MANG 291 (Chapter 5 Quiz) – Flashcards
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Which of the following is typically included in the planning stage of writing an effective business message?
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generating the best ideas to address a business issue (In order to create an effective business message, during the planning stage you should understand the needs of the audience, generate the best of ideas to address a business issue, and identify the primary message and key points.)
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Which of the following is most likely to be included in the drafting stage of writing an effective business message?
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making the message easy to read (In order to create an effective business message, during the drafting stage you should set a positive and other oriented tone, make the message easy to read, and make the message easy to navigate.)
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Which of the following is typically included in the reviewing stage of writing an effective business message?
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removing distractions from the message (In order to create an effective business message, during the reviewing stage you should ensure that the communication is fair, consider whether your message is effective, and remove any distractions.)
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Which of the following is most likely to be true about excellent business writers?
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They spend a significant amount of time reviewing their work. (Expert business writers not only produce more effective written communications, but they also do so more quickly than average writers. Their secret is to devote a much higher percentage of their time to the planning and reviewing stages.)
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Tulip has been asked to create an effective business message aimed at making the employees understand the benefits of working in a group. In the process of creating the business message, she studies the background of the employees and their needs and priorities. This action belongs to which step of the AIM planning process used for developing influential messages?
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audience analysis (This is an example of audience analysis. The planning process for developing influential messages should include analyzing the needs of your audience. Effective business communicators possess an uncanny ability to step into the shoes of their audience members. They think about their needs, priorities, and values. They envision how their readers will respond when getting the message—in thought, feeling, and action.)
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Terence works as a software developer and is very particular about maintaining the quality of his work. He has set a very high standard for himself as well as those working under him. Terence's high ideals are referred to as
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values. (Values refer to enduring beliefs and ideals that individuals hold.)
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Typically, in the context of developing effective business messages, the priorities of the targeted audience
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tend to shift more often than values. (Priorities involve ranking or assigning importance to things, such as projects, goals, and tasks. Priorities tend to shift more often than values.)
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To break out of the reputation of an inexperienced newcomer, you should
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ask your boss for ideas about improving your professional reputation. (To break out of a reputation as an inexperienced newcomer you should set up a time to talk with your boss. In the meeting, explain your growth in various areas and ask for your boss's ideas about improving your professional reputation.)
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In the course of creating an effective business message, excellent business thinkers are most likely to
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identify and articulate key questions and problems. (Excellent business thinkers possess a number of characteristics. First, they clearly and precisely identify and articulate key questions and problems. Second, they gather information from a variety of sources. Third, they make well-reasoned conclusions and solutions. Fourth, they remain open to alternatives to approaching and reasoning about the business problem—that is, they are mentally flexible.)
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_____ are statements that can be relied on with a fair amount of certainty and can be observed objectively.
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Facts. (Facts are statements that can be relied on with a fair amount of certainty (most things are not absolutely certain in the business world) and can be observed objectively.)
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Analyzing a business problem typically involves
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uncovering relevant facts. (Analyzing a business problem typically involves uncovering relevant facts, making conclusions, and taking positions.)
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The deductive approach is also known as the _____ approach.
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direct. (The deductive approach is also known as the direct approach.)
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At the U.S. division of Bluebell Inc. the productivity of the employees is going down. Kinsey, the branch manager conducts thorough research and learns that most of the employees were involved in social loafing. If he wants to use the deductive approach, how should Kinsey structure his report to senior management?
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state the primary message; lay out supporting reasons; conclude with a call to action (Most business arguments employ a direct or deductive approach. In other words, they begin by stating the primary message, which is typically a position or recommendation. Then they lay out the supporting reasons. Most business messages conclude with a call to action.)
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The inductive approach to writing a business argument
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provides the supporting reasons first before the primary message. (For some messages, such as when delivering bad news, the indirect or inductive approach is used. In this approach, supporting reasons are provided first, followed by the primary message.)
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Daniel has to prepare a report outlining the reasons why his company is going to shut down two factories in the United States. How will Daniel structure the report if he wants to use the inductive method?
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lay out the supporting reasons in careful order; state the primary message (For some messages, such as when delivering bad news, the indirect or inductive approach is used. In this approach, supporting reasons are provided first, followed by the primary message. In all messages, the importance of framing and arranging the supporting ideas to accentuate the main idea remains the same.)
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To build well-reasoned business positions, one should
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avoid faulty cause/effect claims. (As you analyze business issues, you are often trying to identify causes and effects. To build well-reasoned business positions, you should avoid faulty cause/effect claims.)
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Which of the following suggestions should be followed to build a well-reasoned business position?
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Use strong analogies. (To build well-reasoned business positions, avoid the following types of logical inconsistencies: unsupported generalizations, faulty cause/effect claims, weak analogies, either/or logic, slanting the facts, and exaggeration.)
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What is the most likely impact of slanting facts?
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It reduces the credibility of a business message. (Slanting means only presenting those facts that are favorable to your position. To maintain your credibility, avoid slanting in all cases.)
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Which of the following is most likely to lower a person's credibility?
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exaggeration of facts (Exaggeration impacts readers' perception of your overall credibility as well as the credibility of the message.)
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While analyzing the advantages of orientation programs for new employees, Carter learns that these programs can make new employees more comfortable in their jobs and thus help them focus on their work. This in turn increases employee efficiency and reduces the likelihood that they will quit their jobs. Which of the following statements should Carter avoid making because it exaggerates the facts?
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Orientation programs eliminate the likelihood of new employees quitting their jobs. (Claiming that orientation programs eliminate the likelihood of new employees quitting would be an exaggeration, since Carter's analysis only found that it reduces the likelihood of quitting. Exaggeration impacts readers' perceptions of the writer's overall credibility as well as the credibility of the message.)
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Which of the following should ideally be one of the goals of a business communicator?
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to express the message in a way that respects others (One of your primary goals as a communicator is to express your messages in ways that respect and inspire others.)
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In all business messages, communicators should ideally aim to
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project concern for others. (Business communicators should aim to project positivity and concern for others in all business messages.)
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Which of the following techniques is most likely to make business messages more positive?
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displaying a confident attitude (In order to make business messages more positive, you should focus on actions you can accomplish and demonstrate a realistic optimism.)
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In order to make business messages more positive, writers should focus on actions they can accomplish and demonstrate a realistic optimism. However, they should be careful
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not to exaggerate facts. (In order to make business messages more positive, you should focus on actions you can accomplish and demonstrate a realistic optimism. At the same time, be careful not to exaggerate or set unrealistic expectations.)
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While examining the pros and cons of introducing a stress-busting yoga program for the employees of Hillock Inc., Juanita learns that the pros far outnumber the cons and decides to recommend implementation of the yoga program. Which of the following statements is most likely to increase the positivity of her proposition?
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The yoga program would increase the efficiency of the employees. (In order to make business messages more positive, you should focus on actions you can accomplish and demonstrate a realistic optimism. Stressing that the yoga program would increase the efficiency of employees accomplishes this.)
