COMM 400 Wk 1 Discussion - The Communications Process

Post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to other students. 

Due Thursday - response to at least one of the discussion starters. 

Respond to one of the following in a minimum of 175 words: 

Discussion Starter 1

• How does the background of a communicator—sender or receiver—affect communication?

• How much of a manager’s communication style is imposed on him or her by the organization’s culture, compared to the amount that is intrinsic to the individual?

 Discussion Starter 2

• What are the three most used modes of communication in your organization?

• What are examples of effective and ineffective communication situations in your organization?

• If you were building an organizational communications structure from scratch, what do you think are the top characteristics it must have to ensure a smooth flow of information throughout your organization?

Due Monday 

Reply to at least 2 of your classmates. Be constructive and professional in your responses.窗体顶端

COMM 400 Wk 2 Discussion - Interpersonal Communications

Post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to other students. 

Due Thursday - response to at least one of the discussion starters. 

Respond to one of the following in a minimum of 175 words: 

Discussion Starter 1

• Effective managers must have effective listening techniques. 

• Discuss the six functions of nonverbal communication. How does this relate to effective management? Provide specific examples.

Discussion Starter 2

• How can effective interpersonal communications affect the bottom line of an organization?

• What role might effective interpersonal communications play in career advancement for a manager?

• What are three examples of effective listening techniques for managers? Provide contexts for each example.

Due Monday 

Reply to at least 2 of your classmates. Be constructive and professional in your responses.

COMM 400 Wk 3 Discussion - Group Dynamics

Post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to other students. 

Due Thursday - response to at least one of the discussion starters.

A detailed response to all Discussion Starters is required to successfully meet the Week participation requirements.

Discussion 1     

• How important are disagreement and conflict in making an organization successful?

• At what point does conflict become dissent?

• At what point should a manager intervene? 

• How might conflict result in progress?

Discussion 2

• Discuss the concept of Groupthink.

• What are some of the pros and cons of this team dynamic?

• How might constructive disagreement or conflict help prevent groupthink?

Due Monday 

Reply to at least 2 of your classmates. Be constructive and professional in your responses.

COMM 400 Wk 4 Discussion - Medium and Message

Post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to other students. 

Due Thursday - response to at least one of the discussion starters. 

Discussion 1 – Asynchronous Communication

• What kinds of nonverbal communications or nonverbal cues are available when using asynchronous communication in a professional setting?

• What are some of the challenges of asynchronous communication and how can we ensure that it is effective?

Discussion 2 – Managing in the Virtual Environment

• What do you consider the top five skills managers must demonstrate to communicate successfully in a virtual environment?

• How can one improve these skills?

• What are some of the challenges of communicating in the virtual workplace?

Discussion 3 – Telecommuting and the Virtual Office

• What is your opinion of telecommuting?

• What are its advantages and disadvantages?

• How do the communication needs of a virtual worker or telecommuter differ from those of a more traditional office worker?

• How might a manager's communication style need to change when supervising a virtual worker or telecommuter?

Due Monday 

Reply to at least 2 of your classmates. Be constructive and professional in your response

COMM 400 Wk 5 Discussion - Managerial Communications and Organizational Climate

Post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to other students. 

Due Thursday 

Respond to at least one of the following in a minimum of 175 words: 

Discussion Starter 1 – Discrimination in the Workplace

• What are some ramifications and costs associated with managerial mismanagement of prejudiced or discriminatory behavior?

• As a manager, what can you do to reduce discrimination in the workplace?

• How can effective business communication be used to address discrimination and prejudice in the workplace?

Discussion Starter 2 – Managers and Ethical Standards

• It has been said that an organization cannot be any more ethical than its least ethical employee. If you agree with this statement, what responsibilities does a manager have to ensure ethical standards are maintained in his or her work group?

• Give an example of a company that has had an ethics crisis and how it dealt with it.

• How can effective business communication be used t address ethical standards in the workplace?

Discussion Starter 3 – Course Feedback

• What are the most important business communications skills you acquired as a result of taking this course?

• How are you going to use these new or improved skills in your professional and/or personal environments?

• Are there any topics that you feel need to be covered in more detail, or weren't addressed at all?

• Do you have any suggestions for improving the course?

Discussion Starter 4 – Blackboard Ultra Feedback

• What do you think of the new Blackboard Ultra (BBU) system?

• Do you think that the training and resources provided to you to help you orient to BBU were useful and effective?

• Do you have any recommendations for improving BBU?

Due Monday 

Reply to at least 2 of your classmates. Be constructive and professional in your responses.