Ch 23: Business Communication Fundamentals

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.