Applying What You've Learned

In this chapter, you've met Hallmark's Andy McMillen, and throughout the book you'll meet a cross section of real people—men and women who work for some of the most fascinating organizations around. At the beginning of this chapter, you read about the challenge McMillen faced as he tried to keep communication flowing smoothly and efficiently inside Hallmark. Every chapter begins with a similar slice-of-life vignette titled "On the Job: Facing a Communication Dilemma." As you read through each chapter, think about the communication problems faced by the person and the company highlighted in the vignette. Become familiar with the various concepts presented in the chapter, and imagine how they might apply to the featured scenario.

At the end of each chapter, you'll take part in an innovative simulation called "On the Job: Solving a Communication Dilemma." Each simulation starts by explaining how the highlighted company actually solved the communication dilemma you read about. Then you'll play the role of a person working in that organization, and you'll face a situation you'd encounter there. You will be presented with several communication scenarios, each with several possible courses of action. It's up to you to recommend one course of action from the simulations as homework, as teamwork, as material for in-class discussion, or in a host of other ways. These scenarios let you explore various communication ideas and apply the concepts and techniques from the chapter.

Now you're ready for the first simulation. As you tackle each problem, think about the material you covered in this chapter and consider your own experience as a communicator. You'll probably be surprised to discover how much you already know about business communication.