Answer: The informal communication network or "grapevine" tends to be most active when employees believe the formal network is not providing the information they want. For example, if employees are worried about possible layoffs but managers do not address the topic, the grapevine would probably become more active.
LO: 1.2: Explain what it means to communicate as a professional in a business context.
AACSB: Reflective thinking
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Synthesis
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
29) To adopt an audience-centered approach to communication, what do you need to learn about your audience? List at least three specific attributes.
Answer: An audience-centered approach requires learning as much as possible about the receiver's biases, education, age, status, style, and personal and professional concerns.
LO: 1.2: Explain what it means to communicate as a professional in a business context.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Synthesis
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
30) Define professionalism and list its six distinctive traits.
Answer: Professionalism is the quality of performing at a high level with purpose and pride. Professionals exhibit six traits: striving to excel, being dependable and accountable, being team players, demonstrating a sense of etiquette, making ethical decisions, and staying positive.
LO: 1.2: Explain what it means to communicate as a professional in a business context.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
31) In the first step of the communication process, the sender
A) decides what to say.
B) chooses a communication channel.
C) has an idea.
D) chooses a communication medium.
E) evaluates his or her options.
Answer: C
Explanation: C) Whether a communication effort will ultimately be effective starts with an idea. For example, if you have a clear idea about a procedure change that will save your company time and money, the communication process is off to a strong start. However, if all you want to do is complain and do not have any solutions to your complaint, you probably will not communicate anything of value to your audience. The other answers are what the sender should do after having an idea.
LO: 1.3: Describe the communication process model and the ways social media are changing the nature of business communication.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Easy
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
32) The final step in the communication process is
A) receiving the message.
B) sending the message.
C) the audience providing feedback to the sender.
D) interpreting the message.
E) decoding the message.
Answer: C
Explanation: C) When the audience provides feedback to the sender, this can help the sender evaluate the effectiveness of the communication effort. Feedback can be verbal, nonverbal, or both. However, this feedback may need to be decoded carefully. A smile, for example, can have many meanings. The other steps are earlier steps in the communication process.
LO: 1.3: Describe the communication process model and the ways social media are changing the nature of business communication.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
33) Uncomfortable meeting rooms, multitasking, and computer screens filled with popup messages are all examples of
A) problems with feedback.
B) distractions.
C) problems with background differences.
D) overload problems.
E) social media.
Answer: B
Explanation: B) Distractions can be anything that forces a person to focus on something other than the immediate task.
LO: 1.3: Describe the communication process model and the ways social media are changing the nature of business communication.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
34) Which of the following is not one of the five ways to get the audience to notice your messages?
A) Acknowledge the importance of the situation.