Category: Communication Assignment Help

Touchstone 3.1: Sending Good News and Bad News

Overview: In any job, you need to be an effective communicator, which sometimes means delivering information that impacts the recipient. In this touchstone, you will practice writing a message with both good news and bad news. The nature of the message will affect the structure of the message as well as the tone and word choice.

A. Assignment

Select ONE of the following scenarios and draft a message of 250-400 words. Be sure to include an appropriate subject line, a greeting, and an opening. The body of your message should be two paragraphs, each 4-6 sentences, communicating the two pieces of news in your chosen scenario. You should end with an appropriate closing to your message.

• Announce a new hire to the organization. It is a new position at a leadership level called Director of Customer Engagement. The new hire is named Natalie Lopez and comes to the job from another company where she had a similar job for six years. You want to share this as good news and get workers to welcome Natalie warmly. Still, you know the outside candidate was chosen over two popular internal applicants, and some people in the office are upset about this.
• Announce the pay increase and benefits for the upcoming fiscal year. The pay increase is lower than usual due to company revenue being less than expected, while copays on health insurance are going up for unrelated reasons. To mitigate the bad news, the company is giving all workers an additional three days of vacation and a small one-time bonus of 0.5% of their annual salary that they’ll receive on their anniversary date in the next fiscal year. You know these combined benefits are substantially less than the difference in expected raise and insurance copays.
• Announce that the entire company will relocate to a new location, 1010 Mill Road. The current location has had many complaints about cramped space, unreliable heat and air conditioning, and limited parking. The new location is further away but has plenty of parking, new and reliable HVAC, and ample space. However, at the current location, most staff have private offices. In contrast, at the new location, all but the most senior staff will use an open, shared space with less privacy and personalization of workspaces. The key facts to communicate are the move dates (April 15-19), that professional movers will take care of everything, and that workers must remove all personal belongings before April 14.

C. Submission Requirements

The following requirements must be met for your submission:

• Use a readable 12-point font and single-spacing.
• The message must be 250-400 words; this will be about one page single spaced. Do not go over one page!
• All writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
• Writing must be original and written for this assignment. Plagiarism of any kind will be returned ungraded, subsequent plagiarism will receive a grade of 0.
• Put your name, date, the name of the class, and the touchstone title at the top of the page.
• Include all of the assignment components in a single file. Acceptable file formats include .doc and .docx.

Unit 4 Touchstone: Oral Presentation

ASSIGNMENT: Imagine that you have been asked to give a five-minute oral presentation at the next staff meeting. The purpose is to teach your colleagues some strategies or techniques for better communication. Feel free to draw on the content you have already learned in this class!

Since you will not be able to share a screen, it is recommended that you do not try to teach people how to use technology but some other best practices. You may do something related to technology, as long as you do not need to do a demonstration. The use of visual aids is optional and will not be assessed directly.

Example topics could be:

• Humor at Work: what’s appropriate and what’s Not
• How to soothe an angry customer on the phone
• How to give constructive criticism in person
• Advice for professional emails

These are some suggestions, but you can select any topic that is related to workplace communication and which can be explained in five minutes.

Don’t be daunted by the time limit. That’s as long as ten television commercials, which usually tell a story and make a pitch in 30 seconds!

Before you begin you may want to review the content on Organizing Presentations and Delivering Presentations.

Intercultural Communication Final Research Project Investigating a Culture

Instructions

The Communications Department at CSM requires this final research project for all COM 1350 students. Use the Grading Rubric, follow the steps below, and respond to the following questions:

1. Find sources: Your primary source for this project is a person from the culture or co-culture you are exploring. However, you must use at least 3 secondary sources, including your textbook. Be sure to note any discrepancies you may find between your primary and secondary sources in your essay. You may use books, periodicals, class lectures, maps, the Web, library databases, and other credible sources.

2. Interview your primary source: To gain information about the culture you are investigating, interview your primary source. Explain how you know your interviewee and what their culture is. Use the questions below to guide you. If the person you are interviewing does not know the answer, you must research to find the answer. Remember that the person you interview may not understand the terminology we are using in class, so you must explain it. Also, consider that your interviewee is giving his/her perception of the culture and this perception may not reflect the entire culture.

3. Include these topics. The following topics should be covered in your project in the order listed.

I. Background of Culture. (Use primary and secondary sources for this information. (1-2 paragraphs)

How you know your interviewee and what is their culture?

Talk briefly about the history of the culture.

What major historical events shaped the present? (Go beyond describing the events. Explain how those events influenced the present)

What major events shaped the character and perceptions of the people?

What is the worldview orientation of the culture?

II. Cultural Taxonomy.

What are the value patterns of this culture? Explore the culture values of individualism-collectivism, small-large power distance, weak-strong uncertainty avoidance, and masculine-feminine sex roles. Use information from the Hofstede Website* and be sure to include examples from your interviewee for each.

Consider the culture’s additional value orientation patterns including meaning, destiny and time.

*If necessary paste into your browser: https://www.hofstede-insights.com/product/compare-countries/

III. Cultural Identity.

What is your interviewee’s cultural identity salience?

What are his/her social, personal and ethnic identities?

Does your interviewee face discrimination based on his/her identity?

IV. Intercultural Interaction.

How do members of this culture communicate verbally? What are the communication norms? What rules about language are used? Is there language that is specific to the culture? How does the language reflect the culture? Discuss high context vs. low context, direct vs. indirect, self-enhancement vs. self-humbling style, talk vs. silence, and self-disclosure.

What are the rules for nonverbal communication? Discuss how the various channels of nonverbal communication are used. Is it a high-, moderate- or low-context culture?

V. Culture Shock.

Describe the stages of culture shock your interviewee went through when moving to a new culture. If your interviewee did not move from one country to another, consider movement to a co-culture or new experience. Use specific quotes and examples from your interviewee.

VI. Group Membership.

What is the family structure and what roles are played within the family?

What rules govern friendships and romantic relationships?

How does the culture regard strangers and acquaintances?

What social roles exist in this culture?

VII. Biases

How and to what degree is this group affected by ethnocentrism or racism? Describe any injustices your interviewee or their cultural group has faced.

What stereotypes, positive or negative, are used to describe this culture?

How is this culture portrayed in the media?

Discuss how prejudice, discrimination and racism affect this particular group.

VII. Improving Intercultural Communication.

Overall, what problems do members of this group and/or your interviewee face within the dominant culture of the United States?

How can communication with the culture be improved?

VIII. Self-Reflection.

To conclude your essay, reflect on your experience as you conducted your interview.

Discuss how the elements of the model of intercultural cultural communication from Chapter 2 were evident in your interaction. Be sure to discuss how you adapted to any cultural barriers in your answer.

How did you adapt your communication based on relational, psychological and physical contexts of the interaction?

On what step of the staircase model would you place yourself during the interaction and why?

4. Essay format. Your essay must be 6 -7 pages long, in 12-point font, double-spaced and uploaded into myLearning. Terminology that you use from class should be underlined or boldfaced. Throughout you must document your sources following MLA or APA style. An excellent source for information about using MLA/APA style can be found at:

APA: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html

MLA: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html

5. Grading. You will be graded on your ability to apply the terminology and concepts from the semester and illustrate them through examples from your interviewee. You should apply at least 50 terms/concepts. In addition, you should provide stories and specific examples that you receive from your interviewee to support your points. Finally, be sure to use proper grammar spelling and MLA/APA formatting. See the grading rubric posted in myLearning for more details.

· You will assume you own a (BASEBALL SHOP) small business that needs an influx of technology to grow.

· For example: assume you own a small (baseball shop) flower shop.

· This flower shop is still stuck in the 1980s. Assume it is not technology driven.

· Ask yourself some of the following questions and answer them in the first part of your paper.

· How do customers currently contact you with questions?

· How do customers contact you to place orders?

· How are orders documented?

· How are orders tracked?

· How do you know an order is ready?

· How are customers notified their order is ready?

· How do customers get their orders?

· How do you know how much inventory you have?

· What process do you use to order more inventory?

· Ask yourself the following questions and answer them in the next section.

· Can technology help solve any of these issues?

· What technologies would you use to solve the issues?

· How would these technologies work together? Answer this in the next section.

· How would you tie these together?

· What have you learned in any of the case studies we have done that might apply?

· When you are done with this section I should be able to see a logical system in place that improves the flower shop’s processes.

· End with a conclusion section.

· Sum up what you did

· Your PowerPoint will summarize all that you accomplished for the business.

· Also, please do not take your small town flower shop from a one-person operation and try and turn it into 1-800-Flowers.

· This isn’t realistic.

· Pick simple, proven technologies and describe how they will work together to improve the operation.

· For example: do not hire out a 24-hour a-day call center to take orders 365 days a year around the world….

Some of you will ask, “Can I choose a different kind of business?” Yes, you can. However, it must fit the same type of parameters.

The future of voice-over technology is rapidly evolving with advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. One trend that is expected to continue is the integration of voice-over technology into everyday devices, such as smartphones, cars, and home appliances. This will make it easier for people to interact with technology using natural language.

Another trend is the use of synthetic voices that are indistinguishable from human voices. This will be achieved through the use of deep learning techniques that analyze and replicate human speech patterns, tone, and intonation. These synthetic voices will be used not only for entertainment and commercial purposes but also in industries such as healthcare and customer service.

With the growing popularity of virtual and augmented reality,  voice over service  is also expected to play a significant role in creating immersive experiences. Virtual assistants will become more sophisticated and capable of understanding complex commands and responding in natural language.

Overall, the future of voice-over technology is exciting and full of possibilities. As AI and machine learning continue to advance, we can expect to see more innovative applications of voice-over technology in various industries and settings.

1. Multiplexed displays
2. Logic function generation
3. Simple communications systems

Multiplexers are devices that take multiple inputs and route them to a  single output.  The output is determined by the data select input.  The  binary input selects which device signal is put through to the output.

Multiplexed displays like the 7-segment display use a mux to send the  data to all displays on a timed sequence of a data select signal.  The  data select signal will also be used by a decoder to select which  display to activate.  The activation of the individual displays  sequences with the data from the multiplexer at a rate that, to the  human eye, looks like all displays are activated simultaneously with the  correct display on each. 

Logic function generation with a multiplexer is done by setting the  data inputs to the desired logic table output then the data select input  is used to select the desired logic/input to send to the output.  So,  if you wanted an output of 1 for binary inputs 001, 011, and 101, you  would connect VCC to the input contacts for decibels 1, 3, and 5 to be  routed to the output when that data input is selected.

Communication with multiplexers can be simple for a small system like  a security system switching from one camera to the next every few  seconds or recording all at the same time but in different files.  It  could use a multiplexer to select which camera is recorded and the  demultiplexer to select the correct file for that specific camera.  It  can switch from one to the next at such a rate that it seems that it is  all being done at once.  I know from my experience working on F-16s that  every system on that jet communicates through multiplex buses.  Each  system will communicate back to a central processor that uses  multiplexers and demultiplexers to talk to several systems at the same  time switching from one to the other.  Radio communication is similar,  jumping from one frequency to another.  The frequencies are being  changed so fast that a radio on a single frequency only hears Decepticon  sounds, but the guy on the other radio switching the same frequencies  at the same time hears everything.

Floyd, T. L. (2014). Digital Fundamentals (11th ed.). Pearson Education (US).

https://ecpi.vitalsource.com/books/9780133524390

Multiplexors are also known as data selectors. These devices take an  analog or digital input signal and send it to a single output line. Thes  signals are transmitted through a single output line at various speed  and frequencies. These devices act as a multi position switch that take  one input line and transmits to the output. imagine a flashlight with  various brightness levels. these levels are controlled by a resistive  circuit and switched with a manual device that has the same function as a  multiplexor. However, these devices are very fast and efficient.  Typically, the data selection of a multiplexor is controlled by a second  set of input signals called control lines. The binary input of these  control lines will determine the orientation of the output signal. the  advantage of multiplexed displays is that we greatly reduce the amount  of wiring that is necessary. 

As seen in the display, input signals S2 and S6 are closed.  Therefore, all of the LEDs in between the two are illuminated. this  indicated the multiplexors completed output circuit. Logic for  multiplexors will be in binary terms indicating a simple on/off for each  input to create a chosen output. Thes work well in timed light displays  to automatically switch outputs based on timed demands. Thes simple  multiplexors circuits can also be used for color changing lights to  determine what signals need to be on to reach a certain output color. 

Naif Communication

Selective Perception

This entails what individuals perceive that they want while ignoring opposing viewpoints. The Gaffneys’ lives changes when their new neighbors arrive. The Gaffneys feel like these new neighbors are more than just their stunning looks and thus believes there is a story behind their worldly sophistication. The couple plays the role of a suburban couple, who sent their kids away camping and have to live their lives alone, bored and dealing with how they have changed. The Joneses, on the other hand, seem like the perfect couple, and their neighbors hold this thought about them. This portrays the thought of selective perception, the neighbors choose the picture or thought they want to have the Joneses and sticks with it. Jeff wants to be friends with the dashing Tim Jones, while his wife feels like the couple is hiding something and thus keeps following Natalie Jones. The husband feels like they are a perfect couple while the wife feels they are keeping a secret.

Cultural

The Joneses have their motives when approaching the Gaffneys; their cultural aspects are seen when the two men go out for a Chinese lunch in a place that specializes in offering and serving freshly killed snakes. This shows their cultures in the type of food they eat. They also show the idea of family and living together. The Joneses are supposed to be a happy and loving couple showing the perception of culture. Marriage is the central theme in the movie as it concentrates on two couples with issues. The Gaffneys at one time invites the Joneses to a neighborhood party they refer to as ‘junetoberfest’ showing another example of culture.

Listening

The film has a sense of humor and requires one to be attentive. However, it is easy to understand, the couple Tim and Natalie are used to listening to each other and understanding each other without having to stipulate every word. The film is people oriented; it starts with the Gaffneys talking to their neighbors who have sold their house to a couple which did not even see the house at the time. Later when Tim and Natalie arrives, Karen goes to talk to them, and her husband brings a gift to the new couple trying to understand them.

Understanding

The film has a diverse view to different people. In the beginning, the Gaffneys find the new couple attractive and dashing. However, Karen finds Natalie sneaking around and starts doubting her. Therefore, the issue of perception arises, as to what they think about this couple and the message the movie is supposed to send about the overall goal of the movie. The Joneses are a couple in the middle of a crisis but they act like a complete and happy couple. One cannot see their stories simply by judging on how they behave and react.

Nonverbal Cues

During the party, Natalie manages to distract the guards at MBI, and Tim interprets this and sneaks in and goes through Jeff’s computer. Natalie at some other instant plays dart while Tim sneaks around. However, Tim is caught by Karen, but he acts surprised arguing that he was lost looking for a bathroom.

Self-Concept

This refers to the ideas that a person has about him or herself. The Joneses regard to themselves as efficient spies and do not think that they will be caught while spying on their neighbors. Karen on the other hands believes that the Joneses have secrets and she has a belief that she cannot be wrong on such a thing. She is right, as she finally discovers that the Joneses have been spying on them.

Blind Pane

The Joneses and the Gaffneys alike, have questions and thus they use the dinner meeting to question each other and try to gather more information. The Joneses tries to question the Gaffneys so that they can get more information to use for their spying activities. On a separate occasion, Tim tries to question Jeff at the Chinese restaurant hoping he would spill information that would be essential for his investigations.