Chapter 1 - Communicating in Today’s Workplace

Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers

the question.

1. In the world of work, an economy based on information and knowledge is rapidly

emerging. To be successful in these jobs, you must be able to ______________,

make decisions, and communicate those decisions.

a. think critically

b. program a computer

c. work in a satellite office

d. train co-workers

2. The workplace is undergoing profound changes, and many of these transformations

are due to ______________.

a. finding employment through the Internet

b. Videoconferencing

c. rapidly changing hardware and software

d. global competition

3. While today’s flatter organizations have many benefits, they also bring greater

______________ challenges.

a. Employee

b. Communication

c. Internet

d. Ethical

4. A ______________ is a website with journal entries usually written by one person

with comments by others.

a. Server

b. Podcast

c. PDA

d. Blog

5. Workers today are collaborating, telecommuting, ______________, and serving on

virtual teams, all of which demand excellent communication skills.

a. using fax machines

b. working in open offices

c. fixing computers

d. working nine-to-five jobs

6. Communication is defined as the transmission of ______________ from one

individual or group to another.

a. Meaning

b. information and meaning

c. Knowledge

d. meaning and wisdom

True / False

Indicate whether the sentence or statement is true or false.

1. The abilities to read, listen, speak, and write effectively are inborn.

2. Writing skills are difficult to develop and are increasingly significant.

3. To thrive in the age of knowledge, you need to be able to think critically, make

decisions, and communicate those decisions.

4. Using abstract words or gestures when encoding a message will help both senders

and receivers better understand the meaning of a message.

5. Business communicators are moving from one-sided and rather slow

communication channels, such as memos and letters, to more interactive, fast-

results communication channels such as e-mail, text messaging, voice mail, cell

phones, smart phones, and wireless fidelity (“WiFi”) networks.

6. Oral communication is an ineffective way to reach group consensus because seeing

each other’s facial expressions can interfere with the decision-making process.

7. Information flowing downward provides feedback from non-management

employees to management.

8. To improve horizontal communication, companies are (1) training employees in

teamwork and communication techniques, (2) offering incentive programs that

encourage employees to collect and share valuable feedback, and (3) encouraging

full participation in team functions.

9. Management can reduce the negative effects of the grapevine by providing ample

information through formal channels.

10

.

It is important not to discuss your ethical dilemma with a co-worker, as doing so

will not provide any helpful insights.