audience Profile pg 63
8. A promotional message on your company's e-retailing website, announcing a temporary price reduction on high definition television sets.
Response: The audience for this promotional message are people who are interested in HD TV's. The audience's attitude towards the subject should be positive because there is a price reduction which means that those in the audience who are looking to buy an HD TV could save some money by buying now, as opposed to later. The audience needs to know that the price cut is temporary on HD TV's and it is found online.
11. A cover letter sent along with your resume to a potential employer.
Response: The audience for this message is the potential employer who is receiving the cover letter and resume. The audience's attitude toward the subject should be a neutral one because the employer is just receiving more information to help him make his decision. The employer needs to know more about the individual he is looking at and that is why he/she is asking for the individual's resume and cover letter.
Response: The audience for this promotional message are people who are interested in HD TV's. The audience's attitude towards the subject should be positive because there is a price reduction which means that those in the audience who are looking to buy an HD TV could save some money by buying now, as opposed to later. The audience needs to know that the price cut is temporary on HD TV's and it is found online.
11. A cover letter sent along with your resume to a potential employer.
Response: The audience for this message is the potential employer who is receiving the cover letter and resume. The audience's attitude toward the subject should be a neutral one because the employer is just receiving more information to help him make his decision. The employer needs to know more about the individual he is looking at and that is why he/she is asking for the individual's resume and cover letter.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
This week I learned a lot about the benefits of communication, what employers expect from their workers, and cultural sensitivity.
For instance, communication leads to higher problem solving capabilities, greater productivity and healthier relationships. These results are met when communication is practical, factual, concise, and clear.
I also learned that employers expect their workers to communicate ethically, use time productively, communicate with diverse groups, and use different forms of communication technologies. These are valuable skills that will not only be tested at the interview, but also throughout a person’s career.
I also learned that within a workforce there will be different cultures and the best way to work with clashing cultures is to assume differences, tolerate ambiguity, remain flexible, and look past the surface. This is the best option towards working effectively with other people who come from different backgrounds.
For instance, communication leads to higher problem solving capabilities, greater productivity and healthier relationships. These results are met when communication is practical, factual, concise, and clear.
I also learned that employers expect their workers to communicate ethically, use time productively, communicate with diverse groups, and use different forms of communication technologies. These are valuable skills that will not only be tested at the interview, but also throughout a person’s career.
I also learned that within a workforce there will be different cultures and the best way to work with clashing cultures is to assume differences, tolerate ambiguity, remain flexible, and look past the surface. This is the best option towards working effectively with other people who come from different backgrounds.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Expectations
For this class, I expect to learn a lot about different forms of business communication. I expect to learn what a memo is, its purpose, and how to use one effectively. I also anticipate that I will learn the style of business writing and how it is so much different from how I am used to writing.
Most importantly, I expect this class to help me make my writing better and also help improve business forms that I have already started to create like my resume. Hopefully, by the end of this class I will have a better grasp on all sorts of business communication tools and how to use them effectively.
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