Strategic Communication in Business & the Professions

by Dan O'Hair, Gustav W. Friedrich, Lynda Dee Dixon

Combining an emphasis on skill development with an introduction to the emerging technology of the workplace, Strategic Communication in Business and Professions, Fourth Edition, is a comprehensive survey of oral communication skills needed in the workplace. Coverage of the three contexts in which oral skills are necessary interpersonal, group, and public speaking the text illuminates all phases of the communication process. The text integrates a model of strategic communication through four basic skills Set Goals, Understand the Communication Situation and the Audience, Demonstrate Competency, and Manage Anxiety giving students the skills and opportunity to approach any workplace communication situation with confidence. The Fourth Edition also addresses the current challenges to business communication presented by new technology, the global marketplace, and diversity within the workforce. Every chapter includes Strategic Skills, a tool-based resource box; Ethical Issues boxes; and a List of Key Terms. Practicing Business Communication boxes profile organizations of different sizes, structures, and communication styles, offering students insight into the importance of communication skills regardless of the size/orientation of the organization. Critical-thinking skills are developed through Strategic Challenges boxes, which present scenarios and situations that students are likely to encounter in the workplace. Up-to-date coverage of technology is found in Technology Tools boxes, which give students practical insights on topics ranging from mediated communication/presentations to presentation managers.

Genres: Business

523 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

DAN O'HAIR is dean of the University of Kentucky College of Communications and Information Studies (2009). Married with two children. 1982-Ph.D. University of Oklahoma Communication; 1979-M.A. Texas Tech University Speech Communication; 1978 B.A. Texas Tech University Speech Communication

Reviews

[Bucket · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an undergraduate level communications textbook that focuses in on the practical side of communications, meaning its applications in business, interpersonal communication, and professional settings generally. Its chapters include discussion of leadership and management theory, a light overview of communications theory, and in-depth discussion with tons of examples of communication in business, from meetings to negotiations, presentations to interviews.

I read this for a graduate-level strategic communications course and was disappointed that it was basically written at an undergraduate level (as far as the assumptions the book makes about its readers). I won't fault the book for that though - my professor clearly chose the wrong book.

I will, however, fault the book for having a ridiculous number of typos and errors. The editing is absolutely abysmal. This is the 7th edition - shouldn't all the errors have been caught by now? That said, I did think that the professional examples were very helpful and I was impressed with how up to date they were.

Themes: communication, business, leadership, management

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for a textbook.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

School text