Communications

Note/ Write a short (half page) essay per question and structured (use the file document MSW to submit your answers), and be sure that the writing text for this assignment meets the APA format requirements and if a source of reference is used to answer the assignment it should be referenced APA as well with the in-text.

You will be graded on the following:

RUBRICS

Writing Volume (Half a page per answer) = 2 pts
APA Formatting (Running head, page numbering, line spacing, font style and size, paragraphs indents, referencing, in-text referencing) 3 pts
TOTAL = 5

Book: Business Communication: Process and Product(with Student Premium Website Printed Access Card) 8th Edition

Authors: Mary Ellen Guffey & Dana Loewy

Publisher: Cengage Learning

ISBN: 978-1-285-09406-9

ANSWER

Information Perception

Persuasion can be described as the act of convincing someone into believing in a particular action or rather statement. Ideologically, persuasion is a two-sided word thus depends on how the recipient interprets the persuasion process. Some people might consider it to have negative connotations, while some considers it to have a positive connotation. Some of the negative connotations of the subject word are force, seduce or cajole. Some people don’t like to be persuaded since they feel like they are forced into believing in something, which is against their own personal beliefs. Persuading in this context, therefore, means making someone believe in another person’s opinion without giving them the chance to think and get to come up with their own opinion.  While other people might enjoy being seduced by others, there are those who feel offended when persuaded.  Generally, persuasion can be said to contain four elements; the communicator, the information, how the information is conveyed and the recipient (Spinks, Nghiem & Byrnes, 2021). In business, a negative connotation of persuasion may lead to unhealthy behaviors or a substantial decrease in sales.

There are several factors that might make one believe in or subscribe to ideologies that neither benefits him directly nor the organization. Some of the factors that may make one to do things which are against his beliefs include but not limited to; commitment, reciprocation, liking, social proof, scarcity and authority. When one makes a commitment to do something, he or she has subjected him/herself to an oath which he/she might find very difficult to break, thus forcing him to do some things that are non-beneficial. Reciprocation is described as the act of doing something in order to cover up for a good gesture showed to you before; it simply means return in kind. When someone shows kindness and humility to you, most people will be obliged to return the same kind acts even when they don’t benefit in the act. Liking is a key drive into making someone do things which are non-beneficial. When one has a soft spot for another person, he/she might sacrifice a lot, and end up doing things that only benefit the recipient. Social proof is the act of getting into activities because other people are involved in them. In most instances, doing things because other people are doing them is likely to be of no value addition to oneself or the organization. Scarcity on the other hand is described as the situation, whereby one has few or no options, thus one ends up doing things which are literally non beneficial. Finally, authority is another factor that might compel one into indulging in activities which might end up being non beneficial. In most instances, authority or the law, does not stand to benefit everyone thereby, making some business men/women to indulge in activities which are non-beneficial.

It is vital for one to identify his/her needs within an organization, especially when one makes requests to the company superiors. Identifying your needs in an organization helps you understand your importance, and have a sense of satisfaction. Needs identification helps one work towards a set goal, and also get to work towards personal growth. After needs identification, it is significant for one to make requests, and document them especially, when your superiors are involved. Documentation acts as evidence when one’s request are not met, and unexpected output or results are achieved. Documentation in this case, will help the employee secure his job and also prove to the management that the poor results are as a result of lack of facilitation or rather support from his/her superior. Documentation therefore, plays a significant role in an organization especially when the communication involves a junior and superior employee.

Direct email and mail sales messages have various similarities and differences; some of these aspects are beneficial to the sales person while others might end up offending the customers. Some of the similarities include; both the two sales aspects attract new customers, they also help in retaining the existing customers, they both enhance cross-selling, and most importantly, create a platform for cost cutting as one maximizes on large sales. Some sales personnel normally misuse the highlighted sales tools thereby, irritating the customers in the long run. Both of these tools either fill up the customers’ mailboxes or the email inboxes. Some of the key differences include; email messages can contain graphics, sound and also video clips. The email tool is able to contain hyperlinks, of which cannot be applied in direct mail messages. The creation of direct mail programs is quite expensive and can only be targeted towards a specific group. On the other hand, email sales can be targeted towards selected customers who have shown interest in the goods/services on sale.

Puffery can be described as a claim or statement that is considered promotional in nature. In sales, it is described as the act of using exaggerated statements that cannot be subjected to a verification process, with a key motive of promoting a given product or service. For instance, Dr. Phil calling himself “America’s most trusted relationship counselor” and Sony’s Cyber-shot camera advertisement saying “Make time stand still” are words which are used to lure and tempt the targeted customer into experiencing the seller’s product or service. Puffery in sales has been very vital in getting new customers/clients (von Schneidemesser & Betzien, 2021).  Most people will always fall for the sweet words; puffery has the powers to convince people into buying things which are not planned for or non-beneficial. On the other hand, the seller is forced to match the product with the puffery, of which is challenging thus likely to result into loss of advertising efficiency and continuity.

References

Spinks, J., Nghiem, S., & Byrnes, J. (2021). Risky business, healthy lives: how risk perception, risk preferences and information influence consumer’s risky health choices. The European Journal of Health Economics, 22(5), 811-831.

von Schneidemesser, D., & Betzien, J. (2021). Local Business Perception vs. Mobility Behavior of Shoppers: A Survey from Berlin. Transport Findings.