Business Communications Final

Bradley was shaking like a leaf before his presentation. What would you suggest to help Bradley manage his nervousness?

"Take several deep breaths."

What is the term for the stated and lived values of a company?

Corporate values

In the Durable Manufacturing Company, the president, Alicia Hernandez, makes no more than five times what the lowest-paid worker earns. Alicia is often seen eating in the workers' lunchroom because she likes to hear opinions about how the work is going. Which term best describes the culture at the Durable Manufacturing Company?

Egalitarian

A manager who acts out of self-interest is more likely to be viewed as credible than one who does not.

False

A successful professional should use an apology only as a last resort.

False

Delivering an excellent business presentation is as easy as speaking.

False

During a conversation with his supervisor, Andy paraphrases something that he heard her say. This is an example of a judger statement.

False

Email is a form of synchronous communication, because the individuals involved can pay attention to and respond to communications at a time of their choosing.

False

Exaggeration is acceptable in persuasive messages.

False

Generally, as countries increase their standard of living, they develop more collectivist tendencies.

False

In the SOFTEN model of nonverbal communication, "F" stands for formal expression.

False

In the post-trust era, most employees have faith in their leaders and colleagues.

False

It is important to ensure that your slides are the primary focal point throughout your presentation.

False

Making eye contact with audience members while presenting can distract you from your message.

False

Persuasion implies that you are communicating with someone who thinks the same way as you do.

False

Seok has accepted an entry-level position at a company in South Korea, which has a hierarchical culture. Seok should expect to take part in his company's decision making right away.

False

The person delivering bad news should not discuss the immediate impacts of that news on recipients.

False

Which action will help a manager establish a sense of caring?

Holding regular meetings to ask about employee concerns

Which statement is an example of disagreeing diplomatically?

I feel that I did not have a chance to explain my actions.

Which statement accurately describes persuasion in the post-trust era?

In the post-trust era, persuasion is becoming increasingly difficult.

What is a result of making tangible statements in persuasive messages?

It allows your readers to interpret the message on a personal level.

What is true about competence in the workplace?

It is most often evaluated by one's track record of achievements.

Which person is the best example of how to transition between speakers?

Leroy introduces May by stating what her general topic is.

Which guideline for phone conversations with business colleagues is most helpful?

Make sure that the conversation time is balanced between both parties.

Which person demonstrates projected cognitive similarity?

Marisol assumes that other cultural groups have the same values as hers.

Which step is most important in planning routine messages?

Message structuring

Teams rapidly develop shared perceptions and commitment to a team culture during the ________ stage of team development.

Norming

Roberto likes to have the option of drafting, editing, and rehearsing his message before he delivers it. Which aspect of communication does he value?

Planning

In order to encourage participation in a walkathon, the organization arranging the event offers a free T-shirt and water bottle to all participants. Which principle of influence is being used?

Reciprocation

Which person is demonstrating the neutrality effect?

Samantha writes an email in which she intends to express a positive emotion, but readers decode it as neutral.

Gregory has to deliver a negative performance evaluation to Tara, a customer service representative. During the meeting, Gregory first thanks Tara for her kindness to fellow employees, then he delivers the bad news. Finally, he ends the review with an expression of goodwill. In this situation, Gregory is applying the ________ approach for delivering the bad-news message.

Sandwich

Which person demonstrates low self-management during interpersonal communication?

Seong frequently vents frustrations without a constructive work purpose.

Which guideline makes a presentation more effective?

Speak to your audience, not the screen.

Kesha and her team share ideas about how their team should approach work, and they spend some time debating which ideas to adopt. The team is in the ________ stage.

Storming

Which channel is typically used for short, one-to-one or one-to-many messages and is ideal for quick announcements and confirmation of plans?

Texting

Which statement about using manipulation in persuasive messages is true?

The FAIR test can help you avoid sending manipulative messages.

Read the email that Lisa sent to her supervisor below. Then choose the answer that best explains what is wrong with the message. SUBJECT: Praise for our intern's work Joni, I just wanted to let you know that Bryce is doing exceptional work as an intern. I'm really happy with his effort.

The email is too general to tell Joni anything about Bryce's performance.

Which statement is true about visual learners?

They enjoy gestures and metaphors.

What is a trait of individualists?

They view themselves as separate from their friends and family.

Why do organizations use virtual teams?

To save money

According to consulting firm Siegel+Gale, delivering bad news the right way can strengthen customer relationships and lay the foundations for increased trust when conditions improve.

True

According to the motivational value system (MVS), professionals with a blue MVS are most often guided by motives to protect others, help others grow, and act in the best interests of others.

True

Bennett is not afraid to take risks; he makes decisions quickly and with enthusiasm. According to Gary Williams and Robert Miller, Bennett is most likely a charismatic decision-maker.

True

Casual dress is rare in a business-related setting.

True

Even colleagues who know each other well often misinterpret humor and sarcasm in digital communications.

True

Gen Yers and Gen Zers are among the most sensitive to issues of diversity in the workplace.

True

High-performing teams go through repeated cycles of divergence and convergence.

True

It is a good idea to practice with communications technology before initiating a video call.

True

One advantage of giving bad news in a written communication is that you can ensure you get all the facts right and control the message.

True

Someone who has an enlarged vision of those affected by his or her business activities has a sense of accountability.

True

The first task in developing a presentation is to identify the two or three key messages you want to convey.

True

The number of collaboration technologies available can present a challenge to virtual teams.

True

Three components are central in setting expectations for those you manage: describing responsibilities, providing deadlines, and discussing coordination.

True

Veronica has great relationships with her direct reports. She plans birthday celebrations for them and listens when they need to talk about personal problems, empathizing with them. Veronica has high emotional intelligence.

True

When conducting a FAIR test on a routine message, the most important aspect to consider is accuracy.

True

When producing group writing, it is important to ensure that the writing reflects the views of the group at every stage—gathering information, drafting initial findings, and editing the final document.

True

What is inbox zero?

a strategy of taking immediate action on every email to keep the inbox empty

What type of company is required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to have a code of ethics available to all employees?

all companies that are publicly traded

What should be placed in the subject line of an email?

an expected action

What is the first step in the planning process for writing persuasive messages?

analyzing the audience

Many employees ignore announcements because announcements

are broadcast to a large number of employees.

What can the FAIR test help you avoid?

being disrespectful to other people

Most sales messages contain a(n) ________; one of the most common is price.

central sales theme

Generally, formal business attire projects

competence.

What is the leading cause of disability in the workplace?

depression

Korrine manages a team of graphic designers. She distributes a document with details on each of the tasks for an upcoming project, which are then assigned to a specific member of her team. Which of the three components of setting expectations does this accomplish?

describing responsibilities

To show your sincerity in an appreciation message, you should

focus exclusively on the recipient.

Which motivational value system is most often guided by concerns about whether business activities have been thought out carefully and the right processes have been put into place to accomplish things?

green MVS

Which business trend is valued across the world?

high priority on performance orientation

Which active listening skill involves demonstrating a learner mindset rather than a judger mindset?

holding judgment

Sandra is preparing for a business meeting in a foreign country. What is most important for her to do to ensure proper etiquette?

identify acceptable conversation topics

Marcia's team has been given a group writing assignment. The deadline is three months away. When should the group start working on the project?

immediately

As the text states, people like to hear about people. Which technique will help make your presentation be about people?

introducing colleagues and referring to them by name during your presentation

Carmela manages a sales team and most of her subordinates have performed well. However, one of the team members, Dirk, has been performing poorly. Carmela has created a file that records Dirk's performance issues and contains a few emails from colleagues criticizing him in confidence. While delivering the negative feedback to Dirk, Carmela should

keep the negative emails from other colleagues private.

For your presentation to be effective, you must summarize your ________ and reemphasize them several times.

key takeaway messages

In cultures with a high humane orientation,

leaders are expected to be generous and compassionate.

What is the most effective way of delivering a bad-news message to a long-term client?

meeting with the client, providing a rationale, and explaining the impacts

A company with 2-D diversity is

more likely to increase its market share.

Which action is most likely to result in your audience judging you as having character?

offering your views transparently

What does "O" stand for in the SOFTEN model of nonverbal communication in presentations?

open stance

Aiko has to tell Demetrius that his attitude and mannerisms have offended some customers. She also must inform him that he is on probation for six weeks and will be fired if his behavior does not improve. It would be best for Aiko to deliver this message in a(n)

personal meeting.

In a weekly project update meeting, Lisa asks the following questions of one of her employees: "Why were you late meeting your last deadline? Were there external factors that delayed your work? Did other coworkers get their part of the assignment to you on time? Do you need more help from me?" What type of questions are these?

probing

Your team is facing an aggressive deadline for a group writing project. What will be most helpful in ensuring that the project stays on track?

regularly holding real-time conversations about the project

Anthony is trying to convince his colleagues to contribute to their company's holiday clothing drive. The most effective persuasive argument he can use is an argument that

relates the clothing drive to their need to feel good about themselves.

Focusing on ________ is most likely to help you communicate with a red MVS in a way that he or she prefers.

results

Which of these is a domain of emotional intelligence?

self-management

In a bad-news message, a buffer is a statement that is likely to be used to

show appreciation.

When making requests, ________ goes a long way in maintaining goodwill.

showing respect for the recipient's time

What is the first step of the PREP method of justifying your views in a presentation?

stating your position

Which element is usually found in a set of directions but not in a set of expectations?

step-by-step instructions

In the example in the text about Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, what method is recommended to be used to evaluate his letters to shareholders?

the FAIR test

One possible negative effect of texting and other forms of instant messaging is

the brevity of messages can make them sound unfeeling.

Business ethics are defined as

the commonly accepted beliefs and principles in the business community for acceptable behavior.

Which quality is more characteristic of introverts?

thoughtful

What is the purpose of an overview?

to show how your audience will benefit from the idea you are proposing

Yes-but statements are one of the most common forms of

token appreciation.

When you specifically want your presentation to appeal to professionals with a blue motivational value system, you should focus on

using relationship-centered terms.

You and your coworker, Carla, sit through a presentation that Carla laughingly describes as "death by PowerPoint." When you discuss the presentation afterward, you can think of only one thing the presenter did correctly. Which characteristic of the presentation would have helped rather than hindered ease of processing?

using simple charts and diagrams

when delivering bad-news messages?

viewing delivery of bad news opportunistically

What is a common mistake made by teams doing presentations?

working independently right up until the presentation