Strategic Communication in Business and the Professions

Strategic Communicationdiscusses 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 Communicationprepares 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