Provide an example where you detoured or debated while listening.
> What are the disadvantages of categorizing messages in the discussion on matching technology with the message?
> Explain why a sensitive message should be sent on a medium with a wide bandwidth. Why would a contemporary manager be tempted to use a medium with a narrow bandwidth for a sensitive message?
> Describe several examples in which you believe that a communication medium was chosen for symbolic reasons.
> What is the best medium for sending a highly sensitive message to a subordinate in the same city as the manager? Explain your answer.
> What are the direct and indirect orders, and when is each appropriate?
> Why do you believe that some people suffer from greater technophobia than others? Do you have any technophobia in certain situations? Explain.
> Obviously no correct size exists for a group. What are the limitations of a group that is too small? Too large? Give an example of a group that may be too large.
> What are symptoms of groupthink, and how can you ensure groupthink will not become a problem in your meeting?
> Cite an example of how communication technology has changed your activity as a student.
> What are the major advantages and disadvantages of a group? Present a situation in which it would be a good idea to use a group and one in which a group would not be a good idea.
> What are the advantages and disadvantages of both the structured and unstructured interview formats?
> Give an example where you have participated in an interview that had more than one objective.
> What are some cues you believe create a positive first impression? A negative first impression?
> How does the fact-inference fallacy affect the interview process?
> Give examples of nonverbal behaviors that may indicate a person is interested in the interview. Give examples that may show lack of interest.
> Describe the “you attitude” for letter writers.
> Give examples of several biases that you may have that could interfere with the communication process. Explain how they could interfere with the interview.
> Create a list of behavioral questions you would ask when interviewing applicants for a position teaching business communication.
> Explain how the time and timing are important in the employment interview.
> What should you consider when thinking about taking notes during an interview? What are your personal reactions to taking notes in an interview?
> When should each of the following types of questions be used: open ended, closed ended, secondary, and directed?
> Give examples of the three categories of questions that may be used in an interview.
> When would an interviewee and interviewer have different intentions? Give several examples.
> What are four purposes of a question? Give an example of each purpose.
> How is the language used in a negotiation similar to and different from other managerial communication situations?
> Assume you are in an adversary’s office during a negotiation. What could you do to offset this disadvantage?
> What is the basis of the “you attitude”?
> What is the best way to arrange the conference room or office in which negotiations are to take place? Consider not only arrangement but also the distance between items.
> What would be the possible advantages and disadvantages of negotiating during a luncheon engagement?
> What are the three guidelines regarding time limits? Explain why they are important.
> Explain the difference between Least Acceptable Outcome and Maximum Supportable Outcome. Give an example of each.
> When should a leading question be asked? Give an example where such a question would be appropriate. What is a rhetorical question and how may it be used?
> Briefly explain each of the strategies of conflict resolution as presented in Figure 10-3.
> What are two possible causes of felt conflict?
> Why can undetected latent conflict be potentially dangerous? Give a specific example.
> What are the four axioms of conflict according to Watkins? How is each related to communication?
> Add several other principles to the list of communication principles that are necessary for a win-win strategy.
> Give an example of a situation where two written messages on the same topic may have to be different to meet the needs of two different audiences.
> Give an example in which selective attention has resulted in a conflict.
> Give examples of major differences between two cultures that would seem to contradict the universality myth.
> React to this statement by an international businessperson: “I’m trying to bring some conveniences and comforts and some progress to these people. If they want these things, they are going to have to do business my way and on my terms.”
> Do you believe the global village concept has been realized? If you do, why? If you don’t, given the nature of developments in the world today, do you have an idea of when we might see the fruition of the global village concept?
> Compose two questions for each of the three types of questions discussed in this chapter.
> During the next few days, watch for signs of nonverbal leakage of deception on television.
> Over the next few days, observe and compare the differences, if any, between the sitting behaviors of men and women in public situations (for example, in offices, classrooms, or public transportation).
> Evaluate an artificially crowded situation (for example, a classroom, a waiting room, or public transportation). What have people done to mark their territory? How effective has that been?
> Give examples where you would use casual listening, factual listening, and empathic listening.
> According to the discussion presented in this chapter, what is the difference between interactive and active listening?
> Provide an example where you or someone else probably lacked the willingness to listen.
> Provide at least one example (other than those in the text) for nonverbal signals showing complementing, accenting, and contradicting.
> If possible, observe the nonverbal signals of two individuals at opposite ends of the same organization as they interact with each other and with their closest peers. As you do so, what differences do you note in terms of gestures, smiling, movement, and
> What is the difference between hearing and listening?
> ServeNow is a grocery store chain that has seven stores in the southeastern United States. ServeNow’s strategy is to target smaller towns (under 50,000 population) so it can become the dominant store in the area. The chain is headquartered in the largest
> Stacy Rollins was pensive as she waited for her interview with an investment banking firm. She felt well prepared because she had summarized all of her critical information into her résumé, which had been reviewed by her business communication professor
> Jesse Matthews sat in his office with a puzzled look on his face. He had received a Word file from Ellen Linares, a report that was to be presented to upper management in the morning. Ellen’s e-mail message said, “The report is attached. Please let me kn
> You are a human resources training specialist working for a large automaker. Your company will soon complete construction of a plant in Sonora, Mexico. This plant will specialize in the production of your very popular subcompact, the Chaperone. Initially
> A $245 million stretch of blacktop intended to be the signature goodwill gesture from the American people to the Indonesian survivors of the 2004 tsunami instead became a parable of the problems of Aceh Provinces recovery. Construction of the 150-mile ro
> Develop a questionnaire containing at least 10 statements about typical ethical dilemmas faced by businesspeople. Use “agree__disagree__undecided__” as response options. Possibilities might include “It is acceptable for an American businessperson in a fo
> Cedar’s Furniture and Appliance is a chain of five stores, two located in Youngstown, two in Akron, and one in Cleveland. Cedar’s main office is in Akron. Jane Pyle is the office manager at the main office. She supervises four word processing operators.
> Cedar’s Furniture and Appliance is a chain of five stores, two located in Youngstown, two in Akron, and one in Cleveland. Cedar’s main office is in Akron. Jane Pyle is the office manager at the main office. She supervises four word processing operators.
> Jamal Wright arrived at the office a bit late on Monday morning, around 9:45. He had been invited to speak at the Miami Chamber of Commerce breakfast as the chief operating officer for InterWorld Traders, an international shipping service. His topic, iro
> Rachel was very irritated as she entered the premises of Gant Publishing Company. She was one of their more successful authors of romance novels, a series that, although far from best sellers, had benefitted Gant Publishing consistently in the past. She
> List some linking devices that may be used to develop coherence in a paragraph. Give an example of each.
> Julie D’Souza was a recent hire of Mantle Data, Inc. She was distressed as she walked toward the office of her supervisor. She had experienced some strange interactions with one of her male coworkers and felt compelled to say something about it. Dana Kil
> John Holgate, a section manager in a chemical plant, has several engineers reporting to him. As part of his job, Holgate attends meetings during any given day with some of his junior engineers as well as with people outside his immediate group. Occasiona
> John Holgate, a section manager in a chemical plant, has several engineers reporting to him. As part of his job, Holgate attends meetings during any given day with some of his junior engineers as well as with people outside his immediate group. Occasiona
> Kay Kern is the director of the corporate safety department for a large, multiplant manufacturing company in the Midwest. The company has six major manufacturing plants, and each has its own industrial nurses. Twice a year, Kern has individual formal int
> Samuel Jones has worked diligently for his supervisor, Donnell, during the past three years in the accounting department of a local bank. During the period, he has never been reprimanded for any of the work he has done. In fact, only recently, he receive
> Art Margulis is the 45-year-old director of marketing research for a Fortune 500 consumer products company. He joined the firm 19 years ago after he received his MBA with a marketing emphasis. Because of this technical expertise, management skills, and o
> Hanna Jenson recently applied for a position that involves supervising the work activities of a large comprehensive insurance company. She has just received a letter notifying her to report for an interview for this position in four days. The letter indi
> Bryan Kilter opened the e-mail from his Chinese supplier. It seemed to be a request to alter some of the garment patterns currently in Kilter Fashions’s standard inventory items. Bryan was becoming overwhelmed with his relationship with the Chinese garme
> Waith Manufacturing Company’s data processing department was preparing to implement a new computerized production information system at its new Madison plant. The project was divided into two parts. One consisted of the installation of a new computer net
> Assume you and two other classmates are working for a company that is about to purchase a fleet of 50 cars. The three top contenders are the Ford Taurus, the Honda Accord, and the Toyota Camry. Your group has been given the job of studying these three ca
> Compose two questions for each of the three types of questions discussed in this chapter.
> Bob Pierce, a kindly man of about 50, is the president of ABC Construction Company. The company is considered the most progressive and innovative in highway, bridge, and dam construction in the area. Pierce has served in different functional areas of the
> Bob Pierce, a kindly man of about 50, is the president of ABC Construction Company. The company is considered the most progressive and innovative in highway, bridge, and dam construction in the area. Pierce has served in different functional areas of the
> Reggie Blanchard’s delivery van was recently totaled when someone ran a stop sign and struck the van. The other person’s insurance company is going to pay Blanchard for the damages to his van, and for a week now Blanchard has been looking at new vans whi
> Because you are known to be a good writer, the director of human resources has asked you to put together a seminar on written communication for employees in your company who think they need help. The seminar would cover basic principles of written commun
> Team Green was ecstatic. Their analysis of the firm's latest investment projects had been chosen over the Blue and Red teams yet again, for the sixth time in a row. The competition, the brainchild of CEO Roger Cannon, had been going on for three years, o
> Veronica Sharpe, marketing manager for Diamond Communications, an outdoor advertising company, arrived in the boardroom for her teleconference with Brad Jones, a potential client. She was extremely busy today, and brought her smart tablet with her, check
> Veronica Sharpe, marketing manager for Diamond Communications, an outdoor advertising company, arrived in the boardroom for her teleconference with Brad Jones, a potential client. She was extremely busy today, and brought her smart tablet with her, check
> Jerry Blaire is the regional manager of a national electronic franchise retail store. This franchise has over 200 locally owned stores throughout the eastern United States. As the regional manager, Blaire is responsible for an urban area in which there a
> Saul and Latisha are both administrative managers in a machine tool company. Latisha is the director of purchasing and has four purchasing agents and a secretary reporting to her. Saul is the director of accounts payable and has two people reporting to h
> Jack Simpson, newly appointed human resources director for Geridan Contracting Corporation (GCC), had had an unusual morning. First on his agenda was an exit interview with Maria Johnson, the company president’s executive secretary. Johnson had simply in
> Give examples where you would use casual listening, factual listening, and empathic listening.
> Jessie had just taken his second test-drive in the new three-quarter–ton pickup truck he was considering purchasing. The salesman had become his “best” friend in the past three hours, pampering him with warm introductions to every “manager” in the dealer
> Coleen cheered as she completed the last of her attachments for the report, a last-minute request before the weekend; a fair-weather Friday, one that she was eager to begin, since she had made plans for a date with her new romance of the last three weeks
> Jessica Dunham paced as she spent the last few moments before her board presentation, trying to calm down. She had prepared a PowerPoint presentation and had practiced many times. It was no different than many PowerPoint presentations she had done in col
> Rod Edwards, the advertising manager for Waterlite Advertising and Associates, has two assistants. One is Gina Reese, an account executive who gets clients for the company. Edwards’s second assistant is Mina Patel, a copywriter. She does the actual writi
> Janna White sat in her office, perplexed. Two days previously, she had been given responsibility to lead a team on a project that would have a significant impact on the investment decision under consideration at PlexiWarm Corporation. The decision involv
> Linda Sims is the manager of the accounting department and Jose Martinez is the manager of the sales department for a production company. This is a fast-growing company, and the staff of the accounting department (11 employees) is often overwhelmed with
> &nbs
> Pick a computer presentation graphics package or multimedia package with which you are familiar. Assume you are a new sales representative for the company that developed this software. For instance, PowerPoint is a Microsoft product. In three days, you
> Discuss some of the rules of thumb for a visual aid. Give an example of an effective visual aid and of an ineffective visual aid.
> What techniques do you use to reduce speaker anxiety? What other techniques may be appropriate?
> According to the discussion presented in this chapter, what is the difference between interactive and active listening?
> Give an example in which you observed a poor physical arrangement for a meeting. What was wrong with the arrangement? How could it have been improved?
> What major considerations should be reviewed when determining who should be included in a meeting?
> Give an example in which you were forced to communicate with a reduced bandwidth when you would have preferred a broader bandwidth.
> Do you think there will be more or fewer meetings in the future? Why?
