Chapter 17 : Creativity and Visual Design

Chapter17: Creativity and Visual Design

Chapter 16:Interviewing to get the job

Chapter15:Creating Career and Designing Resumes

Chapter14: The Business of change and Conflict

Chapter13: Interpersonal and Collaborative Messages

Chapter12: Culture Inside and Outside

Chapter 12: Culture Inside and Outside

Culture is a communally produced and shared model of reality that communicates how people are expected to behave, think, and feel. The best way of learning culture is through socialization where the human interaction very important. We all develop expectations based on our early experiences. Part of this is biological, such as the food we eat, the comforts or pain we feel and the clothing we wear. But expectations are also greatly affected by experiences from all kinds of sense stimuli all around us. We learn that certain kinds of things will happen in certain kinds of situations, as a result of certain sets of conditions.
We learn to organize these expectations, by probability and according to priorities. Organization comes in part from the society around us. It comes in part from our own analytical faculties, as we respond to the societal influences. So our first experiences, which we did not get to choose, gave us a frame of reference for later experiences. I think this is a common, simple way to understand how we learn. Both Direct and indirect Strategy can be used to learn and teach the culture. Communication is very important for culture, communication involves A. Direct and indirect
B. Rank, status, and age
C. Discussion and debate
D. Working together
A Macro View of Workforce Inclusion and Diversity tells us people from many different backgrounds and perspective
. Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s own culture is superior to others. Gender Differences
Women and Men

•Sexual Orientation
•Physical Disabilities
are also considered while talking culture .


Basic learning theory needs to take into account the basic skills or capacities we were born with that enable us to learn from experience. With this ability to learn, God has given us a part of who He created us to be.We see this when a child is learning language. You can almost see them mentally processing what they hear and see. The more they listen and practice, the closer they get to what they are hearing. Before long they are generating their own sentences, which they have not heard before. We do not have to learn every new sentence first. But we do have to learn some model sentences, which become the basis upon which we develop some expectations of how sentences should be made. We try to express our new ideas in new sentences that we have not heard before.
Corporate culture
the way the organization operates, how it is structured, how members are expected to behave, and what the organization believes is important
Co-cultures
like organizations, are smaller groups that exist within the larger culture and have their own values, beliefs, and codes for behavior
Deep culture
◦the organization’s identity or personality, what it believes, perceives, and considers important
Observable culture
involves the aspects of culture that can be seen, heard, or directly experienced by people
Heroes
◦organizational members who best demonstrate and symbolize company values
Lore
Involves stories or legends shared by members that reveal company history, appropriate conduct, and values

Every organization has the own culture associated with it. Our culture is something that shapes our view of ourselves and how we fit in the world.

Chapter11: Writing Atrategies for the Report and Proposal

Chapter 11: Writing Strategies for the Report and Proposal

A report and a proposal are very similar in organization. Their differences, however subtle, are worth noting: A report: 1. Written to someone with authority (e.g. manager, boss, director, public official, etc.) or peer (e.g. colleague, associate, classmate, etc.) 2. Usually formal in register 3. Writer uses language related with expressing opinion, listing reasons, making recommendations 4. Written to people who can take action or affect outcome 5. May or may not have headings The general purpose of a report is to identify a specific problem, explain it and recommend action that will lead to a solution. A proposal: 1. Written to someone who needs to make a decision usually which involves spending or investing money (e.g. a client or customer, a committee, someone responsible for finances within company or organization, etc.) 2. Usually formal in register, but could also be semi-formal when addressed to a committee of peers 3. Writer uses language in such a way that he is persuasive, besides listing reasons and making suggestions 4. Written to someone whose decision will directly benefit the writer in some way (e.g. writer is a salesperson) or a group writer belongs to (e.g. a local amateur athletic team that needs support) 5. May or may not have headings
The general purpose of a proposal is the identify a particular need, explain it and recommend how this need can best .To prepare a report we usually have a two choices: direct and indirect strategy. The direct strategy is best when nothing is needed and the indirect strategy is best in use when if an investment of some kind is required. Besides, there are different types of reports when strategy is considered they include; informative (direct), persuasive (indirect) and analytical (direct/indirect).Report should be effective and should include more details and explanation so, that unknown audience may understand the purpose of reports easily. In order the report to be more functional, understandable and more manageable the organization of the arguments in the report is also so much important. Basically we can classify the components of reports and design strategy as; executive summary and sample executive summary. In executive summary typical sources of key points in a report are; headings, topic sentences, enumerations, cause and effect statements and essentials. Introduction, background, goal and objectives, solutions and recommendations and conclusion are the more important parts in the sample executive summary.
The Report and the proposals are important for our daily life, especially when the message is negative End the Report on the positive note .

Chapter10 : The Business Reports

Chapter 10: The Business of Reports


Oral presentation or written business document that provides information, requests funding or approval, analyzes company or market data, or makes recommendations for innovation and change.
Direct Approach
When you use the direct approach, the main idea (such as a recommendation, conclusion, or request) comes in the "top" of the document, followed by the evidence. This is a deductive argument. This approach is used when your audience will be neutral or positive about your message. In the formal report, the direct approach usually mandates that you lead off with a summary of your key findings, conclusions, and recommendations. This "up-front" arrangement is by far the most popular and convenient for business reports. It saves time and makes the rest of the report easier to follow. For those who have questions or want more information, later parts of the report provide complete findings and supporting details. The direct approach also produces a more forceful report. You sound sure of yourself when you state your conclusions confidently at the outset.
Indirect Approach
In the indirect approach, the evidence is presented first, leading therefore to the main idea. This is an inductive argument. This approach is best if your audience may be displeased about or may resist what you have to say.
At times, especially if you are a junior member of an organization or if you are an outsider, writing with an extremely confident stance may be regarded as arrogant. In such cases, or if your audience will be skeptical or hostile, you may want to use the indirect approach: Introduce your complete findings and discuss all supporting details before presenting your conclusions and recommendations. The indirect approach gives you a chance to prove your points and gradually overcome your audience’s reservations. By deferring the conclusions and recommendations, you imply that you’ve weighed the evidence objectively without prejudging the facts. You also imply that you’re subordinating your judgment to the audience, whose members are capable of drawing their own conclusions when they have access to all the facts.
Although the indirect approach has its advantages, some readers will always be in a hurry to get to "the answer" and will flip to the recommendations immediately, thus defeating your purpose. Therefore, consider length before choosing the direct or indirect approach. In general, the longer the message, the less effective an indirect approach is likely to be. Furthermore, an indirect argument is harder to follow than a direct one.
Because both direct and indirect approaches have merit, businesspeople often combine them. They reveal their conclusions and recommendations as they go along, rather than putting them first or last. As a result, the approach strategy of business reports can sometimes be hard to classify.

Chapter 9 :Direct and Indirect Strategy

Chapter 9 :Direct and Indirect communication Strategy

In your communication toolbox, direct and indirect skills are like a hammer and screwdriver: both are helpful, but you need to use the right tool at the right time. Trying to hang a picture with a screwdriver is frustrating. And not very effective. Direct Communicators say exactly what they think and attempt to convince others that they are right. Indirect Communicators are more likely to observe, ask questions, and present possibilities.
Direct Communication
Direct communication can be defined as speech that specifically states and directs an action. Most of us grew up hearing direct speech from our parents or teachers: “Get that homework done before you go out to play,” or, from our boss today we might hear: “I need this on my desk by Friday.”
When someone hears direct speech, they know immediately what needs to be done. There is no question about who is in charge, and usually no need for discussion. The speaker in this situation is positioned as “one up”-above the listener-as their communication style proclaims their right and authority to direct the action. The listener, consequently, is “one down,”-below the speaker-as the listener’s input is not being solicited.
Indirect Communication
Unlike direct communication, a indirect style of speech is not typically authoritative, rather it encourages input from the listener. By using this method, you give the other person the opportunity to speak up. An indirect style, makes them feel as if their ideas are important. This style of communication places the listener in the “one-up” position.
To maximize your ability to influence, you need to equip your communication toolbox with both direct and indirect skills. You must be able to make conscious choices about your behavior and not be blindly driven by your natural habits. So look for role models and practice the skills that are less comfortable for you. Developing any ability takes time and practice, so be patient with yourself and don’t give up. After all, you couldn’t drive a car the first time you got behind the wheel, but now you’re probably pretty good at it!