Plantation Communication

Chapter 1
Understanding Business Communication in Today’s
Workplace
 What is Communication?
• Communication is the process of transferring information
and meaning between senders and receivers using one or
more written, oral, visual, or electronic channels.
• The essence of communication is sharing—providing data,
information, insights, and inspiration in an exchange that
benefits you and the people you are communicating with.
• You will invest much time and energy in this course to
develop communication skills, so it’s fair to ask if it will all be
worthwhile.

Chapter 1 - 2
 Improved
Improved Quicker
Quicker Stronger
Stronger
Stakeholder
Stakeholder Problem
Problem Decision
Decision
Response
Response Solving
Solving Making
Making

Enhanced
Enhanced
Professional
Effective
Effective Increased
Increased
Professional Productivity
Image
Image Communication
Communication Productivity

Clearer
Clearer Stronger
Stronger Steadier
Steadier
Promotional
Promotional Business
Business Work
Work Flow
Flow
Materials
Materials Relationships
Relationships

Chapter 1 - 3
 The Changing Workplace
• Advancing technology

• The information age

• Globalization

• Workforce diversity

• Team-based organizations
Chapter 1 - 4
 The Communication Process
Phase 1: Phase 6:
Sender Has Channel Receiver
an Idea And Medium Sends Feedback

Phase 2: Phase 5:
Sender Receiver Decodes
Encodes Idea Message

Phase 3: Phase 4:
Six-Phase
Sender Transmits Receiver Gets
Process
Message Message

Situation
Chapter 1 - 5
 Improving Business
Communication
• Commit to ethical communication

• Adopt an audience-centered approach

• Develop intercultural sensitivity

• Improve workplace sensitivity

Chapter 1 - 6
 Committing to Ethical
Communication
Ethical Dilemma Ethical Lapse

Alternatives
Alternatives Choice
Choice

Unclear
Unclear Ambiguous
Ambiguous Illegal
Illegal Unethical
Unethical

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 Making Ethical Choices

• Is this message legal?

• Is this message balanced?

• Can you live with this message?

• Is this message feasible?

Chapter 1 - 8
 Audience-Centered
Communication
Biases

Education

Age

Status

Style
Chapter 1 - 9
 Improving Intercultural
Sensitivity
• Recognize cultural differences

• Overcome ethnocentrism

• Polish written intercultural skills

• Develop oral communication skills

Chapter 1 - 10
 Recognizing
Cultural Differences

Context
Context Ethics
Ethics

Social
Social Nonverbal
Nonverbal
Customs
Customs Communication
Communication
Chapter 1 - 11
 Cultural Context
High High
Context Decision-Making Practices Context

Problem-Solving Styles

Low Negotiating Patterns Low

Context Context
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Legal and Ethical Behavior
Seek Mutual Ground

Withhold Judgment

Send Honest Messages

Respect Cultural Differences

Chapter 1 - 13
 Social Customs
Informal

Roles
Roles

Formal
Formal

Manners
Manners Status
Status

Time
Time

Informal
Chapter 1 - 14
Nonverbal Communication

Body Language

Personal Space

Chapter 1 - 15
 Overcoming
Ethnocentrism

• Accept Distinctions

• Avoid Assumptions

• Avoid Judgments
Chapter 1 - 16
Written Intercultural Skills

• Use plain English

• Be clear

• Avoid slang and idioms

• Write short paragraphs

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Written Intercultural Skills

• Be brief

• Use transitions

• Use proper addresses

• Cite numbers carefully

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 Oral Intercultural Skills

Minimize Obtain Speak

Noise Feedback Slowly

Clarify Do Not Be
Intent Talk Down Accurate

Chapter 1 - 19
 Oral Intercultural Skills

Learn Foreign Listen Adapt

Phrases Carefully Your Style

Check for Clarify the Watch Body

Understanding Next Step Language

Chapter 1 - 20
 Improving Workplace
Sensitivity
• Assume differences
• Take responsibility
• Withhold judgment
• Be respectful
• Show empathy
• Tolerate ambiguity
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 Improving Workplace
Sensitivity
• Look past the superficial
• Be patient
• Be persistent
• Admit cultural biases
• Stay flexible

Chapter 1 - 22
 Improving Workplace
Sensitivity
• Find common ground
• Send clear messages
• Deal with individuals
• Learn when to be direct
• Test your understanding

Chapter 1 - 23