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Beyond the Business Communication Course:
A Historical Perspective of the Where, Why, and How of Soft Skills Development and Job Readiness for Business Graduates
--Catherine MacDermott and Lorelei Ortiz
The paper outlines the recent history of business graduates’ job readiness from the perspective of relevant research in the areas of workplace soft skills, training, employer perceptions, and the role of colleges and universities (beyond the business communication course) in preparing business students to enter the workforce. Also discussed are demographic trends affecting the US job market as baby boomers steadily head towards retirement and employers look to millennials to fill employment gaps. In order to provide the perspective of recent business graduates, the paper includes the findings of a survey study of 108 new hires in the US regarding their perception of the most important soft skills necessary for job effectiveness and those skills most utilized in their jobs. Oral and written communication, in addition to other related soft skills, are identified by new hires as essential to job effectiveness. From this paper, readers can fortify their historical understanding of ‘job readiness’ from both the employer and graduate standpoint, identify current soft skills trending as desired employability skills for business graduates, and ascertain where and how students can gain the necessary soft skills to be successful upon entry into the workplace.
© 2017 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
The Need for Oral Communication in Large
and Medium Enterprises of the Manufacturing Sector of India
--C Shanmuga Priya, S Mekala and M P Shabitha
Oral communication in the workplace covers a large area ranging from formal presentations to participation in teams and meetings. In recent years, there has been an impetus to focus on the quality of spoken interactions for employees within and outside the organization. This paper deals with the workplace oral communication needs of large and medium enterprises of the manufacturing sector dealing with heavy boilers, equipments, fabrication, etc. A survey was conducted and a questionnaire was administered to the employees of large and medium engineering industries. The first section of the paper provides insights into workplace oral communications, followed by a discussion of the research findings.
© 2017 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Hari Sadu Versus Subordinates:
An Analysis of the Interpersonal Dynamics
at the Workplace
--Nikhil K Mehta and Upasna A Agarwal
In this study, we have examined and reviewed the strained relationship portrayed in the naukri.com advertisement (https://youtu.be/eKdkAIDMhis). The celebrated advertisement strongly exemplifies the dynamics of superior-subordinate relationship and the subordinate’s use of natural endeavor to uphold personal integrity, prove self-competence, or possibly avert humiliation. Though the very purpose of this advertisement is to provide aid to such subordinates, Neilsen and Gyphen (1978) suggest that getting along with superiors is critical to career success and learning subordination is equally relevant as learning leadership. We, on the lines of Neilsen and Gyphen, have elaborated on the dilemmas using Transactional Analysis Proper (TAP). We have used the concepts such as TAP and other important behavioral theories like social exchange theory, organizational support theory, job demand resource model, and Amabile’s componential theory of creativity and innovation to understand the interpersonal process between superior Hari Sadu and his subordinates and its impact on organizational development.
© 2017 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
The Art of Giving Feedback
--Revathi Turaga
No communication process is complete without feedback from the listener to the sender. Especially, in organizations where supervisors have to often talk to their subordinates and give them feedback on how to improve their performance, the art of giving effective feedback becomes very important. From simple aspects such as improving communication effectiveness to enhancing performance appraisal effectiveness, feedback is an essential part of interactions between people in any organization. This paper looks at not only a few simple tips that one can keep on top of one’s mind when giving feedback but also how to handle different reactions from others while giving them feedback.
© 2017 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Understanding Nonverbal Cues:
A Key to Success in Interviews
--Sonali Ganguly
Communication begins with listening and the skill lies in listening with eyes. As Patti Wood, a body language expert and author of Snap: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma, says, in a face-to-face interaction, one can exchange up to 10,000 nonverbal cues. The interviewers have their own strategies to assess the candidates based on their requirement. But every job in every sector demands skill of communication, both verbal and nonverbal, to sustain and prosper. The success rate of the students depends on how perfectly one presents and how confidently one communicates. The interviewer and the interviewee need to take care of various aspects of nonverbal cues to help them succeed in understanding each other better through effective communication. Recruitment being the sole objective of higher education today, the students need to be more conscious about their efforts in giving 100% in an interview. This paper mainly focuses on the analysis of several nonverbal cues and their regulation, which is one of the important criteria during the recruitment process. The study also focuses on the understanding of the expectations of the recruiters along with the ability to read the nonverbal cues and the role an educational institution plays in making a student employable. This unitedly would increase the success rate of students in interviews.
© 2017 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
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