Recipient of the 2020 Textbook Excellence Award from the Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA)

Business and Professional Communication provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to move from interview candidate, to team member, to leader. Accessible coverage of new communication technology and social media prepares students to communicate effectively in real world settings. With an emphasis on building skills for business writing and professional presentations, this text empowers students to successfully handle important work-related activities, including job interviewing, working in team, strategically utilizing visual aids, and providing feedback to supervisors.

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction for Students
PART I. BEGINNING COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES
CHAPTER 1. BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE
Understanding the Importance of Human Communication in Business and Professional Contexts
Communication: A Complex Process
Communication Apprehension
Communication Ethics
KEYS for Excellence in the Workplace
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
CHAPTER 2. VERBAL AND NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Verbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication
Codes of Nonverbal Communication
Forming Relationships With Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
KEYS to Excellence in Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
CHAPTER 3. LISTENING
Hearing and Listening
Barriers to Listening
Listening Styles and Categories
Improving Your Listening
KEYS to Listening Excellence
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
PART II . ENTERING THE WORKPLACE
CHAPTER 4. RÉSUMÉS, INTERVIEWS, AND NEGOTIATION
The Job-Seeking Process
Stage One: Exploring
Stage Two: Researching
Stage Three: Applying
Stage Four: Interviewing
Stage Five: Following Up
Stage Six: Negotiating
KEYS to Excellence in the Job-Seeking Process
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
CHAPTER 5. GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DIVERSE WORKPLACE
Learning Your Workplace Culture
Assimilating College Students
Diversity in Your Workplace: Some Important Concepts
Examples of Diversity in Professional Contexts
KEYS to Excellence in Getting to Know Your Diverse Workplace
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
PART III . DEVELOPING IN THE WORKPLACE
CHAPTER 6. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AT WORK
Exploring Relationship Types at Work
The Line Between Professional and Personal
Professional Etiquette
KEYS to Excellence in Interpersonal Communication
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
CHAPTER 7. STRENGTHENING TEAMS AND CONDUCTING MEETINGS
How Do Groups Differ From Teams?
Conducting Meetings
Shared Leadership
Problem Solving
Cultivating Innovative Thinking
Conflict in Team Meetings
KEYS to Excellence in Team Communication
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
PART IV. EXCELLING IN THE WORKPLACE
CHAPTER 8. TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORKPLACE
Communication and Technology: Tools for Professionals
Drawbacks of Technology
Social Media and Technology: Key Challenges in the Communication Age
Professional Etiquette With Technology
KEYS to Excellence With Communication and Technology
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
CHAPTER 9. BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WRITING
The Importance of Written Communication
Striving for Written Communication Excellence
Types of Written Communication
KEYS to Excellence in Written Communication
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
CHAPTER 10. LEADERSHIP AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
What Is Leadership?
Utilizing Power
Improving Communication With Leadership Theories
Hiring the Right Team
Following Up and Following Through
Communicating About Your Team
Dealing With Difficult People
Giving Feedback
Putting It Together
Managing Your Public Image
KEYS to Excellence in Leadership
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
PART V. PRESENTING IN THE WORKPLACE
CHAPTER 11. INFORMING AND PERSUADING
The Importance of Presenting With Professional Excellence
Identifying Presentation Opportunities and Purposes
Speaking to Inform
Speaking to Persuade
KEYS to Excellence in Professional Presentations
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
CHAPTER 12. SPEECH DESIGN
Analyzing the Audience
Analyzing the Context
Researching
Organizing Your Presentation
Introductions
Conclusions
Language
KEYS to Excellence in Speech Design
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
CHAPTER 13. DELIVERING A SPEECH WITH PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Delivering a Presentation With Professional Excellence
PowerPoint and Other Supporting Aids
Practice Makes Perfect
Team Presentations
KEYS to Excellence in Delivering a Speech
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
PART VI . SURVIVING IN THE WORKPLACE
CHAPTER 14. WORK–LIFE BALANCE
The Importance of Work–Life Balance
Triggers to Imbalance
Strategies for Balance
KEYS to Excellence With Work–Life Balance
Executive Summary
Explore
Review
Discussion Questions
Terms to Remember
Epilogue: Communication Is Work
References
Glossary
Index
About the Authors