{"id":3408,"date":"2015-06-23T12:20:40","date_gmt":"2015-06-23T12:20:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/masterybusiness1xngcxmaster\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=3408"},"modified":"2015-10-06T13:53:53","modified_gmt":"2015-10-06T13:53:53","slug":"effective-communication-in-business","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-introbusinesswmopen\/chapter\/effective-communication-in-business\/","title":{"raw":"Reading: Effective Communication in Business","rendered":"Reading: Effective Communication in Business"},"content":{"raw":"<h2>Effective Communication in Business<\/h2>\r\nConsider the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>A text message<\/li>\r\n\t<li>A voicemail<\/li>\r\n\t<li>A passing comment<\/li>\r\n\t<li>A Facebook post<\/li>\r\n\t<li>An unreturned phone call<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nHave you ever had one of these communications be misinterpreted? You meant one thing, but your friend thought you meant something else? Sometimes the miscommunication can result in confusion about\u00a0a meeting time or place. Or worse, it can be entirely misunderstood and have a negative impact on your relationship.\r\n\r\nCommunication, the exchange of information or ideas between sender and receiver, can be challenging in one's personal life, at school, and especially in business. Today, it\u2019s even more complex because business is conducted on a global basis 24\/7, often using different languages and different communication methods. In this constant, high-speed business environment, communication blunders can cost more than you might think. Did you ever hear the saying \u201cYou only have one chance to make a good first impression\u201d? It couldn\u2019t be truer when it comes to communication: The first two seconds of communication are so important that it takes another four minutes to add 50 percent more information to an impression\u2014positive or negative\u2014within that communication.[footnote]Dave Rothfield, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/orlando.bizjournals.com\/orlando\/stories\/2009\/05\/18\/smallb2.html?t=printable\" target=\"_blank\">Communicating Simply, Directly Will Improve You, Your Business<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0<em>Orlando Business Journal<\/em>, May 15, 2009,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009).[\/footnote]\u00a0Communication has often been referred to as a\u00a0soft skill, which includes other competencies such as social graces, personality traits, language abilities, and the ability to work with other people. Soft skills also encompass\u00a0emotional intelligence, which Adele B. Lynn, in her book\u00a0<em>The EQ Interview: Finding Employees with High Emotional Intelligence<\/em>, defines as \u201ca person\u2019s ability to manage herself as well as her relationship with others so she can live her intentions.\u201d[footnote]\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sellingpower.com\/content\/newsletter\/issue.php?pc=878\" target=\"_blank\">Interviewing for Emotional Intelligence<\/a>,\u201d Selling Power Hiring &amp; Recruiting eNewsletter, October 15, 2008,\u00a0(accessed March 16, 2010).[\/footnote]\u00a0But in today\u2019s business world, communication has become part of the new \u201chard skills\u201d category, a technical job requirement, because of the critical role that it plays in business.[footnote]Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d\u00a0<em>Supervision<\/em>\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19.[\/footnote]\u00a0According to Peter Post, great-grandson of the late Emily Post, \u201cYour skills can get you in the door; your people skills are what can seal the deal.\u201d[footnote]<a href=\"http:\/\/www.emilypost.com\/business\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\">The Emily Post Institute<\/a>,\u00a0(accessed July 13, 2009).[\/footnote]\r\n<h2>Misunderstood = Miscommunicated<\/h2>\r\nIt is almost impossible to be in business without developing relationships inside your organization and with your customers. Your relationship skills build trust, allow you to be a true partner, and help solve your customers' problems; both internal trust and external communication are keys\u00a0to your ability to deliver on your promises. How are these qualities intrinsically related? The way in which you communicate can determine the level of trust that your colleagues or customers have in you.[footnote]Gail Fann Thomas, Roxanne Zoliln, and Jackie L. Harman, \u201cThe Central Role of Communication in Developing Trust and Its Effect on Employee Involvement,\u201d<em>Journal of Business Communication<\/em>\u00a046, no. 3 (July 2009): 287.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nIn the same way that\u00a0relationships are the cornerstone of trust, communication is the foundation of relationships. But it\u2019s difficult to establish and develop relationships; it takes work and a lot of clear communication. You might think that sounds simple, but consider this: Nearly 75 percent of communications that are received are interpreted incorrectly. At the same time, interestingly, many people consider themselves good communicators. The telling disconnect occurs because people tend to assume that they know what other people mean, or people assume that others know what they mean. This is compounded by the fact that people tend to hear what they want to hear\u2014that is, a person may interpret elements of a conversation in such a way that the taken meanings contribute to his already established beliefs. When you put these assumptions together, communication can easily become \u201cmiscommunication.\u201d[footnote]Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d<em>Supervision<\/em>\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19.[\/footnote]\r\n<h2>The Communication Model<\/h2>\r\nThe standard model of communication has evolved based on two parties\u2014the\u00a0sender\u00a0and the receiver\u2014exchanging information or ideas. The model includes major processes and functions categorized as\u00a0encoding,\u00a0decoding,\u00a0response, and\u00a0feedback. In addition, the model accounts for noise, which symbolizes anything that might disrupt the sending or receiving of a message.[footnote]George E. Belch and Michael A. Belch,\u00a0<em>Advertising and Promotion: An Integrated Marketing Communications Perspective<\/em>, 8th ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2009), 146.[\/footnote]\u00a0The communication model is shown below in Figure 1, \"Traditional Communication Process\":\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3628\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"430\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1120\/2015\/06\/02032033\/Traditional-Communication.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3628 \" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1120\/2015\/06\/02032033\/Traditional-Communication.jpg\" alt=\"The traditional communication model involves a sender, who sends a message via a channel to a receiver. Outside this sequence there can be noise or feedback, which can also reach the sender and receiver.\" width=\"430\" height=\"171\" \/><\/a> Figure 1. Traditional Communication Process. Adapted from Michael R. Solomon, Greg W. Marshall, and Elnora W. Stewart,\u00a0Marketing: Real People, Real Choices, 5th ed. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008), 378.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe model helps describe exactly how communication takes place. For example, if you send a text message to your friend to ask him if he wants to go a movie, you are the source, or sender, of the message. You translated or encoded your message into text characters. A personal digital assistant (PDA) such as a BlackBerry, iPhone, or cell phone is the\u00a0channel, or the method by which you communicated your message. Chances are, if your friend does not have his PDA or cell phone with him, your message will not reach him, and you might miss the movie. So in this example, the PDA or cell phone is the channel. When your friend, the receiver, reads the message, he decodes it or determines what you meant to communicate, and then he responds. If he was talking to another friend while he was reading your text message and didn\u2019t see the time the movie started, that conversation would be considered noise because it would be interfering with the communication of your message. Noise interferes with communication or causes distraction, whether it is heard or seen. When your friend responds to you by saying that he wants to go see the movie, he is providing feedback (or a response to your message). Figure 2 below\u00a0shows this example applied to the communication model.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3629\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"431\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1120\/2015\/06\/02032034\/Communication-example.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3629 \" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1120\/2015\/06\/02032034\/Communication-example.jpg\" alt=\"Example of the communication process: You (the sender) send a movie invitation (the message) via cell phone (the channel) to your friend (the receiver). Other conversations and distraction (noise) may interfere with the communication process, but if your friend gets the message, she responds to the invitation (giving feedback).\" width=\"431\" height=\"180\" \/><\/a> Figure 2. Communication Process Example[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe same thing can happen in business situations. For example, if you call a prospect to set up a meeting, you are the sender. The message is the meeting information (e.g., date, time, and place) that you encode into words. The channel is the telephone, and the receiver is the prospect. It sounds easy enough. Assume, however, that the prospect responds to you and agrees to the meeting. But because he was checking his e-mails while he was talking to you (which is noise), he puts the wrong time on his calendar. When you come for the appointment, he\u2019s out of the office, and your sales call doesn\u2019t take place. Now you have to start the communication process all over again. This is an example of simply setting up a meeting. Now imagine the challenges if you started explaining the features and benefits of a complex product or negotiating a contract. You can see why understanding the communication process is so important in selling.\r\n<h3>Did You Know . . . ?<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Positive e-mail messages are likely to be interpreted as neutral.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Neutral e-mail messages are likely to be perceived as negative.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>People who send e-mails overrate their ability to communicate feelings.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>There is a gap between how a sender\u00a0<em>feels<\/em>\u00a0when he writes the e-mail and the way the emotional content is communicated, which can cause an error in decoding on the part of the receiver.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>One simple e-mail can lead to a communication debacle if the e-mail is not clearly written and well thought out from the recipient\u2019s point of view.[footnote]Jeremy Dean, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.spring.org.uk\/2007\/10\/avoid-email-miscommunication.php\" target=\"_blank\">Avoid Email Miscommunication<\/a>,\u201d PsyBlog,\u00a0(accessed July 15, 2009).[\/footnote]<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Effective Communication<\/h2>\r\nHow do you avoid the pitfalls of poor communication and build productive business relationships? It\u2019s best to always communicate in a timely manner and in the method that your customer prefers. That may be easier said than done. Here are six tips that can help you increase your chances of making your communications effective.\r\n<h3>Tip 1: Empathy Is Essential<\/h3>\r\nOne of the key elements of being a good communicator is having empathy. That means thinking about your communication from the receiver\u2019s point of view. It\u2019s focusing on what\u00a0<em>she<\/em>\u00a0wants to learn as a result of your communication, not what you want to tell her. Empathy is about demonstrating that you care about the other person\u2019s situation. Think about when you received your acceptance letter from your college; the letter probably mentioned what an exciting time it is in your life. The author of the letter demonstrated empathy because she focused on the situation from your perspective. A purely factual letter, without empathy, might have said that you were accepted and that now the school can make their budget since they met their enrollment goal. That would be quite a different letter and would make you feel very different (and probably not very welcome). Although it\u2019s always best to be candid, you should deliver information from the receiver\u2019s point of view and address her concerns.[footnote]Steve Adubato, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.stand-deliver.com\/njbiz\/2008\/020408.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Empathy Is Essential to Effective Communication<\/a>,\u201d NJBiz,\u00a0(accessed July 14, 2009).[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nEmpathy is an integral part of emotional connections. It is especially important to have an emotional connection and empathy when apologizing to customers. Chances are the customer is already angry, or at least disappointed, when you are not able to deliver as expected. You can express empathy in your communications by saying or writing, \u201cYou have every right to be upset. I understand how you must feel. I apologize for the late delivery. Let\u2019s work on a new process that will help prevent it from happening again.\u201d[footnote]Mary Ellen Guffey,\u00a0<em>Business Communication<\/em>, 6th ed. (Mason, OH: South-Western Publishing, 2008), 280.\u00a0[\/footnote]\u00a0Some of the best brands have disappointed their customers but showed empathy when they apologized.\r\n<h3>Tip 2: Think Before You Communicate<\/h3>\r\nQuick responses, whether verbal or via electronic methods, can be less effective than those that are considered. Although a timely response is critical, it\u2019s worth a few minutes to think about exactly what you want to say before you say it (or type it).\r\n<h3>Tip 3: Be Clear<\/h3>\r\nIt seems obvious, but not everyone is clear in his communications. Sometimes, people are trying to avoid \u201cbad news\u201d or trying to avoid taking a stand on a topic. It\u2019s always best to avoid confusion and clearly say what you mean by framing your message in a way that is easily understood by all receivers. It\u2019s also a good idea to avoid\u00a0buzz words (or jargon)\u2014those words, phrases, or acronyms that are used only in your company. If they can\u2019t be avoided, explain them in the same communication terms. You should also avoid jargon on your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and cover letter\u2014help your reader see your brand story at a glance without needing a decoder ring.\r\n<h3>Tip 4: Be Brief<\/h3>\r\nBusiness communication should be short and to the point. Your customers are busy and need information\u2014whether it\u2019s a proposal, report, or follow-up to a question\u2014in a clear, concise way. It\u2019s best to avoid being verbose, especially in any business plans, proposals, or other significant documents.[footnote]Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d\u00a0<em>Supervision<\/em>\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19.[\/footnote]\r\n<h3>Tip 5: Be Specific<\/h3>\r\nIf you go to dinner at Cheesecake Factory and there is a wait to get a table, the hostess will hand you a portable pager and tell you that the wait will be twenty to twenty-five minutes. Perfect. You have just enough time to run a quick errand at a nearby store at the mall and be back in time to get your table. If, on the other hand, she told you that you will be seated shortly, you might have an expectation of being seated in five to ten minutes. Meanwhile, \u201cshortly\u201d might mean twenty to twenty-five minutes for her. You would probably forgo running your errand because you think you are going to be seated soon but end up waiting for twenty-five minutes and being frustrated. Being specific in your communication not only gives clarity to your message but also helps set your customer\u2019s expectations. In other words, your customer won\u2019t expect something you can\u2019t deliver if you are clear about what exactly you\u00a0<em>can<\/em>\u00a0deliver and when. The same is true for prices. For example, if you order from the menu at the Cheesecake Factory, you know precisely what you will get to eat and how much it will cost. However, if there is a menu special that you heard about tableside, but you weren\u2019t told how much the dish was, you might be surprised (and disappointed) when you receive the check. Specificity avoids surprises and sets expectations. Below, in Table 1, \"General vs. Specific Statements,\" are some examples of general statements that can be communicated more effectively when turned into specific statements:\r\n\r\nTable 1.\u00a0General vs.\u00a0Specific Statements\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>General Statement<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Specific Statement<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>I\u2019ll get back to you shortly.<\/td>\r\n<td>I\u2019ll get back to you by Tuesday.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>It will only take a few minutes.<\/td>\r\n<td>It will take less than 5 minutes.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>It will cost about $5,000 plus installation.<\/td>\r\n<td>The cost is $4,800 plus $200 for installation.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Everything is included.<\/td>\r\n<td>It includes your choice of entr\u00e9e, vegetable, dessert, and coffee.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h3>Tip 6: Be Timely<\/h3>\r\nTiming is everything in life and most certainly in selling. It\u2019s best to be proactive with communication, and if you owe someone a response, do it sooner rather than later. If you are slow to respond to questions and communication, it will be difficult to develop trust, as prolonged responses may seem to imply that you are taking action without informing the customer what it is you are doing. Timing is especially important when you are communicating a negative response or bad news. Don\u2019t put it off; do it as soon as possible and give your customer the benefit of complete information.\r\n<h2>Rules of Engagement<\/h2>\r\nAt the beginning of each business relationship, ask your customer how she prefers to communicate. Getting the answers to the following\u00a0simple questions will save time and confusion throughout your relationship and help ensure good communication:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>How do you prefer to receive regular communication (e-mail, text, phone, in person, hard copy)?<\/li>\r\n\t<li>What can I expect as a standard turnaround time for response to questions and issues?<\/li>\r\n\t<li>How do you prefer to receive urgent communication (e-mail, text, phone)?<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Who else (if anyone) in the organization would you like to also receive communication from me?<\/li>\r\n\t<li>When is the best time to touch base with you (early morning, midday, or later in the afternoon)?<\/li>\r\n\t<li>How frequently would you like a status update and in what format (e-mail, phone, in person)?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Listen Up<\/h2>\r\nWhile you may think you are ready to communicate, it\u2019s a good idea to stop and listen first. Creating your message is only half of communication; listening is the other half. But it\u2019s difficult to listen because we listen faster than we speak\u2014that is, based on what the other person is saying, we are already constructing responses in our minds before they have even finished. As a result, many people are guilty of \u201clistening too fast.\u201d[footnote]Jeffrey J. Denning, \u201cHow to Improve Your Listening Skills, Avoid Mix-ups,\u201d<em>Ophthalmology Times<\/em>\u00a026, no. 10 (May 15, 2001): 28.[\/footnote]\u00a0Cicero once said that it is good thing that humans were given one mouth and two ears, in light of the way we use them.[footnote]Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d\u00a0<em>Supervision<\/em>\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nListening, in fact, is so important that companies like Starbucks believe that it may directly improve profits. According to Alan Gulick, a Starbucks Corporation spokesperson, if every Starbucks employee misheard one $10 order each day, it would cost the company one billion dollars in a year. \u00a0That\u2019s why Starbucks has a process to teach their employees how to listen. Although listening may seem passive, it is actively linked to success: One study conducted in the insurance industry found that better listeners held higher positions and got promoted more than those who did not have developed listening skills.[footnote]Beverly Davenport Sypher, Robert N. Bostrom, and Joy Hart Seibert, \u201cListening, Communication Abilities and Success at Work,\u201d\u00a0<em>Journal of Business Communication<\/em>\u00a026, no. 4 (Fall 1989): 293.[\/footnote]\u00a0So it\u2019s worth it to hone your listening skills\u00a0<em>now<\/em>\u00a0so that when you get into the business world you can be successful. The following\u00a0are a few tips:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Use active listening<\/strong>. Confirm that you heard the sender correctly by saying something like, \u201cJust to be sure I understand, we are going to move forward with twelve cases for your initial order, then revisit your inventory in five days.\u201d Review the communication model above and take notice of the importance of decoding. If you decode a message from your customer incorrectly, the communication is ineffective and could even be costly. In the example above, the customer might have said in response, \u201cI meant that the initial order should be five cases, and we\u2019ll revisit the inventory in twelve days.\u201d That\u2019s a big difference.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Ask questions<\/strong>. Questions are a way to gather more information and learn about your customer and their business. They are also an excellent way to demonstrate that you are communicating by listening. Asking the\u00a0<em>right<\/em>\u00a0questions is critical to being successful. Focus on listening and asking the right questions, and you\u2019ll be rewarded with great information.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Focus<\/strong>. Although multitasking has seemingly become a modern virtue, focus actually helps create more effective communication. Stop and focus on your customer when he is speaking. This is a sign of respect, and this concentration allows you to absorb more information. Take notes to remember exactly what you discussed. There\u2019s nothing more important than what your customer has to say.[footnote]Jeffrey J. Denning, \u201cHow to Improve Your Listening Skills, Avoid Mix-ups,\u201d\u00a0<em>Ophthalmology Times<\/em>\u00a026, no. 10 (May 15, 2001): 28.[\/footnote]<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Take notes<\/strong>. While it may seem like you will remember everything that is said at a meeting or during a conversation, taking notes signals that you are listening, and it provides you with an accurate record of what was said. \u201cThe palest ink is better than the best memory.\u201d[footnote]\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sellingpower.com\/content\/newsletter\/issue.php?pc=814\" target=\"_blank\">A Lesson on Listening<\/a>,\u201dSelling Power Pharmaceuticals eNewsletter, April 9, 2008,\u00a0(accessed March 16, 2010).[\/footnote]<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>There\u2019s More to Communication Than Meets the Eye . . . or Ear<\/h2>\r\nIt\u2019s important to remember that you will be communicating with many different people about many different topics in selling. Sometimes, you will be communicating one-on-one and sometimes you will be communicating with a group. Just as people have varying social styles, it\u2019s important to know that people also absorb information differently. Research conducted in the 1970s indicates that people comprehend information in the following\u00a0four distinct ways:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Why<\/strong>. They want to know the reasons for doing something.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>What<\/strong>. They want to know the facts about it.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>How<\/strong>. They want to know only the information they need to get it done.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>What if<\/strong>. They want to know the consequences of doing it.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThis can be a helpful road map of the elements you will want to include in your communications, especially if you are communicating with a group, since you may not know everyone\u2019s best method of absorbing information. It\u2019s been proven that if people don\u2019t receive the type of communication they prefer, they tend to tune out or reject the information.\r\n\r\nYou\u2019ve probably noticed that both people and brands communicate the same message multiple times and usually in multiple ways. Creative repetition is key to successful communication. Think about the advertising Pepsi ran when it launched its new logo in early 2009; you most likely saw the television commercial during the Super Bowl, noticed a billboard in a high-traffic area of a major city, received an e-mail, saw banner ads on the Internet, reviewed the commercial on YouTube, and saw the new logo on the packaging. Pepsi\u2019s ad campaign illustrates the \u201cthree-times convincer\u201d concept, which claims that 80 percent of people need to be exposed a message three times to buy into it, 15 percent need to be exposed to it five times, and 5 percent need to be exposed to it up to twenty-five times.[footnote]Natalie Zmuda, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/adage.com\/abstract.php?article_id=133859\" target=\"_blank\">Pepsi, Coke Try to Outdo Each Other with Rays of Sunshine<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0<em>Advertising Age<\/em>, January 19, 2009,\u00a0(accessed July 14, 2009).[\/footnote]\u00a0You may have seen the message so many times that it\u2019s hard to remember what the old logo even looked like.\r\n<h2>Types of Communication<\/h2>\r\nIt is important to use multiple types of communication so that repetition does not become boring like a broken record. There are three types of communication:\u00a0verbal, which involves speaking to one or many people to convey a message;\u00a0nonverbal, which includes body language and other observations about people; and\u00a0written, which includes a message that is read in hard copy, e-mail, text message, instant message, Facebook, Twitter, blog, or other Internet-based written communication.\u00a0Varying the usage of these mediums can help ensure your customer\u2019s attention, but you must carefully develop each skill separately to communicate effectively.\r\n<h3>Verbal Communication<\/h3>\r\nAn introduction, a presentation, a telephone conversation, a videoconference call: these are all examples of verbal communication because information is transmitted orally. Despite the ubiquitous use of technology in the business world, verbal communication is the most common method of exchanging information and ideas. Verbal communication is powerful, fast, and natural and includes voice inflections that help senders and receivers understand the message more clearly. The downside to verbal communication is that once it is spoken, the words are essentially gone; they are preserved only in the memory of those present, and sometimes the memories of the specific words spoken vary dramatically. The he-said-she-said argument is an example of this. No one really knows who said what unless the words are recorded. Recall is rarely exactly the same between two or more people.\r\n\r\nVoice inflection, the verbal emphasis you put on certain words, can have a significant impact on the meaning of what you say. In fact, the same words can take on completely different meaning based on the inflection you use. For example, if you say the sentence \"I borrowed your book\" with\u00a0an inflection on a different word each time, the sentence communicates something completely different each time.\r\n\r\nVerbal communication may take place face-to-face, such as an in-person conversation or group meeting, speech, or presentation. It could also take place by phone in an individual conversation, a conference call, or even a voice mail. Other forms of verbal communication include video conferences,\u00a0podcasts, and\u00a0Webinars, which are increasingly common in business. All these methods allow you to use inflection to communicate effectively. Face-to-face meetings also provide the opportunity to use and interpret other visual cues to increase the effectiveness of your communication.\r\n\r\nVerbal communication is especially important throughout the steps of the selling process. Your choice of words can make the difference in someone\u2019s decision to first hear your sales presentation, and your presentation can determine whether that person will purchase your product or service.\r\n<h3>Nonverbal Communication<\/h3>\r\nImagine that you are in a retail store buying a suit for an interview. When the salesperson approaches you, she smiles, makes eye contact, and shakes your hand. You respond positively. You notice that she is dressed professionally, so she makes you feel as if you will receive good fashion advice from her. When you make your choice, the tailor comes over wearing a tape measure around his neck. You know he is a professional and you can trust him to alter your new suit properly. On the other hand, if the salesperson waits on you only after you interrupt her personal phone call, doesn\u2019t make eye contact or shake your hand, acts as if she is bored being at work, and is dressed in worn jeans and flip-flops, it\u2019s unlikely that you trust her to help you choose your suit.\r\n\r\nYou have, no doubt, used and noticed nonverbal communication in virtually every personal encounter you have had. Think about it: A gesture, a smile, a nod, eye contact, what you are wearing, the fact that you are frequently checking your cell phone for text messages, and how close you stand to someone are all examples of nonverbal communication.\r\n\r\nNonverbal communication is extremely powerful. In fact, some studies indicate that the influence from nonverbal communication such as tone and visuals can have a greater impact than the spoken words. Dr. Albert Mehrabian, a famed psychologist and professor emeritus of psychology at University of California, Los Angeles, is considered a pioneer in the area of body language and nonverbal communication. His research includes an equation, called the\u00a0Mehrabian formula,[footnote]Albert Mehrabian, \u201cSilent Messages,\u201d\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.kaaj.com\/psych\/smorder.html\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/www.kaaj.com\/psych\/smorder.html<\/a>\u00a0(accessed July 15, 2009).[\/footnote]\u00a0that is frequently used to define the relative impact of verbal and nonverbal messages based on experiments of communication of feelings and attitudes. Dr. Mehrabian developed the formula shown below, in Figure 3,\u00a0to define how communication takes place:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3630\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"799\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1120\/2015\/06\/02032035\/Formula.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3630\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1120\/2015\/06\/02032035\/Formula-1024x205.jpg\" alt=\"Total liking equals 7% verbal liking + 38% vocal liking + 55%\" width=\"799\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a> Figure 3. The Mehrabian Formula[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Mehrabian formula is used to explain situations in which verbal communication and nonverbal communication do not match. In other words, when facial expressions contradict words, people tend to believe the facial expressions.[footnote]\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.businessballs.com\/mehrabiancommunications.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Mehrabian\u2019s Communication Research<\/a>,\u201d Businessballs.com,\u00a0(accessed July 15, 2009).[\/footnote]\r\n<h4>Types of Nonverbal Communication<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Handshake<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Body language<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Gestures<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Nodding or shaking your head<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Eye contact (or lack of eye contact)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Eye roll<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Facial expressions<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Touch<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Space or proximity<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Dress<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Multitasking (e.g., texting while listening to someone, earphones in ears while working)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Your Handshake Says It All<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIn some countries, you might bow when you meet someone; in others you might kiss; but when you meet someone for a business meeting in the United States, it\u2019s best to shake hands.[footnote]Terri Morrison, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.getcustoms.com\/2004GTC\/Articles\/new011.html\" target=\"_blank\">Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0(accessed July 23, 2009).[\/footnote]\u00a0Although fist bumps and high fives may be trendy as friendly greetings, neither is appropriate in a business setting.\r\n\r\nThe exact history of the handshake is unknown; however, at one time it was used as method to prove that you had no weapons in your hands.[footnote]Rachel Zupek, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2007\/LIVING\/worklife\/11\/05\/cb.hand.shake\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Worst Way to Shake hands<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0<em>CNN.com<\/em>,\u00a0(accessed July 13, 2009).[\/footnote]\u00a0A good handshake is essential in business; it is the first nonverbal cue that you give to the person with whom you are meeting. It\u2019s so important to have a good handshake that a recent study conducted at the University of Iowa showed that during mock interviews, those students who scored as having a better handshake were also considered more hirable by interviewers. According to Greg Stewart, a business professor who conducted the study said, \u201cWe found that the first impression begins with a handshake and sets the tone for the rest of the interview.\u201d[footnote]\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/re\/career-advice\/career-advice-articles\/interview-advice\/good-handshake-key-to-interview-success\" target=\"_blank\">Good Handshake Key to Interview Success<\/a>,\u201d BC Jobs,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009).[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nDo you think you have a good handshake? Believe it or not, it\u2019s worth practicing your handshake. Here are five tips for a good handshake:\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>Extend your right hand when you are approximately three feet away from the person with whom you want to shake hands.[footnote]Rachel Zupek, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2007\/LIVING\/worklife\/11\/05\/cb.hand.shake\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Worst Way to Shake Hands<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0<em>CNN.com<\/em>,\u00a0(accessed July 13, 2009).[\/footnote]<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Keep your wrist straight and lock hands connecting your hand with the same part of the other person\u2019s hand.[footnote]John Gates, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.free-resume-help.com\/handshake-interview.html\" target=\"_blank\">A Handshake Lesson from Goldilocks<\/a>,\u201d Free-Resume-Help.com,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009).[\/footnote]\u00a0Apply appropriate pressure; don\u2019t crush the person\u2019s hand.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Shake up and down three or four times.[footnote]\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/re\/career-advice\/career-advice-articles\/interview-advice\/good-handshake-key-to-interview-success\" target=\"_blank\">Good Handshake Key to Interview Success<\/a>,\u201d BC Jobs,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009).[\/footnote]<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Avoid the \u201cwet fish\u201d handshake.[footnote]\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/re\/career-advice\/career-advice-articles\/interview-advice\/good-handshake-key-to-interview-success\" target=\"_blank\">Good Handshake Key to Interview Success<\/a>,\u201d BC Jobs,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009).[\/footnote]\u00a0This is where practice is really important. The more you shake hands, the less nervous you will be.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Smile and make eye contact.[footnote]\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/re\/career-advice\/career-advice-articles\/interview-advice\/good-handshake-key-to-interview-success\" target=\"_blank\">Good Handshake Key to Interview Success<\/a>,\u201d BC Jobs,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009).[\/footnote]\u00a0This is your opportunity to use multiple types of nonverbal communication to get your meeting or interview off to a good start.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<strong>Body Language<\/strong>\r\n\r\nDo you use your hands when you talk? If so, you are using body language to help make your point. But body language includes more than talking with your hands.\u00a0Body language\u00a0is what we say without words; nonverbal communication using your body includes elements such as gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, a head tilt, a nod, and even where and how you sit. Body language can indicate an unspoken emotion or sentiment that a person might be feeling either consciously or subconsciously. Body language can indicate if you are listening to someone and are engaged in what he is saying, disagreeing with him, or getting bored. (You might want to think twice about the body language you are using in class.) It\u2019s important that you are aware of what you communicate with\u00a0<em>your<\/em>\u00a0body language and to understand and respond to the cues you are getting from\u00a0<em>someone else\u2019s<\/em>\u00a0body language.\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Crossed arms: discomfort<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Spreading fingers: territorial display<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Mirroring (i.e., mimicking your body position to another\u2019s): comfort<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Drumming or tapping fingers: frustration<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Hands on hips: there is an issue<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Hands behind the back: \u201cleave me alone\u201d<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Hands clasped, thumbs up: positive<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Thumbs down: don\u2019t like<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Hands clasped with fingers forming a steeple: confidence<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Touch neck: insecurity<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Crossed legs: comfort<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Glancing at watch: concerned about time or bored<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nBody language is not just an interesting topic to consider; it\u2019s a proven science that can help you improve your communication. If you would like to see how body language is used in everyday life, watch the following\u00a0video featuring Tonya Reiman, national television commentator and author of\u00a0<em>The Power of Body Language:<\/em>\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/z-YhBzS-_Ps\r\n\r\nHere are some tips to remember about your body language to be sure you are sending the right nonverbal message to your customer or interviewer.\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Make eye contact<\/strong>\u00a0with the person to whom you are speaking. Eye contact avoidance can be distracting and can prevent you from establishing a relationship as shown in this video.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Smile<\/strong>\u00a0when you meet someone and throughout the conversation. A smile is a positive response to another person and has a significant impact on how people perceive you. A smile can break the ice and help you start a conversation.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Dress for success<\/strong>\u00a0at all times, which means always dressing appropriately for the situation.\u00a0\u00a0But it\u2019s best to keep in mind that even after you get the job you want, it\u2019s a good idea to dress a little better than the position. Even in very casual work environments, what you wear is a nonverbal communication about who you are. If you don\u2019t dress for the next promotion, chances are you won\u2019t be considered for it. Be aware of the company policy and dress code, and if in doubt, dress more conservatively.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Written Communication<\/h3>\r\nAlthough verbal and nonverbal communications usually take place in real time, written communication has a longer consideration period. The sender must encode the message in words to be communicated on paper or a screen.\u00a0Business reports, proposals, memos, e-mails, text messages, Web sites, blogs, wikis, and more are all examples of written communication. Each of them is created over a period of time and can include collaboration from multiple people. Collaboration is especially important for communicating, planning, and creating documents so many people use tools such as\u00a0wikis\u00a0to share documents.\r\n\r\nWritten communication is preferred to verbal communication when careful consideration is important or the information needs to be permanent, such as a company policy, sales presentation, or proposal. Written communication can also take place when verbal communication isn\u2019t an option, like when you need to respond to an e-mail or text message at 1:00 a.m.\r\n\r\nAlthough verbal communication is faster and more natural than written communication, each has its pros and cons. Generally, written communication is better at conveying facts, while verbal communication is better at conveying feelings. Verbal communication has another significant drawback: consider the fact that humans listen much faster than they speak. For example, the average public speaker speaks at about 125 words per minute. Although this sounds natural, the average person can listen at 400 to 500 words per minute. That means that listeners\u2019 minds have time and space to wander, which can impact the effectiveness of verbal communication.\u00a0(You may have noticed your mind wandering during a class lecture\u2014even if you found the topic interesting.)\r\n\r\nWritten communication requires a good command of the English language, including the rules of grammar and spelling. If you think that business exists solely on quick instant messages and text messages, you might be surprised to learn that they are only a portion of the communication within a company and between the company\u2019s vendors and other partners. Because the nature of written communication is such that it allows time for consideration and composition, the standards for writing are much higher than for a casual conversation. Customers and colleagues alike expect clear, concise written communications with proper grammar and spelling. And because written communication is long lasting\u2014whether on paper or on the Internet\u2014errors or misstatements exist for an irritatingly long time. So whether you are writing a proposal, a presentation, a report, a meeting recap, or a follow-up e-mail, it\u2019s best to take the time to think about your communication and craft it so that it is effective. Consider using the following tips:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Be short and sweet<\/strong>. Shorter is always better when it comes to business correspondence. It\u2019s best to include all pertinent facts with concise information. If you write your communication with the receiver in mind, it will be easier to make it shorter and more effective.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Grammar, please<\/strong>. Sentences should be structured correctly and use proper grammar, including a subject and a verb in each sentence. Business correspondence should always include uppercase and lowercase letters and correct punctuation.[footnote]Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d\u00a0<em>Supervision<\/em>\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19.[\/footnote]\u00a0If writing is not your strong suit, visit your campus student services office or learning center to provide information about upcoming writing clinics and access to other tools that can help improve your writing skills.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Check spelling<\/strong>. Use the spell-check tool on your computer. There is no excuse for a misspelled word. Text abbreviations are not acceptable in business correspondence.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Read before you send<\/strong>. Reread your document or electronic communication before it goes out. Is everything complete? Is it clear? Is it something you will be proud of days or weeks later? Take the extra time to review before you send. It\u2019s difficult to revise a communication as revisions cause confusion.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Just the facts<\/strong>. Stick to the facts to maximize the impact of your written communications; leave the emotional topics for verbal dialogue. For example, send an e-mail to confirm meeting time, date, and location; use a verbal communication for the content of the meeting to be discussed, such as a negotiation.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Which Is Best?<\/h2>\r\nAlthough verbal, nonverbal, and written communication all play a role in your communication with your customers, you might be wondering which one is best. It depends on your customer and on the situation. Some customers want to work day to day using all the latest technology tools, including text messaging, social networking, Web conferences, wikis, and more. Other customers prefer more traditional face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and some e-mail correspondence. Adapt to the method of communication that your customer prefers and not the other way around. In some situations, a face-to-face meeting is best\u2014for instance, if you wish to discuss a complex issue, negotiate, or meet some additional members of the team. Sometimes, a face-to-face meeting isn\u2019t feasible, so other verbal communication methods such as a videoconference, phone call, or conference call can be efficient and effective if used properly.\r\n\r\nChances are you will use a combination of communication types with each customer tailored to his particular preferences and situation. Be guided by the fact that you want to keep your communication personal in meaning and professional in content. Think about it from the receiver\u2019s point of view, and deliver bad news verbally whenever possible.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Check Your Understanding<\/h2>\r\nAnswer the question(s) below to see how well you understand the topics covered in this section. This short quiz does <strong>not<\/strong> count toward your grade in the class, and you can retake it an unlimited number of times.\r\n\r\nUse this quiz to check your understanding and decide whether to (1) study the previous section further or (2) move on to the next section.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/212","rendered":"<h2>Effective Communication in Business<\/h2>\n<p>Consider the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A text message<\/li>\n<li>A voicemail<\/li>\n<li>A passing comment<\/li>\n<li>A Facebook post<\/li>\n<li>An unreturned phone call<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Have you ever had one of these communications be misinterpreted? You meant one thing, but your friend thought you meant something else? Sometimes the miscommunication can result in confusion about\u00a0a meeting time or place. Or worse, it can be entirely misunderstood and have a negative impact on your relationship.<\/p>\n<p>Communication, the exchange of information or ideas between sender and receiver, can be challenging in one&#8217;s personal life, at school, and especially in business. Today, it\u2019s even more complex because business is conducted on a global basis 24\/7, often using different languages and different communication methods. In this constant, high-speed business environment, communication blunders can cost more than you might think. Did you ever hear the saying \u201cYou only have one chance to make a good first impression\u201d? It couldn\u2019t be truer when it comes to communication: The first two seconds of communication are so important that it takes another four minutes to add 50 percent more information to an impression\u2014positive or negative\u2014within that communication.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Dave Rothfield, \u201cCommunicating Simply, Directly Will Improve You, Your Business,\u201d\u00a0Orlando Business Journal, May 15, 2009,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-1\" href=\"#footnote-3408-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0Communication has often been referred to as a\u00a0soft skill, which includes other competencies such as social graces, personality traits, language abilities, and the ability to work with other people. Soft skills also encompass\u00a0emotional intelligence, which Adele B. Lynn, in her book\u00a0<em>The EQ Interview: Finding Employees with High Emotional Intelligence<\/em>, defines as \u201ca person\u2019s ability to manage herself as well as her relationship with others so she can live her intentions.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"\u201cInterviewing for Emotional Intelligence,\u201d Selling Power Hiring &amp; Recruiting eNewsletter, October 15, 2008,\u00a0(accessed March 16, 2010).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-2\" href=\"#footnote-3408-2\" aria-label=\"Footnote 2\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[2]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0But in today\u2019s business world, communication has become part of the new \u201chard skills\u201d category, a technical job requirement, because of the critical role that it plays in business.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d\u00a0Supervision\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19.\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-3\" href=\"#footnote-3408-3\" aria-label=\"Footnote 3\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[3]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0According to Peter Post, great-grandson of the late Emily Post, \u201cYour skills can get you in the door; your people skills are what can seal the deal.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"The Emily Post Institute,\u00a0(accessed July 13, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-4\" href=\"#footnote-3408-4\" aria-label=\"Footnote 4\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[4]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Misunderstood = Miscommunicated<\/h2>\n<p>It is almost impossible to be in business without developing relationships inside your organization and with your customers. Your relationship skills build trust, allow you to be a true partner, and help solve your customers&#8217; problems; both internal trust and external communication are keys\u00a0to your ability to deliver on your promises. How are these qualities intrinsically related? The way in which you communicate can determine the level of trust that your colleagues or customers have in you.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Gail Fann Thomas, Roxanne Zoliln, and Jackie L. Harman, \u201cThe Central Role of Communication in Developing Trust and Its Effect on Employee Involvement,\u201dJournal of Business Communication\u00a046, no. 3 (July 2009): 287.\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-5\" href=\"#footnote-3408-5\" aria-label=\"Footnote 5\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[5]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In the same way that\u00a0relationships are the cornerstone of trust, communication is the foundation of relationships. But it\u2019s difficult to establish and develop relationships; it takes work and a lot of clear communication. You might think that sounds simple, but consider this: Nearly 75 percent of communications that are received are interpreted incorrectly. At the same time, interestingly, many people consider themselves good communicators. The telling disconnect occurs because people tend to assume that they know what other people mean, or people assume that others know what they mean. This is compounded by the fact that people tend to hear what they want to hear\u2014that is, a person may interpret elements of a conversation in such a way that the taken meanings contribute to his already established beliefs. When you put these assumptions together, communication can easily become \u201cmiscommunication.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201dSupervision\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19.\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-6\" href=\"#footnote-3408-6\" aria-label=\"Footnote 6\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[6]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>The Communication Model<\/h2>\n<p>The standard model of communication has evolved based on two parties\u2014the\u00a0sender\u00a0and the receiver\u2014exchanging information or ideas. The model includes major processes and functions categorized as\u00a0encoding,\u00a0decoding,\u00a0response, and\u00a0feedback. In addition, the model accounts for noise, which symbolizes anything that might disrupt the sending or receiving of a message.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"George E. Belch and Michael A. Belch,\u00a0Advertising and Promotion: An Integrated Marketing Communications Perspective, 8th ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2009), 146.\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-7\" href=\"#footnote-3408-7\" aria-label=\"Footnote 7\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[7]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0The communication model is shown below in Figure 1, &#8220;Traditional Communication Process&#8221;:<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3628\" style=\"width: 440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1120\/2015\/06\/02032033\/Traditional-Communication.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3628\" class=\"wp-image-3628\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1120\/2015\/06\/02032033\/Traditional-Communication.jpg\" alt=\"The traditional communication model involves a sender, who sends a message via a channel to a receiver. Outside this sequence there can be noise or feedback, which can also reach the sender and receiver.\" width=\"430\" height=\"171\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-3628\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1. Traditional Communication Process. Adapted from Michael R. Solomon, Greg W. Marshall, and Elnora W. Stewart,\u00a0Marketing: Real People, Real Choices, 5th ed. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008), 378.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The model helps describe exactly how communication takes place. For example, if you send a text message to your friend to ask him if he wants to go a movie, you are the source, or sender, of the message. You translated or encoded your message into text characters. A personal digital assistant (PDA) such as a BlackBerry, iPhone, or cell phone is the\u00a0channel, or the method by which you communicated your message. Chances are, if your friend does not have his PDA or cell phone with him, your message will not reach him, and you might miss the movie. So in this example, the PDA or cell phone is the channel. When your friend, the receiver, reads the message, he decodes it or determines what you meant to communicate, and then he responds. If he was talking to another friend while he was reading your text message and didn\u2019t see the time the movie started, that conversation would be considered noise because it would be interfering with the communication of your message. Noise interferes with communication or causes distraction, whether it is heard or seen. When your friend responds to you by saying that he wants to go see the movie, he is providing feedback (or a response to your message). Figure 2 below\u00a0shows this example applied to the communication model.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3629\" style=\"width: 441px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1120\/2015\/06\/02032034\/Communication-example.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3629\" class=\"wp-image-3629\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1120\/2015\/06\/02032034\/Communication-example.jpg\" alt=\"Example of the communication process: You (the sender) send a movie invitation (the message) via cell phone (the channel) to your friend (the receiver). Other conversations and distraction (noise) may interfere with the communication process, but if your friend gets the message, she responds to the invitation (giving feedback).\" width=\"431\" height=\"180\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-3629\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 2. Communication Process Example<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The same thing can happen in business situations. For example, if you call a prospect to set up a meeting, you are the sender. The message is the meeting information (e.g., date, time, and place) that you encode into words. The channel is the telephone, and the receiver is the prospect. It sounds easy enough. Assume, however, that the prospect responds to you and agrees to the meeting. But because he was checking his e-mails while he was talking to you (which is noise), he puts the wrong time on his calendar. When you come for the appointment, he\u2019s out of the office, and your sales call doesn\u2019t take place. Now you have to start the communication process all over again. This is an example of simply setting up a meeting. Now imagine the challenges if you started explaining the features and benefits of a complex product or negotiating a contract. You can see why understanding the communication process is so important in selling.<\/p>\n<h3>Did You Know . . . ?<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Positive e-mail messages are likely to be interpreted as neutral.<\/li>\n<li>Neutral e-mail messages are likely to be perceived as negative.<\/li>\n<li>People who send e-mails overrate their ability to communicate feelings.<\/li>\n<li>There is a gap between how a sender\u00a0<em>feels<\/em>\u00a0when he writes the e-mail and the way the emotional content is communicated, which can cause an error in decoding on the part of the receiver.<\/li>\n<li>One simple e-mail can lead to a communication debacle if the e-mail is not clearly written and well thought out from the recipient\u2019s point of view.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Jeremy Dean, \u201cAvoid Email Miscommunication,\u201d PsyBlog,\u00a0(accessed July 15, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-8\" href=\"#footnote-3408-8\" aria-label=\"Footnote 8\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[8]<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Effective Communication<\/h2>\n<p>How do you avoid the pitfalls of poor communication and build productive business relationships? It\u2019s best to always communicate in a timely manner and in the method that your customer prefers. That may be easier said than done. Here are six tips that can help you increase your chances of making your communications effective.<\/p>\n<h3>Tip 1: Empathy Is Essential<\/h3>\n<p>One of the key elements of being a good communicator is having empathy. That means thinking about your communication from the receiver\u2019s point of view. It\u2019s focusing on what\u00a0<em>she<\/em>\u00a0wants to learn as a result of your communication, not what you want to tell her. Empathy is about demonstrating that you care about the other person\u2019s situation. Think about when you received your acceptance letter from your college; the letter probably mentioned what an exciting time it is in your life. The author of the letter demonstrated empathy because she focused on the situation from your perspective. A purely factual letter, without empathy, might have said that you were accepted and that now the school can make their budget since they met their enrollment goal. That would be quite a different letter and would make you feel very different (and probably not very welcome). Although it\u2019s always best to be candid, you should deliver information from the receiver\u2019s point of view and address her concerns.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Steve Adubato, \u201cEmpathy Is Essential to Effective Communication,\u201d NJBiz,\u00a0(accessed July 14, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-9\" href=\"#footnote-3408-9\" aria-label=\"Footnote 9\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[9]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Empathy is an integral part of emotional connections. It is especially important to have an emotional connection and empathy when apologizing to customers. Chances are the customer is already angry, or at least disappointed, when you are not able to deliver as expected. You can express empathy in your communications by saying or writing, \u201cYou have every right to be upset. I understand how you must feel. I apologize for the late delivery. Let\u2019s work on a new process that will help prevent it from happening again.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Mary Ellen Guffey,\u00a0Business Communication, 6th ed. (Mason, OH: South-Western Publishing, 2008), 280.\u00a0\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-10\" href=\"#footnote-3408-10\" aria-label=\"Footnote 10\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[10]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0Some of the best brands have disappointed their customers but showed empathy when they apologized.<\/p>\n<h3>Tip 2: Think Before You Communicate<\/h3>\n<p>Quick responses, whether verbal or via electronic methods, can be less effective than those that are considered. Although a timely response is critical, it\u2019s worth a few minutes to think about exactly what you want to say before you say it (or type it).<\/p>\n<h3>Tip 3: Be Clear<\/h3>\n<p>It seems obvious, but not everyone is clear in his communications. Sometimes, people are trying to avoid \u201cbad news\u201d or trying to avoid taking a stand on a topic. It\u2019s always best to avoid confusion and clearly say what you mean by framing your message in a way that is easily understood by all receivers. It\u2019s also a good idea to avoid\u00a0buzz words (or jargon)\u2014those words, phrases, or acronyms that are used only in your company. If they can\u2019t be avoided, explain them in the same communication terms. You should also avoid jargon on your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and cover letter\u2014help your reader see your brand story at a glance without needing a decoder ring.<\/p>\n<h3>Tip 4: Be Brief<\/h3>\n<p>Business communication should be short and to the point. Your customers are busy and need information\u2014whether it\u2019s a proposal, report, or follow-up to a question\u2014in a clear, concise way. It\u2019s best to avoid being verbose, especially in any business plans, proposals, or other significant documents.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d\u00a0Supervision\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19.\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-11\" href=\"#footnote-3408-11\" aria-label=\"Footnote 11\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[11]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Tip 5: Be Specific<\/h3>\n<p>If you go to dinner at Cheesecake Factory and there is a wait to get a table, the hostess will hand you a portable pager and tell you that the wait will be twenty to twenty-five minutes. Perfect. You have just enough time to run a quick errand at a nearby store at the mall and be back in time to get your table. If, on the other hand, she told you that you will be seated shortly, you might have an expectation of being seated in five to ten minutes. Meanwhile, \u201cshortly\u201d might mean twenty to twenty-five minutes for her. You would probably forgo running your errand because you think you are going to be seated soon but end up waiting for twenty-five minutes and being frustrated. Being specific in your communication not only gives clarity to your message but also helps set your customer\u2019s expectations. In other words, your customer won\u2019t expect something you can\u2019t deliver if you are clear about what exactly you\u00a0<em>can<\/em>\u00a0deliver and when. The same is true for prices. For example, if you order from the menu at the Cheesecake Factory, you know precisely what you will get to eat and how much it will cost. However, if there is a menu special that you heard about tableside, but you weren\u2019t told how much the dish was, you might be surprised (and disappointed) when you receive the check. Specificity avoids surprises and sets expectations. Below, in Table 1, &#8220;General vs. Specific Statements,&#8221; are some examples of general statements that can be communicated more effectively when turned into specific statements:<\/p>\n<p>Table 1.\u00a0General vs.\u00a0Specific Statements<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>General Statement<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Specific Statement<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>I\u2019ll get back to you shortly.<\/td>\n<td>I\u2019ll get back to you by Tuesday.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>It will only take a few minutes.<\/td>\n<td>It will take less than 5 minutes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>It will cost about $5,000 plus installation.<\/td>\n<td>The cost is $4,800 plus $200 for installation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Everything is included.<\/td>\n<td>It includes your choice of entr\u00e9e, vegetable, dessert, and coffee.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Tip 6: Be Timely<\/h3>\n<p>Timing is everything in life and most certainly in selling. It\u2019s best to be proactive with communication, and if you owe someone a response, do it sooner rather than later. If you are slow to respond to questions and communication, it will be difficult to develop trust, as prolonged responses may seem to imply that you are taking action without informing the customer what it is you are doing. Timing is especially important when you are communicating a negative response or bad news. Don\u2019t put it off; do it as soon as possible and give your customer the benefit of complete information.<\/p>\n<h2>Rules of Engagement<\/h2>\n<p>At the beginning of each business relationship, ask your customer how she prefers to communicate. Getting the answers to the following\u00a0simple questions will save time and confusion throughout your relationship and help ensure good communication:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How do you prefer to receive regular communication (e-mail, text, phone, in person, hard copy)?<\/li>\n<li>What can I expect as a standard turnaround time for response to questions and issues?<\/li>\n<li>How do you prefer to receive urgent communication (e-mail, text, phone)?<\/li>\n<li>Who else (if anyone) in the organization would you like to also receive communication from me?<\/li>\n<li>When is the best time to touch base with you (early morning, midday, or later in the afternoon)?<\/li>\n<li>How frequently would you like a status update and in what format (e-mail, phone, in person)?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Listen Up<\/h2>\n<p>While you may think you are ready to communicate, it\u2019s a good idea to stop and listen first. Creating your message is only half of communication; listening is the other half. But it\u2019s difficult to listen because we listen faster than we speak\u2014that is, based on what the other person is saying, we are already constructing responses in our minds before they have even finished. As a result, many people are guilty of \u201clistening too fast.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Jeffrey J. Denning, \u201cHow to Improve Your Listening Skills, Avoid Mix-ups,\u201dOphthalmology Times\u00a026, no. 10 (May 15, 2001): 28.\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-12\" href=\"#footnote-3408-12\" aria-label=\"Footnote 12\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[12]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0Cicero once said that it is good thing that humans were given one mouth and two ears, in light of the way we use them.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d\u00a0Supervision\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19.\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-13\" href=\"#footnote-3408-13\" aria-label=\"Footnote 13\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[13]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Listening, in fact, is so important that companies like Starbucks believe that it may directly improve profits. According to Alan Gulick, a Starbucks Corporation spokesperson, if every Starbucks employee misheard one $10 order each day, it would cost the company one billion dollars in a year. \u00a0That\u2019s why Starbucks has a process to teach their employees how to listen. Although listening may seem passive, it is actively linked to success: One study conducted in the insurance industry found that better listeners held higher positions and got promoted more than those who did not have developed listening skills.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Beverly Davenport Sypher, Robert N. Bostrom, and Joy Hart Seibert, \u201cListening, Communication Abilities and Success at Work,\u201d\u00a0Journal of Business Communication\u00a026, no. 4 (Fall 1989): 293.\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-14\" href=\"#footnote-3408-14\" aria-label=\"Footnote 14\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[14]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0So it\u2019s worth it to hone your listening skills\u00a0<em>now<\/em>\u00a0so that when you get into the business world you can be successful. The following\u00a0are a few tips:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Use active listening<\/strong>. Confirm that you heard the sender correctly by saying something like, \u201cJust to be sure I understand, we are going to move forward with twelve cases for your initial order, then revisit your inventory in five days.\u201d Review the communication model above and take notice of the importance of decoding. If you decode a message from your customer incorrectly, the communication is ineffective and could even be costly. In the example above, the customer might have said in response, \u201cI meant that the initial order should be five cases, and we\u2019ll revisit the inventory in twelve days.\u201d That\u2019s a big difference.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ask questions<\/strong>. Questions are a way to gather more information and learn about your customer and their business. They are also an excellent way to demonstrate that you are communicating by listening. Asking the\u00a0<em>right<\/em>\u00a0questions is critical to being successful. Focus on listening and asking the right questions, and you\u2019ll be rewarded with great information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Focus<\/strong>. Although multitasking has seemingly become a modern virtue, focus actually helps create more effective communication. Stop and focus on your customer when he is speaking. This is a sign of respect, and this concentration allows you to absorb more information. Take notes to remember exactly what you discussed. There\u2019s nothing more important than what your customer has to say.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Jeffrey J. Denning, \u201cHow to Improve Your Listening Skills, Avoid Mix-ups,\u201d\u00a0Ophthalmology Times\u00a026, no. 10 (May 15, 2001): 28.\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-15\" href=\"#footnote-3408-15\" aria-label=\"Footnote 15\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[15]<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Take notes<\/strong>. While it may seem like you will remember everything that is said at a meeting or during a conversation, taking notes signals that you are listening, and it provides you with an accurate record of what was said. \u201cThe palest ink is better than the best memory.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"\u201cA Lesson on Listening,\u201dSelling Power Pharmaceuticals eNewsletter, April 9, 2008,\u00a0(accessed March 16, 2010).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-16\" href=\"#footnote-3408-16\" aria-label=\"Footnote 16\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[16]<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>There\u2019s More to Communication Than Meets the Eye . . . or Ear<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s important to remember that you will be communicating with many different people about many different topics in selling. Sometimes, you will be communicating one-on-one and sometimes you will be communicating with a group. Just as people have varying social styles, it\u2019s important to know that people also absorb information differently. Research conducted in the 1970s indicates that people comprehend information in the following\u00a0four distinct ways:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Why<\/strong>. They want to know the reasons for doing something.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What<\/strong>. They want to know the facts about it.<\/li>\n<li><strong>How<\/strong>. They want to know only the information they need to get it done.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What if<\/strong>. They want to know the consequences of doing it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This can be a helpful road map of the elements you will want to include in your communications, especially if you are communicating with a group, since you may not know everyone\u2019s best method of absorbing information. It\u2019s been proven that if people don\u2019t receive the type of communication they prefer, they tend to tune out or reject the information.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ve probably noticed that both people and brands communicate the same message multiple times and usually in multiple ways. Creative repetition is key to successful communication. Think about the advertising Pepsi ran when it launched its new logo in early 2009; you most likely saw the television commercial during the Super Bowl, noticed a billboard in a high-traffic area of a major city, received an e-mail, saw banner ads on the Internet, reviewed the commercial on YouTube, and saw the new logo on the packaging. Pepsi\u2019s ad campaign illustrates the \u201cthree-times convincer\u201d concept, which claims that 80 percent of people need to be exposed a message three times to buy into it, 15 percent need to be exposed to it five times, and 5 percent need to be exposed to it up to twenty-five times.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Natalie Zmuda, \u201cPepsi, Coke Try to Outdo Each Other with Rays of Sunshine,\u201d\u00a0Advertising Age, January 19, 2009,\u00a0(accessed July 14, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-17\" href=\"#footnote-3408-17\" aria-label=\"Footnote 17\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[17]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0You may have seen the message so many times that it\u2019s hard to remember what the old logo even looked like.<\/p>\n<h2>Types of Communication<\/h2>\n<p>It is important to use multiple types of communication so that repetition does not become boring like a broken record. There are three types of communication:\u00a0verbal, which involves speaking to one or many people to convey a message;\u00a0nonverbal, which includes body language and other observations about people; and\u00a0written, which includes a message that is read in hard copy, e-mail, text message, instant message, Facebook, Twitter, blog, or other Internet-based written communication.\u00a0Varying the usage of these mediums can help ensure your customer\u2019s attention, but you must carefully develop each skill separately to communicate effectively.<\/p>\n<h3>Verbal Communication<\/h3>\n<p>An introduction, a presentation, a telephone conversation, a videoconference call: these are all examples of verbal communication because information is transmitted orally. Despite the ubiquitous use of technology in the business world, verbal communication is the most common method of exchanging information and ideas. Verbal communication is powerful, fast, and natural and includes voice inflections that help senders and receivers understand the message more clearly. The downside to verbal communication is that once it is spoken, the words are essentially gone; they are preserved only in the memory of those present, and sometimes the memories of the specific words spoken vary dramatically. The he-said-she-said argument is an example of this. No one really knows who said what unless the words are recorded. Recall is rarely exactly the same between two or more people.<\/p>\n<p>Voice inflection, the verbal emphasis you put on certain words, can have a significant impact on the meaning of what you say. In fact, the same words can take on completely different meaning based on the inflection you use. For example, if you say the sentence &#8220;I borrowed your book&#8221; with\u00a0an inflection on a different word each time, the sentence communicates something completely different each time.<\/p>\n<p>Verbal communication may take place face-to-face, such as an in-person conversation or group meeting, speech, or presentation. It could also take place by phone in an individual conversation, a conference call, or even a voice mail. Other forms of verbal communication include video conferences,\u00a0podcasts, and\u00a0Webinars, which are increasingly common in business. All these methods allow you to use inflection to communicate effectively. Face-to-face meetings also provide the opportunity to use and interpret other visual cues to increase the effectiveness of your communication.<\/p>\n<p>Verbal communication is especially important throughout the steps of the selling process. Your choice of words can make the difference in someone\u2019s decision to first hear your sales presentation, and your presentation can determine whether that person will purchase your product or service.<\/p>\n<h3>Nonverbal Communication<\/h3>\n<p>Imagine that you are in a retail store buying a suit for an interview. When the salesperson approaches you, she smiles, makes eye contact, and shakes your hand. You respond positively. You notice that she is dressed professionally, so she makes you feel as if you will receive good fashion advice from her. When you make your choice, the tailor comes over wearing a tape measure around his neck. You know he is a professional and you can trust him to alter your new suit properly. On the other hand, if the salesperson waits on you only after you interrupt her personal phone call, doesn\u2019t make eye contact or shake your hand, acts as if she is bored being at work, and is dressed in worn jeans and flip-flops, it\u2019s unlikely that you trust her to help you choose your suit.<\/p>\n<p>You have, no doubt, used and noticed nonverbal communication in virtually every personal encounter you have had. Think about it: A gesture, a smile, a nod, eye contact, what you are wearing, the fact that you are frequently checking your cell phone for text messages, and how close you stand to someone are all examples of nonverbal communication.<\/p>\n<p>Nonverbal communication is extremely powerful. In fact, some studies indicate that the influence from nonverbal communication such as tone and visuals can have a greater impact than the spoken words. Dr. Albert Mehrabian, a famed psychologist and professor emeritus of psychology at University of California, Los Angeles, is considered a pioneer in the area of body language and nonverbal communication. His research includes an equation, called the\u00a0Mehrabian formula,<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Albert Mehrabian, \u201cSilent Messages,\u201d\u00a0http:\/\/www.kaaj.com\/psych\/smorder.html\u00a0(accessed July 15, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-18\" href=\"#footnote-3408-18\" aria-label=\"Footnote 18\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[18]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0that is frequently used to define the relative impact of verbal and nonverbal messages based on experiments of communication of feelings and attitudes. Dr. Mehrabian developed the formula shown below, in Figure 3,\u00a0to define how communication takes place:<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3630\" style=\"width: 809px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1120\/2015\/06\/02032035\/Formula.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3630\" class=\"wp-image-3630\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1120\/2015\/06\/02032035\/Formula-1024x205.jpg\" alt=\"Total liking equals 7% verbal liking + 38% vocal liking + 55%\" width=\"799\" height=\"160\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-3630\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 3. The Mehrabian Formula<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Mehrabian formula is used to explain situations in which verbal communication and nonverbal communication do not match. In other words, when facial expressions contradict words, people tend to believe the facial expressions.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"\u201cMehrabian\u2019s Communication Research,\u201d Businessballs.com,\u00a0(accessed July 15, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-19\" href=\"#footnote-3408-19\" aria-label=\"Footnote 19\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[19]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<h4>Types of Nonverbal Communication<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Handshake<\/li>\n<li>Body language<\/li>\n<li>Gestures<\/li>\n<li>Nodding or shaking your head<\/li>\n<li>Eye contact (or lack of eye contact)<\/li>\n<li>Eye roll<\/li>\n<li>Facial expressions<\/li>\n<li>Touch<\/li>\n<li>Space or proximity<\/li>\n<li>Dress<\/li>\n<li>Multitasking (e.g., texting while listening to someone, earphones in ears while working)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Your Handshake Says It All<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In some countries, you might bow when you meet someone; in others you might kiss; but when you meet someone for a business meeting in the United States, it\u2019s best to shake hands.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Terri Morrison, \u201cKiss, Bow, or Shake Hands,\u201d\u00a0(accessed July 23, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-20\" href=\"#footnote-3408-20\" aria-label=\"Footnote 20\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[20]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0Although fist bumps and high fives may be trendy as friendly greetings, neither is appropriate in a business setting.<\/p>\n<p>The exact history of the handshake is unknown; however, at one time it was used as method to prove that you had no weapons in your hands.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Rachel Zupek, \u201cThe Worst Way to Shake hands,\u201d\u00a0CNN.com,\u00a0(accessed July 13, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-21\" href=\"#footnote-3408-21\" aria-label=\"Footnote 21\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[21]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0A good handshake is essential in business; it is the first nonverbal cue that you give to the person with whom you are meeting. It\u2019s so important to have a good handshake that a recent study conducted at the University of Iowa showed that during mock interviews, those students who scored as having a better handshake were also considered more hirable by interviewers. According to Greg Stewart, a business professor who conducted the study said, \u201cWe found that the first impression begins with a handshake and sets the tone for the rest of the interview.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"\u201cGood Handshake Key to Interview Success,\u201d BC Jobs,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-22\" href=\"#footnote-3408-22\" aria-label=\"Footnote 22\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[22]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Do you think you have a good handshake? Believe it or not, it\u2019s worth practicing your handshake. Here are five tips for a good handshake:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Extend your right hand when you are approximately three feet away from the person with whom you want to shake hands.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Rachel Zupek, \u201cThe Worst Way to Shake Hands,\u201d\u00a0CNN.com,\u00a0(accessed July 13, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-23\" href=\"#footnote-3408-23\" aria-label=\"Footnote 23\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[23]<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Keep your wrist straight and lock hands connecting your hand with the same part of the other person\u2019s hand.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"John Gates, \u201cA Handshake Lesson from Goldilocks,\u201d Free-Resume-Help.com,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-24\" href=\"#footnote-3408-24\" aria-label=\"Footnote 24\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[24]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0Apply appropriate pressure; don\u2019t crush the person\u2019s hand.<\/li>\n<li>Shake up and down three or four times.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"\u201cGood Handshake Key to Interview Success,\u201d BC Jobs,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-25\" href=\"#footnote-3408-25\" aria-label=\"Footnote 25\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[25]<\/sup><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Avoid the \u201cwet fish\u201d handshake.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"\u201cGood Handshake Key to Interview Success,\u201d BC Jobs,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-26\" href=\"#footnote-3408-26\" aria-label=\"Footnote 26\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[26]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0This is where practice is really important. The more you shake hands, the less nervous you will be.<\/li>\n<li>Smile and make eye contact.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"\u201cGood Handshake Key to Interview Success,\u201d BC Jobs,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009).\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-27\" href=\"#footnote-3408-27\" aria-label=\"Footnote 27\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[27]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0This is your opportunity to use multiple types of nonverbal communication to get your meeting or interview off to a good start.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Body Language<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Do you use your hands when you talk? If so, you are using body language to help make your point. But body language includes more than talking with your hands.\u00a0Body language\u00a0is what we say without words; nonverbal communication using your body includes elements such as gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, a head tilt, a nod, and even where and how you sit. Body language can indicate an unspoken emotion or sentiment that a person might be feeling either consciously or subconsciously. Body language can indicate if you are listening to someone and are engaged in what he is saying, disagreeing with him, or getting bored. (You might want to think twice about the body language you are using in class.) It\u2019s important that you are aware of what you communicate with\u00a0<em>your<\/em>\u00a0body language and to understand and respond to the cues you are getting from\u00a0<em>someone else\u2019s<\/em>\u00a0body language.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Crossed arms: discomfort<\/li>\n<li>Spreading fingers: territorial display<\/li>\n<li>Mirroring (i.e., mimicking your body position to another\u2019s): comfort<\/li>\n<li>Drumming or tapping fingers: frustration<\/li>\n<li>Hands on hips: there is an issue<\/li>\n<li>Hands behind the back: \u201cleave me alone\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Hands clasped, thumbs up: positive<\/li>\n<li>Thumbs down: don\u2019t like<\/li>\n<li>Hands clasped with fingers forming a steeple: confidence<\/li>\n<li>Touch neck: insecurity<\/li>\n<li>Crossed legs: comfort<\/li>\n<li>Glancing at watch: concerned about time or bored<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Body language is not just an interesting topic to consider; it\u2019s a proven science that can help you improve your communication. If you would like to see how body language is used in everyday life, watch the following\u00a0video featuring Tonya Reiman, national television commentator and author of\u00a0<em>The Power of Body Language:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-1\" title=\"Body Language In the Workplace\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/z-YhBzS-_Ps?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Here are some tips to remember about your body language to be sure you are sending the right nonverbal message to your customer or interviewer.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Make eye contact<\/strong>\u00a0with the person to whom you are speaking. Eye contact avoidance can be distracting and can prevent you from establishing a relationship as shown in this video.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Smile<\/strong>\u00a0when you meet someone and throughout the conversation. A smile is a positive response to another person and has a significant impact on how people perceive you. A smile can break the ice and help you start a conversation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dress for success<\/strong>\u00a0at all times, which means always dressing appropriately for the situation.\u00a0\u00a0But it\u2019s best to keep in mind that even after you get the job you want, it\u2019s a good idea to dress a little better than the position. Even in very casual work environments, what you wear is a nonverbal communication about who you are. If you don\u2019t dress for the next promotion, chances are you won\u2019t be considered for it. Be aware of the company policy and dress code, and if in doubt, dress more conservatively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Written Communication<\/h3>\n<p>Although verbal and nonverbal communications usually take place in real time, written communication has a longer consideration period. The sender must encode the message in words to be communicated on paper or a screen.\u00a0Business reports, proposals, memos, e-mails, text messages, Web sites, blogs, wikis, and more are all examples of written communication. Each of them is created over a period of time and can include collaboration from multiple people. Collaboration is especially important for communicating, planning, and creating documents so many people use tools such as\u00a0wikis\u00a0to share documents.<\/p>\n<p>Written communication is preferred to verbal communication when careful consideration is important or the information needs to be permanent, such as a company policy, sales presentation, or proposal. Written communication can also take place when verbal communication isn\u2019t an option, like when you need to respond to an e-mail or text message at 1:00 a.m.<\/p>\n<p>Although verbal communication is faster and more natural than written communication, each has its pros and cons. Generally, written communication is better at conveying facts, while verbal communication is better at conveying feelings. Verbal communication has another significant drawback: consider the fact that humans listen much faster than they speak. For example, the average public speaker speaks at about 125 words per minute. Although this sounds natural, the average person can listen at 400 to 500 words per minute. That means that listeners\u2019 minds have time and space to wander, which can impact the effectiveness of verbal communication.\u00a0(You may have noticed your mind wandering during a class lecture\u2014even if you found the topic interesting.)<\/p>\n<p>Written communication requires a good command of the English language, including the rules of grammar and spelling. If you think that business exists solely on quick instant messages and text messages, you might be surprised to learn that they are only a portion of the communication within a company and between the company\u2019s vendors and other partners. Because the nature of written communication is such that it allows time for consideration and composition, the standards for writing are much higher than for a casual conversation. Customers and colleagues alike expect clear, concise written communications with proper grammar and spelling. And because written communication is long lasting\u2014whether on paper or on the Internet\u2014errors or misstatements exist for an irritatingly long time. So whether you are writing a proposal, a presentation, a report, a meeting recap, or a follow-up e-mail, it\u2019s best to take the time to think about your communication and craft it so that it is effective. Consider using the following tips:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Be short and sweet<\/strong>. Shorter is always better when it comes to business correspondence. It\u2019s best to include all pertinent facts with concise information. If you write your communication with the receiver in mind, it will be easier to make it shorter and more effective.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Grammar, please<\/strong>. Sentences should be structured correctly and use proper grammar, including a subject and a verb in each sentence. Business correspondence should always include uppercase and lowercase letters and correct punctuation.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d\u00a0Supervision\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19.\" id=\"return-footnote-3408-28\" href=\"#footnote-3408-28\" aria-label=\"Footnote 28\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[28]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0If writing is not your strong suit, visit your campus student services office or learning center to provide information about upcoming writing clinics and access to other tools that can help improve your writing skills.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check spelling<\/strong>. Use the spell-check tool on your computer. There is no excuse for a misspelled word. Text abbreviations are not acceptable in business correspondence.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Read before you send<\/strong>. Reread your document or electronic communication before it goes out. Is everything complete? Is it clear? Is it something you will be proud of days or weeks later? Take the extra time to review before you send. It\u2019s difficult to revise a communication as revisions cause confusion.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Just the facts<\/strong>. Stick to the facts to maximize the impact of your written communications; leave the emotional topics for verbal dialogue. For example, send an e-mail to confirm meeting time, date, and location; use a verbal communication for the content of the meeting to be discussed, such as a negotiation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Which Is Best?<\/h2>\n<p>Although verbal, nonverbal, and written communication all play a role in your communication with your customers, you might be wondering which one is best. It depends on your customer and on the situation. Some customers want to work day to day using all the latest technology tools, including text messaging, social networking, Web conferences, wikis, and more. Other customers prefer more traditional face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and some e-mail correspondence. Adapt to the method of communication that your customer prefers and not the other way around. In some situations, a face-to-face meeting is best\u2014for instance, if you wish to discuss a complex issue, negotiate, or meet some additional members of the team. Sometimes, a face-to-face meeting isn\u2019t feasible, so other verbal communication methods such as a videoconference, phone call, or conference call can be efficient and effective if used properly.<\/p>\n<p>Chances are you will use a combination of communication types with each customer tailored to his particular preferences and situation. Be guided by the fact that you want to keep your communication personal in meaning and professional in content. Think about it from the receiver\u2019s point of view, and deliver bad news verbally whenever possible.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Check Your Understanding<\/h2>\n<p>Answer the question(s) below to see how well you understand the topics covered in this section. This short quiz does <strong>not<\/strong> count toward your grade in the class, and you can retake it an unlimited number of times.<\/p>\n<p>Use this quiz to check your understanding and decide whether to (1) study the previous section further or (2) move on to the next section.<\/p>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"lumen_assessment_212\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/load?assessment_id=212&#38;embed=1&#38;external_user_id=&#38;external_context_id=&#38;iframe_resize_id=lumen_assessment_212\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:400px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-3408\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Revision and adaptation. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Linda Williams and Lumen Learning. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Tidewater Community College. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Powerful Selling. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Anonymous. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/2012books.lardbucket.org\/books\/powerful-selling\/s08-the-power-of-effective-communi.html\">http:\/\/2012books.lardbucket.org\/books\/powerful-selling\/s08-the-power-of-effective-communi.html<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Body Language in the Workplace. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: BBC. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/z-YhBzS-_Ps\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/z-YhBzS-_Ps<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives <\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section><hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-3408-1\">Dave Rothfield, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/orlando.bizjournals.com\/orlando\/stories\/2009\/05\/18\/smallb2.html?t=printable\" target=\"_blank\">Communicating Simply, Directly Will Improve You, Your Business<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0<em>Orlando Business Journal<\/em>, May 15, 2009,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-2\">\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sellingpower.com\/content\/newsletter\/issue.php?pc=878\" target=\"_blank\">Interviewing for Emotional Intelligence<\/a>,\u201d Selling Power Hiring &amp; Recruiting eNewsletter, October 15, 2008,\u00a0(accessed March 16, 2010). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-2\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 2\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-3\">Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d\u00a0<em>Supervision<\/em>\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19. <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-3\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 3\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-4\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.emilypost.com\/business\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\">The Emily Post Institute<\/a>,\u00a0(accessed July 13, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-4\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 4\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-5\">Gail Fann Thomas, Roxanne Zoliln, and Jackie L. Harman, \u201cThe Central Role of Communication in Developing Trust and Its Effect on Employee Involvement,\u201d<em>Journal of Business Communication<\/em>\u00a046, no. 3 (July 2009): 287. <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-5\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 5\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-6\">Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d<em>Supervision<\/em>\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19. <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-6\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 6\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-7\">George E. Belch and Michael A. Belch,\u00a0<em>Advertising and Promotion: An Integrated Marketing Communications Perspective<\/em>, 8th ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2009), 146. <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-7\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 7\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-8\">Jeremy Dean, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.spring.org.uk\/2007\/10\/avoid-email-miscommunication.php\" target=\"_blank\">Avoid Email Miscommunication<\/a>,\u201d PsyBlog,\u00a0(accessed July 15, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-8\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 8\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-9\">Steve Adubato, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.stand-deliver.com\/njbiz\/2008\/020408.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Empathy Is Essential to Effective Communication<\/a>,\u201d NJBiz,\u00a0(accessed July 14, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-9\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 9\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-10\">Mary Ellen Guffey,\u00a0<em>Business Communication<\/em>, 6th ed. (Mason, OH: South-Western Publishing, 2008), 280.\u00a0 <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-10\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 10\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-11\">Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d\u00a0<em>Supervision<\/em>\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19. <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-11\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 11\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-12\">Jeffrey J. Denning, \u201cHow to Improve Your Listening Skills, Avoid Mix-ups,\u201d<em>Ophthalmology Times<\/em>\u00a026, no. 10 (May 15, 2001): 28. <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-12\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 12\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-13\">Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d\u00a0<em>Supervision<\/em>\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19. <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-13\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 13\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-14\">Beverly Davenport Sypher, Robert N. Bostrom, and Joy Hart Seibert, \u201cListening, Communication Abilities and Success at Work,\u201d\u00a0<em>Journal of Business Communication<\/em>\u00a026, no. 4 (Fall 1989): 293. <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-14\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 14\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-15\">Jeffrey J. Denning, \u201cHow to Improve Your Listening Skills, Avoid Mix-ups,\u201d\u00a0<em>Ophthalmology Times<\/em>\u00a026, no. 10 (May 15, 2001): 28. <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-15\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 15\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-16\">\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sellingpower.com\/content\/newsletter\/issue.php?pc=814\" target=\"_blank\">A Lesson on Listening<\/a>,\u201dSelling Power Pharmaceuticals eNewsletter, April 9, 2008,\u00a0(accessed March 16, 2010). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-16\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 16\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-17\">Natalie Zmuda, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/adage.com\/abstract.php?article_id=133859\" target=\"_blank\">Pepsi, Coke Try to Outdo Each Other with Rays of Sunshine<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0<em>Advertising Age<\/em>, January 19, 2009,\u00a0(accessed July 14, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-17\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 17\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-18\">Albert Mehrabian, \u201cSilent Messages,\u201d\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.kaaj.com\/psych\/smorder.html\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/www.kaaj.com\/psych\/smorder.html<\/a>\u00a0(accessed July 15, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-18\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 18\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-19\">\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.businessballs.com\/mehrabiancommunications.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Mehrabian\u2019s Communication Research<\/a>,\u201d Businessballs.com,\u00a0(accessed July 15, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-19\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 19\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-20\">Terri Morrison, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.getcustoms.com\/2004GTC\/Articles\/new011.html\" target=\"_blank\">Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0(accessed July 23, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-20\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 20\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-21\">Rachel Zupek, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2007\/LIVING\/worklife\/11\/05\/cb.hand.shake\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Worst Way to Shake hands<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0<em>CNN.com<\/em>,\u00a0(accessed July 13, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-21\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 21\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-22\">\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/re\/career-advice\/career-advice-articles\/interview-advice\/good-handshake-key-to-interview-success\" target=\"_blank\">Good Handshake Key to Interview Success<\/a>,\u201d BC Jobs,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-22\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 22\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-23\">Rachel Zupek, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2007\/LIVING\/worklife\/11\/05\/cb.hand.shake\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Worst Way to Shake Hands<\/a>,\u201d\u00a0<em>CNN.com<\/em>,\u00a0(accessed July 13, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-23\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 23\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-24\">John Gates, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.free-resume-help.com\/handshake-interview.html\" target=\"_blank\">A Handshake Lesson from Goldilocks<\/a>,\u201d Free-Resume-Help.com,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-24\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 24\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-25\">\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/re\/career-advice\/career-advice-articles\/interview-advice\/good-handshake-key-to-interview-success\" target=\"_blank\">Good Handshake Key to Interview Success<\/a>,\u201d BC Jobs,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-25\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 25\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-26\">\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/re\/career-advice\/career-advice-articles\/interview-advice\/good-handshake-key-to-interview-success\" target=\"_blank\">Good Handshake Key to Interview Success<\/a>,\u201d BC Jobs,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-26\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 26\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-27\">\u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bcjobs.ca\/re\/career-advice\/career-advice-articles\/interview-advice\/good-handshake-key-to-interview-success\" target=\"_blank\">Good Handshake Key to Interview Success<\/a>,\u201d BC Jobs,\u00a0(accessed July 12, 2009). <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-27\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 27\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-3408-28\">Patricia M. Buhler, \u201cManaging in the New Millennium: Six Tips to More Effective Communication,\u201d\u00a0<em>Supervision<\/em>\u00a070, no. 7 (July 2009): 19. <a href=\"#return-footnote-3408-28\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 28\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":124,"menu_order":9,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Powerful Selling\",\"author\":\"Anonymous\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/2012books.lardbucket.org\/books\/powerful-selling\/s08-the-power-of-effective-communi.html\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Revision and adaptation\",\"author\":\"Linda Williams and Lumen Learning\",\"organization\":\"Tidewater Community College\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Body Language in the Workplace\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"BBC\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/z-YhBzS-_Ps\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-nd\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"117e0287-61c9-436e-85e1-99e97a90bcb0","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-3408","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":90,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-introbusinesswmopen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/3408","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-introbusinesswmopen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-introbusinesswmopen\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-introbusinesswmopen\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/124"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-introbusinesswmopen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/3408\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5766,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-introbusinesswmopen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/3408\/revisions\/5766"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-introbusinesswmopen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/90"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-introbusinesswmopen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/3408\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-introbusinesswmopen\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-introbusinesswmopen\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=3408"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-introbusinesswmopen\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=3408"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/clinton-introbusinesswmopen\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=3408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}