Management Communication for Undergraduates

Lecture Notes

[T] = Teaching Notes from the Sloan Communication Program, courtesy of JoAnne Yates. Used with permission.

SES #	TOPICS	RESOURCES
1	Introduction to the Course; Strategy and Structure To define the characteristics of managerial communication To understand how to create a communication strategy	Communicating Strategically (PDF)
2	Strategy and Structure (cont.) To understand the difference between direct and indirect structure To learn when to use direct structure and when to use indirect structure
3	Oral Presentations To discuss the differences between written and oral communication To discuss “best practices” for organizing and composing an oral presentation	Giving Presentations (PDF)
4	Oral Presentations (cont.) To discuss ways to ensure a smooth delivery, using both verbal and nonverbal skills To provide guidelines on creating and using visual aids
5	Listening; Giving and Receiving Feedback To discover impediments to listening well To learn the techniques of “active listening” To learn techniques to give useful feedback To learn how to make the best use of feedback you receive	Listening and Feedback (PDF) [T] Active Listening and Reflective Responses (PDF)
6	Persuasion To review techniques of persuasion	[T] Constructing a Logical Argument (PDF) [T] Persuasion: What the Research Tells Us (PDF)
7	Writing To discuss the writing process To discuss ways to make your writing logical and coherent	Guidelines for Effective Writing (PDF) [T] Conceptual Parallelism (PDF) [T] Clear and Concise Writing (PDF) [T] Style in Managerial Writing (PDF)
8	Writing (cont.) To discover how to bring clarity to your writing To discuss document design To discuss issues of style and tone
9	Effective Teamwork To discuss the elements of successful teamwork To introduce the team assignment in 15.279	Guidelines for Effective Teamwork (PDF) [T] Teamwork Basics (PDF)
10	Team Meeting To practice the elements of successful teamwork To set ground rules for your team
11	Cover Letters To learn to write an effective, persuasive cover letter	[T] Writing Cover Letters (PDF)
12	Interviewing To learn strategies for successful interviewing To practice your interviewing skills
13	Writing Team Reports; Giving Team Presentations To learn more about writing successful team reports and presentations, including incorporating tables, charts, and graphs	Team Reports and Presentations (PDF) [T] Writing Reports (PDF) [T] Using Figures in Text and as Attachments (PDF)
14	Communicating Electronically To learn about the specific characteristics of such electronic media as e-mail, voice mail, and video-conferencing To learn about the norms for using electronic media
15	Individual Conferences / Team Meetings
16	Individual Conferences / Team Meetings (cont.)
17	Cross-Cultural Communication To learn about the ways in which people from different cultures (and genders) communicate To increase your own cross-cultural communication effectiveness To plan and deliver a group presentation on cross-cultural communication	Cross-Cultural Communication (PDF - 1.0MB) [T] Intercultural Communication (PDF)
18	Cross-Cultural Communication (cont.); Gender Communication
19	Communication Skills for Leaders To understand the specific communication needs and competencies of those in leadership positions To practice those skills	Communication for Leaders (PDF)
20	Communication Skills for Leaders (cont.)
21	Working with the Media To learn some basics about interacting with the financial, technology, and general business press	[T] Media Relations (PDF)
22	Review of Strategic Communication To review the elements of creating a communication strategy To “put it all together”	[T] Difficult Conversations (PDF)
23	Team Report Presentations
24	Team Report Presentations (cont.)
25	Team Report Presentations (cont.)
26	Course Wrap-Up