Deck 19: Business Communications

Question 1

Memos are typically used for internal communication.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

For which of the following is a memo LEAST likely to be used?

A) to make an internal announcement
B) to inform a client about an important change in procedure
C) to request information from a colleague within the office
D) to summarize facts from a team meeting
E) to introduce a report you are submitting to your supervisor

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Most podcasts,as well as the necessary software,are free.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Clorox Company's Dr.Laundry,Bill Marriott's Marriott on the Move,and FastLane,created by Bob Lutz,of General Motors,are examples of ________.

A) alter egos
B) television spots
C) websites
D) blogs
E) wikis

Question 5

To date,collaborative business communications tends to mean that people gather in conference rooms around conference tables.

Question 6

Pamela Davis was lauded by her audience after her PowerPoint presentation.Her design was clean and uncluttered.She edited her presentation to make sure there were no unnecessary animations or special effects.Which PowerPoint tip does this reflect?

A) Keep it simple.
B) Practice makes perfect.
C) Follow the 6 × 6 × 24 rule.
D) Never use special effects.
E) Have a professional design your presentation.

Question 7

You may not know what software the recipient of your e-mail has; therefore,if you are sending an attachment you should not send it in PDF format.

Question 8

What are some of the characteristics of good speaking skills?

Question 9

What is the complement to good oral communication skills?

A) repetition
B) clarification
C) active listening skills
D) passive listening skills
E) volume

Question 10

Which of the following can NOT be considered a direct result of poor communication in business?

A) a loss of customers from poor customer service
B) a loss of income from falling stock prices
C) a lack of focus on business objectives
D) a decrease in high quality innovation
E) a fall in productivity due to a misunderstanding among team members

Question 11

Work e-mails can be legally monitored by your boss.

Question 12

A blog is a Web log that is usually authored by an individual and cannot be changed or edited by visitors,although visitors can add comments to the original content.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT an appropriate business application of text messaging?

A) real estate agents using it to inform buyers that new listings that fit their specifications have come to the market
B) salespeople informing their managers about monthly sales figures using abbreviated shorthand-type language
C) airlines using it to confirm flight information
D) advertisers using it to alert users to new product information
E) businesses using it to alert customers about special events

Question 14

Like exchanging e-mails and attachments,there are timing and version issues to contend with when using wikis,making it difficult to use them in a team setting.

Question 15

Interpersonal skills are important in business because business people spend at least ________ communicating and interacting with others during the course of the day.

A) half of their time
B) 75 percent of their time
C) two hours
D) 20 minutes out of every hour
E) a quarter of their time

Question 16

Good presentation skills begin with good information technology skills,such as expertise in working with databases and with PowerPoint.

Question 17

Which of the following is the most used form of digital communication in the business world?

A) blogs
B) wikis
C) e-mail
D) chat rooms
E) social networks

Question 18

Which statement BEST describes why good presentations skills are important in business?

A) You often need to persuade, educate, or inform a group about your ideas.
B) You often need to debate your ideas and theories in a group setting.
C) Your ability to successfully give presentations determines your salary.
D) Your ability to successfully give presentations will ensure that you move up in the company.
E) You will need to give presentations in every job you will hold in your career.

Question 19

Which of the following examples demonstrates the most effective use of color in a PowerPoint presentation?

A) a presentation that uses white text over a black background for stark contrast
B) a presentation that uses a combination of light background and dark text
C) a presentation that uses primary colors to wake up audience attention
D) a presentation that uses a variety of colors on every slide
E) a presentation that uses black text on a blue background

Question 20

One good way to practice active listening skills is to ________.

A) try to think of what you are going to say next on the same subject while you listen
B) jot down your opinions on the subject matter while you listen
C) repeat back points that the speaker made when the speaker is finished
D) discuss your own thoughts on the subject when the speaker is finished
E) make sure you have a solution in your mind before hearing what everyone else has to say

Question 21

E-mail is a highly useful tool in business communication; however,it can cause problems in the workplace.Discuss some of these problems.

Question 22

"No e-mail" days have been highly successful in providing better customer service.Discuss some of the reasons why.

Question 23

Which form of communication is best if you want to work collaboratively on a document with several people who are located in different states: conference call,wikis,videoconferencing,or e-mail?

Question 24

Although social networks,wikis,podcasts,and blogs are becoming increasingly popular in
the business world,e-mail is still arguably the most used form of digital communication.Why do you think this is the case?

Question 25

What are some of the advantages of videoconferencing for business communications?

Question 26

Instant messaging (IM)and e-mail are similar in some ways,different in others.Describe some of the similarities and some of the differences.

Question 27

Peter needs to speak to his supervisor before they sit in on a client call in about an hour.Peter's office is down the hall from his supervisor's office and he's not sure how tight his supervisor's schedule is and whether he has time to talk things over.There are a few controversial issues to be discussed on the call and Peter is anxious to learn his supervisor's point of view on these issues.Which form of communication would be the best way for Peter to communicate with his supervisor: instant messaging,a brief telephone call,face-to-face chat,or e-mail? Explain your answer.

Question 28

Describe the 6 × 6 × 24 rule for PowerPoint presentations and discuss the reasons for applying this rule.

Question 29

Peg Griffin recently started a wedding management and coordination business.She wants to collaborate with her business partners in the easiest way possible.What is the right option for Peg if she wants to choose a business communication tool that provides her partners with equal access and allows them to have equal control of creating and modifying content: a wiki,a blog,a podcast,or e-mail?