Business and administrative studies
Here are links that will “bring to life” the concepts we are covering.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNH6m6BrgKs
http://communication.atwork-network.com/2007/07/06/video-knowing-your-audience
Answer the following Critical Thinking / Questions from your textbook 1 and 2 pages 71-72.
1. Cal Newport, computer scientist and author, blames open-office layouts and relentless collaboration for a decline in concentrated deep thinking. He cites research suggesting that even short
interruptions
significantly increase the total time needed to complete a task. Other studies show that multitasking not only drags out work but reduces its quality. One researcher believes that jumping from one task to another reduces
efficiency because of “attention residue.” As the mind turns to a new task, it is still thinking about the old task. Are you easily distracted? What techniques help
you concentrate?
2. Evaluate the following humorous analogy between the murder of a famous Roman emperor and the deadening effect of meetings: “This month is the 2,053rd anniversary of the death of Julius Caesar, who pronounced himself dictator for life before running the idea past the Roman Senate. On his way to a meeting, he was met by a group of senators who, wishing to express their unhappiness with his vocational aspirations, stabbed him to death. Moral of the story: Beware of meetings.” Is the comparison fitting? What might the author of the article have wanted to convey?
Book: Business Communication: Process & Product 10e
Mary Ellen Guffey; Dana Loewy
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
ANSWER
Communication
I am not easily distracted. Once I focus on something, my whole attention is on it, and therefore it is not easy to get me out of what I am doing. I can function adequately in an open-office layout. However, open office layouts are not suitable for business because of distractions. Most people are easily distracted and cannot concentrate on such a layout. I have different concentration techniques. One of the techniques I use to enhance my concentration is the use of earplugs. These prevent me from listening to other people’s conversations. This ensures that I am fully concentrated on my work. I also ensure that I tell my colleagues that I should not be disturbed during working hours unless it is absolutely necessary. Setting boundaries and timelines during working hours help me fully concentrate on what I am doing and also prevents my mind from wandering. If I am tired and my mind starts wandering, I take short breaks, breathe in some fresh air and get back to work.
The author was trying to show the importance of efficient communication. This means that one should be wary of their audience. When communicating and holding meetings, it is important to understand the audience to avoid offending them. Understanding one’s audience is important in business (Elite Experts Network, 2013). This helps in delivering the message and getting outcomes. For example, if one is talking to the management team, there are specific things one is likely to talk about that they will not talk about with the human resource team. The story given in the book is about choosing words with the audience. It was unwise to talk about being a dictator to senators. They are not likely to appreciate the suggestion as they are legislators and do not appreciate the idea of being bossed around.
References
Elite Experts Network. (2013). To communicate Effectively, Know Your Audience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNH6m6BrgKs
