Question 1

In the course of creating an effective business message,excellent business thinkers are most likely to
A) gather information from one strong source rather than from a variety of sources.
B) make well-reasoned conclusions and solutions.
C) begin jotting down a rough draft right away to capture their ideas.
D) encourage one-way linear thinking and a rigid approach to business problems.
E) avoid using the other-oriented tone in their text.

Accepted Answer

Excellent business thinkers possess a number of characteristics.First,they clearly and precisely identify and articulate key questions and problems.Second,they gather information from a variety of sources.Third,they make well-reasoned conclusions and solutions.Fourth,they remain open to alternatives to approaching and reasoning about the business problem-that is,they are mentally flexible.

Question 2

In the context of the AIM planning process,which of the following tends to be the single most important planning step?
A) identifying reader benefits and constraints
B) making the message easy to navigate
C) estimating your credibility
D) setting up the message framework
E) ensuring the communication is fair

Accepted Answer

For many messages,identifying reader benefits and constraints is the single most important planning step.

Question 3

Rich needs to choose someone to analyze the following problem and suggest potential solutions: The company is having trouble recruiting employees with the right skills.Which of the following employees should he choose?
A) Sonia usually bases her ideas on a single,very popular,human resources journal.
B) Vern has a logical mind that generally sees issues as linear,step-by-step processes.
C) Alexia is the fastest writer in the department and can whip out a draft in no time.
D) Will has a knack for explaining complex issues in a clear,understandable way.
E) Berthe is very conventional in her thinking,and she distrusts innovation.

Accepted Answer

Excellent business thinkers possess a number of characteristics.First,they clearly and precisely identify and articulate key questions and problems.Second,they gather information from a variety of sources.Third,they make well-reasoned conclusions and solutions.Fourth,they remain open to alternatives to approaching and reasoning about the business problem-that is,they are mentally flexible.Will's ability to explain complex issues clearly marks him as the best choice.

Question 4

Which of the following is typically included in the writing stage of developing an effective business message?
A) setting a positive and other-oriented tone
B) double-checking everything
C) sending the message to be proofread
D) identifying the primary message and key points
E) ensuring the communication is fair

Accepted Answer

In order to create an effective business message,during the drafting stage you should set a positive and other-oriented tone,make the message easy to read,and make the message easy to navigate.

Question 5

Which of the following is something an excellent business writer would do?
A) spend more time planning than writing
B) adopt a message-centered approach
C) complete audience analysis while writing
D) do a last-minute review of his or her work
E) maintain an author-centered tone

Accepted Answer

Expert business writers not only produce more effective written communications,but they also do so more quickly than average writers.Their secret is to devote a much higher percentage of their time to the planning and reviewing stages.

Question 6

In the context of dealing with business problems,which of the following should ideally be the first step?
A) analyzing the business problem
B) clarifying business objectives
C) formulating an alternative business plan
D) identifying the business problem
E) acquiring data about the business problem

Accepted Answer

To remain competitive and profitable,businesses constantly need to identify and overcome problems.The first step in problem solving is identifying business problems.This involves understanding an organization's business objectives and related challenges.It involves asking many questions from a lot of angles.

Question 7

To break out of the reputation of an inexperienced newcomer,a person should
A) avoid taking on projects that will reveal inexperience.
B) stand out from the corporate culture in terms of dress and communication.
C) be careful not to waste time on extras like creating a professional blog.
D) attend a lot of meetings to get to know as many colleagues as possible.
E) incorporate the I-voice in business messages as often as possible.

Accepted Answer

To break out of a reputation as an inexperienced newcomer one should attend a lot of meetings to get to know as many colleagues as possible.

Question 8

Facts are statements that
A) are subjective and differ from situation to situation.
B) are based on assumptions.
C) can be relied on with a fair amount of certainty.
D) are fictitious in nature.
E) are inherently ambiguous in nature.

Accepted Answer

Facts are statements that can be relied on with a fair amount of certainty (most things are not absolutely certain in the business world)and can be observed objectively.

Question 9

During which step in the AIM planning process should you consider the constraints your readers face?
A) message development
B) information gathering
C) audience analysis
D) process review
E) initial brainstorming

Accepted Answer

The first step in the AIM planning process for developing influential messages is analyzing the needs of your audience.This includes envisioning both reader benefits and reader constraints.

Question 10

Alan is mentoring Pat,a younger colleague,in how to be a better business writer.As Pat was writing her last memo,she did the following things.Which one will Alan tell her she needs to change?
A) Pat addressed the needs of her audience in the memo.
B) Pat spent a long time planning before she started to write.
C) Pat applied the FAIR test to the memo when she reviewed it.
D) Pat made sure the memo was easy to read and easy to navigate.
E) Pat drew primarily on her own opinions and expertise.

Accepted Answer

As you craft business messages,it is advisable that you maintain a listener-centered approach.In the listener-centered approach,you seek as much input as reasonably possible from colleagues,clients,and customers.You ask them about their opinions,preferences,and areas of expertise.Pat did not do this,instead drawing primarily on her own opinions and expertise.

Question 11

Which of the following is typically included in the reviewing stage of writing an effective business message?
A) setting a positive and other-oriented tone
B) ensuring that the communication is fair
C) finding the needs of the audience
D) identifying the primary message and key points
E) making the message easy to navigate

Accepted Answer

In order to create an effective business message,during the reviewing stage you should ensure that the communication is fair,consider whether your message is effective,and remove any distractions.

Question 12

Which statement describes how writers should address the priorities of their targeted audience during the AIM planning process?
A) Do not consider the priorities as they tend to fluctuate.
B) Recognize that priorities shift less often than values.
C) Assign importance to things,such as projects,goals,and tasks.
D) Refer to the enduring beliefs and ideals that the audience holds.
E) Remember that priorities remain constant for each individual.

Accepted Answer

Priorities involve ranking or assigning importance to things,such as projects,goals,and tasks.Priorities tend to shift more often than values.

Question 13

Pete,the marketing manager at Regal,believes that an employee should always act ethically and should also report instances of unethical behavior that he or she encounters.This belief held by Pete is an example of a
A) fact.
B) conclusion.
C) position.
D) priority.
E) value.

Accepted Answer

Values refer to enduring beliefs and ideals that individuals hold.

Question 14

_____ involve ranking or assigning importance to things,such as projects,goals,and tasks.
A) Conclusions
B) Positions
C) Values
D) Priorities
E) Facts

Accepted Answer

Priorities involve ranking or assigning importance to things,such as projects,goals,and tasks.Priorities tend to shift more often than values.

Question 15

Which of the following is typically included in the planning stage of writing an effective business message?
A) setting a positive and other-oriented tone
B) making the message easy to read
C) making the message easy to navigate
D) ensuring that the communication is fair
E) identifying the primary message and key points

Accepted Answer

In order to create an effective business message,during the planning stage you should understand the needs of the audience,generate the best of ideas to address a business issue and identify the primary message and key points.

Question 16

Which of the following is a goal of the AIM planning process?
A) to unleash good ideas
B) to minimize planning time
C) to foster self-reflection
D) to explore new technologies
E) to encourage teamwork

Accepted Answer

The AIM planning process unleashes your best thinking and allows you to deliver influential messages.

Question 17

Carlos has been assigned the task of creating an effective business message aimed at encouraging healthy habits in the workplace.He uses the AIM planning process.Which of the following should he do during the information gathering stage?
A) identify problems that prevent employees from making healthy choices
B) estimate his level of credibility with his colleagues
C) use language that will make his colleagues feel at ease
D) edit his message for errors in tone,voice,and grammar
E) decide on the primary message that he wants to convey

Accepted Answer

The information gathering step of the AIM planning process includes clearly identifying key questions and problems.

Question 18

Analyzing a business problem typically involves
A) ignoring audience constraints.
B) deducing conclusions from facts.
C) imposing your priorities on the situation.
D) exaggerating the problem.
E) being flexible and not taking positions.

Accepted Answer

Analyzing a business problem typically involves uncovering relevant facts,making conclusions,and taking positions.

Question 19

Which of the following illustrates a characteristic of an excellent business thinker?
A) Claire's memos are always written from her perspective and use the I-voice.
B) Dale's memos usually imply that his is the only acceptable solution to the problem.
C) Cody likes to write spontaneously,so his memos often meander.
D) Alec doesn't edit his messages in order to make them feel authentic.
E) Boris uses a variety of sources such as journal articles and colleagues' expertise.

Accepted Answer

Excellent business thinkers possess a number of characteristics.First,they clearly and precisely identify and articulate key questions and problems.Second,they gather information from a variety of sources.Third,they make well-reasoned conclusions and solutions.Fourth,they remain open to alternatives to approaching and reasoning about the business problem-that is,they are mentally flexible.

Question 20

Enduring beliefs and ideals that individuals hold are called
A) conclusions.
B) positions.
C) values.
D) priorities.
E) truths.

Accepted Answer

Values refers to enduring beliefs and ideals that individuals hold.

Quiz 5: Creating Effective Business Messages

In the course of creating an effective business message,excellent business thinkers are most likely to

In the context of the AIM planning process,which of the following tends to be the single most important planning step?

Rich needs to choose someone to analyze the following problem and suggest potential solutions: The company is having trouble recruiting employees with the right skills.Which of the following employees should he choose?

Which of the following is typically included in the writing stage of developing an effective business message?

Which of the following is something an excellent business writer would do?

In the context of dealing with business problems,which of the following should ideally be the first step?

To break out of the reputation of an inexperienced newcomer,a person should

Facts are statements that

During which step in the AIM planning process should you consider the constraints your readers face?

Alan is mentoring Pat,a younger colleague,in how to be a better business writer.As Pat was writing her last memo,she did the following things.Which one will Alan tell her she needs to change?

Which of the following is typically included in the reviewing stage of writing an effective business message?

Which statement describes how writers should address the priorities of their targeted audience during the AIM planning process?

Pete,the marketing manager at Regal,believes that an employee should always act ethically and should also report instances of unethical behavior that he or she encounters.This belief held by Pete is an example of a

_____ involve ranking or assigning importance to things,such as projects,goals,and tasks.

Which of the following is typically included in the planning stage of writing an effective business message?

Which of the following is a goal of the AIM planning process?

Carlos has been assigned the task of creating an effective business message aimed at encouraging healthy habits in the workplace.He uses the AIM planning process.Which of the following should he do during the information gathering stage?

Analyzing a business problem typically involves

Which of the following illustrates a characteristic of an excellent business thinker?

Enduring beliefs and ideals that individuals hold are called