Excellence in business communication 10th edition

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Tenth Edition

Excellence in
Business
Communication


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Tenth Edition

Excellence in
Business
Communication

John V. Thill
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Global Communication Strategies

Courtland L. Bovée
Professor of Business Communication
C. Allen Paul Distinguished Chair
Grossmont College

Boston Columbus Indianapolis New York San Francisco Upper Saddle River
Amsterdam Cape Town Dubai London Madrid Milan Munich Paris Montreal
Toronto Delhi Mexico City São Paulo Sydney Hong Kong Seoul Singapore Taipei

Tokyo


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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Thill, John V.
Excellence in business communication / John V. Thill, Courtland L. Bovee. — 10th ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-271904-9
ISBN-10: 0-13-271904-5
1. Business communication—United States—Case studies. I. Bovée, Courtland L. II. Title.
HF5718.2.U6T45 2012
658.4’5—dc23
2011034901
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN 10:
0-13-271904-5
ISBN 13: 978-0-13-271904-9


Contents in Brief

Preface xviii
Prologue xxxi

PART 1 Understanding the Foundations of Business Communication

1

1 Achieving Success Through Effective Business Communication 2
2 Mastering Team Skills and Interpersonal Communication 34
3 Communicating in a World of Diversity 66

PART 2 Applying the Three-Step Writing Process

93

4 Planning Business Messages 94
5 Writing Business Messages 123
6 Completing Business Messages 153

PART 3 Crafting Brief Messages
7
8
9
10

181

Crafting Messages for Electronic Media 182
Writing Routine and Positive Messages 223
Writing Negative Messages 254
Writing Persuasive Messages 291

PART 4 Preparing Reports and Oral Presentations
11
12
13
14

Planning Reports and Proposals 326
Writing Reports and Proposals 367
Completing Reports and Proposals 409
Designing and Delivering Oral and Online Presentations

325

452

PART 5 Writing Employment Messages and Interviewing for Jobs

487

15 Building Careers and Writing Résumés 488
16 Applying and Interviewing for Employment 520
APPENDIX A Format and Layout of Business Documents A-1
APPENDIX B Documentation of Report Sources A-19
APPENDIX C Correction Symbols A-25
Handbook of Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage H-1
Answer Key AK-1
Brand, Organization, Name, and Website Index I-1
Subject Index I-4

vii

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Contents

Preface xviii

IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 2.0

Prologue

32

Who’s Responsible Here? 25

xxxi

CHAPTER 2

PART 1
Understanding the Foundations
of Business Communication 1

Mastering Team Skills and Interpersonal
Communication 34
ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT
ROSEN LAW FIRM 34

Communicating Effectively in Teams

CHAPTER 1

Achieving Success Through Effective
Business Communication 2

Collaborating on Communication Efforts

ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT TOYOTA 2
Communication Is Important to Your Career 3
Communication Is Important to Your Company 4
What Makes Business Communication Effective? 4

Making Your Meetings More Productive

Communicating in Today’s Global Business
Environment 4

Using Meeting Technologies 45
Improving Your Listening Skills 47
Recognizing Various Types of Listening 47
Understanding the Listening Process 48
Overcoming Barriers to Effective Listening 48

10

Improving Your Nonverbal Communication Skills

The Basic Communication Model 10

The Social Communication Model 14

Using Technology to Improve Business Communication
Keeping Technology in Perspective 16
Guarding Against Information Overload 17
Using Technological Tools Productively 17
Reconnecting with People 17
Distinguishing Ethical Dilemmas from Ethical Lapses 22
Ensuring Ethical Communication 23
Ensuring Legal Communication 25

Applying What You’ve Learned

26

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION
DILEMMAS AT TOYOTA 27
LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP
QUICK LEARNING GUIDE
PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS
EXPAND YOUR SKILLS

30
31

16

30

50

Recognizing Nonverbal Communication 50
Using Nonverbal Communication Effectively 51

Developing Your Business Etiquette 52
Business Etiquette in the Workplace 52
Business Etiquette in Social Settings 55
Business Etiquette Online 56

22

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION
DILEMMAS AT ROSEN LAW FIRM 57
LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 58
QUICK LEARNING GUIDE

60

APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE

61

PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 61
EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 63
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE
SHARPENING YOUR CAREER SKILLS

29

APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE

28

42

Preparing for Meetings 43
Conducting and Contributing to Efficient Meetings 43

Understanding the Unique Challenges of Business
Communication 5
Understanding What Employers Expect from You 7
Communicating in an Organizational Context 8
Adopting an Audience-Centered Approach 9

Committing to Ethical and Legal Communication

39

Guidelines for Collaborative Writing 39
Technologies for Collaborative Writing 39
Social Networks and Virtual Communities 40
Giving—and Responding to—Constructive Feedback 41

Understanding Why Communication Matters 3

Exploring the Communication Process

35

Advantages and Disadvantages of Teams 35

Characteristics of Effective Teams 36
Group Dynamics 36

63

Sending the Right

Signals 51
COMMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURES

Whose Skin Is This,

Anyway? 53

ix


x

Contents

Analyzing the Situation 96

CHAPTER 3

Communicating in a World of Diversity 66
ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT IBM

66

Understanding the Opportunities and Challenges of
Communication in a Diverse World 67
The Opportunities in a Global Marketplace 67
The Advantages of a Diverse Workforce 67
The Challenges of Intercultural Communication 68

Developing Cultural Competency 70
Understanding the Concept of Culture 70
Overcoming Ethnocentrism and Stereotyping 70

Recognizing Variations in a Diverse World 71
Contextual Differences 71
Legal and Ethical Differences 72
Social Differences 72
Nonverbal Differences 73
Age Differences 74
Gender Differences 74
Religious Differences 74
Ability Differences 76

Adapting to Other Business Cultures 76
Guidelines for Adapting to Any Business Culture 76
Guidelines for Adapting to U.S. Business Culture 77

Improving Intercultural Communication Skills 77
Studying Other Cultures 77
Studying Other Languages 79
Respecting Preferences for Communication Style 80
Writing Clearly 80
Speaking and Listening Carefully 82

Using Interpreters, Translators, and Translation Software 84
Helping Others Adapt to Your Culture 84

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION
DILEMMAS AT IBM 85
LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 86

Gathering Information 98
Uncovering Audience Needs 99
Finding Your Focus 99
Providing Required Information 99

Selecting the Right Medium 101
Oral Media 101
Written Media 102
Visual Media 102
Electronic Media 103
Factors to Consider When Choosing Media 104

Organizing Your Information 106
Recognizing the Importance of Good Organization 106
Defining Your Main Idea 108
Limiting Your Scope 108
Choosing Between Direct and Indirect Approaches 109
Outlining Your Content 110
Building Reader Interest with Storytelling
Techniques 112

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION DILEMMAS
AT H&R BLOCK 115

LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 116
QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 118
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 119
PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 119
EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 121
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 121
PRACTICING ETHICAL COMMUNICATION

How Much Information

Is Enough? 100

CHAPTER 5

Writing Business Messages 123
ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT
CREATIVE COMMONS 123

QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 88
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 89
PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 89

Adapting to Your Audience: Being Sensitive to Audience
Needs 124

EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 90
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 91

Us Versus Them:
Generational Conflict in the Workplace 75

COMMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURES

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 2.0

Defining Your Purpose 97
Developing an Audience Profile 97

The Web 2.0 Way to Learn

a New Language 80

PART 2
Applying the Three-Step Writing
Process 93
CHAPTER 4

Planning Business Messages 94
ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT
H&R BLOCK 94
Understanding the Three-Step Writing Process 95
Optimizing Your Writing Time 96
Planning Effectively 96

Using the “You” Attitude 124
Maintaining Standards of Etiquette 125
Emphasizing the Positive 125
Using Bias-Free Language 127

Adapting to Your Audience: Building Strong

Relationships 129
Establishing Your Credibility 129
Projecting Your Company’s Image 130

Adapting to Your Audience: Controlling Your Style
and Tone 130
Using a Conversational Tone 131
Using Plain Language 132
Selecting the Active or Passive Voice 133

Composing Your Message:
Choosing Powerful Words 134
Understanding Denotation and Connotation 135
Balancing Abstract and Concrete Words 135
Finding Words That Communicate Well 137

Composing Your Message: Creating Effective
Sentences 137
Choosing from the Four Types of Sentences 137
Using Sentence Style to Emphasize Key Thoughts 139


Contents

Composing Your Message: Crafting Unified, Coherent
Paragraphs 140
Creating the Elements of a Paragraph 140
Choosing the Best Way to Develop Each Paragraph 142

Using Technology to Compose and Shape Your

Messages 142
ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION
DILEMMAS AT CREATIVE COMMONS 144
LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 145
QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 147
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 148
PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 148
EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 151
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 151

Can You Connect
with a Global Audience on the Web? 133

COMMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURES

CHAPTER 6

Completing Business Messages 153
ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT JEFFERSON RABB
WEB DESIGN 153
Revising Your Message:
Evaluating the First Draft 154
Evaluating Your Content, Organization,
Style, and Tone 154
Evaluating, Editing, and Revising the
Work of Others 156

Revising to Improve Readability 157
Varying Your Sentence Length 157
Keeping Your Paragraphs Short 158

Using Lists to Clarify and Emphasize 158
Adding Headings and Subheadings 158

Editing for Clarity and Conciseness 159
Editing for Clarity 159
Editing for Conciseness 161
Using Technology to Revise Your Message 163

Producing Your Message 164
Designing for Readability 164
Designing Multimedia Documents 167
Using Technology to Produce Your Message 169
Formatting Formal Letters and Memos 169

PART 3
Crafting Brief Messages 181
CHAPTER 7

Crafting Messages for Electronic
Media 182
ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES 182
Electronic Media for Business Communication 183
Compositional Modes for Electronic Media 185
Creating Content for Social Media 187

Social Networking and Community Participation
Websites 188
Social Networks 188
User-Generated Content Sites 194

Community Q&A Sites 194
Community Participation Websites 194

Email

195

Planning Email Messages 196
Writing Email Messages 196
Completing Email Messages 197

Instant Messaging and Text Messaging 198
Understanding the Benefits and Risks of IM 199
Adapting the Three-Step Process for Successful IM 199

Blogging and Microblogging 200
Understanding the Business Applications of Blogging 201
Adapting the Three-Step Process for Successful Blogging 204
Microblogging 206

Podcasting 207
Understanding the Business Applications of Podcasting 207
Adapting the Three-Step Process for Successful Podcasting 208

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION
DILEMMAS AT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES 209
LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 211
QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 213
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 214
PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 214

EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 216
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 216
CASES

217

Walking Around
with the Entire Internet in Your Hands 185

Proofreading Your Message 171
Distributing Your Message 171

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 2.0

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION
DILEMMAS AT JEFFERSON RABB WEB
DESIGN 173

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 2.0

LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 174
QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 176
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 177
PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 177
EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 180
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 180

Protecting Patients
with Reader-Friendly Prescription Labels 161

COMMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURES

Proofread Like a Pro
to Create Perfect Documents 172

SHARPENING YOUR CAREER SKILLS

xi

Help! I’m Drowning

in Social Media! 203

CHAPTER 8

Writing Routine and Positive Messages 223
ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT
GET SATISFACTION 223
Strategy for Routine Requests 224
Stating Your Request Up Front 224
Explaining and Justifying Your Request 224
Requesting Specific Action in a Courteous Close 225

Common Examples of Routine Requests 225
Asking for Information and Action 226
Asking for Recommendations 226
Making Claims and Requesting Adjustments 228


xii

Contents

Strategy for Routine and Positive Messages 228

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION
DILEMMAS AT CHARGIFY 277

Starting with the Main Idea 231
Providing Necessary Details and Explanation 231
Ending with a Courteous Close 232

LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 279
QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 281

Common Examples of Routine and Positive
Messages 232

APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 282
PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 282

Answering Requests for Information and Action 232
Granting Claims and Requests for Adjustment 233
Providing Recommendations 234
Sharing Routine Information 236
Announcing Good News 238
Fostering Goodwill 240

EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 283
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 284

CASES

We’re Under Attack!
Responding to Rumors and Criticism in a Social
Media Environment 272

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 2.0

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION
DILEMMAS AT GET SATISFACTION 242

CHAPTER 10

LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 243

Writing Persuasive Messages 291

QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 245
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 246

ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT CAFEMOM

PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 246
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 248
248

Can You Get Sued for Writing—
or Not Writing—a Recommendation Letter? 237

COMMUNICATION MISCUES

Step 1: Planning a Persuasive Message 292
Step 2: Writing a Persuasive Message 295
Step 3: Completing a Persuasive Message 297

Developing Persuasive Business Messages 297
Strategies for Persuasive Business Messages 297
Common Examples of Persuasive Business Messages 301

CHAPTER 9

Developing Marketing and Sales Messages 303

Writing Negative Messages 254
ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT CHARGIFY

291

Using the Three-Step Writing Process for Persuasive
Messages 292

EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 248
CASES

284

254

Using the Three-Step Writing Process for Negative
Messages 255

Step 1: Planning a Negative Message 255
Step 2: Writing a Negative Message 256
Step 3: Completing a Negative Message 257

Using the Direct Approach for Negative Messages 258
Opening with a Clear Statement of the Bad News 258
Providing Reasons and Additional Information 258
Closing on a Respectful Note 259

Using the Indirect Approach for Negative Messages 259
Opening with a Buffer 259
Providing Reasons and Additional Information 261
Continuing with a Clear Statement of the Bad News 261
Closing on a Respectful Note 262

Maintaining High Standards of Ethics and Etiquette 263
Sending Negative Messages on Routine
Business Matters 264
Making Negative Announcements on Routine Business Matters 264
Rejecting Suggestions and Proposals 265
Refusing Routine Requests 265
Handling Bad News About Transactions 265
Refusing Claims and Requests for Adjustment 268

Sending Negative Organizational News 270
Communicating Under Normal Circumstances 270
Communicating in a Crisis 270

Assessing Audience Needs 303
Analyzing Your Competition 304

Determining Key Selling Points and Benefits 305
Anticipating Purchase Objections 305
Applying AIDA or a Similar Model 306

Writing Promotional Messages for Social Media 309
Maintaining High Standards of Ethics, Legal Compliance,
and Etiquette 310
ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION DILEMMAS
AT CAFEMOM 312
LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 313
QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 315
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 316
PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 316
EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 317
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 318
CASES

318

Please Find Us:
Building an Audience Through Search Engine
Optimization 296

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 2.0

PART 4
Preparing Reports
and Oral Presentations 325

Sending Negative Employment Messages 273

Refusing Requests for Employee References
and Recommendation Letters 273
Refusing Social Networking Recommendation Requests 274
Rejecting Job Applications 274
Giving Negative Performance Reviews 275
Terminating Employment 276

CHAPTER 11

Planning Reports and Proposals 326
ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT MYCITYWAY 326
Applying the Three-Step Writing Process to Reports
and Proposals 327


Contents

xiii

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION
DILEMMAS AT TELLABS 397

Analyzing the Situation 327
Gathering Information 330
Selecting the Right Medium 331
Organizing Your Information 331

LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 398
QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 401

Supporting Your Messages
with Reliable Information 333

APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 402
PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 402

Planning Your Research 334
Locating Data and Information 335
Evaluating Sources 335
Using Your Research Results 336

EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 405
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 405
CASES

406

PRACTICING ETHICAL COMMUNICATION

Conducting Secondary Research 338

Distorting the Data 396

Finding Information at a Library 338
Finding Information Online 340
Documenting Your Sources 343

CHAPTER 13

Conducting Primary Research 343

Completing Reports and Proposals 409

Conducting Surveys 343
Conducting Interviews 345

ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT GARAGE
TECHNOLOGY VENTURES 409

Planning Informational Reports 347
Organizing Informational Reports 347
Organizing Website Content 348

Revising Reports and Proposals 410
Producing Formal Reports 410

Planning Analytical Reports 350

Prefatory Parts 412
Text of the Report 430
Supplementary Parts 430

Focusing on Conclusions 351
Focusing on Recommendations 352
Focusing on Logical Arguments 353

Producing Formal Proposals 431

Planning Proposals 353

Prefatory Parts 431
Text of the Proposal 432

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION
DILEMMAS AT MYCITYWAY 358

Proofreading Reports and Proposals 433
Distributing Reports and Proposals 435

LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 360
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 363

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION
DILEMMAS AT GARAGE TECHNOLOGY VENTURES 437

PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 363

LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 438

EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 365

QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 440

IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 365

APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 441

QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 362

Creating

an Effective Business Plan 348

PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 441

SHARPENING YOUR CAREER SKILLS

EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 442
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 442
CASES

CHAPTER 12

REPORT WRITER’S NOTEBOOK

Writing Reports and Proposals 367
ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT TELLABS

367

Adapting to Your Audience 368
Drafting Report Content 368
Drafting Proposal Content 373
Helping Report Readers Find Their Way 375
Using Technology to Craft Reports and Proposals 377

Writing for Websites and Wikis 378
Drafting Website Content 378
Collaborating on Wikis 379

Illustrating Your Reports with Effective Visuals 380

Producing and Integrating Visuals 392
Creating Visuals 392
Integrating Visuals with Text 393
Balancing Illustrations and Words 394
Referencing Visuals 394
Verifying the Quality of Your Visuals 395

Analyzing a Formal

Report 413

Composing Reports and Proposals 368

Understanding Visual Design Principles 380
Understanding the Ethics of Visual Communication 381
Identifying Points to Illustrate 383
Selecting the Right Type of Visual 383

443

CHAPTER 14

Designing and Delivering Oral
and Online Presentations 452
ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT
PRINCIPATO-YOUNG ENTERTAINMENT 452
Planning a Presentation 453
Analyzing the Situation 453
Selecting the Right Medium 455

Organizing Your Presentation 455

Developing a Presentation 458
Adapting to Your Audience 459
Composing Your Presentation 459

Enhancing Your Presentation with Effective Slides 462
Choosing Structured or Free-Form Slides 463
Designing Effective Slides 465

Completing a Presentation 469
Finalizing Your Slides 470
Creating Effective Handouts 470


xiv

Contents

Choosing Your Presentation Method 472
Practicing Your Delivery 473

LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 513
QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 515

Delivering a Presentation 473

APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 516

Overcoming Anxiety 473

Handling Questions Responsively 474
Embracing the Backchannel 475
Giving Presentations Online 475

PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 516
EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 517
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 517
CASES

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION DILEMMAS
AT PRINCIPATO-YOUNG ENTERTAINMENT 476

517

SHARPENING YOUR CAREER SKILLS

Don’t. Just Don’t. 504

CHAPTER 16

LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 477

Applying and Interviewing
for Employment 520

QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 481
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 482
PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 482
EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 483

ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT ZAPPOS

IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 483

Submitting Your Résumé 521

CASES

484

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 2.0

Presentations Get Social 469

520

Writing Application Letters 521
Following Up After Submitting a Résumé 525

Understanding the Interviewing Process 526

PART 5
Writing Employment Messages
and Interviewing for Jobs 487

The Typical Sequence of Interviews 527
Common Types of Interviews 527
Interview Media 528
What Employers Look for in an Interview 529
Preemployment Testing and Background Checks 530

Preparing for a Job Interview 531

CHAPTER 15

Building Careers and Writing Résumés 488
ON THE JOB: COMMUNICATING AT ATK

488

Finding the Ideal Opportunity in Today’s
Job Market 489
Writing the Story of You 489
Learning to Think Like an Employer 489
Researching Industries and Companies of Interest 490
Translating Your General Potential into a Specific Solution
for Each Employer 491
Taking the Initiative to Find Opportunities 491
Building Your Network 492
Seeking Career Counseling 493
Avoiding Mistakes 493

Planning a Résumé 493
Analyzing Your Purpose and Audience 493
Gathering Pertinent Information 495
Selecting the Best Medium 495
Organizing Your Résumé Around Your Strengths 495
Addressing Areas of Concern 496

Writing a Résumé 498

Keeping Your Résumé Honest 499
Adapting Your Résumé to Your Audience 499
Composing Your Résumé 500

Completing a Résumé 503
Revising Your Résumé 504
Producing Your Résumé 505
Proofreading Your Résumé 510
Distributing Your Résumé 510

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION
DILEMMAS AT ATK 511

Learning About the Organization and Your Interviewers 531
Thinking Ahead About Questions 532
Bolstering Your Confidence 533
Polishing Your Interview Style 533
Presenting a Professional Image 535
Being Ready When You Arrive 536

Interviewing for Success 537
The Warm-Up 537
The Question-and-Answer Stage 538
The Close 539
Interview Notes 540

Following Up After the Interview 541
Thank-You Message 541
Message of Inquiry 541
Request for a Time Extension 542

Letter of Acceptance 543
Letter Declining a Job Offer 544
Letter of Resignation 544

ON THE JOB: SOLVING COMMUNICATION DILEMMAS
AT ZAPPOS 545
LEARNING OBJECTIVES CHECKUP 546
QUICK LEARNING GUIDE 548
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE 549
PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS 549
EXPAND YOUR SKILLS 550
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR, MECHANICS, AND USAGE 550
CASES

551

COMMUNICATING ACROSS CULTURES

Successfully Interviewing

Across Borders 535
SHARPENING YOUR CAREER SKILLS

Yourself Out of a Job 539

Make Sure You Don’t Talk


Contents

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX C

Format and Layout of Business Documents A-1

Correction Symbols A-25

First Impressions A-1

Content and Style A-25
Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage A-26
Proofreading Marks A-27

Paper A-1
Customization A-1
Appearance A-1

Letters

A-2

Standard Letter Parts A-2
Additional Letter Parts A-7
Letter Formats A-9

Envelopes A-10
Addressing the Envelope A-11
Folding to Fit A-12
International Mail A-14

Memos A-14
Reports A-16
Margins A-16
Headings A-16
Page Numbers A-17

xv

Handbook of Grammar, Mechanics,
and Usage H-1
Diagnostic Test of English Skills H-1
Assessment of English Skills H-3
Essentials of Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage H-3
1.0 Grammar H-3
2.0 Punctuation H-15
3.0 Mechanics H-19
4.0 Vocabulary H-22

Answer Key AK-1
Brand, Organization, Name, and Website Index I-1

APPENDIX B

Documentation of Report Sources A-19
Chicago Humanities Style A-19
In-Text Citation–Chicago Humanities Style A-19
Bibliography–Chicago Humanities Style A-20

APA Style

A-22

In-Text Citation–APA Style A-22
List of References–APA Style A-22

MLA Style A-22
In-Text Citation–MLA Style A-22
List of Works Cited–MLA Style A-23

Subject Index I-4


Real-Time Updates—Learn More

Real-Time Updates “Learn More” is a unique feature that you will see strategically located
throughout the text, connecting you with dozens of carefully selected online media items.
These elements—categorized by the icons shown below representing interactive websites,
online videos, PowerPoint presentations, podcasts, PDF files, and articles—complement
the text’s coverage by providing contemporary examples and valuable insights from successful professionals. See page xxii for an illustration of how Real-Time Updates works.
REAL-TIME UPDATES
Learn More by Listening to This Podcast

REAL-TIME UPDATES
Learn More by Reading This Article
Will your social media habits kill your career?
Learn how intellectual property protection promotes
sustainable growth
Need some fresh creative inspiration?
Building credibility online

Grammar questions? Click here for help
Integrating social media in a global corporation
Get inspired to build a great Facebook Page
Tweets from the boss: CEOs on Twitter
Get expert tips on writing (or requesting) a letter
of recommendation
Simple rules for writing effective thank-you notes
Make sure your logic stands on solid ground
See your way into the invisible Internet
Get to the CORE of online research
Get clear answers to murky copyright questions
Understand why some visuals work and some don’t
Get practical advice on developing research reports
100 Twitter tools for job searchers
Follow these people to a new career
Try these Facebook apps in your job search
Find the keywords that will light up your résumé
Watch a résumé pro rework an introductory statement
How much are you worth?
Video interviewing on Skype

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193
206
237

240
301
342
342
343
395
411
492
493
493
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502
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530

REAL-TIME UPDATES
Learn More by Reading This PDF
Steps you can take to help reduce information overload
Social networks for professionals
International etiquette tips
Dig deep into audience needs with this planning tool
Get detailed advice on using bias-free language
Proofread with advice from Stanford Business School
The right way to ask for recommendations on LinkedIn
See why visual design is a lot more than just “eye candy”
Jumpstart your visual creativity

xvi

16

41
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127
171
226
381
393

Exploring ethical expectations in social media
Keep audiences tuned in with engaging presentations

187
462

REAL-TIME UPDATES
Learn More by Watching
This PowerPoint Presentation
Simple tips to improve your listening skills
Don’t let etiquette blunders derail your career
Essential guidelines for adapting to other business cultures
Smart advice for brainstorming sessions
Wrap your mind around mind mapping
Get helpful tips on creating an outline for any project
Practical advice for thorough proofreading
Take a crash course in email etiquette
Choose the most effective emotional appeal
Should you accept? Evaluating a job offer

48

55
78
108
109
110
171
195
299
540

REAL-TIME UPDATES
Learn More by Watching This Video
Are you damaging yourself with noise?
Use negotiation skills to resolve conflicts
Are you a good listener?
Putting culture in context
Overcoming culture shock
Step-by-step advice for recording your first podcast
Take some of the sting out of delivering bad news
Persuasion skills for every business professional
Is it necessary—or even smart—to spend months
writing a business plan?
Dealing with the Difficult Four
Get a quick video tour of Garr Reynolds’s Presentation Zen

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77

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293
347
455
463


Real-Time Updates—Learn More

Way beyond bullet points: A stunning example
of free-form slide design
Five easy tips to add a professional finish to your slides
Maximize the rewards of the backchannel and minimize
the risks
Tweet your way to a sweet job
Learn to use LinkedIn’s résumé builder
Study the classics to ace your next interview

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xvii

REAL-TIME UPDATES
Learn More by Exploring

This Interactive Website
Quickly peruse dozens of data and information
display techniques
Data visualization gateway: A comprehensive collection
for business communicators

383
387


Preface

Major Changes and Improvements
in This Edition
Bovée and Thill texts have long set the benchmark in this field for rigorous, high-value
revisions that make sure instructors and students have the most comprehensive, realistic,
and contemporary materials available. The following table identifies the major changes
and improvements in the tenth edition of Excellence in Business Communication.
Significant
content additions
and upgrades

In addition to numerous updates and streamlining rewrites throughout, the
following sections are all new or substantially revised with new material:
• Understanding Why Communication Matters (in Chapter 1)
• The Social Communication Model (in Chapter 1)
• Committing to Ethical and Legal Communication (in Chapter 1;
new coverage of transparency)
• Distinguishing Ethical Dilemmas from Ethical Lapses (in Chapter 1;
revised and streamlined)

• Business Communication 2.0: Who’s Responsible Here? (in Chapter 1)
• Communicating Effectively in Teams (in Chapter 2; new coverage
of collaboration)
• Communicating Across Cultures: Whose Skin Is This, Anyway? (in Chapter 2)
• Social Networks and Virtual Communities (in Chapter 2; updated)
• Business Etiquette Online (in Chapter 2; updated)
• Developing Cultural Competency (in Chapter 3)
• Communicating Across Cultures: Us Versus Them: Generational Conflict
in the Workplace (in Chapter 3)
• Speaking and Listening Carefully (in Chapter 3; updated with
accommodation strategies)
• Business Communication 2.0: The Web 2.0 Way to Learn a New Language
(in Chapter 3)
• Analyzing the Situation (in Chapter 4; revised)
• Practicing Ethical Communication: How Much Information Is Enough?
(in Chapter 4)
• Building Reader Interest with Storytelling Techniques (in Chapter 4)
• Emphasizing the Positive (in Chapter 5; revised coverage of euphemisms)
• Communicating Across Cultures: Protecting Patients with Reader-Friendly
Prescription Labels (in Chapter 6)
• Business Communication 2.0: Walking Around with the Entire Internet in
Your Hands (in Chapter 7)
• Compositional Modes for Electronic Media (in Chapter 7)
• Creating Content for Social Media (in Chapter 7; updated)

xviii


Preface

• Social Networking and Community Participation Websites (in Chapter 7)
Social Networks
Business Communication Uses of Social Networks
Strategies for Business Communication on Social Networks
User-Generated Content Sites
Community Q&A Sites
Community Participation Websites
• Microblogging (in Chapter 7)
• New two-page highlight feature: Business Communicators Innovating with
Social Media (in Chapter 7)
• Continuing with a Clear Statement of the Bad News (in Chapter 9; revised
coverage of using conditionals)
• Closing on a Respectful Note (in Chapter 9)
• Making Negative Announcements on Routine Business Matters (in Chapter 9)
• Rejecting Suggestions and Proposals (in Chapter 9)
• Refusing Social Networking Recommendation Requests (in Chapter 9)
• Rejecting Job Applications (in Chapter 9)
• Giving Negative Performance Reviews (in Chapter 9; substantially revised)
• Business Communication 2.0: We’re Under Attack! Responding to Rumors
and Criticism in a Social Media Environment (in Chapter 9; substantially
revised)
• Writing Promotional Messages for Social Media (in Chapter 10; revised)
• Online Monitoring Tools (in Chapter 11)
• Sharpening Your Career Skills: Creating an Effective Business Plan
(in Chapter 11; revised)
• Data Visualization (in Chapter 12; updated)
• Maps and Geographic Information Systems (in Chapter 12; updated)
• Drawings, Diagrams, Infographics, and Photographs (in Chapter 12; added
coverage of infographics)
• Presentation Close (in Chapter 14; revised)

• Embracing the Backchannel (in Chapter 14)
• Choosing Structured or Free-Form Slides (in Chapter 14; expanded
discussion)
• Designing Effective Slides (in Chapter 14)
• Designing Slides Around a Key Visual (in Chapter 14)
• Creating Charts and Tables for Slides (in Chapter 14)
• Business Communication 2.0: Presentations Get Social (in Chapter 14)
• Creating Effective Handouts (in Chapter 14; updated)
• Finding the Ideal Opportunity in Today’s Job Market (in Chapter 15)
Writing the Story of You
Learning to Think Like an Employer
Translating Your General Potential into a Specific Solution for Each
Employer
Taking the Initiative to Find Opportunities
Building Your Network
Avoiding Mistakes

xix


xx

Preface

• Composing Your Résumé (in Chapter 15; revised with the latest advice on
keywords)
• Producing Your Résumé (in Chapter 15; with new coverage and cautions
about infographic résumés)
• Printing a Scannable Résumé (in Chapter 15; updated to reflect the decline
of this format)

• Creating an Online Résumé (in Chapter 15)
• Following Up After Submitting a Résumé (in Chapter 16)
• Learning About the Organization and Your Interviewers (in Chapter 16)
The social media
revolution

This edition includes up-to-date coverage of the social communication model
that is redefining business communication and reshaping the relationships
between companies and their stakeholders. Social media concepts and techniques
are integrated throughout the book, from career planning to presentations. Here
are some examples:
• Social media questions, activities, and cases appear throughout the book,
involving Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other media that have taken the
business world by storm in the past couple of years.
• Three dozen examples of business applications of social media demonstrate
how a variety of companies use these tools.
• The social communication model is now covered in Chapter 1.
• A new two-page, magazine-style feature in Chapter 7 highlights the
innovative uses of social media by a variety of companies.
• Social networking sites are now covered as a brief-message medium in
Chapter 7.
• The Twitter-enabled backchannel, which is revolutionizing electronic
presentations, is covered in Chapter 14.
• Social media tools are covered extensively in the career-planning Prologue
and the two employment communication chapters (15 and 16).

Compositional
modes for
electronic media

For all the benefits they offer, social media and other innovations place new
demands on business communicators. This edition introduces you to nine
important modes of writing for electronic media.

Personal branding As the workforce continues to evolve and with the employment situation likely to
remain unstable for some time to come, it is more vital than ever for you to take
control of your career. An important first step is to clarify and communicate your
personal brand, a topic that is now addressed in the Prologue and carried through
to the employment-message chapters.
Storytelling
techniques

Some of the most effective business messages, from advertising to proposals to
personal branding, rely on storytelling techniques. This edition offers hands-on
advice and multiple activities to help you develop “business-class” narrative
techniques.

Full
implementation of
objective-driven
learning

Every aspect of this new edition is organized by learning objectives, from
the chapter content to the student activities in the textbook and online at
www.mybcommlab.com. This structure makes planning and course management
easier for instructors and makes reading, studying, and practicing easier for
students.

Deeper
integration with

MyBcommLab

This essential online resource now offers even more ways to test your
understanding of the concepts presented in every chapter, practice vital skills, and
create customized study plans.


Preface

Multimedia
resources
New On the Job
communication
vignettes and
simulations

Extend their learning experience with unique Real-Time Updates “Learn More”
media elements that connect you with dozens of handpicked videos, podcasts,
and other items that complement chapter content.
Chapter 1: Toyota’s Auto-Biography user-generated content program
Chapter 6: Noted web designer Jefferson Rabb’s user-focused design
principles
Chapter 9: Chargify’s communication errors regarding a price increase
Chapter 11: MyCityWay’s winning business plan
Chapter 13: Garage Technology Ventures’s advice for writing executive
summaries
Chapter 14: Comedy super-agent Peter Principato’s techniques for effective
presentations
Chapter 15: ATK’s cutting-edge workforce analytics
Chapter 16: Zappos’s free-spirited approach to recruiting free-spirited

employees

New review and
analysis questions
and skillsdevelopment
projects

Dozens of new questions and activities are offered in Learning Objectives
Checkup, Apply Your Knowledge, and Practice Your Skills categories.

New
communication
cases

Communication cases give you the opportunity to solve real-world
communication challenges using the media skills you’ll be expected to have in
tomorrow’s workplace; 40 percent of the 125 cases are new in this edition.

New figures and
more annotated
model documents

The tenth edition offers an unmatched portfolio of business communication
exhibits. Here are the highlights:
• Nearly 70 new figures provide examples of the latest trends in business
communication.
• Nearly 80 annotated model documents, ranging from printed letters and
reports to websites, blogs, and social networking sites, show you in detail
how successful business messages work.
• 70 exhibits feature communication examples from real companies, including

Bigelow Tea, Burton Snowboards, Google, IBM, Microsoft Bing, Patagonia,
Red Bull, Segway, Southwest Airlines, and Zappos.
• More than 100 illustrated examples of communication technologies help
students grasp the wide range of tools and media formats they will encounter
on the job.

Critique the
Professionals

This new activity invites you to analyze an example of professional
communication using the principles learned in each chapter.

Quick Learning
Guide

This convenient review tool at the end of every chapter lists the learning
objectives with page references for review and defines essential terminology from
the chapter.

xxi


xxii

Preface

Extend the Value of Your Textbook
with Free Multimedia Content
Excellence in Business Communication’s unique Real-Time Updates system automatically
provides weekly content updates, including interactive games and tools, podcasts,

PowerPoint presentations, online videos, PDF files, and articles. You can subscribe to
updates chapter by chapter, so you get only the material that applies to the chapter you are
studying. You can access Real-Time Updates through MyBcommLab or by visiting http://
real-timeupdates.com/ebc10.

1 Read messages from the
2 Click on any chapter to see

authors and access special
assignment materials and
“Learn More” media items.

the updates and media items
for that chapter.

3 Scan headlines and click

4 Subscribe via RSS to
individual chapters to
get updates automatically
for the chapter you’re
currently studying.

5 Media items are categorized
by type so you can quickly find
podcasts, videos, PowerPoints,
and more.

on any item of interest to
read the article or download

the media item.
Every item is personally
selected by the authors to
complement the text and
support in-class activities.


Preface

What Is the Single Most Important Step You
Can Take to Enhance Your Career Prospects?
No matter what profession you want to pursue, the ability to communicate will be an
essential skill—and a skill that employers expect you to have when you enter the workforce.
This course introduces you to the fundamental principles of business communication
and gives you the opportunity to develop your communication skills. You’ll discover how
business communication differs from personal and social communication, and you’ll see
how today’s companies are using blogs, social networks, podcasts, virtual worlds, wikis, and
other technologies. You’ll learn a simple three-step writing process that works for all types
of writing and speaking projects, both in college and on the job. Along the way, you’ll gain
valuable insights into ethics, etiquette, listening, teamwork, and nonverbal communication.
Plus, you’ll learn effective strategies for the many types of communication challenges you’ll
face on the job, from routine messages about transactions to complex reports and websites.
Colleges and universities vary in the prerequisites established for the business communication course, but we advise taking at least one course in English composition before enrolling in this class. Some coursework in business studies will also give you a better perspective
on communication challenges in the workplace. However, we have taken special care not to
assume any in-depth business experience, so you can use Excellence in Business Communication successfully even if you have limited on-the-job experience or business coursework.

HOW THIS COURSE WILL HELP YOU
Few courses can offer the three-for-the-price-of-one value you get from a business communication class. Check out these benefits:
●

●

●

In your other classes. The communication skills you learn in this class can help you
in every other course you take in college. From simple homework assignments to
complicated team projects to class presentations, you’ll be able to communicate more
effectively with less time and effort.
During your job search. You can reduce the stress of searching for a job and stand
out from the competition. As you’ll see in Chapters 15 and 16, every activity in the job
search process relies on communication. The better you can communicate, the more
successful you’ll be at landing interesting and rewarding work.
On the job. After you get that great job, the time and energy you have invested in this
course will continue to yield benefits year after year. As you tackle each project and
every new challenge, influential company leaders—the people who decide how quickly
you’ll get promoted and how much you’ll earn—will be paying close attention to how
well you communicate. They will observe your interactions with colleagues, customers, and business partners. They’ll take note of how well you can collect data, find the
essential ideas buried under mountains of information, and convey those points to
other people. They’ll observe your ability to adapt to different audiences and circumstances. They’ll be watching when you encounter tough situations that require careful
attention to ethics and etiquette. The good news: Every insight you gain and every skill
you develop in this course will help you shine in your career.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS COURSE
Although this course explores a wide range of message types and appears to cover quite a
lot of territory, the underlying structure of the course is actually rather simple. You’ll learn
a few basic concepts, identify some key skills to use and procedures to follow—and then
practice, practice, practice. Whether you’re writing a blog posting in response to one of the
real-company cases or drafting your own résumé, you’ll be practicing the same skills again
and again. With feedback and reinforcement from your instructor and your classmates,
your confidence will grow and the work will become easier and more enjoyable.

The following sections offer advice on approaching each assignment, using your textbook, and taking advantage of some other helpful resources.

xxiii


xxiv

Preface

The note has a clear
and concise title that
avoids puns and
word play.

Facebook Notes
lets writers include
photos and other
images in their notes.

The note is succinct
while emphasizing the
most vital point (that
a previously announced
purchase promotion was
ending early).
The note directs
U.S. and Canadian
customers to separate
websites, thereby
providing each audience

with the specific
information it needs.

Excellence in Business Communication uses contemporary examples of business communication while
emphasizing the fundamentals of audience-focused writing.

Approaching Each Assignment

In the spirit of practice and improvement, you will have a number of writing (and possibly
speaking) assignments throughout this course. These suggestions will help you produce
better results with less effort:
●

●

●

●

First, don’t panic! If the thought of writing a report or giving a speech sends a chill
up your spine, you’re not alone. Everybody feels that way when first learning business
communication skills, and even experienced professionals can feel nervous about major projects. Keeping three points in mind will help. First, every project can be broken
down into a series of small, manageable tasks. Don’t let a big project overwhelm you;
it’s nothing more than a bunch of smaller tasks. Second, remind yourself that you have
the skills you need to accomplish each task. As you move through the course, the assignments are carefully designed to match the skills you’ve developed up to that point.
Third, if you feel panic creeping up on you, take a break and regain your perspective.
Focus on one task at a time. A common mistake writers make is trying to organize
and express their ideas while simultaneously worrying about audience reactions,
grammar, spelling, formatting, page design, and a dozen other factors. Fight the
temptation to do everything at once; otherwise, your frustration will soar and your

productivity will plummet. In particular, don’t worry about grammar, spelling, and
word choices during your first draft. Concentrate on the organization of your ideas
first, then the way you express those ideas, and then the presentation and production
of your messages. Following the three-step writing process is an ideal way to focus on
one task at a time in a logical sequence.
Give yourself plenty of time. As with every other school project, putting things off to
the last minute creates unnecessary stress. Writing and speaking projects in particular
are much easier if you tackle them in small stages with breaks in between, rather than
trying to get everything done in one frantic blast. Moreover, there will be instances
when you simply get stuck on a project, and the best thing to do is walk away and give
your mind a break. If you allow room for breaks in your schedule, you’ll minimize the
frustration and spend less time overall on your homework, too.
Step back and assess each project before you start. The writing and speaking projects
you’ll have in this course cover a wide range of communication scenarios, and it’s