Business and Professional Communication
KEYS for Workplace Excellence
- Kelly M. Quintanilla - Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi
- Shawn T. Wahl - Missouri State University, USA
Our Organizing Feature: KEYS for Workplace Excellence |
Overview of the Book: Entering, Developing, Excelling, Presenting, and Surviving in the Workplace |
Business and Professional Excellence in Context |
KEYS for Workplace Excellence |
Defining Communication |
The Importance of Communication |
Communication: A Complex Process |
Principles of Communication |
Communication Apprehension |
Communication Ethics |
Summary |
Discussion Questions |
Terms to Remember |
The Job-Seeking Process |
Stage One: Exploring |
Stage Two: Researching |
Stage Three: Applying |
Stage Four: Interviewing |
Stage Five: Following Up |
Stage Six: Accepting |
Keys to Excellence in the Job-Seeking Process |
Discussion Questions |
Terms to Remember |
Learning Your Workplace Culture |
Assimilating College Students |
Diversity in Your Workplace: Some Important Concepts |
Examples of Diversity In Professional Contexts |
Keys to Excellence in Getting to Know the Diverse Workplace |
Discussion Questions |
Terms to Remember |
The Importance of Layers and Listening |
Exploring Relationships Types at Work |
The Line Between Professional and Personal |
Professional Etiquette |
Keys to Excellence in Interpersonal Communication |
Discussion Questions |
Terms to Remember |
How Do Groups Differ from Teams? |
The Role of Communication in Team Building |
Sharing Leadership |
Problem Solving |
Cultivating Innovative Thinking |
Conflict |
Keys to Excellence in Team Communication |
Discussion Questions |
Terms to Remember |
Communication and Technology: Tools for Professionals |
Maintaining Professional Excellence Online |
Drawbacks of Technology |
Keys to Excellence With Communication and Technology |
Discussion Questions |
Terms to Remember |
The Importance of Written Communication |
Types of Written Communication |
Keys to Excellence in Written Communication |
Discussion Questions |
Terms to Remember |
What Is Leadership? |
Utilizing Power |
Improving Communication With Leadership Theories |
Hiring the Right Team |
Following Up and Following Through |
Communicating About Your Team |
Dealing With Difficult People |
Giving Feedback |
Managing Your Public Image |
Keys to Excellence in Leadership |
Discussion Questions |
Terms to Remember |
The Importance of Presenting With Professional Excellence |
Identifying Presentation Opportunities and Purposes |
Speaking to Inform |
Speaking to Persuade |
Keys to Excellence in Professional Presentations |
Discussion Questions |
Terms to Remember |
Analyzing the Audience |
Analyzing the Context |
Researching |
Organizing Your Presentation |
Introductions |
Conclusions |
Language |
Keys to Excellence in Professional Presentations |
Discussion Questions |
Terms to Remember |
Delivering the Presentation With Professional Excellence |
Supporting Aids: Adding Some Bling |
Practice Makes Perfect |
Team Presentations |
Keys to Excellence in Professional Presentations |
Discussion Questions |
Terms to Remember |
The Importance of Work-Life Balance |
Triggers to Imbalance |
Strategies for Balance |
Keys to Excellence With Work-Life Balance |
Discussion Questions |
Terms to Remember |
“The KEYS process is clear and very appropriate. The use of this text will be a great shift from business writing to include a more humanistic and personal approach to the area of business communication.”
“The most impressive aspect of the book is the way the organization reflects the sequence of experiences the typical college graduate is likely to experience when entering the workforce: transition from school to work, from entry level jobs to more responsibility, from team member to leader, and even how to achieve a work-life balance.”
“The writing style is very accessible. The chapter on technology makes this book different from the ones I’ve used, and the chapter on work-life balance is compelling, interesting, and important.”
“This book is a breath of fresh air in the marketplace. The concepts covered are excellent, the writing is user-friendly, and the student and instructor can find a common enjoyment of the overall presentation.”
“The main advantage [of Quintanilla/Wahl] is the accessibility of the writing and the use of humor. I think it caters more to the student than other texts. There were parts I really enjoyed reading and I think students will too. Chapter 10: Balancing Work and Life through Communication is an important chapter and one that should resonate with the Millennial generation.”
“The book is written at a student’s level, not for a group of scholars discussing communication skills. … The advantages of the book are the readability, the wide range of subject areas included, and the case studies. The case studies are some of the best I have seen.”
“The KEYS feature will help students apply their learning, and the Keys in Action exercises are extremely helpful. The conversational, coaching tone of the text is excellent: in many sections, students are given advice with explanations of how the advice will help them succeed in the workplace. I am impressed with the readability of the text and its relevance to students’ workplace communication needs.”