Chapter 01: Aplia Assignment

You can improve your listening if you

Concentrate on what the speaker is saying

Diane is part of a recently restructured team. Diane previously held a supervisory role in a different division; however, due to a company merger, she is now a new member of a team with no formal hierarchy. In meetings, Diane is often distracted by the fact that she is no longer leading the team, and she doesn't think her new coworkers really "get the big picture." Diane finds herself just waiting for breaks in the conversation to make her points and ideas heard. When others are talking, she is often bored and inattentive, thinking about other tasks she needs to accomplish.

Thought speed Psychological barriers

Message sent from a BlackBerry mobile device to a client: R U going 2 B in this PM need 2 chat This message sent from a BlackBerry mobile device to a client is:

Unprofessional

You can counter the effects of thought speed listening barriers by

capitalizing on lag time

The increasingly technological nature of the Information Age workplace makes written communication skills more critical than ever for ___________________.

career advancement and organizational success

Choose the appropriate verb for the bold noun in the following sentence. Our committee ____________ the employee of the year.

selects

In American culture, good eye contact reveals ___________________, and ________________.

sincerity, confidence, and truthfulness.

Americans can be a bit standoffish. If someone violates their space or territory, they will ____________. Similarly, Americans are fairly formal in the allocation of time. In the United States, if you show up on time, you demonstrate _______________________.

step back; respect

In American culture, what does pulling away from a speaker indicate? Check all that apply.

Anxiety Mistrust

North Americans are uncomfortable with silence.

Communication style

Stereotypes are:

Oversimplifications that cause misunderstandings and misconceptions Oversimplified perceptions of behavioral characteristics of groups of people

Western cultures are more relaxed about social status, and input from subordinates is tolerated and even encouraged.

Power distance

What is the best way to develop tolerance?

Practice empathy

You can counter the effects of physical barriers by ___________________________.

controlling your surroundings

Choose the correct noun form to complete the sentence. The _____________ from both magazines are meeting next Tuesday.

editors in chief

Ethnocentrism

is the belief in the superiority of one's own culture Causes us to judge others by our own values

How we use time in North America reveals insights into our ___________. Additionally, the way we structure space and territory can provide information on our_______________.

personalities and attitudes; objectives and ourselves

Looking neat and well groomed in your personal appearance and preparing well-organized and attractive documents builds your _________________.

professional credibility

You can counter the effects of faking attention by _________________.

providing feedback

Surveys of employers and recruiters continually rank written communication skills as a top skill set sought in applicants. Why are communication skills increasingly important?

Because advancements in technology have increased the number of messages being exchanged and the scope of the audiences who might receive these messages

As the leader of your workgroup, you want to encourage a positive working environment. You decide to make posters for the hallway with tips for improving communication between the diverse members of your group. What would be the best tip to be placed on a poster?

Build on similarities. Value differences.

When applied to individuals in professional settings, stereotypes:

Cause misunderstandings and misconceptions

South Americans sometimes speak with extravagant or poetic language.

Communication style

At a team meeting, your manager addresses some of the discord between your team members and suggests that your team should work individually instead of as a group. She asks if anyone has an opinion on the subject. You know that there are often tough times when working in a group, but in the end your team always produces great results. What could you say to convince your manager to keep your team working together?

Diverse teams made up of people with different experiences are better able to create competitive advantages in the marketplace.

What do tolerance and flexibility in the multiethnic workplace require?

Empathy

Although most international business is conducted in English, levels of comprehension can vary. How can you enhance your oral communication skills in international environments? Check all that apply.

Encourage accurate feedback. Follow up in writing. Smile when appropriate. Accept blame. Listen without interrupting. Observe eye messages. Check frequently for comprehension. Speak slowly and enunciate clearly. Use simple English.

Which of the following are correctly spelled plural nouns? Check all that apply.

Faxes copiers bosses

When Mr. Lakely, a recruiter for United Health, calls job applicant Leanne Pufall to schedule a second-round interview, he reaches Leanne's voice mail, which has an offensive joke message.

Leanne's message is unprofessional.

Linda Scarpino works for a telecommunications company in the sales department where she regularly communicates with clients. Linda often works from home and uses her home e-mail address, [email protected], to communicate with her clients.

Linda's e-mail address is unprofessional.

A colleague from the plant in Germany has arrived at the Chicago plant to share insights on a recent product line changeover implemented in Germany. This changeover has saved thousands of euros at the German facility, but Jim does not think it will work in the United States. Jim feels that there is a completely different attitude towards work and innovation in the U.S., and in fact, thinks the German facility is technologically behind his plant. Additionally, the colleague often mispronounces words when he speaks English, and doesn't dress appropriately for the U.S. office. He showed up to work on the plant floor in a formal suit and tie, with dress shoes that had a slippery sole. However, the colleague is a guest, and it is important that Jim pretends to be interested. Identify the listening barriers. Check all that apply.

Psychological barriers Nonverbal distractions Faking attention

After a gas pipeline explosion that destroyed homes and injured dozens of people, Pacific Power Company publicly unveiled a new mission statement with a greater focus on safety and corporate accountability.

Renewed emphasis on ethics

Psychological barriers

We "tune out" others' ideas that run counter to our own preconceived thoughts.

Nonverbal distractions

We don't listen due to our reaction to unusual clothes, speech, or mannerisms.

Language problems

We respond unfavorably to unfamiliar jargon and "charged" words.

In American culture, we tend to _________ people who look directly at us, and sustained eye contact indicate __________.

trust; trust and admiration.

Identify whether the bold term is an abstract or concrete noun. The notion that he should be promoted is ridiculous.

Abstract noun

To boost company recognition, Jake, the president of StreetLife Entertainment, makes daily blog entries.

Changing communication technologies

Wordsmith, a small newsletter-writing company, has just installed a new server that will host newsletters online as wikis. Latasha, the CEO, is excited about broadening Wordsmith's client base.

Changing communication technologies

Determine whether the bold term is a proper or common noun. The president of the Association of Accounting Students is a junior.

Common noun

North Americans value explicit communication and clearly articulated messages.

Context

How could Mr. Youngher have improved his chances at making a positive impression at his interview?

He should have been well groomed and punctual, and he should have respected the cultural norms regarding territory and space in North American culture.

Mr. Youngher arrives at his interview for a community relations internship with Bethlehem Electric in Chicago five minutes late and in a rumpled suit. When he is introduced to the chief marketing officer, Mr. Youngher moves in close as they shake hands and winks. The executive takes a step back. What advice or tips would you give Mr. Youngher as he prepares for other interviews?

He should learn to appreciate the power of appearance and improve his decoding skills to be a better reader of others' reactions.

Frances looks over her notes about conversational customs in Europe, and then she carefully plans what time she'll place a business call to Zurich.

Heightened global competition

Seasonal fruits and vegetables are shipped from Chile and sold in the United States along with domestically grown produce.

Heightened global competition

You work for an automotive parts distributor based in Ohio that is expanding operations in China. Management and operations employees that will be working with the Chinese division have been taking classes on Chinese culture and business customs.

Heightened global competition

Identify tips that would help Diane listen more effectively to her team. Check all that apply.

Hold her fire Establish a receptive mind-set Capitalize on lag time

In North America, people value individual action and personal responsibility.

Individualism

Identify tips that would help Jim listen more effectively to what his international colleague has to say about the production process. Check all that apply.

Keep an open mind Provide feedback Judge ideas, not appearances

Thank you for giving my team the opportunity to present our proposal for the opening of eleven new stores in Copenhagen; we'd like to meet again to discuss the details further. How would you improve this sentence so it is clearer? Check all that apply.

Make the sentence shorter. Write out the contraction. Cite numbers using figures instead of spelling them out.

Understanding how your gestures influence the reception of your message is likely to do which of the following? Check all that apply.

Make you a more compelling speaker Improve your delivery

Which of these is not an example of tolerance in the workplace?

Making decisions based on difference

As part of a plan to emphasize a dynamic corporate culture at the Gagnier and Morris advertising company, Rosa has done away with traditional cubicles and replaced them with open-area, nonterritorial workspaces, or "hot desks."

Nonterritorial offices

Dmitri works remotely analyzing statistical data for Azod Software Company. Occasionally, his virtual team will schedule a face-to-face meeting, and he will drive in to the regional office.

Nonterritorial offices

Which of the following are appropriate strategies for communication in diverse workplaces? Check all that apply.

Seek training. Learn about your cultural self. Make fewer assumptions. Build on similarities.

Frances's team was reorganized to be cross-functional, and each member is now expected to collaborate on every step of the process for updating her company's website, including generating content, encouraging traffic through SEO optimization, and tracking the website's hits.

Self-directed work groups and virtual teams

You work for an auto manufacturer designing brake systems, but you do not have a dedicated team. Instead, you move from project to project, joining a new team and project when your current project is concluded.

Self-directed work groups and virtual teams

Attached, you should find three charts and two graphs. I have scheduled the first conference call for 18.10.09 and the next for 20.10.09. What has she done to make her writing more easily understood? Check all that apply.

The date format matches local styles. Contractions are not used. The sentences are short.

In North America, keeping people waiting for a business appointment is considered rude.

Time orientation

Message sent from a BlackBerry mobile device to a new manager: You rock Mr. O! I'm totes excited about the new account. This message sent from a BlackBerry mobile device to a client is:

Unprofessional

I have attached the contract for you're review. Please review this ASAP. What can he do to improve the clarity of what he wrote? Check all that apply.

Use correct grammar. Consider local styles. Write out acronyms.

Grandstanding

We fail to listen because we are just waiting for the next pause when we get to speak.

Physical barriers

We find it difficult to listen because of impediments such as hearing loss, poor acoustics, or fatigue.

Faking attention

We pretend to pay attention and find it hard to remember what was said.

If you have an ethnocentric view of the world, you hold which expectation?

You expect the rest of the world to follow your customs and share your values.

You can counter the effects of psychological listening barriers by _____________________________.

keeping an open mind

You can improve your listening skills by _________________________________.

listening to an entire argument before responding

Sloppy e-mail messages and inappropriate dress ________________.

undermine your credibility