Midterm_Test_Answers[1]
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Centennial College *
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Business
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Jun 10, 2024
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Midterm Test
Centennial College
Business Culture and Craft (BUSN 733) Section 001
Ronald Tsang
June 9, 2023
1.
William's latest online presentation to his department was not well received.
However, he is not sure why. The information was interesting and should have been
interesting to the audience. However, halfway through, William noticed people
looking down, while others turned off their cameras.
Using concepts from this course, what would you suggest to William to improve his
delivery and engagement in future online presentations?
Use concepts from this course and include at least one personal example.
Answer:
There are some effective ways that can be used to improve the presentations. As
mentioned in Business Communication text book (Shwom, Snyder, & Clarke),
William can focus on analysing, composing, and evaluating his approach. Firstly,
William should analyse his presentation in terms of its purpose, audience, content,
and medium. Defining the purpose of the presentation is crucial as it helps him
structure the content appropriately. Understanding the audience's interests, needs, and
expectations is equally important. By tailoring the content to their preferences,
William can make it more relevant and engaging. While William believes the
information is interesting, he should evaluate whether it was presented in a
compelling and relatable manner. Simplifying complex concepts, incorporating real-
life examples, and using visuals can enhance engagement and comprehension for the
audience. Additionally, he needs to consider the online medium and adapt his
presentation style accordingly. Utilizing interactive features and collaboration tools
can encourage active participation and create a dynamic online experience.
When composing his future presentations, William should focus on strategic time
management, organizing the content, drafting the message, and designing the visuals.
Practicing strategic time management will help him plan the presentation effectively,
ensuring it fits within the allotted time and maintains the audience's attention.
Organizing the content with clear headings, subheadings, and smooth transitions will
aid the audience's comprehension.
While drafting the content, William should aim for concise and clear language.
Incorporating visual aids, such as slides, images, or videos, can support his message
and make it more engaging. However, he should be mindful of balancing text and
visual elements to prevent overcrowding and distraction. Consistency in design
elements throughout the presentation is essential for a cohesive and professional
appearance.
To evaluate his future presentations, William should focus on various aspects.
Adequate preparation, including technical checks and practicing delivery, is crucial.
Starting the presentation on time demonstrates professionalism and respect for the
audience's time. Captivating introductions that clearly outline objectives and key
points are effective in capturing the audience's attention from the beginning.
Maintaining a moderate pace while speaking allows the audience to process the
information, while pauses and emphasis can highlight important points.
William's body language also plays a significant role in engagement. Maintaining
good posture, making eye contact with the members, and using appropriate hand
gestures and facial expressions convey enthusiasm and help establish a connection
with the audience. Additionally, dressing professionally is important to meet the
expectations of a professional context.
Throughout the presentation, William should continuously read the audience's
reactions and engagement cues. This can be done by observing their video feeds, chat
messages, or conducting interactive activities. Being attentive to the audience's
responses allows William to make necessary adjustments to maintain their interest
and engagement.
As an accounts officer, I have conducted some presentations to update my department
on financial performance and introduce new plans or software. In one particular
presentation, I noticed that some team members appeared disengaged and distracted.
To address this, I implemented several changes for subsequent presentations. Firstly, I
focused on highlighting the direct benefits of the financial management software to
the team, such as increased efficiency, improved accuracy, and time savings in their
day-to-day tasks. Secondly, I tailored the content to their specific needs and
knowledge levels by conducting a pre-presentation survey. This allowed me to
address any knowledge gaps and deliver more relevant and meaningful information.
Additionally, I incorporated visual aids, such as graphs and charts, to visually
illustrate financial data and concepts, making the presentation more engaging and
comprehensible. Lastly, I shared personal examples of how similar tools had
positively impacted financial processes in my previous roles, establishing credibility
and creating a connection with the team. These adjustments aimed to enhance
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engagement, ensure understanding, and highlight the practical value of the tools in the
context of our roles as accounts officers.
In conclusion, to improve his delivery and engagement in future online presentations,
William should focus on analyzing the purpose, audience, content, and medium. He
should compose his presentations with strategic time management, organized content,
well-drafted messages, and visually appealing designs. Evaluating his presentations
by considering preparation, introduction, speed, body language, dress code, and
audience response will further enhance his effectiveness as a presenter in online
settings.
2.
Is conflict on a team always negative and non-productive? In addition, how would
you approach managing conflict for an online team compared to an in-person one?
Explain answers to both questions, using concepts from this course, and with an
example from your own team experience.
Answer:
Conflict on a team is not always negative and non-productive. In fact, under certain
conditions, conflict can be beneficial and lead to positive outcomes. There are two
types of conflict: cognitive conflict and affective conflict.
Cognitive conflict refers to disagreements that arise due to differences in opinions,
ideas, or perspectives on a task or problem. It can stimulate creativity, innovation, and
critical thinking within a team. When team members engage in cognitive conflict,
they challenge each other's assumptions, explore various alternatives, and ultimately
arrive at better solutions. This type of conflict can enhance team performance and lead
to improved decision-making.
On the other hand, affective conflict is characterized by interpersonal tensions,
personal animosities, or emotional clashes among team members. Affective conflict is
generally detrimental to team functioning and can hinder productivity and
collaboration. It is important to manage and resolve affective conflict promptly to
maintain a positive team environment.
To manage conflict effectively, regardless of whether the team is online or in-person,
the following approaches can be applied:
a). Explicitly identify the conflict
: The first step is to recognize and acknowledge
that a conflict exists. This involves openly discussing and addressing the specific
issue causing the conflict, whether it is a difference in opinions, personal tensions, or
other factors.
b). Encourage open communication
: In a virtual environment, team members must
rely on written or verbal communication to express their viewpoints. It is crucial to
create a safe and supportive space for open dialogue. Encourage team members to
actively listen to each other and provide opportunities for everyone to express their
perspectives.
c). Understanding and empathy
: Without nonverbal signals, it can be challenging to
interpret tone or emotions accurately in virtual interactions. Team members should
make an extra effort to clarify their intentions and ensure their messages are
understood correctly. Building empathy and understanding among team members can
help de-escalate conflicts and promote collaboration.
d). Seek mutually beneficial solutions
: Encourage the team to find solutions that
address the concerns and interests of all parties involved. Collaboration and
compromise are key in resolving conflicts and reaching agreements that satisfy
everyone to the greatest extent possible.
Now, drawing from my experience as an accounts officer in an online team, conflict
arose between the sales department and the finance department regarding overdue
invoices. The sales team emphasized flexibility to maintain client relationships, while
the finance department prioritized timely payment collection for financial stability.
Through a virtual meeting and open communication, we reached a compromise by
implementing a revised payment policy that balanced flexibility and timely payments.
This experience taught me the significance of open dialogue and finding mutually
beneficial solutions within an online team as an accounts officer.
References
1.
Shwom, B., Snyder, L.G., Clarke, L. (2021). Business Communication
. Pearson Education Canada.
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