Improving Managerial-Employee Communication: A Case Study  

Technical communicators can use their professional skills to help industry improve managerial-employee communication, an area that directly affects productivity. This case study investigates upward and downward communication at an aerospace company. Beginning with a survey that indicated a number of statistically significant differences between the attitudes of managers and other employees, the researcher then attended a randomly selected series of meetings. As she followed the flow of information within the company, she observed omissions and inaccuracies. The company devised a new process for information deployment as a result of this study.

Horowitz, Renee B. STC Proceedings (1994). Careers>Business Communication>Workplace

Information Technology and Organizational Change    

The profession of technical communication is in transition. While a few might argue that we are in danger of being swallowed up by large, institutional realignments, it seems more likely that the future workplace (as characterized by Senge, among others) will put communication, culture, and collaboration at the center of work. However, in order for the profession to exploit these opportunities, we must understand the impact of integrated information technology (IT) on organizations. I summarize the interaction of corporate culture, leadership/management, human resources, and advanced networking and web-based applications (more commonly called an Intranet) for the successful integration of new IT products into an established and well-defined organization. Background research for this paper was conducted as part of an Army Summer Faculty Research and Engineering grant.

Carlson, Patricia A. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (2001). Careers>Business Communication>Technology>Collaboration

The Ingredients of Leadership

There are crucial behaviors important people, successful executives, and true leaders use to move processes and people forward. These behaviors are the key ingredients of leadership. The more of these ingredients leaders take to heart, teach, and expect of others, the more power they will have to achieve their objectives.

Lukaszewski, James E. Communication World Bulletin (2003). Careers>Management>Business Communication

Keep Pesky Business Types at Bay by Focusing on the Strategic Goal  

If you have ever been forced to deal with business types who have no technical know-how, then you know how these types can work against IT's progress. Here's how to improve your business/IT communication by concentrating on the strategic goals.

Hardin, Ken. TechRepublic (2003). Careers>Business Communication>Project Management>Collaboration

The Last Ditch Sales Pitch

I recently encountered a young web entrepreneur who understands that in business, 'no' doesn't necessarily mean 'never,' and that a last ditch sales pitch can pay off - maybe not today or tomorrow, but some day. It's a wise investment because one sales letter can be adapted and personalized for many different uses over time. And it can help you retrieve prospects you thought you had lost!

Reimer, Heather. Write Thinking (2002). Careers>Consulting>Marketing>Business Communication

Managing Your Customers' Expectations  

How many customers do you know who deliberately set out to make your life difficult? Not many, I’m sure. They probably don’t anticipate that adding three new chapters to a manual means that the project deadline needs to change or another writer needs to be hired. They may not realize that another round of reviews requires more (billable) hours of work. In most cases, good two-way communication prevents problems in the first place and provides solutions for the unforeseen issues that arise.

Frick, Elizabeth A. 'Betsy'. Intercom (2003). Careers>Business Communication>Project Management

Marketing Yourself as a Marketing Writer  

Technical communication consultants may find that marketing writing makes an excellent second line of business. Technology companies, marketing services firms, and advertising agencies often use freelancers to write marketing documents. They particularly need good writers who understand technology. This paper discusses the business of freelance marketing writing and how it differs from independent technical writing. Topics include the kinds of projects that marketing writers work on, how development cycles typically differ from those of technical documents, and how to effectively market yourself as a marketing writer.

Massa, Jack A. STC Proceedings (2002). Careers>Collaboration>Marketing>Business Communication

Negotiating Skills for Technical Communicators  

Negotiating with vendors, business partners, peers, or employees can turn differences to mutual gain. The following paper along with the paper entitled 'Successful Contract Consulting' provides background for a panel on how to optimize your success as a consultant, contractor, or an organization.

Modrey, Laurie and Emily A. Sopensky. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Business Communication>TC

Persuasion In Technical Communication: Applying Constructivism To Proposal Writing  

Constructivism is a cognitive theory stating that people construct understanding based on what they already know or understand and that more cognitively complex people can better take and understand others’ perspectives and hence, design more persuasive messages. As the key to proposal writing is persuasion, and the key to persuasion is understanding, applying this theory provides us a general strategy for all proposal writing: first, collect information to establish our own context-related constructs and interpretive schemes and to understand those of our reader; then, make all the writing decisions based on the understanding achieved.

Xu, Jing. STC Proceedings (1994). Careers>Business Communication>Proposals>Persuasive Design

Sample Thank You Letters

The thank you letter is one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of job hunting. Don’t fall in to the trap of thinking it isn’t important. A handwritten note is best but a thoughtful email will suffice. And like your resume, your thank you letter should be customized to reflect the mood and content of the interview.

Monster.com (2001). Careers>Interviewing>Correspondence>Business Communication

Six Survival Techniques for a Communications Pro

A top-level corporate communicator tells how to improve odds of survival and success.

Writing that Works (2006). Careers>Business Communication>Communication

Six Tips for Effective Self-Appraisals

Thorough, ongoing documentation is the key to well-written Self-Appraisals that increase your perceived value within your Company and impact your performance rating.

ULiveandLearn.com (2005). Careers>Writing>Business Communication>Assessment

Stand and Deliver

You've got thirty seconds to sell your work to the well dressed nemesis who's paying you. Handle the next few moments gracefully, and the project will be one you can be proud of. Flub an answer, and you can kiss excellence goodbye. Are you prepared? Can you deliver?

Sleight, David. List Apart, A (2007). Careers>Consulting>Business Communication

Steps to a Successful Interview: Follow-Up

Send a thank-you note for every interview. It can be an email, a handwritten note on good-quality (neutral color) stationery, or a standard business letter.

O'Keefe, Karen, Rebecca Forrest and Jean Fudge. Between the Lines (2007). Careers>Interviewing>Correspondence>Business Communication

Translate Technology Solutions Into a Strong Business Case  

How do you explain highly technical designs in terms that nontechnical managers and executives--who typically have decision-making power over the budget--can understand and appreciate? Unless you know a technical writer who can translate for you, you're going to have to do it yourself.

Talon, Mike. TechRepublic (2003). Careers>Business Communication>Technical Writing>Business Case

Trends in Entry-Level Technology, Interpersonal, and Basic Communication Job Skills: 1992-1998    

This longitudinal study was conducted to identify trends in entry-level technology, interpersonal, and basic communication competencies and skills using entry-level classified newspaper advertisements from ten standard U.S. metropolitan statistical areas. Two competencies and one skill were selected from the Workplace Know-How's identified by the 1991 U.S. Department of Labor Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS). Specifically, ads including interpersonal competencies increased for the fourth consecutive year; ads including basic communication skills increased for the second consecutive year. Ads including technology competencies decreased slightly; however, the overall trend for technology remains strong. Therefore, the workplace continues seeking the competencies and skills advocated by the SCANS authors.

Bryans North, Alexa and William E. Worth. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (2000). Careers>Business Communication>Technology>History

Trust and Respect Form the Foundation for Mentoring

We are all mentors to someone at some point in our lives. And interestingly, we may not even know it at the time. I was quite surprised one sunny day to be introduced by an IABC colleague as "her mentor" when we encountered one of her co-workers as we left a restaurant.

McCauley, Mary Ann. Communication World Bulletin (2007). Careers>Mentoring>Business Communication

The Value of the Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP) Designation

Because the certification has meaning that is fluid and career or personal goals are always changing, I believe it's up to the individual business analyst professional to decide for themselves if certification is right for them based on these factors. If the certification program means upward mobility in their profession or enables an individual to excel at their current job, then it is probably worth the time and cost to undertake a certification program. But I would caution anyone not to cut corners or to cram for the exam to obtain the certification. If they don't see a certification program as a chance to learn, grow and develop their skills and knowledge, then it's probably not worth the investment.

Griffiths, Stephanie. BA Collective (2007). Careers>Certification>Business Communication>Professionalism

What CEOs Want—and Need—from Their Communication Executives

With corporate raiders, financial analysts and institutional investors all demanding "performance, performance, performance," CEOs are looking for creative communication executives who can help show that the direction they are taking the enterprise is guaranteed to increase shareholder value.

Shulman, Barry. Communication World Bulletin (2007). Careers>Management>Business Communication

What Makes a Communication Research Proposal a Grant Winner  

To make a meaningful contribution to the field, researchers should follow sound research design principles and should report their results in a clear and logical manner. In addition, studies should build on the research of others, address timely issues, and fit in a well-articulated theoretical framework. Before embarking on a project, researchers should determine the overall purpose for the research and who the research will serve. Based on that determination, they should identify potential sources for funding and develop a thorough proposal. Finally, researchers should establish contacts who can help them pursue funding and conduct the research.

Velotta, Christopher E., Lottie B. Applewhite and J.M. Jansen. STC Proceedings (1996). Careers>Business Communication>Proposals

What They Want Is What They Need

Is the customer always right? My uncle Fred would argue that in the microcosm of neighbourhood corner store management the customer had better be always right, or you won't have your corner store for very long. He also knew, however, that regardless of his philosophical approach towards running his business, a lot of his customers who were supposedly right didn't have a clue as to what they were complaining about...but he'd never tell them that.

Holland, Anton. Writer's Block (1995). Careers>Business Communication>Workflow

Your Winning Attitude

Why is attitude important? Because how you feel about your job affects how well you do it—and how coworkers feel about working with you!

Laurent, J. Suzanna. STC Central Iowa (2000). Careers>Business Communication

Making the Transition From Tech Comm to Marcom

At first glance, technical communication (techcom) and technical marketing communication (marcom) appear to be very different genres. Where traditional techcom strives to help people use products, marcom seeks to make people realize they need products. Techcom instructs, while marcom persuades, and this distinction affects everything from the genre’s focus, to its content, and medium.

Simard, Christy. TechCom Manager (2004). Careers>TC>Business Communication>Marketing

The Covering Letter

How to write a cover letter.

Basu, Anindita. Writing Technically (2008). Careers>Resumes>Cover Letters>Business Communication

Scholarship, Tenure, and Promotion in Professional Communication  

When thinking about scholarship, tenure, and promotion in professional communication, we must remember that the field has come into its own only in the last decade. Called by different names -- technical writing, technical and scientific writing, business communication, or the more inclusive term we use -- professional communication has now moved from a nearly invisible position in the service ranks of academic departments to recognition as a discipline with its own scholarly agenda.

Blyler, Nancy, Margaret Baker Graham and Charlotte Thralls. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates (1997). Careers>Academic>Tenure>Business Communication