New International Business English Overview

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Contacts and Ordering

Reading Paper Part 2

Getting your message across
(Text source: www.handbag.com June 2000 - with permission)

Choose the best sentence from the list below to complete each text.

A	If this happens, it's no good going on the defensive.
B	Very few companies offer communication skills training to all staff.
C	It's not so important to eliminate mistakes in emails - but it's as well to read them through quickly to avoid potential embarrassment
D	People are generally more receptive if you take an interest in them.
E	This means we underestimate the considerable skills involved in doing it properly.
F	An example of this would be telling people about forthcoming redundancies in a bulletin posted on the canteen noticeboard
G	Misunderstandings can happen however careful you are.
H	The best communicators make sure that they really listen to what others are saying and that they respond to their needs.
I	In spite of this, the message gets across loud and clear.

There are three options you do not need to use.

Example

	Complete with
A large part of anyone's job is relating to other people either in person, in writing or on the phone. But because communication is about as natural as breathing, we usually take it for granted.	E
	Complete with
Communication is an incredibly complicated process which contains many opportunities for failure. Lack of openness is problematic because to communicate effectively it's vital to say what you really mean. Choosing the wrong communication method is also a danger.
These days there is an emphasis on keeping writing as short and simple as possible. It's vital to proof-read any letters or documents that you are sending out by post, because mistakes convey a poor impression of both you and the company.
When telephoning, it's a good idea to have brief notes in front of you when you are making an important phone call, so that you don't forget the points you want to get across. If possible, try to form a relationship with the person on the other end of the line.
Unfortunately you may sometimes have to deal with complaints or criticisms from people both inside and outside your organisation.
Communicating is as much about listening as it is about talking.