Business Communication

The world of business is becoming increasingly reliant on language. Corporate-speak is a practical guide for the general business reader to focus on how we use language in business.

This text offers readers an in-depth analysis and synthesis of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to corporate communication, and gives clear indications of the pertinent best practice outcomes of theoretically based applications.

"This book is well documented, well written, well researched and is up-to-date. It is non-sexist. It is more than a manual for business communicators.' It is more than a book of how to's.' And it is more than a book of do's and don'ts. The authors and contributors skillfully draw upon a broad range of social sciences literature and their personal communication experience, both of which make this book invaluable in our understanding of the relationship between communication theory and practice. Beyond that, they offer clear guidelines for effective public communication." Public Relations Review

Competitive Communication offers the first full-length treatment of the classical art of rhetoric with applications to the day-to-day needs of modern managers. Based on the belief that clearly reasoned persuasion is indispensable to professionals who must convince others of their points of view, this text reveals implicit, competitive dimensions of communication to those familiar with contemporary business practices. Concentrating on argumentation--which is viewed both as a process of inquiry and as an act of persuasion--the author reviews principles of reasoning that were central to an age generally credited with having developed the first complete treatment of the art of communication. With Aristotle as guide, Eckhouse demonstrates how the enthymeme, a logical device central to Greek theories of persuasion, is also of powerful relevance to the modern business world. Complementing this discussion is an examination of classical ethos, or credibility, as it is created in language and used to strengthen core arguments modern managers must make. Also offered is an extensive examination of classical fallacies--common pitfalls of argument and debate--which provide early warning signals for those about to enter argumentative danger zones. Ideal for undergraduate and graduate business students, as well as the working professional, Competitive Communication offers an invaluable guide to what is probably the most important ability working professionals can develop in todays business world.

Everyday we write countless memos, letters, and reports without a second thought. Likewise, we give presentations, both formal and informal. Often this writing and speaking gets criticized for being jargon-ridden, obscure, or long-winded--in short, for not being in "plain English." But what is plain English, and how do we go about writing and speaking it? In Plain English at Work, Edward Bailey gives the answer, with down-to-earth tips and practical advice. Bailey, an expert in business communication, gives us a simple model for writing: BL Style: write more the way you talk. BL Organization: make your point easy to find. BL Layout: use headings, lists, and other white space so readers can see the structure of your writing. Psycholinguists, Bailey points out, have proven that the techniques of plain English writing are far easier on your readers; experience has proven that writing in plain English is easier on you--the writer, too. Bailey also gives you a wealth of practical advice for presentations including: BL How to remember your talk. BL How to design visual aids. BL How to design computer presentations. BL How to set up the room you'll be speaking in. BL How to develop a successful delivery style. Perhaps most impressive are the many detailed tips he gives here. For instance, when using a pointer, hold it in the hand closer to the screen (otherwise, you turn your back on the audience, making it harder to hear you). When designing a visual aid, use at least 28-point type, and seldom use all capital letters (which are harder to read). And when presenting a bar chart during a computer presentation, build it--a bar at a time--to focus your audience's attention. Drawing on two earlier and popular books, The Plain English Approach to Business Writing and A Practical Guide for Business Speaking, this new volume has been significantly updated. It includes up-to-the-minute information on using computers, computer graphics, and typography for your writing, and on using the same technology for designing your presentations. The result is an authoritative and comprehensive single volume that will be the essential guide for everyone wishing to communicate more easily and effectively at work.

Seldom does a work on corporate communications take such a radical economic approach to the topic. Horton integrates corporate communications cost-effectively into all business activity and presents a new way to look at corporate communications as a force behind all business disciplines. He describes and reviews external and internal communication; examines human behavior in communicating; reviews corporate communication structure; and analyzes messages and media and shows how to get started toward cost-effective corporate communication.

In this updated edition of the successful handbook, a detailed introduction to the theories and practices of the public relations industry is given. Broad in scope, it traces the history and development of public relations, explores ethical issues which affect the industry, examines its relationships with politics, lobbying organisations and journalism, assesses its professionalism and regulation, and advises on training and entry into the profession. It includes:* interviews with press officers and PR agents about their working practices* case studies, examples, press releases and illustrations from a range of campaigns including Railtrack, Marks and Spencer, Guinness and the Metropolitan Police* specialist chapters on financial public relations, global PR, business ethics, on-line promotion and the challenges of new technology* over twenty illustrations from recent PR campaigns.In this revised and updated practical text, Alison Theaker successfully combines theoretical and organisational frameworks for studying public relations with examples of how the industry works in practice.

America's rapid and drastically changing demographics pose new challenges to society and particularly to the workplace. Taking as their theme that "The only antidote to stereotyping and discrimination is to know each other as individuals," the authors look carefully at the direction in which America is heading demographically and where it will be in the 21st century. They discuss what the workplace will be like and how it will be affected by the characteristics of the people who will comprise it. The essence of the problem, say the authors, is communication--the face-to-face interaction between people of different ethnicities, races, and genders. They may be speaking to each other but are not being heard. Exploring the relationship between culture, communication and management, this new research in management introduces and applies the theory of 'Reflexive Communication' and the microskills necessary for using it in day-to-day work situations. The authors lay out the patterns of culture-specific values and behaviors of the major demographic groups in the workplace--white males, women, African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans. In each of these chapters the authors apply their theory and show step-by-step how individuals within each group can be accessed and trained by the precepts of 'Reflexive Communication'. The book concludes with a thoughtful examination of the future of diversity and diversity training in America and reasserts the need for people of differing cultures to find ways to work together, not only for their own personal benefit, but for the benefit of their workplaces and organizations.

Cross-cultural business negotiations are an important part of international business. Much business has been lost overseas due to miscalculations caused by cultural differences. Negotiating is a lengthy, difficult process by itself; but, when one adds the cultural aspect it becomes extremely intricate. Cross-cultural negotiation skills can be improved by adequate attention to details and a better understanding of the cultural heritage of the other side. This work examines cross-cultural negotiations from the point of view of a practitioner, and provides country profiles with advice on how to best negotiate with people from those countries.

Qualitative research holds great potential for the study of public relations and marketing communications due to its ability to enable researchers to be closely involved with research participants. This practical guide for those interested in conducting qualitative research takes readers through each stage of the research process. This book:* outlines research techniques* considers methods of data collection* includes sampling and strategies for data analysis, including computer analysis* appraises issues of reliability and validity from a qualitative perspectiveKey points are illustrated with examples from advertising, marketing, media relations, promotions, employee communications, public affairs and other forms of managed communication. Pedagogic features include hints for the internet, tips for overcoming problems and difficulties, examples, boxed features, summaries and overviews, and a wide range of examples and illustrations from international contexts.A highly practical and accessible guide, this is a core text for those undertaking undergraduate and master research methods courses on public relations and marketing communications degrees, and will be invaluable for those working on dissertations, theses or research as part of a professional assignment.