9 Use clear, concrete, unambiguous language (AACSB Tag: Written and Oral Communication) SAMPLE ANSWERS: a. You did a great job on that report. Do I normally not do a great job? Possible revision: You did a great job on that report, as usual. b. Mary’s job performance hasn’t been satisfactory this year. What about Mary’s performance has been poor? Possible revision: Mary has missed all of our deadlines this year. c. Our presentation needs to be perfect. Why? What about our presentation needs to be perfect? Possible revision: Our presentation will determine if the client chooses our plan. We need to make sure we predict all possible objections. d. There are just a few small problems to clear up before signing the contract. What are the small problems? Possible revision: Before signing the contract, we need to change the starting date from the 1st to the 3rd, reduce the costs by 2%, and change the deadline to the end of the year. e. Clean up the conference room before the end of the day. Why do I have to clean up the conference room? By myself? When is the end of the day? Possible revision: Make sure janitorial services cleans up the conference room before 5 PM. f.
Let’s talk after the project is finished. What do we need to talk about? When will the project be finished? Possible revision: Let’s talk about changes in staffing assignments after the project is finished next week.
10 Support your message with good nonverbal communication (AACSB Tag: Written and Oral Communication) NOTES: Answers will vary based on student experience. Students’ will ask a stranger for directions and observe the person’s nonverbal communication. Responses are required for three questions: (1) the person’s verbal message, (2) the nonverbal elements that support the message, and (3) any nonverbal elements that conflict with the message.