Best practices in communication and writing

Preview:

DESCRIPTION

 

Citation preview

BEST PR

ACTICES IN

COMMUNICAT

ION A

ND

WRIT

ING

LYD IA MAZANT IO R G 5 3 6 - C O N T E M P O R A R Y B U S I N E S S W R I T I N G A N D C O M M U N I C A T I O N

C O L O R A D O S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y - G L O B A L C A M P U S

D R . R O B E R T O L S Z E W S K I

F E B R U A R Y 2 , 2 0 1 4

WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS NEEDED FOR THE BUSINESS WORLD?

IF YOU GUESSED COMMUNICATION SKILLS, YOU ARE RIGHT.

• Ethical communication

• Professionalism in communication

• Proper intercultural communication

• Business writing

• Digital media writing skills

• Good and Bad news

• Presentations

• Reports

(Guffey & Loewy, 2010)

Do you know best the

practices in these areas?

Ethics is about doing what right and ethical organizations do their part to build an ethical culture by promoting behaviors that are fair, honest, respectful and responsible (Guffey & Loewy, 2010).

ETHICAL COMMUNICATION

ETHICAL BEHAVIOR INCLUDES: Following all policies, procedures, laws and regulations.

Ensure privacy and confidentiality

Be honest.

Never discriminate on any basis or bias.

Communicate clearly and responsibly.

Stand up against unethical behaviors.

Give credit and asking for guidance as needed

(Johnson, 2007).

PROFE

SSIONALIS

M:

What

is p

rofe

ssio

nal b

ehav

ior?

Professionalism:There are many facets of professional behavior-

• Ethical behavior• Communication skills• Integrity• Competency• Teamwork• Respectfulness• Reliability

(Johnson, 2007).

Imag

e courte

sy o

f

Jscre

ation

zs/

FreeDigita

lPhot

os.n

et

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

“Approximately 6,000 languages are used in the world today” (Chitakornkijsil, 2010, p. 9).

Intercultural communication is important due to:• Globalization• Intercultural workforce• Promotes tolerance and

patience

(Guffey & Loewy, 2010)

TIPS FOR INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION:

(Guffey & Loewy, 2010)

Use simple English: Avoid puns, sarcasm, slang or idiomatic expressions

Be aware of cultural nonverbal cuesUse descriptive feedback Follow the lead of the individual

from another cultureCheck for understandingListenAnd follow up in writing

TIPS FOR BUSINESS WRITING

Pre-Writ-ing

25%

Writing25%

Editing50%

Parts of the WritingProcess

Know your purpose, audience, be concise and simple, do not offend, be consistent ,do not rely on spell check alone and edit, edit, edit (Powell, 2003).

*NAVIGATING DIGITAL MEDIA*

Image courtesy of Jannoon028 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Be aware of the legal ramifications of the communication channel, it "is permanent and searchable and can be forwarded”

(Goldsmith, 2007, para. 4).  A media message that is contains

errors, confidential information, biased, poorly worded, or

offensive can create legal issues or at best damage an

organizations reputation if that message falls into the wrong

hands (Goldsmith, 2007).

DELIVERING GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS

GOOD NEWS

Be sincere, straight forward, and concise

Convey kindness

Be aware of your audience

(Guffey & Loewy, 2010).

BAD NEWS Never Surprise Deliver honestly and

factually Put it in writing Justify Frame positively Consider the audience and

word appropriately Be respectful and dignified

(Bies, 2012).

TIPS

TO D

ELIVERIN

G BAD

NEWS There are two ways:

1.Direct: bad news-reasons-closure

• Use this style when bad news is not

damaging and/or directness and

firmness is needed or preferred.

2. Indirect: buffer- reasons-bad news-

closure

• Use this style when bad news is

upsetting, unexpected, or

relationships are threatened.(Guffey & Loewy. 2010)

PRESENTATIONS

Image courtesy of zcool.com.cn /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

BEST PRACTICES FOR BUSINESS PRESENTATIONS

(Guffey & Loewy, 2010)

Get everyone’s attention Be organized Embrace and use visual aides Use style and appealing fonts Be interactive Conclude strong

REPORT

S, PLA

NS AND

PROPO

SALS

TI P

S T

O R

EM

EM

BE

R I

N F

OR

MA

L B

US

I NESS

WR

I TI N

G

Informal Writing

Non-sensitive data

Conversational but still well organized

Describe routine tasks

Often for internal audiences

Formal Writing

Fully researched data

Serious tone Highly organized

and publishable Often for

external audiences

INFORMAL VS. FORMAL BUSINESS WRITING

(Guffey & Loewy, 2010)

TIPS FOR FORMAL WRITING

• Know the proper format.• Be concise and organized.• Give time and effort to the process.• Pre-write, write, and edit.

(Guffey & Loewy, 2010)

BEST PRACTICES REVIEW

Be ethical, professional, polish your intercultural communication and both your informal and formal writing skills (Guffey & Loewy, 2010).

CONCLUSION“Technologies and procedures are constantly evolving, you must be flexible and willing to engage in lifelong learning” (Guffey & Loewy, 2010, p.30).

Following best practices and learning tips are a good first step in the communication learning process.

Good Luck!

REFERENCESBies, R. (2012). The 10 commandments for delivering bad news. Forbes, Retrieved from

http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesleadershipforum/2012/05/30/10-commandments-for-delivering-

bad-news/

Chitakornkijsil, P. (2010). Intercultural communication challenges and multinational organization

communication.

International Journal of Organizational Innovation (Online), 3(2), 6-20. Retrieved from

http://search.proquest.com

docview/763168869?accountid=38569

Goldsmith, M. (2007). Understanding the perils of email. Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved from 

http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-05-16/understanding-the-perils-of-e-mailbusinessweek

-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice

Guffey, M., & Loewy, D. (2010). Business communication: Process and product (7th ed.). Independence, KY:

Cengage

Learning. ISBN-13: 9780538466257

Jannoon028. (Designer).(2011). Social networking concept [Web Graphic]. FreeDigitalPhotos.net. Retrieved

from

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Communications_and_N_g263-

Social_Networking_Concept_p58782.html

Jscreationzs. (Designer). (2010). Computer Network [Web Graphic]. FreeDigitalPhotos.net. Retrieved from

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Computer_Networks_g351-Computer_Network_p23958.html

Johnson, L. (2007). Aspects of professionalism: integrity, competency, ethical behavior. National Center for

Competency

Testing, Retrieved from http://www.ncctinc.com/documents/Aspects of Professionalism 1.pdf

Powell, E. (2003). Ten tips for better business writing. Office Solutions, 20(6), 36-38. Retrieved

from http://search.proquest.com/docview/216443770?accountid=38569

zcool.com.cn. (n.d.). 3d villain to train highdefinition picture. Retrieved from

http://all-free-download.com/free-photos/3d_villain_to_train_highdefinition_picture_165605_download.html

Recommended