TOPICS FOR GROUP ASSIGNMENTS

1. What is culture? What are five key dimensions that can be used to describe it? Explain
the techniques to successfully communicate with intercultural audiences orally and the
tips for written messages. Give examples for illustration on each technique/ tip. What
are the recommendations for communicating successfully in a diverse and inclusive
workplace.
2. Describe the components in each stage of the 3x3 writing process. Approximately
how much time is spent on each stage? What eight factors should writers consider in
selecting an appropriate channel to deliver a message? What is the difference between
a rich and a lean channel? How does anticipating and identifying the audience help a
business communicator prepare a message? What is the “you” view? When can the sue
of “you” backfire?
3. What three techniques for developing a warm, friendly, and conversational tone can
communicators use in business messages? What are three ways to avoid biased
language? Give an original example for each? Name the gender-biased words and their
improved versions?
4. Describe five electronic communication channels used most commonly by
businesspeople today. Why is workplace e-mail unlikely to go away anytime soon? Why
do many workers complain about e-mail? Name the reasons why some organizations
forbid employees to use instant and text messaging? How can you show professionalism
and respect for your receivers in writing business instant and text messaging?
5. How do organizations use podcasts, and how are they accessed? Explain why
companies use blogs? Explain the best practices for master bloggers.
6. How do businesses try to tap the vast potential of social networking? Why do you
need to critically evaluate all information that engulfs you daily?
7. What role do reports play in business today? Describe seven formats used for reports.
Explain the difference between primary and secondary data? What sources of factual
information for informal reports can report writers consult?
8. Why is it important to write a purpose statement before composing a report? What
is the purpose of the following informational reports?
a. Trip or conference report
b. Progress report
c. Minutes of meetings
d. Summary
What is the purpose of the following analytical reports?
a. Justification/ recommendation report
b. Feasibility report
c. Yardstick report
Explain with a typical example for each report.
9. Why are formal and informal proposals written? Why do government agencies and
other organizations make requests for proposals? Name five possible parts of a work
plan for a formal report. Why are formal reports written in business? Give an example
of what a business report might investigate?
10. If the Internet is one of the greatest sources of information, why must researchers
be cautious when using its sources? What are the differences between primary and
secondary sources? Which should a researcher seek first? Give an example of each.
11. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of illustrating data with charts (bar and
line) versus tables. What should be included in the introduction to a formal business
report? What should the report writer strive to include in the body of a formal business
report?
12. Why are analyzing an audience and anticipating its reactions particularly important
before business presentations, and how would you adapt to the four categories of
listeners? Describe five types of presentations a business professional might make.
Explain the techniques that can help you gain and keep audience attention. Discuss the
techniques for creating effective imagery in a presentation. Discuss the suggestions that
would ensure that your nonverbal messages reinforce your verbal messages.
13. Good visual aids have many purposes. List five of these purposes. Name specific
advantages and disadvantages of multimedia presentation software such as PowerPoint,
Apple Keynote, and Prezi. What is the 6-x-6 rule, and what might prompt a presentation
slide creator to break it? Which delivery method is best for persuasive business
presentations? Explain why. How can speakers overcome stage fright? Name at least
six helpful techniques.
13. Describe the challenges of the job market in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
and the skills that will help you weather any economic climate. List seven ways you can
prepare for career opportunities in a dynamic job market while still in college. Although
one may not actually find a job on the Internet, how can the big job boards be helpful
to job hunters? What is the difference between the open job market and the hidden job
market, and how can candidates find jobs in each? In searching for a job, how can you
build a personal brand, and why is it important to do so?
14. How do chronological and functional résumés differ, and what are the advantages
and disadvantages of each? Describe a summary of qualifications, and explain why it is
increasingly popular on résumés. What is a career e-portfolio? How can having one
benefit you? How can you maximize the rank of your résumé when it is going to be
evaluated by an ATS? Why is it smart to include a customized, job-relevant cover letter
with all résumés you send, regardless of whether you send them by e-mail or expect
them to be first read by an ATS?
15. During a job interview, do the interviewer and the interviewee want the same thing?
How do their purposes differ? How can you reduce the amount of stress you might
potentially experience while anticipating a job interview? Career coaches warn
candidates to never enter a job interview “cold.” What does this mean, and how can a
candidate heed the warning?
16. What are success stories, and how can you use them? How should candidates handle
questions about their weaknesses? What are situational and behavioral interview
questions, and how can you respond so that you impress the interviewer favorably? List
the steps you should take immediately following your job interview. Why should you
always send a thank-you message after a job interview, and what are your options for
making your note impressive? When filling out an employment application form, how
should a candidate respond when asked the reasons for leaving previous positions? Why
is it a good idea to follow up after a job rejection?