Synopses & Reviews
Ober prepares students for business communication by employing a hands-on approach, connecting topics, examples, and exercises to the modern workplace. The text provides ample opportunity for students to practice their oral and written skills, and includes strategies for using email, voicemail, the Internet, and other innovations in communication technology.
Continuing the emphasis on technology and work-team communication, the Sixth Edition integrates real-world perspective and the 3Ps (Problem, Process, Product) writing model in the introduction of the Eduspace online learning tool, featuring writing tutorials and expanded Web-based resources.
- New! Chapter-opening interviews with high-level business managers including Gilbert C. Morrell Jr., President and CEO, The Nucon Group; Scott Roller, Internet Marketing Director, Texas Instruments; and Gary Davis, Vice President, Corporate Communications, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., among others.
- Continuing text examples and end-of-chapter exercises create consistency throughout the text. For example, in Chapter 7, students first assume the role of buyer and write a claim letter. Later, they assume the role of seller and answer the same claim letter by writing an adjustment letter. In Chapter 8, students write a persuasive request from a subordinate; and in Chapter 9 (about bad-news messages), they assume the role of superior and turn down the well-written persuasive request.
- New! Communication Snapshots combine colorful graphics with up-to-date factoids about issues directly relating to contemporary business communication.
- Urban Systems Case Study CD-ROM, an innovative simulation CD packaged free with everynew textbook, is tied to the continuing case presented in the text. In 15 modules related to each chapter in the text, students have an opportunity to experience and solve the unique and complex communication challenges posed by workplace policies and organizational dynamics. In each module, students take on the role of an employee of Urban Systems who has several tasks to accomplish as well as one final project to complete. Each of the work tasks reinforce chapter concepts and overall communication skills. This user-friendly CD provides continual programmed feedback and direct references to text material; it allows students to save their work and submit it to their instructors. Teaching guidelines and sample answers are provided to instructors via Eduspace and the Instructors' Web Site.
- Student Handouts (included in the Instructor' s Resource Manual and highlighted in the Instructor' s Annotated Edition) feature communication checklists, additional in-class or homework exercises to reinforce language arts skills, and answer keys to selected textbook exercises.
- End-of-Chapter Mini-Cases, culled from recent business periodicals, challenge students to solve real-world communication problems.
- Fully Coded Exercises at the end of each chapter include an icon key that indicates whether it is an individual, team, stand-alone, correlated, Web-based or real-world exercise.
- New! Eduspace powered by Blackboard is an online resource which features BusCom Writer Tutorials, a set of interactive computer modules that guide students through the development of 15 basic business documents. Each module is based on the textbook' s 3Ps (Problem, Process, Product) model, such that students are presented with a unique business situation, guided through the process of analyzing the situation, developing communication goals, and preparing the document, and then prompted to proofread and revise the finished product to meet proper writing guidelines.
Synopsis
Contemporary Business Communication prepares students for business communication by employing a hands-on approach--connecting topics, examples, and exercises to the modern workplace. The text provides ample opportunity for students to practice their oral and written skills, and includes strategies for using email, voicemail, the Internet, and other innovations in communication technology. The streamlined Seventh Edition has been completely updated to reflect current trends and practices in the world of business. The revised textbook package now features a web-based version of the Urban Systems Case Study Simulation with an updated, student-friendly BusCom online writing tutorial.
About the Author
Scot Ober (Ph.D, Ohio State) is a full-time consultant in business communication and document processing. Prior to his consulting career, Dr. Ober was Professor of Business at Ball State University. In addition to having taught Business Communication for over twenty years, he served as Editor of the Business Communication Quarterly for 1995 and 1996 and conducted an MBA-level Distance Learning Program through Ball State University.
Table of Contents
Note: Each chapter concludes with Summary, Key Terms, Putting It into Practice, Exercises, and a Continuing Case. I. Foundations of Business Communication 1. Understanding Business Communication Communicating in Organizations The Components of Communication Verbal Communication Directions of Communication Barriers to Communication Introducing the 3Ps (Problem, Process, Product) Model The 3Ps in Action (Problem, Process, Product): Using Euphemisms Apropriately Appendix: Urban Systems, Inc. 2. Contemporary Issues in Business Communication Contemporary Business Communication Issues Communicating in Work Teams Communicating in a Diverse Environment Ethics and Communication Communicating via E-Mail The 3Ps in Action (Problem, Process, Product): Writing an Ethical Statement 3. Interpersonal Communication Skills Nonverbal Communication Listening Communicating by Telephone Business Meetings The 3Ps in Action (Problem, Process, Product): A Plan for a Business Meeting II. Developing Your Business Writing Skills 4. The Writing Process An Overview of the Writing Process Planning Drafting Revising Formatting and Proofreading The 3Ps in Action (Problem, Process, Product): A Simple Memo 5. Revising Your Writing What Do We Mean by Style? Choosing the Right Words Writing Effective Sentences Developing Logical Paragraphs Creating an Appropriate Tone Effective Business Writing The 3Ps in Action (Problem, Process, Product): Writing an Unbiased Message III. Correspondence 6. Routine Messages Planning the Routine Message Routine Requests Routine Replies Routine Claim Letters Routine Adjustment Letters Goodwill Messages The 3Ps in Action (Problem, Process, Product): A Routine Adjustment Letter 7. Persuasive Messages Planning the Persuasive Message Organizing a Persuasive Request Common Types of Persuasive Requests Writing a Sales Letter The 3Ps in Action (Problem, Process, Product): A Sales Letter 8. Bad-News Messages Planning the Bad-News Message Bad-News Replies Announcing Bad News The 3Ps in Action (Problem, Process, Product): A Bad-News Message IV. Report Writing 9. Planning the Report and Managing Data Who Reads and Writes Reports? What Data Is Already Available? Collecting and Evaluating Data on the Internet Collecting Data Through Questionnaires Constructing Tables Preparing Charts Interpreting the Data The 3Ps in Action (Problem, Process, Product): A Questionnaire 10. Writing the Report Planning Drafting Developing an Effective Writing Style Documenting Your Sources Refining Your Draft The 3Ps in Action (Problem, Process, Product): A Section of a Report V. Oral and Employment Communication 11. Making Oral Presentations The Role of Business Presentations Planning the Presentation Planning Team and Video Presentations Visual Aids for Business Presentations Practicing and Delivering the Presentation Post-Presentation Activities The 3Ps in Action (Problem, Process, Product): A Business Presentation 12. Employment Communication Preparing Your Resume Writing Job-Application Letters Preparing for a Job Interview Conducting Yourself During the Interview Communicating After the Interview Business Etiquette The 3Ps in Action (Problem, Process, Product): An Application Letter Reference Manual A. Language Arts Basics B. Formatting Business Documents C. Common Types of Reports D. Glossary