Summary

Ober prepares students for business communication by employing a hands-on approach, connecting topics, examples, and exercises to the modern workplace. The text provides ample opportunity for students to practice their oral and written skills, and includes strategies for using email, voicemail, the Internet, and other innovations in communication technology.Continuing the emphasis on technology and work-team communication, the Sixth Edition integrates real-world perspective and the 3Ps (Problem, Process, Product) writing model in the introduction of the Eduspace online learning tool, featuring writing tutorials and expanded Web-based resources.New Chapter-opening interviews with high-level business managers including Gilbert C. Morrell Jr., President and CEO, The Nucon Group; Scott Roller, Internet Marketing Director, Texas Instruments; and Gary Davis, Vice President, Corporate Communications, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., among others.Continuing text examples and end-of-chapter exercises create consistency throughout the text. For example, in Chapter 7, students first assume the role of buyer and write a claim letter. Later, they assume the role of seller and answer the same claim letter by writing an adjustment letter. In Chapter 8, students write a persuasive request from a subordinate; and in Chapter 9 (about bad-news messages), they assume the role of superior and turn down the well-written persuasive request.New Communication Snapshots combine colorful graphics with up-to-date factoids about issues directly relating to contemporary business communication.Urban Systems Case Study CD-ROM, an innovative simulation CD packaged free with everynew textbook, is tied to the continuing case presented in the text. In 15 modules related to each chapter in the text, students have an opportunity to experience and solve the unique and complex communication challenges posed by workplace policies and organizational dynamics. In each module, students take on the role of an employee of Urban Systems who has several tasks to accomplish as well as one final project to complete. Each of the work tasks reinforce chapter concepts and overall communication skills. This user-friendly CD provides continual programmed feedback and direct references to text material; it allows students to save their work and submit it to their instructors. Teaching guidelines and sample answers are provided to instructors via Eduspace and the Instructors' Web Site.Student Handouts (included in the Instructor' s Resource Manual and highlighted in the Instructor' s Annotated Edition) feature communication checklists, additional in-class or homework exercises to reinforce language arts skills, and answer keys to selected textbook exercises.End-of-Chapter Mini-Cases, culled from recent business periodicals, challenge students to solve real-world communication problems.Fully Coded Exercises at the end of each chapter include an icon key that indicates whether it is an individual, team, stand-alone, correlated, Web-based or real-world exercise.New Eduspace powered by Blackboard is an online resource which features BusCom Writer Tutorials, a set of interactive computer modules that guide students through the development of 15 basic business documents. Each module is based on the textbook' s 3Ps (Problem, Process, Product) model, such that students are presented with a unique business situation, guided through the process of analyzing the situation, developing communication goals, and preparing the document, and then prompted to proofread and revise the finished product to meet proper writing guidelines.