Extra Credit Networking Report

Deadline: A hard copy of your report is due by the beginning of class Nov. 30, 2017
In this report, you will identify and interview a business professional about communication
norms in the workplace. You will apply your theoretical understanding of business
communication strategy to the interview content. The report is worth 25 points.

Deliverable: Written Report

 Reports should be single-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman font with one-inch margins.
 Reports should be two pages in length. (Reports > 2 pages will not be accepted.)
 Reports should include a third page as a reference list in APA format.
 Reports should include a fourth page with an interview guide.
 Reports should be stapled in this order: two-page report, one-page reference list, and one-
page interview guide. Ensure your deliverable looks professional.

Follow these directions to complete your report –

1. Identify the focus of your report i.e. What knowledge about communication in the workplace
do you want to gain? What knowledge will be of benefit to your target audience? The focus can
encompass either internal or external communication, including but not limited to interpersonal
communication, team communication, nonverbal communication, visual communication, public
relations, media relations, advertising, marketing, crisis communication, leadership and
executive communication, oral presentations, meeting protocols, negotiations, conflict
management, bad-news messages, business ethics, organizational culture, technology and
communication, social media, communication across cultures, employment communication,
intergenerational communication, gender communication, business relationships, etc.

Note: The focus must be on some element of communication in the workplace. Select a focus
that interests you and will increase your knowledge of business communication strategy.

2. Create an interview guide based on your communication focus. Your interview guide should
include about five open questions that will allow for probing. You may use some of the questions
below or develop your own. The objective is to generate a 15- to 20- minute discussion with a
business professional.

o How would you describe communication in your organization? What are your
organization’s communication strengths? What are your communication challenges?
o What types of communication do you personally do – internal/external, formal/informal,
verbal/nonverbal, etc.?
o How does your organization communicate about tasks, procedures and projects?
o How does your organization communicate about performance?
o How does your organization communicate about diversity (culture, ethnicity, religion,
gender, etc.)?
o How does your organization communicate the organizational culture (e.g. values, mottos,
heroes, rituals, etc.) to new employees?
o What types of communication do you personally have with other departments or offices
within the organization?
 o What types of communication do you have with those outside of the organization, such as
customers, potential customers, suppliers, vendors, contractors, etc.?
o What is your philosophy of leadership? How does communication play a role in effective
leadership?
o What is the process of decision-making in the organization? How are decisions
communicated throughout the organization?
o How would you describe downward communication from leaders to employees (channel,
timing, tone, etc.) in your organization?
o What opportunities do employees have to communicate their concerns, issues, etc. with
upper level management?
o What advice related to communication would you offer business students or business
professionals who are at the beginning stages of their career?

3. Identify and interview a business professional. The business professional can work for any
type of organization but must perform management and/or communication tasks for at least half
of their job. You may conduct the interview in person or via phone or video conference.

IMPORTANT: In the reference list, you must include your interviewee’s contact information,
including his or her full name, the organization’s name, and either an email or a phone number to
contact your interviewee; if this is not provided, you will receive no credit for the report.

If an interviewee tells you that he or she wishs to remain anonymous, politely tell him or her that
you appreciate his or her willingness to help you with the report but you will need to find
someone else to move forward with the interview because your instructor might contant him or
her to verify interview content.

4. Write a report to your target audience. Assume your classmates are your target audience. Thus
your report is internal communication and ought to follow the writing principles for internal
communication.

Write in paragraph format. You may, however, create a chart to illustrate some of the interview
content and/or use bullet points to clarify lists in your report.

Use the concepts discussed in the textbook. Use in-text citations in APA format.

5. Conclude with several communication-focused actionable recommendations for your target

audience (business students) to build communication abilities in the business context. Be specific
and provide rationale. Connect these recommendations to the course materials.

6. Include a reference list in APA format as your third page. The textbook is a required source.

7. Proofread your report, reference list, and interview guide.

o Read your report to ensure you discuss interview content in an unbiased, nonjudgmental
manner.
o Fact check for accuracy and ensure you cite in-text sources in APA format to substantiate
your claims about a business, industry, etc.
o Use computer spell check and grammar check functions.
 o Read your report aloud to check for word choice, clarity, and organization. Also, ensure
your report follows the principles for internal business communication, including these:
 Use short paragraphs and simple wording.
 Avoid redundancy and empty phrases.
 Avoid beginning sentences with It is and There are.
 Avoid using superlatives such as always, never, most, and worst.
 Use action verbs (avoid get and its various forms) and active voice (not passive).
 Use “we” voice.
o Start from the end of your report and focus on one line at a time to check the
aforementioned once again.
o Attend to format in your report (see the template) and in your reference list (APA format).

8. Print your report, reference list, and interview guide. Staple them in the aforementioned order.
Submit them at the beginning of the class meeting Nov. 30, 2017.

You may ask questions about the networking report assignment until Nov. 28!