book

Effective Business Communication For Dummies

by Jill Schiefelbein

November 2024

Beginner

400 pages

10h 39m

English

For Dummies

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Copyright
About This BookFoolish AssumptionsIcons Used in This BookBeyond the BookWhere to Go from Here
Understanding the Importance ofEffective Business CommunicationDistinguishing Business Communication from Personal CommunicationConducting a Self-AssessmentSharpening Fundamental Communication SkillsAvoiding Common MistakesCommunicating Effectively in Specific ContextsPutting Theory into Practice and Making It Yours
Checking Out Definitions of CommunicationExploring Communication ModelsRecognizing the Elements of Communication and Why They MatterIdentifying and Addressing Sources of NoisePaying Special Attention to History and EnvironmentConducting a Communication Audit
Using Your Body to CommunicateKeeping a Comfortable and Effective DistanceUsing Your Voice to Enhance Your MessageConveying Meaning and Emotion Through Silence
Exploring Communication ChannelsComparing Channels by How Rich They AreConsidering Your Purpose: Conveyance or Convergence?Matching Your Channel to Your Communication Task or Purpose
Recognizing the Difference between Hearing and ListeningUnderstanding before Responding or ReactingListening More Than You Speak (or Think)Stepping Up to More Advanced Listening Techniques

Making Curiosity Your SuperpowerAsking Questions to Extract Information and Clarify Your UnderstandingUsing Questions and Guardrails to Initiate and Guide Conversations
Appreciating the Value of Reciprocity, Self-Disclosure, and Give-and-TakeBeing a Good Conversation PartnerStrengthening Relationships with Self-DisclosureCreating Mutual Meaning
Making People Less Defensive and More ReceptiveGetting to Yes FasterFocusing Less on Names and More on Pertinent DetailsPurging “Sorry” and “Just” from Your Vocabulary
Challenging the Status QuoPrepping Your Audience’s Brain for What You’re About to Tell ThemPutting It All TogetherVirtual Conversations: Calling Attention to Paying Attention
Understanding Why Bragging Feels Icky and Shifting Your MindsetEducating Others about YouNetworking in Meaningful WaysInspiring Your Colleagues and Clients to Sing Your Praises
Comparing Presentation Types: Informative versus PersuasiveStructuring Your Presentation: As Simple as 1-2-3Preparing for Presentation SuccessLeveraging the Communicative Power of VisualizationPracticing Your Presentation to Improve Your Confidence
Analyzing Your AudienceUsing Communication Direction to Your AdvantageAnticipating Possible Objections
Sizing Up the StakeholdersClarifying Your Goal and Aligning It with Your AudienceUsing Monroe’s Motivated Sequence to Structure Your Persuasive PresentationAvoiding Mistakes That Plague Persuasive Presentations
Knowing Your Desired OutcomePreparing for a Successful NegotiationSampling Common Negotiation TacticsNavigating Common Workplace Negotiations
Following Six Rules for Effective Feedback ConversationsBalancing Formal and Informal FeedbackImproving Performance Through Workplace EquityManaging Yourself During Performance Reviews and Conversations
Exploring the Pros and Cons and Potential Outcomes of ConflictsNavigating Conflict More Effectively: Four TacticsDealing with Different Conflict Management and Communication StylesNot Letting Complaints Turn Into Conflict
Hoping It Won’t Happen or It’ll Blow Over: Not a PlanFormulating a Crisis Communication StrategyResponding in a Crisis: Initial and Ongoing CommunicationTaking Responsibility Within Your PowerEmbracing the Framework of Frameworks: RER
Landing Your Dream-Job InterviewPreparing For and Performing Well in an InterviewAttracting and Interviewing Candidates
Getting Up to Speed on Team FundamentalsDefining Team Roles and How to Play ThemKeeping Your Team on TrackAcknowledging Contributions and Achievements
Understanding Intercultural CommunicationCreating an Environment Conducive to Open CommunicationEmbracing the Growing Field of DEI and Respectful CommunicationAvoiding the Assumption Trap
Generative AIHumanizing AutomationSynthetic MediaPredictive AnalyticsHeightened ExpectationsIncreased Prevalence of Virtual TeamsIncreased Expectations for Timely CommunicationIncreasing Popularity of Informal CommunicationDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)Increased Emphasis on Transparency
Use Similes to Compare Unlike ObjectsLeverage the Emotive Power of MetaphorsCreate a Contextual UnderstandingCombine Similes, Metaphors, and Contextual ComparisonsGo Visual with Charts, Illustrations, and InfographicsFind a Common Communication DenominatorAvoid Acronyms and JargonAvoid Being SesquipedalianTell a StoryPerform or Lead the Audience in a Physical Demonstration
Provide Platform OrientationCommunicate Expectations for InteractionLead Your Audience Through Quick-Chat ExercisesEncourage Virtual ApplauseConduct Quick Polls or SurveysEngage and Collaborate via the WhiteboardIncrease Participation via “Voluntelling”Leverage SynchronicityGamify Your MeetingsRecruit a Producer

Overview

Make sure your voice gets heard in any situation—and learn to listen, too

Effective Business Communication For Dummies gives you the tools you need to communicate better, both in and outside of the office. You want to build strong relationships, and you’ll need strong communication skills to do it. This book demystifies active listening, assertive speaking, conflict resolution, virtual team leadership, and all the other things you’ll need to know to get your point across. Thanks to the classic, friendly Dummies style, it’s easy to make an impression in e-mails, presentations, virtual events, and in person. Check out these tips from a top communications coach to discover the maser communicator inside you.

Learn when to speak less and listen more—and how to listen actively
Find win-win solutions, ace interviews, and handle other challenging situations
Master global communication with international and intercultural communication tips
Be assertive and stay on track in e-mails, letters, virtual meetings, and beyond

With Effective Business Communication For Dummies, you'll know what to say, how to say it, and when to talk less and listen more. This is the perfect guide for team members and leaders alike who want to communicate better in all life’s situations.