Description

For undergraduate and MBA courses in Management Communication, Writing, and Oral Presentations. Also a useful reference for Executive Seminars/Workshops.
A brief, professional, reader-friendly guide to improving managerial communication.
Guide to Managerial Communication is a clear, concise, practical text for cultivating effective written and oral communication in a managerial, business, government, or professional context.

Features

Keeping it short, professional, and readable:

• Short: The authors have summarized key ideas from thousands of pages of text and research. Bulky examples, cases, footnotes, and exercises have been omitted for brevity’s sake.
• Professional: This text only includes the information professionals will find useful because unlike other textbooks, it has been designed specifically for business students.
• Readable: The format of this text, along with its clear writing style, makes it easy to read and skim. Overall, the tone is direct, matter-of-fact, and nontheoretical.

Material Separated into Four Sections.
Section 1: Communication Strategy (Chapter 1). Effective managerial communication (written and oral) is based on an effective strategy, which is why Chapter 1 focuses on five strategic variables to consider:

• Communicator Strategy: Objectives, style, and credibility.
• Audience Strategy: Who they are, what they know and expect, what they feel, and what will persuade them.
• Message Strategy: How to emphasize and organize.
• Channel Choice Strategy: When to choose written, oral, or blended channels.
• Culture Strategy: How cultural differences affect communication.

Section 2: Writing (Chapter 2, 3, 4, and Appendices).

• Chapter 2 offers techniques on the writing process.
• Chapter 3 deals with “macro,” issues in writing—including document design, signposts to show connection, and paragraphs or sections.
• Chapter 4 covers “micro,” writing issues—including editing for brevity and choosing a style.
• The Appendices provide a quick reference for correct grammar and punctuation.

Section 3: Speaking (Chapters 5, 6, and 7). The speaking section discusses three aspects of business speaking:

• Verbal Aspects: Chapter 5 explains the verbal aspects in presentations, question-and-answer sessions, meetings, and other speaking situations.
• Visual Aids: Chapter 6 describes visual aids, including overall design, various types of slides, and practice techniques.
• Nonverbal Aspects: Chapter 7 analyzes nonverbal delivery and listening skills.

Section 4: Reference Material (Appendices). The last section of the book provides a reference for inclusive language, grammar, and punctuation.

OTHER POINTS OF DISTINCTION

• Visual Images: A new section was added on the use of photographs and other visual images.
• Citations: A new section has been included on research and documentation of sources.
• TMOD: A mnemonic device for introducing slides—TMOD—is included in this edition:
  • Transition
  • Message title
  • Orient
  • Discuss

New to this Edition

• Communication strategy: NEW design for tell/sell/consult/join framework
  
• Storytelling: NEW section on how to connect with your audience through storytelling
  
• Channel choice: UPDATED and simplified section on channel choice
  
• Internet research: NEW section on how to conduct research over the internet
  
• Writing in a digital environment: NEW section on writing in today’s digital environment
  
• Writing for small-screen readers: NEW section for writing to be read on smartphones, blogs, microblogs
  
• Progression and linkage: REVAMPED section on clear progression and linkage in writing
  
• Overly informal tone: NEW section on intergenerational tone issues
  
• Remembering your content: NEW section on how to remember your content in an oral presentation
  
• Dealing with the backchannel: NEW section on the backchannel, when audience members digitally connect with others during a presentation
  
• Image-driven slides: NEW coverage of highly visual, low-text slides, as popularized by Garr Reynolds and Nancy Duarte
  
• Deck presentations: EXPANDED coverage of seated deck presentations
  
• Relaxation techniques: NEW relaxation techniques based on current research
  
• Authenticity: NEW section on authenticity and sincerity in nonverbal delivery
  

Table of Contents

PART I. COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

Communicator Strategy

Audience Strategy

Message Strategy

Channel Choice Strategy

Culture Strategy

Communication Strategy Checklist

Guide to the Guide to Managerial Communication

 

PART II. WRITING: COMPOSING EFFICIENTLY

General Composing Techniques

Special Composing Challenges

 

PART III. WRITING: MACRO ISSUES

Document Design for “High Skim Value”

Clear Progression and Linkage

Effective Paragraphs and Sections

 

PART IV. WRITING: MICRO ISSUES

Editing for Brevity

Choosing a Style

Writing Checklists

 

PART V. SPEAKING: VERBAL STRUCTURE

Tell/Sell Presentations

Questions and Answers

Consult/Join Meetings

Other Speaking Situations

 

PART VI. SPEAKING: NONVERBAL SKILLS

Nonverbal Delivery Skills

Relaxation Techniques

Listening Skills

Speaking Checklists

 

PART VII. SPEAKING: VISUAL AIDS

Designing the Presentation as a Whole

Designing Your Slide Master

Designing Each Individual Slide

Using Visual Aids

 

 

APPENDICES

 Appendix B: Writing Correctly: Grammar

Bibliography

Index