III. Communication Practice

Brainstorming

A team of journalists are applying for permission to take part in the UN Annual Conference for Non-Governmental Organizations on the theme “For Peace and Development: Disarm Now”. Rely on the Asking & Giving / Refusing Permission strategy.

PROGRESS TEST 13 (part 1)

1, Review the communication strategy of Initiating Discussion:

- history is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon (Napoleon Bonaparte).

- a compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece (Ludwig Erhard).

- Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian (Robert Orben).

2. Review Asking & Giving / Refusing Permission strategy in the settings to follow:

-a post graduate student is askingfor his academic advisor’s permission to contribute to the conference

-the British Government, applyingfor the UN permission to an arms sale to Morocco, claims the deal does not run counter cease-fire agreements. The UN confirms that it would not breach existing military arrangements and gives the permission (on condition that the UN would be granted monitoring over the process).

PROGRESS TEST 13 (part 2)

CHAPTER II. VOICING EMOTIONS

PART 1. TALKING OFFICE POLICIES / POLITICS

Topic 1. Gratitude / Toasting

I. General

Tips to keep in mind

1. When you entertain in business, it helps if you know something about wine. When I enjoy a wine, I remember it; I sometimes make a quick note of it in a notebook, as it is a useful way of building a mini-understanding on a vast subject.

                                                                   L.Brennan. Business Etiquette for the 21st Century

Practicum 1.1

Research into sorts of French wines according to

cepage, regions d’origine, types d’appellations

Arrange in a quality scale the wine types to follow

A.O.C., V.D.Q.S, vins de table, vins de pays

Research into Bordeaux wines classification, arrange them according to their quality

Research into Spanish wines (crianza, etc.); Italian wines

Talking to the boss

Many people find talking to seniors difficult. Don’t get hung up on titles. Talk to the person. ‘The boss’ should never be a hallowed figure. Bosses are human beings, so talking to them should be relaxed and purposeful. Don’t ever go to a boss with a problem that you haven’t thought through. I remember a sales director with a really effective way of making people work. Placed on his desk was a card turned to face the door which read ‘What is your problem and what is your solution?’ You get as far as the door and then turn back realizing you hadn’t given an issue enough thought. Go to the boss with a solution.

                                                                  L.Brennan. Business Etiquette for the 21st Century

Practicum 1.2

You are in the sales department with the publishers and e-mailed an invoice to the bookstore which they did not confirm. Suggest your ways to tackle the issue before going to the boss (re-send the invoice by both e-mail or deliver it to the client directly; make a telephone call)