Lecture Notes

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

SES # TOPICS RESOURCES
1

Introduction to the Course; Strategy and Structure

  • To define the characteristics of managerial communication
  • To understand how to create a communication strategy
Communicating Strategically (PDF)
2

Strategy and Structure (cont.)

  • To understand the difference between direct and indirect structure
  • To learn when to use direct structure and when to use indirect structure
3

Oral Presentations

  • To discuss the differences between written and oral communication
  • To discuss "best practices" for organizing and composing an oral presentation
Giving Presentations (PDF)
4

Oral Presentations (cont.)

  • To discuss ways to ensure a smooth delivery, using both verbal and nonverbal skills
  • To provide guidelines on creating and using visual aids
5

Listening; Giving and Receiving Feedback

  • To discover impediments to listening well
  • To learn the techniques of "active listening"
  • To learn techniques to give useful feedback
  • To learn how to make the best use of feedback you receive

Listening and Feedback (PDF)

[T] Active Listening and Reflective Responses (PDF)

6

Persuasion

  • To review techniques of persuasion

[T] Constructing a Logical Argument (PDF)

[T] Persuasion: What the Research Tells Us (PDF)

7

Writing

  • To discuss the writing process
  • To discuss ways to make your writing logical and coherent

Guidelines for Effective Writing (PDF)

[T] Conceptual Parallelism (PDF)

[T] Clear and Concise Writing (PDF)

[T] Style in Managerial Writing (PDF)

8

Writing (cont.)

  • To discover how to bring clarity to your writing
  • To discuss document design
  • To discuss issues of style and tone
9

Effective Teamwork

  • To discuss the elements of successful teamwork
  • To introduce the team assignment in 15.279

Guidelines for Effective Teamwork (PDF)

[T] Teamwork Basics (PDF)

10

Team Meeting

  • To practice the elements of successful teamwork
  • To set ground rules for your team
 
11

Cover Letters

  • To learn to write an effective, persuasive cover letter
[T] Writing Cover Letters (PDF)
12 Interviewing
  • To learn strategies for successful interviewing
  • To practice your interviewing skills
 
13

Writing Team Reports; Giving Team Presentations

  • To learn more about writing successful team reports and presentations, including incorporating tables, charts, and graphs

Team Reports and Presentations (PDF)

[T] Writing Reports (PDF)

[T] Using Figures in Text and as Attachments (PDF)

14

Communicating Electronically

  • To learn about the specific characteristics of such electronic media as e-mail, voice mail, and video-conferencing
  • To learn about the norms for using electronic media
 
15 Individual Conferences / Team Meetings  
16 Individual Conferences / Team Meetings (cont.)  
17

Cross-Cultural Communication

  • To learn about the ways in which people from different cultures (and genders) communicate
  • To increase your own cross-cultural communication effectiveness
  • To plan and deliver a group presentation on cross-cultural communication

Cross-Cultural Communication (PDF - 1.0MB)

[T] Intercultural Communication (PDF)

18 Cross-Cultural Communication (cont.); Gender Communication
19

Communication Skills for Leaders

  • To understand the specific communication needs and competencies of those in leadership positions
  • To practice those skills
Communication for Leaders (PDF)
20 Communication Skills for Leaders (cont.)
21

Working with the Media

  • To learn some basics about interacting with the financial, technology, and general business press
[T] Media Relations (PDF)
22

Review of Strategic Communication

  • To review the elements of creating a communication strategy
  • To "put it all together"
[T] Difficult Conversations (PDF)
23 Team Report Presentations  
24 Team Report Presentations (cont.)  
25 Team Report Presentations (cont.)  
26 Course Wrap-Up