BCOM
The most family-focused organizational cultures are often found in
Asia.
Worldwide, ______ is the language of business.
English
Developing strong ideas that could benefit your audience will make you seem more
competent
How quickly someone responds and gives feedback is known as ______.
immediacy
Which of the following is a benefit of diversity for work teams?
improved returns
In a business message, slanting the facts means to
include only favorable information.
According to scholars who study intercultural communication, ______ is the cultural dimension with the greatest impact.
individualism and collectivism
Companies and organizations worldwide place value on
individualism and collectivism.
The majority of professionals view Gen Yers as being
adaptable.
Communicators often need to know how to _____ to help people overcome core attachments to embrace new ideas, products, and services.
make emotional appeals
When a chart is being developed, the key component is
planning
Gen Xers are generally said to display which characteristics?
-confidence -self-reliance
A meeting should end
as originally scheduled.
Which of the following is a good approach to handling a difficult conversation?
listening to the story of the other person first, then sharing your own story, then creating a shared story
The cohesion among thousands of people who march together for a common cause embodies the principle of
social proof
Mason and his boss, Darius, are having a conversation about how much time Mason should be devoting to a particular client. Darius wants Mason to devote 75% of his time at work to the client, but Mason feels his time would be better spent searching for new clients. Which of the following would be the best way for Mason to express his disagreement?
"I feel the company would benefit more if I spent my time searching out new business."
Rory and Kumiko, two managers, are having a conversation about Lindsey, one of Kumiko's employees. Rory saw Lindsey taking home a large number of office supplies and feels that she should be suspended without pay for a week. Kumiko feels that this punishment is too harsh for a first offense. Which of the following is an example of how Kumiko might diplomatically disagree with Rory?
"I understand what you're saying, and I agree that there should be consequences, but I feel a warning is more appropriate."
Because his six principles of influence are powerful and can do harm, Cialdini refers to them as
"weapons of influence."
What are some of the benefits of using the active voice?
- Usually the sentence will be shorter. - It emphasizes action, which is a key element in business. - The reader can understand it more quickly.
When sentences begin with "it is" or "there are," they usually
- are longer than necessary. - do not specify the subject of the sentence.
In business communication it is best to use words that are
- conversational. - short and familiar.
A well-designed chart can express a strong message and leave a lasting visual impression on viewers. In order to achieve an effective design, I must provide the following:
-A clear takeaway message -Enough information to fully understand the data, but only the most essential details -An uncluttered chart with a clear focal point -Accurate representation of the data
In general, which of the following should you do when conducting a meeting?
-Assign certain participants specific roles, such as facilitator or timer. -Indicate if there are certain topics that should be considered confidential.
Which two groups are the most sensitive to diversity issues in the workplace?
-Gen Yers -Gen Zers
Which of the following statements are true about cultural intelligence?
-It can grow over time with experience and focused work. -It is an assessment of adaptability to working with people from different cultures.
The framing of the primary business message is important for which of the following reasons?
-It emphasizes the message's premises. -It gives focus to an important argument. -It highlights support for the message's key ideas.
Which of the following statements are true about the fear of public speaking?
-It is a common fear. -The fear is generally greater for important occasions.
Which of the following are advantages of knowing a second language while working in business?
-It provides cultural insight. -It can create goodwill. -It can facilitate communication.
Which of the following are the effects of a positive workplace attitude?
-It provides motivation. -It enhances creativity. -It improves work performance.
Which of the following statements about individualism are true?
-It rates individual choice higher than obligation. -It values individual over group goals. -It values independence more than interdependence.
Collectivism includes which of the following characteristics?
-It values group over individual goals. -It emphasizes obligation over choice. -It emphasizes interdependence over independence.
What are recommended relaxation techniques for managing nervousness in preparation for a presentation?
-Stretching. -Exercising a day or so before the event. -Listening to music that you enjoy.
When a business speech is about people, which of the following generally occur?
-The audience becomes more confident in the speaker. -The presentation of any statistics becomes livelier.
Why can embracing difficult conversations be a good idea?
-The exchange of competing ideas reflects open and honest communication. -Colleagues often respect each other more if they know they can safely disagree.
Which of the following are ways to ensure fairness in the member roles and contributions in a group writing project?
-The group members should equally divide their contributions and time commitments. -The group members should talk about the roles and expectations they have for each other. -The group members should consider using a team charter to state the expectations for each member.
Which of the following should be done during the planning stage of group writing?
-The group should establish definitive purposes and goals. -The group should assign roles for researching and writing. -The group should work together to determine the basic problems and issues.
As a group writing project progresses and individual writers encounter difficult decisions that need to be made, which of the following should be done?
-The group should meet in real time to discuss the decisions. -The team should have discussions to ensure the writing reflects the views of the group.
In terms of tone, which two of the following do readers respond to most positively?
-The projection of positivity -Concern for others
Which of the following impacts how people are socialized?
-The societal expectations they learned as children. -Conversations held with adults as adults. -The way they talked to other children as children.
In the following paragraph, which sentences should be reworded because they fail to provide a specific subject? There are many people who want to purchase our merchandise. There are several reasons for this, including having a large budget for advertising. Advertising is very effective in bringing in shoppers looking for bargains. Consequently, it is our plan to increase sales volume by 10% this year.
-There are many people who want to purchase our merchandise. -There are several reasons for this, including having a large budget for advertising. -Consequently, it is our plan to increase sales volume by 10% this year.
Which of the following describes a perspective of a traditionalist in the workplace?
-They are dedicated to their employers. -They regard authority with respect. -They generally prefer management with a command-and-control approach.
What are traits of messages that are most likely to gain the attention of listeners?
-They are delivered by a reliable source. -They are formed around the listeners' interests.
Which of the following are characteristics of effective and compelling business message frames?
-They are memorable. -They use rational and emotional appeal.
Individualists will exit friendships and relationships for which of the following reasons?
-They are not beneficial. -They have become inconvenient. -They lack mutual satisfaction.
When a business speaker has presence, audience members tend to respond in which two of the following ways?
-They become motivated to take action. -They admire the speaker's ideas.
Which of the following are true about effective meetings?
-They can help teams work more productively. -They help teams organize their efforts.
What are constraints that members of your audience might have that keep them from responding to your message as you hope?
-They do not have the authority to make relevant decisions. -They do not have enough time to act on your message. -They do not have the necessary resources.
Which of the following are characteristics of members of a collectivist society?
-They follow group decisions. -They give up their own ambitions for group goals. -They see themselves as interdependent.
Which two of the following do speakers often do when they establish a presence during their business presentations?
-They gain the attention of listeners. -They generate interest in their ideas.
Which of the following are general perceptions of Gen Y professionals by older generations?
-They have an entrepreneurial spirit. -They are entitled. -They are tech savvy.
Which of the following are characteristics of business people with high cultural intelligence who are working with members of other cultures?
-They have the ability to develop global marketing plans. -They can establish objectives.
Which of the following statements accurately describe Millennials?
-They like continuous feedback. -They want to make an impact.
Which of the following are true about ineffective meetings?
-They may form divisions between team members. -They are generally a waste of time.
What are traits of high-performing teams?
-They welcome new ideas, even when they conflict with current ideas. -They view diverse opinions as natural and as sources of innovation.
Which of the following are benefits of team members taking a personality assessment and discussing their results?
-They will gain understanding of preferred communication styles. -They will better comprehend the values of the teams members.
Using an outline or diagram to form the logic of a business message typically leads to which two results?
-Thinking about the issues becomes tighter. -Issues can be written about more effectively.
Which of the following are good principles for determining the amount of information to include in a business communication?
-Too much information is distracting and makes the message harder to comprehend. -The reader might not know how to respond to a message that has too little information.
Which of the following are recommended strategies for dealing with losing your train of thought while giving a presentation?
-You can repeat the last statement you made. -You can pause until you regain your composure.
The use of specific facts in your business communication will typically help convince the reader about which of the following?
-You know what you are talking about. -You care about the reader.
The review section of a business presentation contains which of the following?
-a call to action -a brief summary of the key messages
Which of the following are elements of a persuasive message that are included in the body of the message?
-a rationale -a need -a solution
What does an understanding of the eight cultural dimensions allow a person to get a good sense of?
-acceptable behaviors -gender norms -basic motivations
Which of the following should be included in meeting minutes?
-action items to be completed -key discussion points
Which of the following are the benefits for a speaker of arriving early to a speech or presentation?
-adjusting the presentation if needed -seeing who will be attending -being able to assess the room and equipment
Which kinds of appeals should be made when giving speeches and presentations?
-analytical -emotional
Which of the following are aspects of the AIM planning process?
-audience -information -message
The AIM process includes which of the following steps?
-audience analysis -information gathering -message development
Passive voice is sometimes the best choice when the writer wants to
-avoid blaming anyone. -avoid sounding bossy. -be perceived as neutral.
To be complete, a business communication should
-be accurate. -provide all relevant information. -be specific.
When editing and working on a group writing project, team members should
-be in agreement about the technologies that will be used. -be mindful of version control to avoid simultaneous editing.
A chart in a business message should
-be self-explanatory. -depict business ideas or relationships. -support the most important thoughts in the business communication.
What are good characteristics of headings for navigational design?
-being concise -accurately describing what is in each section
If you want to appeal to a professional with a hub MVS, you should focus on which two of the following?
-benefits to clients and customers -option-oriented language
Writing effective messages in business should seek to do which of the following?
-boost productivity -drive collaboration
For which two of the following situations would a chart be an effective way to present information?
-catching the attention of viewers and readers and drawing them into your message. -displaying complex numerical data in a way that is easy to grasp.
When you proofread a document, you:
-check for accuracy - evaluate whether the document is likely to influence readers
A listener-centered approach to business messages focuses on the input of which of the following?
-colleagues -clients
The manner in which members of a generational group were socialized directly affects which of the following?
-communication norms -shared values -shared identities
When framing the primary message, authors of a business message should complete which of the following?
-compose a brief, vivid message statement -define the primary message
During an internal business presentation, a speaker's credibility can be increased through which two of the following?
-demonstrating knowledge about a business issue -explaining how a business idea will improve the company
Reviewing a business communication before sending it is important because the review helps
-eliminate embarrassing errors. -prevent costly mistakes. -the writer improve the message.
Which of the following should be avoided in business writing?
-emphasis on differences -implication of adversarial positions
During the review process the writer should apply the FAIR test to ensure that the message it conforms to standards for which of the following?
-facts -respect -access -impacts
Qualities measured by humane orientation include which of the following?
-fairness -generosity
Resources are the investments needed to ensure channels of communication. Investments in which of the following would be considered resources?
-finances -time -space
When planning a research-based business report, you should talk with decision makers to ______.
-find out what they want the research to accomplish -understand their main business goals -determine what they expect from the report
Which of the following are part of planning the basic message structure?
-finding and framing the primary message -arranging the logic of the primary message
Which of the following are effective strategies for overcoming generational differences in the workplace?
-finding common ground between generations -respecting each person as an individual
Which of the following should meeting facilitators do?
-get attendees to take part in the meeting -check for comprehension of agenda points
Individualism and collectivism is a dimension that generally focuses on which of the following cultural characteristics?
-independence -interdependence
Generally speaking, which of the following are qualities women often show in their thinking and communication?
-interconnectedness -collaboration -relationship orientation
When writing a presentation for clients and customers, you should primarily focus on influencing which two of the following groups?
-key decision makers -prospects for future business
Which of the following are different learning styles that audience members may have?
-kinesthetic -visual -auditory
Which of the following are characteristics of high future-oriented cultures?
-looking to the future with imagination -possessing the ability to plan to achieve future goals
In the workplace, traditionalists are generally viewed as being which of the following?
-loyal -hardworking
A speaker can prepare for the unexpected during a business presentation by
-maintaining an attitude of flexibility. -mastering the presentation's content.
Bullets and numbering
-makes items easier to remember. -help readers notice each item on a list
Charts are useful for
-presenting a memorable visual image. -communicating numerical data. -presenting complex data in a simple format.
Expert business writers typically work more ______ than average business writers.
-quickly -effectively
An effective, logical business message includes which of the following characteristics?
-research-backed ideas -supported facts -applicability of research
Which of the following describe qualities of a culture that is high in uncertainty avoidance?
-resisting change -emphasizing consistency -valuing clear expectations
When reviewing a business communication, it is best to seek feedback from
-respected colleagues. -people who have demonstrated good judgment.
Right before ending a meeting that you are leading, you should
-restate key action items. -ensure attendees understand their assignments.
Which of the following are typical ground rules laid out at the beginning of a meeting?
-rules regarding electronic equipment use -rules regarding participation
The frame of a primary business message should be which of the following?
-short -memorable
Paragraphs that discuss only one idea or topic tend to be:
-shorter -easy to understand
Navigational design can be improved using
-simplicity. -headings. -white space.
Which of the following are helpful ways of organizing the logic of a business message?
-sketching out the logic -diagramming the logic
In response to a business communication that is vague, what do people tend to do?
-start skimming to find the information they want -become impatient -feel that their questions have not been answered
In the workplace, Baby Boomers possess a
-strong sense of loyalty to their employers. -strong desire to work.
n general, which of the following are results an author can expect from a carefully crafted business message with strong logic?
-stronger credibility -increased influence
Typically, numerical information is most effectively presented through which two of the following?
-tables -charts
Which of the following are typical perceptions that readers have of a business message that includes exaggeration?
-that the message lacks realism -that the message is unbelievable -that the message seems over the top
Which of the following elements of a speech are part of the preview?
-the attention-getter -the overview -the positioning statement
What traits of study-abroad programs do business recruiters value most?
-the inclusion of language study -a strategic location -a duration of one semester or longer
Using exaggeration in a business message can affect the credibility of which of the following?
-the message itself -the author
In order to make sure that action items are completed, which of the following are often included in the meeting minutes?
-the names of the people responsible for each action item -the date by which each action item must be completed
For an effective frame, the primary business message should be approximately ______ words in length.
10 to 15
For routine business communications, what is the highest average number of words per sentence that writers should aim for?
15 words
Which type of diversity generally best improves a company's chances to attract a new market?
2-D diversity
In general, for complex or analytical business communications, the average written sentence length should be ______ or fewer words.
20
Octavio wants to compare the gross national product for six different countries for the year 2016. The best way for him to display this information is with
A bar chart
Which type of chart would be the best choice for showing the change in the amount of electricity consumed per capita in the United States since 1950?
A line chart
Anne has to plan an important meeting that will bring together a sales team from different countries, and will involve many complicated components. Which of the following would be the best option for communicating with the venue manager?
Anne should use email so that she will have a detailed record of all the arrangements.
Which of the following statements about bar chart is true?
Bar charts are more versatile than pie charts and line charts
Which of the following is a helpful guideline for formatting bar charts?
Bars should be arranged in ascending or descending order in most cases
Florence is planning to celebrate finishing her second year of college by taking an extended trip to Brazil over the summer. What method would offer the most direct experience of Brazilian culture in preparing for her trip before she goes?
Befriending an international student from Brazil
Due to their strong work ethic, the term workaholic was coined to describe
Boomers.
Which of the following countries has the most collectivist culture?
China
Which of the following is true about women and societies?
Differences between national cultures are usually bigger than the differences between the men and women in a society.
When presenting an audience with charts and tables and other numerical information, which of the following should be your primary concern?
Emphasizing the message that you want the audience to remember
Which of the following is true about displaying cultural intelligence?
Ethnicity can impact values and attitudes in the workplace.
To ensure that persuasive messages do not harm others, you should employ the ______.
FAIR test
True or false: Although sometimes helpful, meeting facilitators should rarely be used in meetings.
False
True or false: In lower-performing groups, team members offer more supportive statements than any other type of comment in their communications.
False
Greta is a team leader and holds weekly meetings. One of her team members snickers and rolls her eyes during every meeting. Which of the following is the best way for Greta to address this disruptive behavior?
Greta should meet privately with the employee to discuss the behavior and how it negatively affects the team.
Which of the following should be done during the final steps of a group writing project to ensure a consistent voice?
Group members should provide input as a single member polishes the final version.
Henry is working on a group writing project. As his writing progresses, he faces some difficult choices. Which of the following is Henry's best choice?
He should meet with his team to discuss the decisions.
Which one of the following is the highest in performance orientation?
Hong Kong
What is the most important reason business communication should be complete?
It allows people to process your message right away
Which of the following is a benefit of conflict for high-performing teams?
It increases the potential for inventiveness.
Taking a few deep breaths has which of the following effects before a presentation?
It quells nervousness.
Denise's team has started a group writing project. As the team gathered information and began drafting initial findings and conclusions, it found that its earlier plans and decisions were not accurate. What should the team do?
It should reassess its original plans and make necessary changes.
Which of the following methods is an approach to business communications designed to help presenters not make the mistake of presenting evidence without first stating a central position?
PREP
Nancy is giving a presentation in a venue that she has never been to before. Which of the following is the most important thing she should do?
She should arrive at least an hour before the presentation.
Which statement about audience concerns is true?
Speakers can prepare for audience concerns by considering them beforehand.
Which of the following is typically true of those business people who approach difficult conversations in a timely, honest, and caring manner?
They achieve more professionally.`
What attitude do effective business writers take toward members of their reading audience?
They attempt to understand them
Which of the following is a characteristic that effective teams possess?
They spend time discussing values, norms, and goals.
True or false: A fatal error in a business presentation is to present evidence but leave out central positions.
True
True or false: Business messages can be strengthened to counteract issues concerning low credibility.
True
True or false: Future orientation can be defined as a readiness to forego current desires in order to achieve future goals and desires
True
True or false: Future orientation can be defined as a readiness to forego current desires in order to achieve future goals and desires.
True
True or false: It is more likely that your meeting objectives will be met if the meeting is well-planned.
True
True or false: The cultural dimension of gender egalitarianism refers to how a society views the division of male and female roles.
True
What question should the writer ask when deciding whether to reword a sentence that begins with "it is"?
What does "it" refer to?
Willow's team has split up the contributions for its group writing project equally, with individual team members committing to set amounts of time. Jim's team has decided to let each member decide how much time he or she wants to spend according to individual schedules. Wyatt's team has divided up the contributions and time commitments equally. Jill's team wrote a team charter but then disbanded. Which team has the best approach to group writing?
Wyatt's team
A company report discusses annual revenues for 15 products that the firm sells, including items such as office supplies, kitchen appliances, and skateboards. What type of chart would best illustrate this information?
a bar chart
Which type of chart is the most useful for comparing amounts of various things?
a bar chart
Which type of chart is the most effective for illustrating trends and incidents over a period of time?
a line chart
When the audience shows emotional resistance to your solution, you might have success with
a more indirect approach.
Peter wants to create a chart that shows how market share is divided among the top companies in his industry. Which of the following options should he use?
a pie chart
What would be the best way to illustrate the percentage of cars manufactured by each U.S. automaker in 2012?
a pie chart
When you make a presentation to colleagues, it offers a chance to improve your colleagues' opinions about your
abilities.
Finding common ground in a conversation will help you ______ the issues at hand and may lead to mutually acceptable solutions.
analyze
This type of communication does not occur in real time.
asynchronous
In general, ______ learners believe that emotion is best conveyed through voice.
auditory
When a writer chooses big words that are not common, the reader will most likely
be distracted from the message.
Which of the following is a key use of self-disclosure for teams?
building trust
The part of a persuasive message that asks the recipients to make a first move toward purchasing a product or showing agreement with an idea is known as the
call to action
Companies and organizations that emphasize ______ often also have a culture that is family centered.
collectivism
The views you provide in a business speech are essentially attempts to convince audience members to
commit to some type of risk.
What term describes the effort and timing that it takes to get the correct people to participate in a communication?
coordination
In the past, business communicators most often used ______ to show that their own products were better than those of the competition.
counterpoints
A brochure that is vague will give the impression that the writer lacks
credibility
Headings and subheadings within a document should
describe the contents of each section.
What is a major challenge related to working across generations?
different ways of working
Compared to written proposals, speeches and presentations are better suited to capitalize on ______ appeals.
emotional
Tony has important decisions to make about the future of an employee, but before he can make those decisions he needs to get some accurate and truthful information from the employee on a sensitive issue. Because he needs to use the richest communication channel possible to discuss a delicate matter with the employee, which of the following would best suit his needs?
face-to-face communication
True or false: If adequately rehearsed, business presentations always go according to the speaker's plans.
false
Of the following cultural traits, nearly all cultures value ______ the least.
hierarchy
A listener-centered approach to business writing includes a focus on
learning and input from others.
Finding common ground in a conversation leads to ______ between you and the other person.
less emotional distance
A charismatic and well-known community member passionately embraces a cause, inspiring others to join. This is an example of the principle of
liking
People are more apt to be persuaded by someone they find appealing. This principle of influence is called ______. Multiple choice question.
liking
Understanding what other people need and value requires strong ______ skills.
listening
Many business people prefer to avoid difficult conversations because they worry that
moments of honesty may backfire.
Teams rapidly develop shared perceptions, goals, and commitments, or a team culture, during their ______ stage.
norming
Cultural dimensions are long-standing sets of
norms and values.
In business communication, how many ideas or topics should a paragraph usually address?
one
In business communications, which of the following generally enhances the writer's beneficial influence over others?
optimism
AIM is a process for ______ the writing of useful business messages.
planning
A ______ provides compelling reasons why a product, service, or idea will be useful to the audience.
rationale
To make a persuasive message less direct, such as when your audience members will be strongly resistant to your solution, you should explain the ______.
rationale before the solution
To demonstrate a can-do attitude in a business message, the writer should use
realistic assertions.
The principle of influence based on paying others back after receiving a favor is known as
reciprocation
A sentence that begins with "there are" can often be improved by
rewording the sentence to avoid using this phrase.
Which of the following would be an example of an effective application of visualization for relaxing in a business presentation?
seeing yourself speaking to members of the audience with confidence
Charts accompanying a business message are the most effective when they
show a few data relationships that support a point in the message.
Sometimes people base their sense of what is right, correct, or desirable on what they see others do. This principle of influence is known as
social proof
The use of which of the following words or phrases would be an indication of an effective approach in handling a difficult conversation by avoiding any exaggeration?
sometimes
When structuring a business message, its ideas should have a basis in
strong reasoning
When crafting a business message with strong reasoning, it is important to back claims with
supporting facts
Groups constantly attempt to foster ______, a set of shared perceptions and commitment to collective values, norms, roles, responsibilities, and goals.
team culture
The first step of the AIM planning process may be difficult for a business presentation because you may not know
the makeup of the audience
When trying to persuade others, your most effective approach is the one that meets
the needs of your audience.
When composing a document, expert business writers spend most of their time
thinking about how the message will affect readers.
What is the primary purpose of a meeting?
to make an action plan
Which of the following is the benefit of one group member polishing the final version of a group writing project?
to make sure the project has a consistent voice
What is the main purpose of navigational design?
to make the message easy to navigate
The important principle in business writing is
to say what needs to be said in as few words as possible.
Uncertainty avoidance describes the way people handle
unexpected events.
Tom is a team leader. Joe is a team member who interrupts Tom and other team members during their meetings. Joe does not have constructive comments but instead makes negative comments about what the team member is saying. Tom pulls Joe aside after a meeting. Which of the following should Tom say to deal with the situation constructively?
"At the next meeting, please let your team members finish what they are saying before you comment."
Individualist culture predominates in which of the following countries?
-Germany -the Netherlands
Which of the following are guidelines for agendas?
-Get others involved in the agenda-creation process. -Send the agenda out ahead of time. -Consider placing the most important items first.
Which of the following are typical outcomes of becoming friends with an international student?
-Helping the international student feel at home in your country -Gaining knowledge of another culture -Understanding the process of living in an unfamiliar culture
In general, what are workplace characteristics that Gen Xers seek?
-Independent and self-reliant -A work-life balance -Open communication
Which of the following are benefits of living in another culture?
-It allows you to immerse yourself in a different way of life. -It enables you to observe firsthand how interpersonal communication is conducted.
In business communication, long paragraphs are generally associated with a writer
-who expects to claim too much of the reader's time. -who is disorganized.
Which of the following statements about nervousness and public speaking are true?
-Nervousness can result in a more passionate presentation. -Experiencing nervousness in public speaking is normal. -Feeling nervousness in public speaking can be a benefit.
Which of the following are general characteristics of hierarchical cultures?
-People in power have more privileges than others. -People are expected to follow leaders without questioning them.
Why is accuracy an essential element of business communication?
-People will make important decisions based on the communication. -Inaccuracy causes readers to lose trust in the writer.
Which of the following are general characteristics of egalitarian cultures?
-Power is distributed and split evenly. -Differences in status are played down.
To deal with the fear of speaking, it is useful to picture yourself doing which of the following?
-Replying to audiences -Speaking confidently -Interacting nonverbally with the audience
Which of the following statements are true of teams?
-Some teams are formal and permanent. -Teams perform better when they communicate effectively.
According to a 2014 survey of American adults by Geoffrey Brewer on Gallup Polls online, the fear of public speaking ranks even higher than which of the following sources of fear?
-Spiders -Needles and getting shots -Flying on an airplane
Which of the following are aspects of setting up the logic of a business message?
-identifying supporting points -arranging message logic -defining a call to action
Setting up the logic of the message consists of which of the following?
-identifying the call to action -identifying supporting points in the message
Audience members typically decide which of the following during the preview of a presentation?
-if they are willing to act on what they hear -if they think they have something to gain from the presentation -if they will pay attention and listen to the presentation
At work, members of Gen Y are looking for which of the following?
-immediate results -work-lifestyle balance -work-hour flexibility
Consistent deep breathing as part of a presentation is effective in
-improving the tone of the voice. -helping maintain a confident posture. -enhancing voice timbre.
The description of products and services in a business message is more effective when it emphasizes their traits
-in a positive manner. -as assets.
Which of the following are applications of the AIM planning process in presentations and speeches?
-including supporting points to the key ideas -highlighting topic-related conclusions -conducting an analysis of the presentation's listeners
Which of the following are benefits that you obtain by rehearsing a business presentation?
-increased familiarity with the content -awareness of places to highlight with nonverbal communication -discovery of areas where content needs to be altered
In general, which of the following are results an author can expect from a carefully crafted business message with strong logic?
-increased influence -stronger credibility
In business messages, a can-do attitude has which of the following qualities?
-optimism -confidence -enthusiasm
In business, workplaces often feature up to five distinct generations because
-people are putting off their retirements. -changes in technology have broadened access to businesspeople. -flat structures that feature teams are more common.
The success of expert business writers lies in their placing greater focus on which two of the following stages?
-planning -reviewing
Which of the following are likely effects of slanting the facts in business messages?
-potential loss of author credibility -reader doubt about message logic
What are parts of the process of crafting effective business messages?
-writing -reviewing -planning
What is the key to ensuring that a message will include the right amount of information?
Keep asking yourself what information will be necessary to achieve the purpose of the message.
What is the central element that makes a chart effective and interesting?
The message that the chart conveys
Why are coordination and resources called constraints on business communications?
They place limitations on communication.
What is the primary value of personality and communication assessments?
They promote conversations that specifically discuss team members' preferences and approaches to teamwork.
Which of the following is something successful business people do?
They tackle difficult conversations with tact.
True or false: When developing a presentation about a new product, you should spend more time giving information about the product if the audience is unfamiliar with it.
True
True or false: When members of teams discuss their shared goals, this action helps avoid any misinterpretation of members' motivations and actions.
True
Which type of chart is the most effective for depicting various pieces within a whole?
a pie chart
A collectivist value that is generally encouraged in companies in individualist countries is
a team-oriented strategy.
The planning stage of a business report should take
as long as necessary, sometimes months or years.
In order to approach a difficult conversation with tact and keep it "safe," you should
assume positive intent.
The AIM planning process for persuasive messages involves analyzing your ______ and creating a ______ that will reduce a person's tendency to resist what you are saying.
audience; message
The prevalence of celebrity endorsements in advertising indicates that ______ tends to persuade people.
authority
When people follow the lead of experts or prominent figures, they are conforming to the principle of influence is known as ______.
authority
In general, business communications should
be specific in order to answer the reader's questions.
When giving a presentation, nervousness is only dysfunctional when a speaker
cannot deliver the content.
As part of the preparation process, a business speaker should
consider possible questions from the audience.
The principle of persuasion based on the idea that people typically stay with something once they have committed to it is known as ______.
consistency
In terms of culture, assertiveness focuses on the level of appropriate
directness.
Average and poor business writers are more likely than excellent writers to focus on the _____ stage first.
drafting
Kent and Maria are discussing a complaint that a customer made about Kent. Maria says, "Kent, I know you are aware of the complaint against you. First, I would like to hear your side of the story. Then, I would like to work with you so that we can come up with a plan to prevent this from happening in the future." Which of the following is Maria doing?
effectively initiating the conversation
In cultures with high gender egalitarianism, professional jobs and leadership roles are available
evenly to men and women.
True or false: Emotional appeals are typically unhelpful and counterproductive because audiences generally rely on reason to make their decisions.
false
The ability to negotiate a mutually advantageous outcome with people from other cultures is a characteristic of a business professional with
high cultural intelligence.
When you lose your train of thought during a business presentation, an effective strategy is to
pause until it returns.
During the course of a group writing project, it is important to
remain adaptable and open.
When interacting with the audience during a presentation, you need to be able to
reply quickly to questions asked by audience members
Once you have been assigned a group writing project, when is the best time to start on it?
right away
Thirty to sixty minutes is the recommended amount of time you should spend preparing for ______ meetings.
routine
People are easier to persuade when they believe there is a short supply of something they want. This principle of influence is known as
scarcity
Using counterpoints in persuasive messages is risky primarily because you might
seem to have an adversarial tone.
Michael Maslansky describes the current business culture with the following: "In a word, trust is out, ______ is in."
skepticism
When readers receive a business message that consists of long paragraphs, they typically will
skim the text instead of reading each word
Most successful working relationships combine asynchronous and ______ communications.
synchronous
Which of the following would likely be the most effective way of communicating with a Gen Yer?
texting
The purpose of the FAIR test is to ensure which of the following?
that business communication be conducted ethically
During the review process, a business writer checks to see if a document conforms to standards for impacts, access, respect, and facts. This is called
the FAIR test.
For many business messages, the most important step in the planning stage of business communication writing is identifying
the benefits to be gained by the reader.
Rachelle is planning a meeting so that her graphic design team can brainstorm ideas about how to approach a new project. In order to make sure that the meeting is as productive as possible, Rachelle should schedule the meeting for
the morning.
Which of the following describes a major reason why professionals work across generations now more than in the past?
the rise of flat workplace structures
Parallel language is important when
the writing contains a series or list
Whose goals do individualists primarily focus on?
their own goals
When your writing style is similar to the way your readers think and talk,
they will process the information more easily.
How should you approach an emotionally charged conversation?
with a learner mind-set
Framing the primary message involves presenting the message
within an overall theme
When members of high-performing teams communicate, the majority of their comments are
work related.
To make business writing easier to read and comprehend, you should
write the way the reader thinks and talks.
A sentence written in active voice specifies the doer of the action. This is important because
accountability and coordination are vital in business.
Comprehension of the differences and similarities of various cultures is a sign of ______ intelligence.
high cultural
In the context of a business speech, audience members primarily enjoy hearing about
people.
When excellent business writers craft a message, they focus on the ______ stage first
planning
Which voice may make external messages appear to focus too much on your company instead of the customer?
we-voice
What should the preview of a speech accomplish?
- highlight benefits to the audience -attract the attention of the audience
Which of the following should you do when approaching a difficult conversation?
-Engage in a joint process of understanding the problems and creating solutions. -Invite others to tell their stories and describe their feelings. -Enter into the conversation with a learner mind-set.
Which of the following statements about group writing are true?
-It can be a challenging process. -The emphasis on teams in today's workplace has made it more prevalent.
When should an action plan be created in a meeting?
after all ideas have been presented and the alternatives considered
A persuasive message should have a Blank______ tone but avoid Blank______.
confident and positive; exaggeration and hype
Which of the following is the biggest barrier to team effectiveness according to business professionals?
ineffective communication
Which of the following is a problem often faced by business professionals who are attempting to have a difficult conversation?
internal noise
In a business presentation, the presenter's views are the
key messages of the presentation.
Which of the following are common sources of inaccurate information in business communication?
- miscalculations - misinformation - errors in typing
Rhonda is having a difficult conversation with a colleague. Which of the following statements indicate that Rhonda may be oversimplifying the conversation?
-"This always happens when I ask your team to do anything quickly." -"You never follow the guidelines." -"Either you adhere to protocol or there will be consequences."
Which of the following are among Robert Cialdini's six methods of influence?
-authority -consistency -social proof
When revising a group writing project, revisions should focus on which of the following?
-how well and smoothly the sections of the project work together -the strength of the group's ideas and the audience's needs -language mechanics, ease of reading, and formatting
When are people more easily persuaded?
-when you take a personal interest in them -when you demonstrate that you are seeking what benefits them -when you understand their needs
During the reviewing stage of composing a business communication, feedback is usually not needed for?
an everyday message
Massiel and her boss, Marco, are having a difficult conversation about one of her clients, who is refusing to follow through on a contract. Massiel is obviously growing angry. How should Marco respond?
by showing empathy and helping her channel the anger appropriately
Persuasion involves ______ a person whose opinion or understanding about something is different from yours.
communicating with
The general name for the medium through which a message is transmitted is the
communication channel
High-humane orientation cultures value
compassion and concern
The goal of the review in a business presentation is to
compel audience members to consider taking specific actions.
In writing business messages, the planning stage focuses on ensuring excellent
content
Which of the following is the most critical factor in a successful presentation?
content development
An audience's assessment of a business communication message is largely based on the author's
credibility
Because people tend to balk at embracing persuasive messages, one of your most important endeavors is to establish
credibility
The beginning of a presentation is the time when audience members
form an opinion about the speaker.`
In order to reach high performance, teams go through ______ natural stages.
four
The first task of most persuasive messages is to
gain attention
Working across generations has many benefits, including
gaining new business knowledge and insights.
The second stage of the AIM planning process involves
gathering information.
Latrice, Jorge, Francesca, and Seamus are on a team tasked with producing a document on educational assessment. Each of them will contribute to the document as they work collaboratively. This is a process known as
group writing.
What is a major method of gaining reader attention in internal persuasive messages?
identifying a business need
Which type of learner responds best to participation-focused presentations?
kinesthetic
Denise, the founder of a small app development company, wants to show investors how the company's user base has grown since the company was founded two years ago. This information would best be presented in a
line chart
The best way to gain knowledge about another culture is through
living in it.
During the storming stage, team performance is generally
low.
Your goal in framing a business message is to
make it compelling while using rational and emotional appeal.
Business writing should be concise in order to
make the message easier to comprehend.
In business, ______ involves using deception to influence others so that you can achieve your own interests.
manipulation
In general, workers are most productive in the ______, so that is when most meetings should be scheduled.
morning
Which of the following common cultural traits is the most highly valued by the majority of businesses around the world?
performance orientation
Teams are at their most productive and are working efficiently toward their goals during the ______ stage.
performing
Teams that meet infrequently are less likely to move beyond agreeing on roles, goals, and accountabilities to enter the ______ stage.
performing
When giving an internal presentation, you should focus your presentation primarily on
persons who have the ability to put your ideas into action.
Influencing others in a fair, honest way to see the merit of your ideas and act on your requests is called ______.
persuasion
When excellent business writers craft a message, they focus on the ______ stage first.
planning
Which of the following is the most important stage of group writing?
planning
Setting up an effective nonroutine meeting begins with
planning.
A call to action should not
pressure the reader very much
Nancy sends out New Year's cards to a number of people she doesn't know, and several of them respond by sending her a New Year's card. This is an example of
reciprocation.
Communication specialist Liz Simpson argues that to succeed at persuasion, you must strive to ______ the other person's point of view.
understand
In preparing a business report based on research, the first step is to ______.
understand what the decision makers want the report to do
What is the first step in the AIM planning process?
understanding the needs of your audience
In the context of business messages, workplace ______ are the core beliefs about suitable ways of handling issues and problems.
values
Speeches that are highlighted by slides full of illustrations appeal in particular to ______ learners.
visual
Which of the following statements about numerical information in business are correct?
-Business operating expenses, budgets, and customer behavior are expressed with numbers. -Some management experts consider communicating with numbers to be a core competency.
When a document is complex or full of information, headings help readers do which of the following?
-identify key concepts -find their way through the document and locate areas of interest
Many Gen Y professionals view Gen Zers as being
-lazy. -easily distracted.
When professionals with hub MVSs listen to business presentations, they respond best to which of the following?
-Language that presents several options -Presentations that hold clear business logic
Which of the following statements about business presentations using numerical data are generally true?
-Most audiences will not remember a lot of statistics. -The main message in such presentations will likely not be numerical.
During a business presentation, a speaker might have to incorporate changes quickly if
-listeners make comments. -audience members ask questions.
What qualities in a persuasive message are most likely to elicit a positive response?
-you-orientation -emphasis on choice -simple language
What does the richness of a communication channel involve?
-the number of cues available -the level of immediacy
Readers interpret the tone of a business message primarily as a reflection of the writer's attitude toward which two of the following?
-the readers of the message -the message content
For business recruiters, which three of the following countries are generally considered the most valuable for a study-abroad experience?
-China -India -Brazil
Which of the following should you do to effectively carry out your meeting objectives?
-Let participants know how long the meeting will be. -Inform participants about the meeting's content. -Tell participants what they need to do before the meeting.
Business writers who effectively craft their message do which of the following?
-foresee the reaction of their audience -remember the values of their audience -keep the needs of secondary audiences in mind
Order the four stages that teams progress through to reach high performance, with the first stage at the top and last stage at the bottom.
-forming -storming -norming -performing
Performance orientation emphasizes the importance of which of the following?
-high standards -innovation
Which of the following are relaxation techniques that can help limit nervousness before a presentation?
-meditating -emptying your mind -counting backward from 100
Which two of the following can often be changed into action verbs in an effort to make your writing more dynamic?
-nouns -forms of the verb to be
According to Gen Y professionals, which of the following qualities are possessed by Gen Zers in the workplace?
-open-mindedness -creativity
When preparing a speech about a business product, what should you find out about your audience?
-the source of their information about the product -what they know about the product
When speakers choose not to rehearse before giving a business presentation, audience members will typically perceive which two of the following?
-the speaker's disorganization -the speaker's vagueness
The identities of collectivists are typically based on which of the following?
-their friends -select groups -their family
Why do teams meet on a frequent basis?
-to better meet deadlines -to create a shared perspective on goals
Which of the following are the main goals of a business speech attention-getter?
-to get audience members to consider the presented ideas -to engage audience members emotionally
When deciding how much white space to leave on a page, it is important to consider that
-too little white space makes the text look cluttered. -too much white space makes the text look sparse.
When planning a business report, you should ______.
-use the AIM planning process -consider what decision makers need from the report
Which of the following are fundamental to any successful presentation?
-well-formed content -structure