Business Communication: Process and Product

by Mary Ellen Guffey

This book takes the reader inside some of the country's best-run and most respected organizations, providing an exciting, real-life business environment atmosphere. More importantly, it balances this exposure with a well-developed, consistently applied process approach to communication. Readers learn a tangible process for solving future communication problems applicable to their present careers.

Genres: Business, Reference, School, Textbooks, Nonfiction, Communication

700 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Michelle]

A surprisingly good review of grammar, as well as how to write practically anything in the business world. I actually found the book useful, even though I didn't think I would.

[Tracy]

Not bad for a textbook!

[Mandy]

An extremely useful textbook.

[Sananab]

My review is for the sixth edition, which doesn't seem to be on Goodreads.

This book is full of good advice but some things about it are absolutely bonkers:

1) It cites workplace gossip as a reliable information source. In my opinion/experience, believing workplace gossip is a good way to get yourself in bad situations you don't fully understand.

2) At one point they claim that child labour is less of an ethical problem when you are doing business in another country. That seems bad on the surface but it gets worse and worse the more you think about it.

3) There is a lot of writing advice involving being concise, being direct, and avoiding repetition. This book ignores practically all of its own advice in this regard. In fact, it is probably the most padded, wordy, and filler-heavy book I have ever read.

[Grant]

Certainly doesn't have to be read word-for-word; a skim is sufficient for a reminder of fundamentals. The screenshots of templates on types of proposals serve as useful reminders. Some of the advice is a bit banal though, such as the tip to "Use the features of your computer wisely"--should go without saying, really. However, the accompanying style guide is particularly useful and even experienced communications pros can benefit from reading its "Grammar and mechanics" section. I know this because I still see otherwise experienced people making such mistakes in the working world. It answered some grammatical questions I had and provided a bit more clarity on other thorny issues, such as the proper use of subjective/objective/possessive pronouns in various constructions.

[Sarah]

This up-to-date book for all communications in organizations is easy to read and is packed full of information I will reference back to in years to come.

[Shinta]

nice book (y)

[Nathan Newcomer]

Typical textbook. Wordy, verbose, boring. Get it if you have to.

[Carol]

As far as a textbook goes, very easy to read and very important information! I learned a lot.