Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
22) An audience-centered approach to communication involves
A) saying whatever it takes to win over the members of your audience.
B) embedding a layer of technology between you and the members of your audience.
C) respecting, understanding and meeting the needs of your audience.
D) focusing on how the members of your audience can help you obtain your goals.
E) limiting the number of topics covered.
Answer: C
Explanation: C) An audience-centered approach involves understanding and respecting the members of your audience and making every effort to get your message across in a way that is meaningful to them.
LO: 1.2: Explain what it means to communicate as a professional in a business context.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
23) Evaluating evidence completely and objectively requires ________ skills.
A) critical thinking
B) relationship building
C) downward communication
D) professionalism
E) team player
Answer: A
Explanation: A) Using critical thinking, the ability to evaluate evidence completely and objectively in order to form logical conclusions and make sound recommendations.
LO: 1.2: Explain what it means to communicate as a professional in a business context.
AACSB: Reflective thinking
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
24) Most of the information that flows downward in an organization is geared toward helping employees do their jobs.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: Downward communication flows from executives to employees, conveying executive decisions and providing information that helps employees do their jobs.
LO: 1.2: Explain what it means to communicate as a professional in a business context.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Describe best practices in team and interpersonal communication
25) Within organizations, formal communication is upward and downward, while informal communication is always horizontal.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Throughout the formal network, information flows in three directions - downward, upward, and horizontally. Downward communication flows from executives to employees. Upward communication flows from employees to executives. Every organization also has an informal communication network, often referred to as the grapevine or the rumor mill, which encompasses all communication that occurs outside the formal network.
LO: 1.2: Explain what it means to communicate as a professional in a business context.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Describe best practices in team and interpersonal communication
26) Emotional intelligence includes the ability to relate to the needs of others.
Answer: TRUE
Explanation: A key part of emotional intelligence is the ability to relate to the needs of others. The more you know about the people you are communicating with, the easier it will be to concentrate on their needs–which, in turn, will make it easier for them to hear your message, understand it, and respond positively.
LO: 1.2: Explain what it means to communicate as a professional in a business context.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Describe best practices in team and interpersonal communication
27) As long as employees get the job done, most companies are not concerned with employees meeting expectations of business etiquette.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Today's employers expect you to be competent at a wide range of communication tasks. One of those tasks is communicating in a civilized manner that reflects contemporary expectations of business etiquette, even when dealing with indifferent or hostile audiences.
LO: 1.2: Explain what it means to communicate as a professional in a business context.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Describe best practices in team and interpersonal communication
28) When does the rumor mill tend to be most active within an organization? Include an example of a situation that might cause the rumor mill to become more active.