Business Communication Ch 10

Using Microsoft word is common. Powerpoint. Printed reports with a combo of text and graphics are called decks. Reports can be strickly numerical (expense report) in Excel.

text based report using the indirect plan. Adding an executive summary, cover letter, or email to communitcate the conclusions and recommendations before the report is read.

Provides a concise visual picuture of the structure of your report. Identifies the major and minor points. Combo of multilevel numbers, letters, or bullets. Use descriptive and parallel headings help orient your reader and give the report unity and coherence.

identify the topic and major conclusion.

Identify the topic of the section without giving the conclusion.

If the first major heading is a noun heading in a noun phrase, all first level headings should be noun phrases. If the first is a talking heading, then all should be.

for a text based report, 4 to 8 words is about the length for most headings. Too long loose their effectiveness. The shorter the more emphasis it receives. Too few headings overwhelns the reader. Use headings to break up a long report and refocus the readers attn.

Usual to have one section to have 5 subheadings and the other to have non.

Findings lead to conclusions, conclusions lead to recommendations. Length of report matters how long the summary is. A one or two page report may only require a one or two sentence or one paragraph summary. Repeat the main points before presenting conclusions. Rephrase working to not bore. Direct style like proposals, the summary repeats conclusions or recommendations presented in the executive summary.

include for text based and powerpoint reports but not for reports that are typed within a memo or letter format. The title page includesL title, subtitle, company name, logo, writters name (possibly the readers name and title)

might include supplementary reference material not important enough to go in the body of the report.

contains all of your secondary sources cited in the report. you can remove hyperlinks and keep in plain text.

Avoid colloguial expressions, attempts at humor, subjectivity, bias, and exaggeration.

Formal language focusing on the information not the writer. Avoid, I, we, and you.

Use past tense to describe procedures and to describe the findings of other studies already completed. Present tense for conclusions from those studies. Use a stronger present tense to resent the data from your study. Verb tense should reflect the readers, not the writers time frame.

use emphasis and subordination ethically - not to pressure the reader. Devote an appropriate amount of space to a topic. Position your major ideas first for the direct plan. Use language that directly tells what is more and less important. Words like plethora, contantly, and countless are inaccurate and could make your reader question the results.

Use previews, summaries, and transitions to achieve coherence and unity. Use previews, summaries and transitions regularly. At the beginning of each section preview what is going to be discussed. At the end of each section summarize what was presented and provide a smooth transition into the next topic. For long sections they may be broken into thier own paragraphs, short section may only require a sentence. Always introduce a topic before breaking it into sub topics. Never stack headings (without text inbetween). Exception: the heading "Introduction" may be used imed after the report title or subtitle. Use a section overview to preview for the reader how the topic will be divided before you actually make the division. Direct plan report, section overviews will also highlight main points that follow.

• To avoid accusations of plagiarism
• to give credit to the originator of information
• to demonstrate the validity of our work with credible sources
• to instruct the readers where to find additional information
• Plagerism: using another persons words or ideas without giving proper credit
• Documentation: identifying sources by giving credit to another person.

All content from secondary sources (info and ideas not your own). Do not cite info common knowledge. Use direct quotations sparingly. Use paraphrases in a summary. Use a quotation if it is unique, precise, and not easily improved upon.

involves more than just rearranging workds or leaving out a word or two. Restate in your own language. All secondary sources must be documented, unpublished sources (not in a journal or website) do not need formal citation.

Business standard: footnotes and endnotes: footnotes on same page, endnotes at end. Do not need bibliography or reference page. They are ideal for text based reports, but not good for powerpoint reports because they clutter.

Use a consistent, logical format, keeping the needs of the reader in mind. Spacing and fonds affect the readers ability.

Do not risk destroying tour credibility by falling to proofread carefully.

• Intoduction
• -is the report accuarte, discriptive, and honest
• -research problem or the purpose stated clearly
• -scope identified
• -technical terms defined
• -questionable decisions identified
• Findings
• -is data analyzed, accurately, and appropriately
• -is it free of bias and misrepresentation
• -is data interpreted rather than just presented
• -are caluculations correct
• -relevent data included and irrelevant date excluded
• -sources properly documented and consistantly formated
• -are visuals correct, needed, clear, sized and positioned and correctly labeled
• Supplementary Pages
• -executive summary short, descriptive and in proportion the report itself.
• -is the table of contents accurate, with correct page numbers and working
• -appended material labeled and refferred to in the body of the report.
• Writing Style and Format
• -overall take into acct the needs and desires of the reader
• -is material organized
• -headings descriptive, parallel, and in number
• -Are emphasis and subordination used
• -each major section contain a preview, summary, and transition
• -verb tense
• -formality used
• -references to secondary sources used
• -length of report and paragraphs appropriate
• -principles of document design been followed for effectiveness
• -free of spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors
• -does overall report provide a positive position
• Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendation
• -is the wording consistant with data
• -conclusions drawn supported by credible evidence
• -do conclusions answer the question or issues raised in intro.
• -recommendations reasonable in light of the conclusions
• -report end with a sense of completeion and convey an impression that the project is important

A printed report or slides created inPowerPoint, Keynote, or other presentation tools.

The exact words of another person

Identifying sources (to give credit) toanother’s words or ideas.

A condensed version of the report body (alsocalled an abstract or synopsis).

A report heading that identifies only the topicof a section without giving the conclusion.

A report heading that identifies only the topicof a section without giving the conclusion.

A summary or restatement of a passage in one’sown words.

Using another person’s words or ideas withoutgiving proper credit.

Text that previews for the reader how a sectionwill be divided and—for direct-plan reports—what main points will follow.

Two consecutive headings without interveningtext.

A report heading that identifies the majorconclusion of a section.

A slide that presents the topics or main pointsof a presentation.

A slide repeated throughout a presentation,highlighting each topic as it is covered.

A presentation delivered using an unrehearsed,enhanced, conversational style.

An optional slide in a presentation shown beforean agenda slide to convey the most important message to the audience.

presentation delivered from memory.

A presentation delivered by reading from notes.

The first slide of a presentation, which usuallyincludes the title, date, name of presenter, company, and audience.

• PURPOSE: Helps with deciding what information to include and omit. What order and what to emphasize and what to omit.            Most presentations have 1 of 4 purposes:
• 1.To Report: updating the audience on a project or event.
• 2.To Explain: Detailing how to carry out a process or procedure.
• 3. To Persuade: Convincing the audience to purchase something or to accept and idea.
• 4. To Motivate: Inspiring the audience to take some action.

• PLANNING TEAM AND ONLINE PRESENTATIONS Team Presentations: Good a presenting complex projects.      Require extensive planning, close coordination, and a measure of maturity      and goodwill. Should come across as coherent and well coordinated.
• Achieving Coherence: Decide on tone, format, organization and       visuals. Agree on what to wear, how to handle questions, and how to       transition from one speaker to the next.
• Practicing the Team Presentation: full scale rehearsal with       visuals in the room where its held is critical. Critiquing colleagues       requires tact, empathy, and goodwill with grace and maturity. Coordinate       intros, transitions, and positioning. Where to stand, sitting down,       standing up while speaking. Don’t create a police line up. When and how       to take questions. Read non verbal signs of confusion, boredom or       disagreement.
• Online Presentations: Short presentation or two half hour       sessions rather than an hour. Check in at remote locations. Send slides       in advance, contingency plan for video feed problems.

ORGANIZATION THE PRESENTATION: Brainstorm, write down every point, Separate into opening, body, and ending. ·                                                        

• The Opening: Introduce topic, identify the purpose, and preview the presentation. First 90 seconds are crucial as they will be making judgments about your dress, posture, facial expressions, voice qualities, visuals and what you are saying. Build a relationship. Establish rapport. Start off by setting expectations: endorsement, help?
•        o   Quote a well-known person
•        o   Ask a question
•        o   Present a hypothetical situation
•        o   Relate an appropriate anecdote, story, joke or personal experience.
•        o   Give a startling fact
•        o  Use a dramatic prop or visual
• The Body: Organize your body logically, according to your      audiences needs. Choose a logical  sequence:         
•         Establish your  credibility: support with credible evidence, stats, experiences, examples, and support from experts. Use objective language: not exaggeration or emotion. Don’t over saturate with evidence. Use handouts       to provide more evidence for them to ingest later.
•           Manage Negative Information: must use                      
•                Criteria: introduce inturn and how well the alternative meets that criterion  
•                Direct Sequence: Give the major conclusions first, followed by support  
•                Indirect Sequence: present  reasons first followed by conclusions (good for hostile audiences)      
•                Chronology: present  points in order in which they occurred  
•                Cause/Effect/Solution: sources-consequences-and solutions  
•               Order of Importance:   Present in importance   
•               Elimination of Alternatives: until one option remains after elimination/ useful to guide decision        making

• The Ending: Finish on a strong, upbeat note, leaving your audience with a clear and simple message.
•               Summarize the main       points, especially if it is a long one. Let them know the significance.       Draw conclusions, make recommendations, or outline the next steps. Leave       with a clear and simple message. A punch would be telling a story, or a       dramatic visual. Don’t end in a quotation. Avoid saying, “That’s about       all I have to say” or “I see that our time is running out” Your audience       will remember your last words.

Humor in Business Presentations: Use it if appropriate and you      can’t tell funny stories. When presented with humor, the audience can      remember it better. Don’t warn that a joke is coming. Relate your joke to      the next part.

Developing Visual Support for Business Presentations  Creating Presentation Slides: PowerPoint, Apple’s Keynote to      PowerPoint, Google Docs, Prezi. Present your main points clearly: Direct plan, main points up      front and reinforce throughout slides. Main point slides, agenda slide. Making your presentation easy to follow: You can include      divider slides or slide trackers. With divider slides, you repeat your      agenda slide, highlighting each topic as you cover it. Divider slides are      useful for team presentations as your transition to new topics. An      alternative to divider slides is a slide tracker to show where you are      within the presentation. It shows the major division of your presentation      and is repeated on the slides after the agenda. Choose an Attractive, Appropriate design: Complementary      colors, a cohesive design, simple photographs, and shapes as visual cues.      Use a color scheme the same as companies. Simple is best: choose a solid      color, gradient, or very light image that travels the edges of the slide      but doesn’t interfere with text or other graphics. Dark text light      background or vice versa. Choose no more than two types of slides for      presentation. Choose standard business fonts: Serif fonts, cambria, times      new roman, Arial and Calibri, are more modern. Cambria and Times New Roman      are more classic. Replace Text with Graphics: Avoid too much bulleted text on      slides. Gates uses content-heavy slides which are more typical for      business presentations. Use smart art. Consider using photos and graphics      to replace text. Large tables and text heavy slides are mind numbing. Use      graphics to highluight data and add animations to help the audience      follow. Use boldface to draw attention. Keep animations simple and don’t      overuse them. The more white space and simplicity, the better. Write Simply and Clearly: Use bulleted text. Use Presentation Slides: Use visuals to support not detract      from speaker. Make sure the audience can see you and the slides easily.      Avoid walking in front of the slides. Try standing on the left side      (audience point of view) for English Speaking audiences who read from left      to right. Refer to text with a arm gesture or laser pointer. Have title      slide up when people arrive. When telling a story, consider blanking the      screen. Shift Key  + B. Using Video: Video can engage the audience, illustrate a      point, and make an emotional appeal. Video should not be used to break up      the presentation but have a clear purpose. Tell your audience what to      expect – length, what about. Embedded videos look more professional. Check      to see if it works in conference room and the sound. Creating and Using Handouts: they supplement your      presentation, provide space for note taking, and are a permanent record of      your presentation. Provide a takeaway. Print two or three slides on a      paper. Include full tables of data possibly. Give out ahead of time. The      disadvantage is the audience may refer to the notes rather than you during      the presentation.