BUS210: Business Communication

Read these sections, which emphasize how communication forms a part of your self-concept, helping you to understand yourself and others, solve problems, learn new things, and build your career. Attempt the exercises at the end.

As you watch this video, think about the basics of communication and how they impact you not only in business, but also in many other aspects of your life.

Read this section, which describes the communication process, including its eight essential elements: source, message, channel, receiver, feedback, environment, context, and interference. This section also reviews communication models based on transactions and shared meaning. After you read, attempt exercises at the end of the section.

This video describes the categories of communication as parts of a pyramid-shaped structure of communication science. Why is it important to appreciate communication science? This video shows that "institutional communication", which is another way of describing business communication, is near the top of the pyramid. Why is institutional communication at a higher level than group communication, but lower than societal communication?

The Shannon and Weaver model of communication is probably the best known of all communication models. This video demonstrates the two reasons behind its popularity: (1) it identifies the most important components of any communication process, and (2) it diagrams how those components interact. What does this mean for you, and how you can become a more effective communicator? You can answer this question and appreciate Shannon and Weaver's model by considering any instance of communication between yourself and any other being capable of communication (including non-humans). Use the model to identify all of the elements you, as a communicator, need to respond to communicate effectively in that instance. For example, think about how you would tell a dog or cat that you approved of its behavior. Think specifically about how you would have to adjust each of the components in Shannon and Weaver's model to ensure that the dog or cat understood you. Next, think about how you would respond differently to those components if you needed to communicate the same kind of approval to a human being, perhaps a co-worker or trainee. Finally, consider a scenario in which you had to communicate disapproval to an already hostile individual. Which elements in the model would you have to modify? These questions illustrate how Shannon and Weaver's model increases your awareness of communication situations and enables you to "first seek to understand, then seek to be understood".

This video reinforces the importance of understanding communication, covering the subject in greater depth than previous videos. Both the lecturer's comments and the slideshow are dense with information, so be sure to take notes. Pay attention to the slide that diagrams a model of communication that is slightly different from the Shannon and Weaver model. Many models exist to explain the communication process, although most are very similar, and nearly all of them include at least some of the components in Shannon and Weaver's model.

Read this section, which introduces intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public, and mass communication. It also discusses their advantages and disadvantages, and appropriate and inappropriate ways to use each one. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Watch this brief video to reinforce the different kinds of communication you explored earlier and see examples for each level.

Read this section, which addresses you as a communicator and emphasizes how good communicators should be ethical and well-prepared. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Seek first to understand, then seek to be understood. It is a communicator's responsibility to make others understand the communication. In this video, he recommends a simple three-step process. After watching, think about when someone misunderstood your message, and then try analyzing the situation by describing the purpose, details, and action. Did this process help you identify where you erred or were weak in your responsibilities as a communicator?

Watch this video, which will help you recognize the factors influencing your communication effectiveness and reactions to communication stimuli. The neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) model introduced in the video focuses on physical communication elements to explain how the mind filters the information we receive externally and internally. Awareness of these factors can help a communicator overcome his or her negative impacts. After you watch, write a paragraph that summarizes the NLP Communication Model.

Watch this brief video about body language and what it says about you. How can you apply these concepts in your professional and personal life?

This video illustrates how to match your body language, tone of voice, and word choices to create rapport.

Watch this brief video that explains emotional intelligence, indicators of high emotional intelligence, and why emotional intelligence is important in the workplace and within communication. As they talk about identifying those with high emotional intelligence, think about how you would fit into each category. Also, think of peers or colleagues that may have the specific characteristcs mentioned.

This video focuses on the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership and how it impacts the workplace.

This video highlights how emotional intelligence impacts all aspects of life - work, relationships, and overall happiness. It also provides specific tactics to strategically and effectively improve emotional intelligence. The interviewee provides specific examples to improve emotional intelligence. As he speaks, think of how and when you could implement these ideas.

Read these sections, which discuss the role of words in delivering your message and how language is a system of words. Idea-conveying symbols are ruled by syntax, semantics, and context – all of which require interpretation. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Watch this video, which lays the foundation for understanding and appreciating language. The lecturer chooses an interesting technique to clarify what language is and what it isn't by contrasting human language and animal "language". After you watch, see if you can summarize what makes human language distinct.

Plain language is the most effective way to communicate. Think of this as an interactive video; respond to the questions the speaker asks and compare your responses to hers. You may not have access to some of the software referred to in the video, but don't let that stand in your way.

Read this section, which discusses categorizing messages based on their importance. It also introduces the five common elements in any message, some of which you will recognize from the discussion about communication models, and all of which you will encounter later when you examine how a speech is organized. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Messages are at the heart of communication. Knowing what your message is, refining it to be clear, and tailoring it for specific audiences are key skills. These videos present how messages must be presented: clearly and concisely. This video focuses on reasoning, which is directly connected to messages: your reasoning becomes your messages' content. "Faulty reasoning" results in weak or erroneous messages.

This video introduces storytelling, which is the latest popular technique for developing business messages.

After you watch, consider this scenario. Your business sells sleeper sofas that can open up to become a bed for one person. Add details to the product if you need to, but focus on creating a story that would get people interested in trying or buying the sofa. Refer to the storytelling examples in the video and follow their structure in your own story. This may be an opportunity for you to use the discussion forum to interact with other students taking this course. See if your story is effective by trying it out on your colleagues.

Read this section, which goes deeper into the rules that govern language and then introduces the concept of language paradigms. These are premises that are taken as fact. This section explains how language is arbitrary, symbolic, and abstract, and how it imperfectly serves to organize and classify reality. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

In this video, communication scholars discuss the nature of verbal communication. We often think of verbal and non-verbal communication together, because most of our face-to-face communication uses both. However, verbal communication is the dominant factor online, and as a result needs to be carefully crafted to consider the nature of virtual environments. This video introduces many important points about the nature of verbal communication when it is isolated from the nonverbal elements that usually accompany it in the "real" world. Keep in mind that some scholars would define the visual characteristics of messages as nonverbal traits, even when their content is presented solely with words. So, although that distinction is not made in this video, remember that the "look" of verbal message, such as the typeface, size, use of color, length of paragraphs, graphics, and so on, must also be considered in virtual environments.

Read this section, which discusses why clichés, jargon, slang, sexism, racism, euphemisms, and doublespeak weaken the effectiveness of language by making it less efficient and/or less acceptable. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

This video discusses how imprecise or unclear language can lead to a communication gap and the effects that a gap may have on your work. Pay attention to how various examples of poor language habits, such as cliché, jargon, slang, racist or sexist language, euphemism, and doublespeak are defined and differentiated.

Read this section, which describes communication tactics that can be used to emphasize a message or parts of a message: visuals, signposts, reviews, previews, and repetition. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

This video and the one that follows focus on eliminating details that are unnecessary in delivering a message so that the key points in the message are not only clearer but also more emphatic. 

Watch the videos and then revise the sentence above to remove unnecessary words and give the message more impact. Work on this part first: "eliminating details that are unnecessary in delivering a message". Using just three words would emphasize the point. This may be a good opportunity for you to use the discussion forum to interact with other students taking this course. See if your response is correct and effective by trying it out on your colleagues.

Descriptive language adds atmosphere, intensity, and drama to a situation. Watch this video to learn how to improve your messages by choosing words for impact. Descriptive language does not mean more words, which can just clutter your message. It means well-chosen words that will add emphasis to your message.

A communicator's "voice" can shift the emphasis of a statement. What does that mean? Practice by writing a sentence that uses passive voice, and then shift its emphasis by revising it to use active voice. This may also be a good opportunity for you to use the discussion forum to interact with other students taking this course. See if your response is correct and effective by comparing it to those of your colleagues.

Read this section, which describes how to improve communication by defining your terms, choosing precise words, considering your audience, controlling your tone, checking for understanding, and adopting results-oriented approaches. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Watch this video, which focuses on word choice and vocabulary. It provides an in-depth look at the meaning of your word choices and the sounds of those words, and how they affect their effectiveness. This lecture will help you improve the clarity of your language, not necessarily add emphasis.

This video applies them to real-world messaging. Choose a realistic business message and apply these tips. Perhaps your business needs to communicate that it is opening a new store, or perhaps you need to remind employees of certain safety measures they must follow. Post your thoughts in the discussion forum to give your colleagues something to consider.

Read these sections, which focus on how you can become a more effective communicator by understanding yourself and how others view you. They also discuss the centrality of attitudes, beliefs, and values for one's self-concept, and how self-fulfilling prophecies can influence decision making. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

The Pygmalion effect is an example of a self-fulfilling prophecy, which can severely affect how you communicate and present yourself to others. Pay attention to the impact of the Pygmalion effect in the workplace.

Read this section, which explains how we select, organize, and interpret words and ideas based on a perceptual framework that is shaped by our expectations and assumptions. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

This video illustrates perception, which is how people process stimuli from the world around them. After you watch, see if you can summarize the key points in a sentence. Provide an example of how you might address this point in business communication. Use the discussion forum to interact with other students taking this course. See if your response is effective by trying it out on your colleagues.

We process information subjectively. Was the statement you produced for the previous video as accurate as this statement? See if you can explain this to someone else. Use the discussion forum to interact with other students taking this course. See if your response is effective by trying it out on your colleagues.

Read this section, which focuses on how individual differences and preconceived notions can limit how well we work with others. Understanding one another can improve our communication across languages, cultures, and perspectives. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

With these videos, find the key point, summarize it in a statement, and then apply it to a business communication scenario. Compare your responses to those of your colleagues in the discussion forum.

Read this section, which presents perceptual strategies you can use to understand audiences better and customize messages to be effective with specific audiences. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Find the key point, summarize it in a statement, and then apply it to a business communication situation. Compare your response to those of your colleagues in the discussion forum.

This video includes a fascinating story that makes the speaker's point for him. Can you come up with a story that illustrates the same point? This is another chance to practice storytelling techniques. Use the discussion forum to interact with other students taking this course. See if your response is effective by comparing it to those of your colleagues.

Read this section, which explains active listening and active reading and why they are important behaviors associated with effective communication. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

This section explains the difference between listening and hearing, and the benefits of listening. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

These five videos introduce active listening and explain why it is more effective than passive listening. They also cover efficient reading skills. How do you listen and read to learn most effectively?

These sections start with a review of the elements discussed in the communication models introduced in Unit 1, defining them and illustrating how writing differs from speaking. The biggest difference between those writing styles is that writing is usually asynchronous. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

By the end of this video, you will be able to explain the eight essential elements of communication and explain how oral and written communication differ.

Read this section, which demonstrates how you get better at reading and writing as you do it more often. This section discusses the benefits of constructive criticism, critical thinking, and targeted practice. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this section, which covers the characteristics of good writing, including examples of how rhetorical elements and cognate strategies relate to business communication practices. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this section, which categorizes writing styles as colloquial, casual, informal, or formal, and indicates when and where each style is appropriate. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this section, which many of the same concepts that were applied to language in Chapter 2 to words themselves. Words are governed by rules, shape reality, and have ethical dimensions. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Your writing reflects the essence of your personal presence. What does this mean, and why is it important if you are not there when someone reads what you have written?

This section argues that to overcome barriers to communication, good writers pay attention to details, strive to understand the target meaning, consider nonverbal expressions, and make it a habit to review, reflect, and revise. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

These six videos point out how mistakes can be barriers to effective communication. They then discuss how they apply to written and spoken contexts.

These sections emphasize how your written business communication represents you and your company. It should be clear, concise, and professional. These sections also discuss the importance of netiquette in the workplace; common examples include memos, business letters, business proposals, reports, resumes, and sales messages. After you read, try the exercises at the end of each section.

This section focuses on various writing styles including formal and informal styles, the impact of being conversational in your writing, how to add emphasis, using a passive or active voice, and more. As you read this section, consider the ways in which you can improve your own writing style and be more effective in all of your messaging. After reading, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Because writing an email is something people do every day, people tend to be casual about the process. Watch this video on why business emails need to be carefully considered to create the right impression and communicate effectively. Consider the impression that a sender's actual email address can make, or how its subject line, greeting, content, word choices, and writing style can affect the overall message. After watching, examine your "sent" folder and find emails you've sent to people who were not friends or family. Critique your own email etiquette and identify ways you could improve your technique.

Social media has become a mainstream channel of communication for corporations. This video provides five tips for businesses to engage with online communities in a strategic and intentional manner that protects their brand.

This video provides an interesting history of digital imaging as well as the use of digital imaging today, and its enormous power to influence. As you watch, think about what digital images, both good and bad, have left a lasting impact on you.

This public service announcement provides an important reminder regarding the importance of responsible digital citizenship. T.H.I.N.K. before you post = Is it truthful? Is it hurtful? Is it illegal? Is it necessary? Is it kind?

Watch this video on how to write an effective sales proposal. Most people approach a proposal by finding someone else's proposal and using it as a template that enables them to fill in the blanks. By now, you should be aware of the need to tailor your messages to suit your particular audience. Given the importance of persuading an audience to accept and adopt your recommendations, cutting corners by copying someone else's presentation is not a good plan. That this video uses a term very familiar to people who work in marketing: "unique value proposition". This is the key message in a sales proposal. It indicates how the product benefits the consumer, meets his or her needs, and is better than its competition. As the term implies, the value proposition is unique, which is why copying others' proposals to produce your own is not a good idea.

Watch this video, which focuses on copywriting, and introduces a writing structure known as the inverted pyramid, which focuses on addressing the "who", "what", "where", "when", "why", and "how" elements in a message. To become more familiar with this structure, read the first two paragraphs of a few news stories. By the second paragraph of most stories, the reporter will have identified most of the "5Ws" and maybe the "H". Don't lose track of this speaker's point: the inverted pyramid is an effective way to write sales messages, too, especially if you can't come up with a more creative way. Once you've examined some examples of news stories that use the inverted pyramid, choose a product at random, and describe its unique value proposition. As an exercise, describe the "5Ws" and "H" that would frame a sales letter about that product.

These five videos cover a variety of topics you might encounter when writing in a business environment. They discuss proper netiquette, which is an essential skill in today's workplace. Understanding the role of text messaging in business and writing effective internal and external emails are critical skills for business professionals. They also explain the purpose and format of business letters, memos, proposals, reports, and resumes, as well as strategies for writing each.

Speech planning begins with knowing your general and specific purpose, your time allotment, your audience, and the amount of information you have available. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

This section addresses the elements of the rhetorical situation and the ways that a presentation should be organized. Elements of focus are the "who", "what", "where", "when", "why", and "how" of your speech. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this section, which lists 17 purpose-specific organizing patterns for business communication speeches and gives step-by-step guidance for other styles, such as ceremonial, wedding, award, introduction, and other nonacademic functions. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Watch this video for some basic strategies for delivering your speech, including the use of technology, meeting your audience's needs, ensuring that the equipment is working properly, and more. Keep these tips in mind when delivering your future speeches.

These sections review the ways you can maintain objectivity and provide unbiased information to your audience. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this section, which gives tips for keeping your speech on target, interesting, and without bias.

Read this section, which covers how an informative speech may explain, report, describe, or demonstrate how to do something in a way that engages your audience. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Successful speeches encourage active listening and use audience-centered approaches. This section describes several ways to motivate an audience by making material relevant and useful and by finding interesting ways to frame topics. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this section, which describes how to give an ethical speech, especially when the purpose of that speech is to inform. It is important to be non-judgemental and honest in your approach. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

This section discusses the content and function of the five parts of a presentation. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this section, which covers how speeches are built by using the five structural elements: attention statement, introduction, body, conclusion, and residual message. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this section, which lists 11 points to focus on to ensure that your speech is ethical. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this section about the six principles of communication and how to incorporate them into your speeches where appropriate. The exercises at the end of the section will provide you with the opportunity to practice your skills.

This section reviews what persuasive speeches are designed to do: stimulate thought, convince, call to action, increase consideration, or develop tolerance of alternate perspectives. This section also provides a useful breakdown of different types of calls to action. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this section, which illustrates how language and culture can become obstacles in effective communication. Explore different cultural dimensions the impact of ethnocentrism. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Watch this video, which defines cross-cultural communication, breaks it down into different types, and gives some examples of communication challenges in cross-cultural communication. After watching this video, imagine that you are aware that the audience of your Rotary Club or Chamber of Commerce presentation will include the immigrant family who owns a shop next to your new office building. There will also be several members of the local women's entrepreneurial club. Consider how this knowledge will affect your presentation and the stories you will share with your audience.

Read this section, which covers rhetorical and argumentative strategies for persuasion, how to appeal to emotions, and the circumstances under which you may choose to use these approaches. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Watch this video for more information about what makes an argument strong enough to be convincing. Afterwards, write a brief paragraph that summarizes what makes a strong argument.

Read this section, which provides a brief discussion about the role and creation of the brief sales pitch known as the elevator speech. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Watch these videos on how to refine your elevator speech techniques. After watching, craft a 60-second elevator speech that you would give to the president of your town's Rotary Club or Chamber of Commerce if you happened to find yourself sharing an elevator with them. If you can record your speech, consider posting the recording or a link to it on the discussion forum to get feedback from your colleagues.

These sections describe the traits of good sound bites and what makes them memorable. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Review these three soundbites from prominent people. Consider the words and the ways they are delivered. As you develop soundbites for your own business needs, keep in mind how the media uses these kinds of messages to connect with audiences so that you can craft messages that the media will share.

Read this comprehensive list of the elements that characterize a formal business agenda, and the extensive list of strategies for ensuring that meetings are productive. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Watch this example of how to produce a meeting agenda. This video describes one of many options for using agendas to help ensure that meetings are run efficiently and effectively.

These sections examine the impact of having to distribute negative news, and introduces seven important objectives that negative news messages should accomplish. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

This tutorial provides real examples of words to use to effectively deliver negatived news without jeopardizing a relationship. As you watch and listen to the eight examples, think about what makes the messaging of each scenario effective?

This video reminds us to set expectations when delivering bad news, be direct, sympathize, and reframe the situation. Think of a time when you received bad news. Did you feel that the person delivering the news displayed empathy? Did you feel supported?

Read this section, which explains the necessity and value of feedback, how to encourage employees and members of the public to participate in providing feedback, and how to use open and closed-ended questions to elicit feedback. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

This video focuses on the importance of leading and communicating during periods of change and details Kotter's 8-step model. Think about times that you have experienced change and how it was communicated to you. Of that communication, what was effective? What was ineffective?

Watch this video, which explains the psychology of a crisis, why it is important for organizations to understand it, and transformative actions that can turn a crisis into opportunity. As he is speaking, think about specific communications that helped you process the COVID-19 pandemic. What communications eased your anxiety? What communications increased your anxiety?

Read this section, which covers how to prepare a crisis plan, including designating a crisis communication team and a spokesperson. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

This video will help you prepare a crisis communication plan. For more information, review PRSM107: Crisis Communication. That course will let you create your own crisis communication plan. Check it out!

Watch this video about the fundamentals of risk communication produced by the American Red Cross's disaster response emergency communications manager. He discusses how the public has the ability to respond through social media, no matter what type of media you are using to communicate. This kind of feedback connects crisis communication to negative news issues you encountered in the previous subunit. Remember that crisis communication introduces special requirements and limitations for a business communicator, which this video also discusses.

This video discusses the importance of leading and communicating during periods of crisis. We have all now experienced the crisis of a global pandemic. What leading and communicating approaches did you find helpful during the pandemic? What leading and communicating approaches did you find detrimental during the pandemic?

Review this fascinating video, which provides results from two randomized experiments during the COVID-19 pandemic to demonstrate how to effectively communicate in a crisis. The researchers noted the most important component of communication was for people to feel safe. Do you agree with their conclusion? Take a moment to think of what communication you longed for during the pandemic.

Read this section. A press conference is a controlled opportunity to communicate with the public through the media. A professional representative of the company who is fully prepared should be the spokesperson. These events require calm and the ability to anticipate questions and prepare responses in advance. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this page about how to prepare for and conduct a press conference. It includes information about meeting audience and media needs, setting up the room, and post-conference follow-up.

Read the introduction to this chapter, which discusses understanding ourselves, how we plan, and how we remember. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this section, which focuses on two concepts: the monologue we have with ourselves that influences our external reactions and how the way we see ourselves can be described along four dimensions of awareness. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

These videos provide perspectives on intrapersonal concepts related to the self. The best way to appreciate these videos is through self-evaluation. As the professor defines and discusses the concepts, relate them to your own traits.

Read this section, which focuses on Maslow's hierarchy of needs and how it is used to frame many messages. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this article, which explains interpersonal communication. Consider the ways in which you can apply this knowledge in your own interactions.

Read this section, which explores social penetration theory, self-disclosure, and interpersonal relationships. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this section, which covers the typical steps involved in carrying out a conversation and how they can help you prepare for a job interview. You will also explore post-interview practices and activities. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Conflict is unavoidable, and can be an opportunity for clarification, growth, and even reinforcement of relationships. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

The awareness of varying perspectives that stem from cultural differences is key to effective communication in global commerce. Read these sections. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Ethnocentric tendencies, stereotyping, and assumptions of similarity can make it difficult to cope with cultural differences. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

All cultures have initiations, traditions, history, values and principles, purposes, symbols, and boundaries. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

These four videos explain the cultural approach to communication, in which communication is viewed as the building block of culture and society. Review these examples of how communication and culture are intertwined and can produce distinct traits when cultures are compared.

Cultures have distinct orientations when it comes to rules, uncertainty, time, masculinity, directness, materialism, and power, and those traits influence their communication patterns. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

These three videos discuss the cultural influences and pressures that result in unified characterstics among the members of a cultural group.

Read this section, which takes a systems approach to describe the nature of global marketing, including political and legal systems, economics, ethics, and the global village. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Read this section, which covers the challenges involved in taking on an international assignment, including the preparatory steps recommended to make acculturation more successful. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

To explain how people and their relationships are a reflection of their culture and cultural viewpoints, this section describes three theories of management – referred to as X, Y, and Z – which are examples of distinct views on worker motivation, the need for supervision, and the possibility of collaboration. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Watch this video about the five styles of management: micromanagement, management by objectives, management by exception, leadership, and management by wandering around. No business practices these styles exclusively or in isolation, and numerous aspects of management need to be considered when choosing the appropriate style.

Read these sections, which distinguish between groups and teams, catalogue types of groups based on their structure and function, and discuss the impact of group size on member participation. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

This section covers the predictable patterns that groups tend to follow from their creation to their dissolution. It also discusses how groups assign roles to members in order to function efficiently and the life cycles those roles also tend to experience. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

This section details seven steps that can characterize problem solving in groups. Note the table that introduces a cost-benefit analysis for a set of solutions to a hypothetical problem. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Meetings require planning, choice of appropriate technology, and understanding of organizational communication. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

These eight videos give seven tips for getting your point across in a meeting. Booher's advice focuses on participants, not those running the meeting. These tips can be applied to all meetings.

This section discusses the nature of teamwork, identifies different types of leadership styles, and explores the ways leaders develop effective teams and choose team members. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Watch this video for important tips on managing and working with remote teams.

This video features Marie Rosecrans, SVP at Salesforce, discussing the importance of keeping employees connected during the pandemic. She notes that consistent communication is key for keeping employee morale high.

This video discusses the impact of a global pandemic on the future of work, how organizations are successfully navigating the complexities of a remote workforce, and how to leverage technology to keep the team together and engaged.