Ch 23: Business Communication Fundamentals
About This Chapter
Basic Communication Fundamentals - Chapter Summary
If you would like to learn more about communication fundamentals and their applications in business environments, watch the online video lessons included in this chapter. The lessons provides you with a details on different forms of communication relevant to the workplace, as well as some effective tools and strategies for properly implementing them.
Learn about the different purposes of a message and how to create an audience-centered presentation. Other lessons cover the pros and cons of electronic communication, how to use technology to compose an effective message and guidelines for text and instant messaging while at work. Some of the additional topics you will learn about are:
- Different types of communication
- The importance of communication in the workplace
- Choosing communication channels
- Qualities of effective workplace communication
- Communication strategies within an organization
- How to analyze an audience
- Visual aids for business presentations
- How to write effective workplace emails
If you would like to test your understanding of these topics when you have completed the lessons, answer the questions found in the chapter's practice quizzes and final exam. The chapter also allows you to message the lesson instructors for further information. You can use your personal Dashboard to keep track of your learning progress as you learn more about business.

1. Types of Communication: Interpersonal, Non-Verbal, Written & Oral
Communication, increasingly important in the workplace, comes in several varieties. Learn more about types of communication including: interpersonal, nonverbal, written, and oral/verbal.

2. Why Communication Matters in the Workplace
Communication is a key element for efficiency in the workplace. Learn more about why communication matters and examples of good communication strategies.

3. Choosing Your Channel of Communication: Oral, Written, Visual & Electronic
Choosing the channel by which to communicate information to an audience is just as important as the information being conveyed. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of four different types of communication channels: oral, written, visual, and electronic.

4. Determining the Purpose of Your Message: Inform, Persuade & Good Will
Determining the purpose of a message is the first step in deciding what to say and how to say it. Learn how to decide whether to inform, persuade, or offer goodwill in a message via an example in the workplace.

5. Elements of Effective Communication in the Workplace
There are a few ways to improve communication in a place of employment. Learn more about the four elements of effective communication in the workplace and it's purpose.

6. Organizational Communication
In the workplace, efficient and effective organizational communication is critical to promote organizational success. Learn about organizational communication, including the different types of communication in the workplace such as upward, downward, internal, external, formal, and informal communication.

7. Analyzing Your Audience and Adapting Your Message: Purpose, Process & Strategy
Knowing your audience is essential to understanding how to effectively adapt your message to reach your listening audience. Discover the key steps of purpose, process, and strategy by analyzing your audience, creating an interesting message, and learning how to differentiate between your listeners' attitudes, values, and beliefs, which directly impacts the shaping of the message.

8. Developing an Audience-Centered Presentation
An audience-centered presentation is important for targeting the wants, needs, and motivations of an audience. Learn how to develop an audience-centered presentation by aiming a message in just three steps.

9. Types of Visual Aids for Business Presentations
Visual aids such as posters, charts, and videos can appeal to an audience's senses and help further illustrate a point. Learn more about the types of visual aids for business presentations and when to use them.

10. Using Electronic Channels of Communication: Strengths and Weaknesses
Electronic channels of communication are technological methods of sharing information to others such as email and fax. Learn about the electronic channels, and their strengths and weaknesses.

11. Using Technology to Help Compose Your Message: Formatting & Effectiveness
There are many different ways to effectively compose a message using technology. Discover how to use style sheets, templates, autocompletion, autocorrect, file merge, mail merge, endnotes, footnotes, and wizards to effectively format a message.

12. Writing Effective Emails in the Workplace: Formality, Content, Language and Format
Writing an effective email in the workplace can make communication flow better among coworkers. Explore the key factors of a successful email, involving having the correct knowledge of email formality, content, language, and format.

13. Guidelines for Using Instant and Text Messaging in the Workplace
When companies adopt new communications technology and methods, such as instant messaging and text messaging, typically they will issue guidelines for how employees are expected to use it in the workplace. Explore types of issues that may be included in employee guidelines regarding messaging at work, including confidentiality, language, and acceptable content.

14. The Importance of Using Communication Technology Wisely
When communicating in the workplace, it is important to use technology wisely. Explore communication technology issues and review etiquette for using email, texting, social media and the telephone in a business setting.

15. Business Etiquette In the Workplace and Beyond
Business etiquette provides a standard form of behavior that is very important for workers to maintain a professional environment. Learn about the four specific areas of business etiquette in the workplace, including communication styles, dress and appearance, technology, and social situations.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the NES Business Education (309): Practice & Study Guide course
- About the NES Test
- Organizational Management in Business
- Organizational Structures
- Human Resource Management in Business
- Human Resource Laws & Requirements
- Business Law & Ethics
- Government Regulations for Consumer Protection
- Taxation for Corporations
- Business Accounting Overview
- Personal Finance & Consumer Economics
- Consumer Credit
- Personal Insurance Coverage
- Computation & Quantitative Analysis in Business
- Microeconomics Concepts & Laws
- Microeconomics Fundamentals for Business
- Macroeconomics Principles for Business
- International Business & Trade
- Principles of Marketing & Market Research
- Consumer Behavior & Customer Satisfaction
- Selling & Sales Forecasting
- Fundamentals of E-commerce
- Entrepreneurship & Business Plans
- Information Systems in Business
- Business Software
- Career Development in Business
- NES Business Education Flashcards