M1 Project Management PDF
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This document covers topics in M1 Project Management, including principles of management, effective business communication, project governance, success and leadership, new product development, company organization, social media marketing, marketing and promotion, schedule, and focus areas for job applications, and career path.
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M1 PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOPICS Principles of Management: functions of management effective Business Communication Project governance Success and Leadership. New product development and Innovation. Company organisation and finance. Social media m...
M1 PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOPICS Principles of Management: functions of management effective Business Communication Project governance Success and Leadership. New product development and Innovation. Company organisation and finance. Social media marketing. Marketing and promotion… SCHEDULE 4 classes 17/10, 24/10, 07/11, 14/11. FOCUS I. Introduce yourself. Hard skills / Soft skills. Pitch. II. CV. III. Letters IN. Application letter/Cover letter. IV. Role play/interview. V. Evaluation: Assessed Oral Assignment There will be a major emphasis on writing & oral presentation skills: presentation dos and don’ts, presentation structure, language and formats. FOCUS Job and/or internship application I. Work on an ad job. Pitch. Hard skills / Soft skills. Letters IN. Application letter/Cover letter. Short listing (ad job/applicants). Role play/interview. INTRODUCE YOURSELF INTRODUCE YOURSELF Let’s get to know one another… Where were you born? How long have you been living in Lille? Travelling…. Studies Gap year? Where do you intend to go?... Rising popularity of gap year option Intership…. Hobbies….. FUTURE JOB? CAREER PATH 24 years in the armed forces and international organizations. FRENCH MINISTRY FOR ARMED FORCES. LAND FORCES COMMAND. EXPERT ON FORCE COMMITMENT AND CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS. NATO AND ITS DEVELOPMENT. NATO Response Force 2022 alert (FRA as Framework nation): monitor the ramp-up and follow on of the Force. Develop a specific action plan. Meet Alliance political objectives. INTEL ANALYST. In charge of Middle-East, African Republic and Ukraine/Russia. Head of the operational preparation / analysis section. MISSIONS AND OVERSEAS OPERATIONS. INTEL ANALYST. UNITED NATIONS. UNIFIL (NAQURA-LEBANON). US ARMY IN EUROPE (GRAFENWÖHR-GERMANY). EUROPEAN UNION. EUFOR RCA. OHQ-LARISSA (GREECE). FORCE COMMAND MADRID. NATO. CHIEF PROTOCOL. PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE. DEFENCE STAFF (PARIS - FRANCE). DESK OFFICER/INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. Between France, Northern Europe/ Baltic States/ Canada/Benelux. FRENCH SCHOOL OF ARMY AVIATION. LINGUIST / TRANSLATOR. PROJECT MANAGER COMMUNICATION OFFICER. SKILLS – some clue HARD SKILLS / SOFT SKILLS Skills (hard skills) Strategy International relations Protocol Project management & control Intelligence Crisis management A perfect mastery of foreign languages Computer science ….. Soft skills I am rigorous, adaptable, endowed with great interpersonal skills Team spirit, taste for new challenges BUSINESS SKILLS You will require a number of skills to start and run a business. It is important to identify the skills you need to develop or improve so that you can succeed in your day-to-day business operations. These business skills are essential. Financial management Marketing, sales and customer service Communication and negotiation Leadership Project management and planning Delegation and time management Problem solving Networking Natural leader who displays sound judgment and attention to detail. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Excellent interpersonal, communication and public speaking skills. BUSINESS INCLUDES SUBJECTS IN BUSINESS? Business finance; Sport facility management; Business encompasses topics such as: Law; marketing; Digital transformation plan; Business communication Fundraising. brand management; customer relations; consumer behavior; Advertising; public relations; corporate communication; community engagement; reputation management; Interpersonal communication; employee engagement; and event management; Sport marketing; PITCH PITCH WHO? 30’ Who I am. WHAT? 2 min What I can do. A situation highlighting you proved to be efficient and that can add value to your application HOW? 30’ How do I intend to fulfil the tasks. PITCH Why is an elevator pitch important? A good elevator pitch is important because it’s an effective way to demonstrate your professional aptitude, strengths and skills. An elevator pitch is also useful in multiple situations which makes it especially valuable. If possible, you should always have some talking points about yourself prepared (so you’re ready to take advantage of unexpected opportunities), but an elevator pitch is particularly helpful during a job search. You can use your pitch to prepare for an interview. From phone screen to in-person interview, you’ll be asked to provide a summary of who you are, your background and what you want from your next job. The elevator pitch can be a good framework as you’re planning your answer to the popular interview question “tell me about yourself” An elevator pitch can be used to outline your cover letter or a professional summary statement at the top of your resume. Both a cover letter and summary statement are intended to tell the reader who you are professionally, what work you are passionate about doing and why you are qualified to do it in a way that helps you stand out from other applicants. If you’ve already crafted an elevator pitch, then this is a great way to repurpose it. A personal elevator pitch is also beneficial for networking at an event or during a spontaneous encounter. Whether you’re in line at the grocery store, at a cocktail party or an organized professional gathering, the pitch can quickly help new contacts understand why they should connect with you or consider you when an opportunity arises. An advantage of using an elevator pitch when speaking about your career or aspirations is that you can show you are capable of taking the lead. Instead of waiting on the other party to direct the conversation, and potentially away from what you’d like to discuss, you can assertively explain what you have to offer. In many interactions, such as a job interview or mentorship proposition, this can be impressive to your audience —they will be pleased to see you know both what you want and how to ask for it. PITCH How to create the perfect elevator pitch Use these steps to craft the perfect elevator pitch: 1. Introduce yourself Near the beginning of your elevator pitch, deliver one sentence about who you are. Mention your full name and occupation. For example, you might introduce yourself as a sales representative for a specific company or a consultant for small- to medium-sized business owners. If you're a student, you could clarify your major and name the school you attend. 2. Explain what you do Write one or two sentences about what you do and the specific problem you solve. If you're a job candidate, highlight your professional abilities and areas of expertise. If you're advertising an idea, explain the idea and why it's important. Focus on the benefits you provide and how you impact the lives of others. 3. Identify who you serve Write one or two sentences about who your ideal clients are. You may want to outline how your products or services help this group of people. If you're a job candidate in an interview, consider discussing why you want to work for the hiring company. 4. State what makes you different Write down your USP (Unique Selling Proposition ou argument clé de vente) to distinguish yourself from competitors. If you're endorsing a product, service or company, reference how it meets consumer needs. If you're a job candidate, write about the experiences, competencies or credentials that make you unique as a candidate. PITCH How to create the perfect elevator pitch 5. Include an exciting hook Add a hook at the end to capture the attention of your audience. For example, you might immediately convey how your product or service can impact their lives. You could also use a thought-provoking question instead of a statement, such as one that addresses the problem that they may be experiencing. 6. Create a cohesive pitch Once you have drafted different parts of your pitch, combine the statements into a coherent presentation. Make sure you can transition between points in a clear, conversational manner. Practice saying it out loud by yourself and with others to ensure it's brief and understandable. PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT Course Outcomes Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: Compare and contrast the levels, roles, and functions of management Effective Business Communication Project governance Distinguish between modern theories of management, including quality management and systems management theory Break down quantitative management and the roles of branches such as operations management Illustrate the types of planning and its function in management Model different types of organizations, including centralized and decentralized organizations Examine leadership and its role in organizations and the difference between a manager and a leader Analyze the role of motivation in the workplace and how managers affect motivation Illustrate the communication process and the role of organizational communication Investigate controlling and its function in management Analyze the decision-making process and describe tools used to make informed decisions Outline the importance of business ethics in contemporary business FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT FOUR FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT: PLANNING, ORGANIZING, LEADING & CONTROLLING Every person who holds a management position inside an organization has four main functions that lead to organizational success. Explore the four functions of management, how they help an organization to succeed, and learn about the extra function some might add to the main four. Four Functions of Management: Planning, Organizing, Leading & Controlling - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com Transcript fill in the blank- Four Functions of Management- Planning, Organizing, Leading & Controlling.docx Worksheet- Four Functions of Management- Planning, Organizing, Leading & Controlling.docx Lesson Objectives After watching this lesson, you should be able to: Identify each of the four functions of management Explain each function's role in organizational success Recognize 'staffing' as a fifth function in some industries Four functions of management/Functions of Management.docx EFFECTIVE BUSINESS COMMUNICATION BUSINESS COMMUNICATION I. EFFECTIVE BUSINESS COMMUNICATION https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-effective-business-communication.html Business 101Principles of Management Final Exam 1 Transcript fill in the blanks-What is Effective Business Communication%3F test Worksheet- What is Effective Business Communication%3F II. WRITNG SKILLS FOR BUSINESS COMMUNICATION III. WHAT IS SUBJECT IN BUSINESS COMMUNICATION? Lesson Summary BUSINESS COMMUNICATION INCLUDES https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-effective-business-communi cation.html WHAT IS SUBJECT IN BUSINESS COMMUNICATION? Successful organizations have excellent communication processes. Learn about effective business communication, preparing written documents that maintain professionalism, keeping information concise, and ensuring information is complete. Effective business communication is a sharing process involving two or more parties sending a message that is easily understood by each person. Effective communication can significantly contribute to a company's success. In this lesson, we will learn how to compose effective written business communications by focusing on professionalism, being concise, and ensuring information is complete. Lesson Summary: In this lesson, we learned how to communicate effectively in the business world. Effective business communication is a sharing process involving two or more parties sending a message that is easily understood by each person. When you are communicating within a business, maintain professionalism. It is important to understand that you represent both yourself and your employer. When communicating, remember to follow the basic rules: Keep information concise Ensure information is complete Additionally, keep in mind that written communications should include several key sections, including a: Greeting Pleasantry Reasons for the email Call to action Close Signature BUSINESS COMMUNICATION Interpretation Most of us communicate through technology in the modern day. This can present challenges for being an effective communicator. Your best bet is to follow the infographic and make sure that all of your communication contains a greeting, some sort of pleasantry (such as asking how the person is), explaining what the purpose of the e-mail is, calling the person to action, closing up the e-mail and adding your signature. Always remember the other two tenants of effective business communication as well: keeping your e-mails concise and including all the information that is needed. No one likes to get an e-mail that is missing the attachment or an important date, so ensure that these things are included before pressing send. WRITNG SKILLS FOR BUSINESS COMMUNICATION Writing Skills for Business Writing Effective Sentences for Business Communica 3 chapters | 16 lessons tion Ch 1. Beginning Steps in Business Writing 5:21 What is Effective Business Communication?3:49 Crafting Strong and Coherent Paragraphs in Busines Practical Application: Components of Effective Business Com s Communication munication Infographic 5:08 Analyzing Your Audience and Adapting Your Message: Purpose Practical Application: Crafting Strong & Coherent Par , Process & Strategy agraphs in Business Communication 5:15 Structuring and Organizing Your Message5:47 Analyzing Your Audience and Adapting Your Message: Scenari Practice Chapter Exam o & Application 30 questions Determining the Purpose of Your Message: Inform, Persuade & Good Will 5:37 Ch 3. Polishing Business Writing... Practice Chapter Exam Proofreading Your Message for Spelling, Grammar, A 30 questions ccuracy & Clarity Ch 2. Crafting a Message in Business... 5:58 Using Nondiscriminatory Language in Business Communicatio Practical Application: Proofreading Messages for Spel n ling, Grammar, Accuracy & Clarity 5:08 Using Technology to Write Business Materials3:31 Using Nondiscriminatory Language in Business Communicatio Mistakes to Avoid in Business Writing5:01 n: Scenario & Application Practice Chapter Exam Using Active Verbs and Active Voice in Business Communicatio 30 questions n 4:05 24th OCTOBER 2022 Principles of Management: functions of management effective Business Communication Project governance Corporate governance definition: how it works, principles, and examples Corporate governance and the board of directors The principles of corporate governance What are the four P's of corporate governance Messsaging Analyze Audience & Adapt Message Active verbs and active voice in business communication Effective Sentences Success and Leadership. Strategic leadership. PROJECT GOVERNANCE: STRUCTURE & BEST PRACTICES https://study.com/academy/lesson/project-governance-structure-best-practices.html#/lesson https://study.com/academy/print/lesson/project-governance-structure-best-practices.html?hideBoldTerms=true https://study.com/academy/practice/quiz-worksheet-project-governance-structure-practices.html?format=print Project governance/What is Project Governance.docx PROJECT GOVERNANCE: STRUCTURE & BEST PRACTICES Lesson Summary Project governance plays a crucial role when managing and running a given project. It is a typical process that defines the rules, regulations, methods, and procedures expected to be followed to complete a project successfully. Generally, it begins with governance, which refers to how something is organized for accountability from the corporate level to the management and project level. Accountability is the obligation of an individual to account for their activities and accept their responsibilities. Good governance establishes an effective reporting structure, clearly defined procedures, accountable decision-making, and project management and communication tools. It helps the project team and stakeholders understand how the project decisions are made and the effects of one project on another. The project governance structure is the relationship between those involved in the project, which offers a reliable approach to managing the project and guarantees its success. Elements of project governance structure include: Project team-the members of the project who work together to achieve the project objectives. The project team lead-individual who sets the project's pace and direction and communicates any necessary updates. The person responsible for devising the overall strategy and game plan for the entire project is a project manager whose functions are similar to a head coach. Another individual who funds the project and provides the necessary resources and tools is the project sponsor. A project executive is an individual with the strong and best leadership skills responsible for creating and managing the project budget. Governance structures may differ since others include an audit function for third-party assessments that help monitor progress. Governance processes must be the same throughout the reporting periods to ensure effective comparisons between different projects. Governance structure is needed to provide a consistent method of controlling the project and ensuring its success. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DEFINITION: HOW IT WORKS, PRINCIPLES, AND EXAMPLES WHAT IS CORPORATE GOVERNANCE? Corporate governance is the system of rules, practices, and processes by which a firm is directed and controlled. Corporate governance essentially involves balancing the interests of a company's many stakeholders, such as shareholders, senior management executives, customers, suppliers, financiers, the government, and the community. Since corporate governance provides the framework for attaining a company's objectives, it encompasses practically every sphere of management, from action plans and internal controls to performance measurement and corporate disclosure. KEY TAKEAWAYS Corporate governance is the structure of rules, practices, and processes used to direct and manage a company. A company's board of directors is the primary force influencing corporate governance. Bad corporate governance can cast doubt on a company's operations and its ultimate profitability. Corporate governance covers the areas of environmental awareness, ethical behavior, corporate strategy, compensation, and risk management. The basic principles of corporate governance are accountability, transparency, fairness, responsibility, and risk management. UNDERSTANDING CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Governance refers specifically to the set of rules, controls, policies, and resolutions put in place to direct corporate behavior. A board of directors is pivotal in governance. Proxy advisors and shareholders are important stakeholders who can affect governance. Communicating a firm's corporate governance is a key component of community and investor relations. For instance, Apple Inc.'s investor relations site outlines its corporate leadership (its executive team and board of directors). It provides corporate governance information including its committee charters and governance documents, such as by laws, stock ownership guidelines, and articles of incorporation. Most companies strive to have exceptional corporate governance. For many shareholders, it is not enough for a company merely to be profitable. It also must demonstrate good corporate citizenship through environmental awareness, ethical behavior, and sound corporate governance practices. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The board of directors is the primary direct stakeholder influencing corporate governance. Directors are elected by shareholders or appointed by other board members. They represent shareholders of the company. The board is tasked with making important decisions, such as corporate officer appointments, executive compensation, and dividend policy. In some instances, board obligations stretch beyond financial optimization, as when shareholder resolutions call for certain social or environmental concerns to be prioritized. Boards are often made up of insiders and independent members. Insiders are major shareholders, founders, and executives. Independent directors do not share the ties that insiders have. They are chosen for their experience managing or directing other large companies. Independents are considered helpful for governance because they dilute the concentration of power and help align shareholder interests with those of the insiders. The board of directors must ensure that the company's corporate governance policies incorporate corporate strategy, risk management, accountability, transparency, and ethical business practices. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS A board of directors should consist of a diverse group of individuals, including those who have skills and knowledge of the business and those who can bring a fresh perspective from outside of the company and industry. THE PRINCIPLES OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE While there can be as many principles as a company believes make sense, some of the more well-known include the following. Fairness The board of directors must treat shareholders, employees, vendors, and communities fairly and with equal consideration. Transparency The board should provide timely, accurate, and clear information about such things as financial performance, conflicts of interest, and risks to shareholders and other stakeholders. Risk Management The board and management must determine risks of all kinds and how best to control them. They must act on those recommendations to manage them. They must inform all relevant parties about the existence and status of risks. Responsibility The board is responsible for the oversight of corporate matters and management activities. It must be aware of and support the successful, ongoing performance of the company. Part of its responsibility is to recruit and hire a CEO. It must act in the best interests of a company and its investors. Accountability The board must explain the purpose of a company's activities and the results of its conduct. It and company leadership are accountable for the assessment of a company's capacity, potential, and performance. It must communicate issues of importance to shareholders. WHAT ARE THE 4 Ps OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE? The four P's of corporate governance are people, process, performance, and purpose. Why Is Corporate Governance Important? Corporate governance is important because it creates a system of rules and practices that determines how a company operates and how it aligns the interest of all its stakeholders. Good corporate governance leads to ethical business practices, which leads to financial viability. In turn, that can attract investors. What Are the Basic Principles of Corporate Governance? The basic principles of corporate governance are accountability, transparency, fairness, responsibility, and risk management. The Bottom Line Corporate governance consists of the guiding principles that a company puts in place to direct all of its operations, from compensation, risk management, and employee treatment to reporting unfair practices, dealing with impact on the climate, and more. Corporate governance that calls for upstanding, transparent company behavior leads a company to make ethical decisions that benefit all of its stakeholders. It can underscore a potential investment for investors. Bad corporate governance leads to a breakdown of a company, often resulting in scandals and bankruptcy. MESSAGING I. Analyze Audience & Adapt Message II. Active verbs and active voice in business communication III. Effective Sentences MESSAGING Analyze Audience & Adapt Message ANALYZING YOUR AUDIENCE AND ADAPTING YOUR MESSAGE: PURPOSE, PROCESS & STRATEGY https://study.com/academy/lesson/analyzing-your-audience-and-adapting-your-message-purpose-process-stratgy.html Knowing your audience is essential to understanding how to effectively adapt your message to reach your listening audience. Discover the key steps of purpose, process, and strategy by analyzing your audience, creating an interesting message, and learning how to differentiate between your listeners' attitudes, values, and beliefs, which directly impacts the shaping of the message. Updated: 10/09/2021 Analyze Audience & Adapt Message One of the most daunting jobs in the workplace is writing and communicating to an audience. In order for a message to be effective, it has to be impactful, clear and relatable to an audience. In this lesson, we will cover how to analyze an audience and adapt the message in the most productive way. Let's look at an example to help us. Phillip Pill has just been assigned the keynote speech for the upcoming National Sales Meeting at Slim Pharmaceuticals. Phil has to first decide what the purpose for the speech will be in order to create an effective message. He is the Vice President of Sales, and he needs to introduce a new company product: Slimz. This product is revolutionary because it is the only drug that is available with a prescription that will guarantee a 2-pound a day weight loss with no side effects. The purpose of his speech is to educate and motivate the entire sales team to launch the company's new product. The next step is for Phil to analyze the audience. The purpose of analyzing an audience is to ensure the successful delivery and reception of a message. For example, if Phil showed up thinking he was speaking to the top executives in the company, his speech would be about financial forecasts and shareholder information. Since the audience consists of the sales team, he wants to reexamine the sales force and adapt the message to motivating sales factors. Analyzing the Audience There is a process to analyzing an audience in order to identify the correct way to deliver and write a message. Phil needs to examine each of the following: The audience's knowledge about the topic As VP of Sales, Phil knows that the sales team has been kept totally in the dark about the new Slimz drug. This is due to the fact that the product was top secret, and the company had to make sure no information was leaked ahead of time. The audience's demographic information, such as age, gender, education, income, class, marital status, etc. Phil knows that his sales team is made up of diverse individuals. He also knows that they all have the same education and training needed to understand the complicated drug product, because otherwise they would not have been hired as sales representatives. The audience's attitudes, values and beliefs Attitudes, or immediate feelings, can help with tailoring a message to motivate and connect with listeners. For example, Phil understands that the sales reps have a positive and exciting attitude towards the anticipated announcement. He is planning to harness the audience's excitement through a very visual and fun presentation. Beliefs, or thoughts based on previous experience, also play a huge role in audience analysis. Past keynote sales presentations have been very dry and boring. He wants to surprise the sales team by using humor and a quick overview of the new product to keep their interest. Values, or guides to their behavior, play an important part in how Phil will prepare to interact with the team. He knows that each individual sales member wants to be the best in the company. He will use that information to speak about a very profitable sales contest to further motivate and interest the sales team. Adapting a Message Once Phil has a good understanding of his audience, it is important that he follows some basic rules to adapt the message to his audience. Choose the correct appeal to reach your audience. Appeals can be humorous, detailed, educational, etc. Phil has decided to use a strategy of humor and education to motivate and keep the sales team interested in his message. Ensure that you provide the ability for the audience to respond and offer immediate feedback. This way if there are any objections, you can tackle them immediately. Phil will be holding a question and answer session immediately following his presentation. He knows that some reps will be wary of another diet pill. He plans on having scientific study results that will show how effective Slimz is on patients losing weight on hand in case he needs them. Prepare a clear, focused delivery of the message using visuals to offer support. Phil has provided a multi-media presentation with real people from the drug trial appearing to give their own opinions and success stories of the drug. Lesson Summary In order for a message to be effective, it has to be impactful, clear and relatable to an audience. There are some key steps to analyzing an audience in order to identity the correct way to deliver and write a message. The following must be examined in detail: The audience's knowledge about the topic. The audience's demographic information, such as age, gender, education, income, class, marital status, etc. The audience's attitudes, values and beliefs In addition, once there is an understanding about the audience, then it is important to create a message that will reach them effectively and keep their interest. Some basic tips are: Choose the correct appeal to reach your audience Ensure that you provide the ability for the audience to respond and offer immediate feedback Prepare a clear, focused delivery of the message using visuals to offer support Phil was able to identify key traits in his audience and adapt a message that was well received by the sales team. In the following months, the company had record sales and a motivated group of employees. Learning Outcomes After watching this lesson, you should be able to: Explain what traits are needed for a message to be effective Analyze an audience in order to effectively write and deliver a message Differentiate between attitudes, values and beliefs Summarize the rules for adapting a message MESSAGING Active verbs and active voice in business communication ACTIVE VERBS AND ACTIVE VOICE https://study.com/academy/lesson/using-active-verbs-and-active-voice-in-business-communication.html#/lesson Using active verbs and active voice in business communication can make a message more impactful and interesting. Explore active voice, active verbs, passive voice, and passive verbs in this lesson. Verbs Creating interesting workplace communication depends upon skillful writing and precise word selection. Using active verbs and an active voice in business communication can generate impactful messages that will retain readers' attention. A verb is a word that describes an action, occurrence or state, and it is considered the key word in a sentence. There are two types of verb voices that a writer can select for their message. Let's take a look at the difference between active and passive verbs. Active Verb/Voice Impactful writing in business usually consists of action verbs. These verbs communicate something a person, animal or object can do, such as 'The toddler gobbled her food down' or 'Becky jumped out of bed.' The use of an active voice in your business writing will strengthen the overall delivery. A sentence with the use of an active voice has the subject performing the action. For example, 'Julia will eat pizza and bake a cake today' or 'Rick created a spreadsheet for the business meeting.' The sentence is clear and direct to the reader. Sentences that are constructed in the active voice are usually less wordy and concise. This makes it easier for the reader to comprehend the message. Passive Verb/Voice Some writers present their messages with the use of passive verbs. A passive verb is usually recognized by the use of helping verbs, such as 'are', 'was', 'by' and' been'. In this voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action or is acted upon. An example would be 'The car is being fixed by the mechanic' or 'She has been arrested twice due to poor driving.' So, why should you try and avoid the use of passive verb choice in business writing? Here is one example of passive writing for business: 'The spreadsheet was created by Rick for the meeting.' Sentences that use passive voice are usually wordier and can lead to reader confusion. For example, 'The car was fixed by me.' This is a confusing sentence and is much wordier than the active voice sentence 'I fixed the car.' In some instances of passive verb selection, writers can end up eliminating the subject who is performing the action. This adds to even more confusion as in this example: 'The car was fixed.' The reader will wonder who fixed the car. A passive voice is also a less powerful verb selection and can hurt the overall meaning of your sentence. The sentence above where it was stated that 'The car is being fixed by the mechanic' places the focus on the car, instead of the mechanic who is actually doing the fixing. One suggestion to improve your business writing is to review your work and change any passive verb into action verbs. Make the subject of the passive verb, the object of the action verb. For example: The passive verb (was written): The business report was written by Carlos. An action verb (wrote): Carlos wrote the business report. In the passive voice, the sentence focuses on the business report, instead of Carlos who is performing the action Lesson Summary Your business writing should consist mainly of the use of active verbs and an active voice. Action verbs communicate something a person, animal or object can do. An example would be 'Janice baked an apple pie for the party.' Action verbs are a better choice for writing as they are more concise, direct and easier to understand. The second verb tense that is found in writing is called passive voice/verb. A passive verb is usually recognized by the use of helping verbs, such as 'are', 'was', 'by' and 'been'. In this voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action or is acted upon. Your business writing should avoid the use of passive verbs as they can be wordy, confusing and hurt the overall meaning of the message. An example of a passive voice sentence would be 'The apple pie was baked by Janice for the party.' Learning Outcomes Once you finish watching the video, you should have more of an ability to: Identify a verb Use action verbs Recognize and avoid the use of the passive voice Understand the importance of active verbs in business communication MESSAGING Effective Sentences WRITING EFFECTIVE SENTENCES FOR BUSINESS COMMUNICATION https://study.com/academy/lesson/writing-effective-sentences-for-business-communication.html Worksheets Business communication relies on the ability to write well-developed, effective sentences. Learn about four different types of effective sentence structures, including simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. Effective Sentences In order for business communication to be effective, it is critical that the message has a well-developed sentence structure. Poor writing skills are a detriment to communication and will cause employees to have difficulty in moving up the corporate ladder. As a college professor, I have found that many students have problems writing papers because they have not grasped the basic mechanics of writing a well-built sentence. In addition, I have found that teaching how to write effective sentences can be a challenge in the classroom. Many students find it dry, boring and end up drooling on their desks. One idea I present in class is to look at building a sentence as constructing a puzzle. Perhaps by looking at constructing appropriate sentences as a challenge will cause you to have more interest in developing the writing skill. Let's look at how the puzzle challenge works. The correct puzzle pieces are needed in order to make an effective sentence. Each puzzle piece will be a subject, predicate, main clause/independent clause or dependent clause. We will use the puzzle pieces to explain how to put together each of the following four sentences: simple, compound, complex-sentence and compound-complex sentence. Simple Sentence A simple sentence has one main clause, which contains a simple subject - a person, place, thing - and a predicate - the verb or verb phrase. A simple sentence can be expanded by adding pronouns - such as them, her/him - or nouns. Let's take a look at a simple sentence with the two puzzle pieces of subject and predicate. Julia ran fast down the city street. Compound Sentence A compound sentence is made up of two puzzle pieces or two main clauses (both independent and both equally important). Let's take a look at an example. Julia ran fast down the street, and Nick peddled his bike. Both of the clauses before and after the comma could stand independently as complete sentences. This type of sentence is excellent to use to show two independent thoughts or ideas. Complex-Sentence A third type of sentence structure is a complex-sentence, which contains one main clause and one subordinate clause or dependent clause. A subordinate clause or dependent clause is a collection of words following a main clause that begins with a conjunction or verb and does not form a complete sentence. Here is an example: Julia ran fast down the street and avoided many puddles. The independent clause is 'Julia ran fast down the street,' and the dependent clause is 'avoided many puddles'. 'Julia ran fast down the street' would be the first puzzle piece, and the second puzzle piece is 'and avoided many puddles.' The dependent clause would not be able to exist as a full sentence without the independent clause. 'Avoided many puddles' is not a full sentence because it is lacking a subject. Compound-Complex Sentence The last type of sentence structure is a compound-complex sentence, which contains two main clauses and at least one dependent clause. An example of this type of sentence would be: Julia went to school, but Sammy stayed at home because he had the flu. 'Julia went to school' is the first main clause (independent clause) and the first puzzle piece, and 'Sammy stayed at home' is the second independent clause and the second puzzle piece. Finally, 'because he had the flu' would be a dependent clause and the third puzzle piece and the second puzzle piece is 'and avoided many puddles.' The dependent clause would not be able to exist as a full sentence without the independent clause. 'Avoided many puddles' is not a full sentence because it is lacking a subject. Compound-Complex Sentence The last type of sentence structure is a compound-complex sentence, which contains two main clauses and at least one dependent clause. An example of this type of sentence would be: Julia went to school, but Sammy stayed at home because he had the flu. 'Julia went to school' is the first main clause (independent clause) and the first puzzle piece, and 'Sammy stayed at home' is the second independent clause and the second puzzle piece. Finally, 'because he had the flu' would be a dependent clause and the third puzzle piece. Sentence Strategy In order to make your business writing fluid and professional, it is best to use a mix of all four types of sentence structures. Some students prefer to write with all simple sentences, and their work seems stifled and unconnected. Other students write with all compound-complex sentences, and their papers are too complicated, tedious and can end up with long run-on sentences. Varying the sentence style will allow you to be successful in writing business communications. Lesson Summary Effective business communication hinges on well-developed writing that uses a variety of sentence structures. There are four different types of sentences that can be used to craft a coherent and effective message. 1.Simple sentence : has one main clause, which contains a simple subject - a person, place, thing - and a predicate - the verb or verb phrase 2.Compound sentence: has two main clauses (both independent and both equally important) and are separated by a comma 3.Complex-sentence: contains one main clause and one subordinate clause or dependent clause 4.Compound-complex sentence: contains two main clauses and at least one dependent clause Every sentence should be created to best represent an idea or communicate a message. Thinking of a sentence as puzzle pieces will ensure your sentences are correct, complete and professional for the workplace. Learning Outcomes This video should help you to: Understand the importance of well-developed sentences in business communication Identify simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences and compound- complex sentences Demonstrate how to use all four types of sentence structures to better your written communication Strategic Leadership: Definition, Characteristics & Examples https://study.com/academy/lesson/strategic-leadership-definition-characteristics-e xamples.html Strategic leadership Strategic Leadership The definition of leadership is an act or ability of an individual to motivate, influence, and guide others in an organization to achieve an objective. In the context of leadership in business, a manager, or group of managers, collectively focus on leading their subordinates to achieve a performance objective, such as a sales target, by utilizing motivation, influence, and guidance best practices to help drive the organization to that goal. The manager's general leadership abilities become evident based upon the consistent success of their team in achieving the set forth objectives. Within the broad scope of leadership, there are many sub- categories of leadership styles, one of which is strategic leadership. Strategic leadership is defined as the ability of a manager to project the strategic vision of an organization onto their employees in a way that motivates them to achieve that same strategic vision and underlying objectives for success. Evidence of the successful deployment of strategic management in an organization is the employees believing in the same vision for the organization and beginning to make decisions on their own with that vision and success in mind. The manager's ability to use strategy in the day-to-day management of employees to help drive productivity and employee satisfaction is one of the primary keys to success in any organization. There are many elements of strategic leadership that, when utilized effectively, will strengthen a manager's influence with employees while also achieving the primary objective which is the success of the organization. Strategic leadership Elements of Strategic Leadership There are many elements or characteristics strategic leaders have that effectively project their strategic vision to the employees and reinforce organizational success. The following are several of the primary elements that they possess. Loyalty: Strategic leaders are loyal to their organization, the organization's mission, and their employees. By demonstrating this loyalty in their day-to-day interactions with their employees, they project that same characteristic upon them and earn the employee's loyalty and respect in return. Motivated: Strategic leaders are motivated by their organization's strategic mission. By demonstrating this motivation daily, they, in turn, will motivate their employees to apply the same drive and determination to perform well and succeed. Compassionate: Strategic leaders who show compassion towards their employees will gain their trust and respect. Showing compassion toward others can also help the leader understand the problems or issues within an organization more fully and in turn, evoke more creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Communicative: Effective communication skills help the strategic leader express their message more clearly and effectively and strengthen the trust and loyalty of their employees. Effective communication skills include having good listening skills and a good leader will engage in the listening process to better understand the situation. Skills of a Strategic Leader There are many skills that a strategic leader uses that help strengthen their vision to the employees and reinforce organizational success. The following are several of the primary skills that a successful manager can be expected to utilize. Strategic leadership Ability to Anticipate: Strategic leaders use the skill of foresight, anticipation or, looking to the future, as a measure to try and predict what the organization needs to do to stay ahead and remain ahead, of their competition. Successful strategic leaders will use all resources at their disposal to monitor their industry to stay ahead of not only the competition but also ahead of any industry trends that could affect the organization's success and profitability. An example of strategic leader foresight would be how automotive industry leaders, whose primary industry was founded on fossil fuel engines, have begun to adapt to new electric engine technologies. By properly utilizing foresight in analyzing industry trends, many automotive manufacturing company leaders have embraced and expanded into electric engine manufacturing to ensure their organizations stay competitive, relevant, and profitable. Having Open Communication: Strategic leaders use the skill of open communication to ensure that employees have a sense of empowerment, belonging, and involvement in the strategic vision of the organization. Open communication benefits not only the strategic leader but also the employees as well as the organization as new ideas, actions, and plans can be discovered and discussed that mutually benefit all involved. Strategic leaders encourage and embrace having their ideas challenged and communicating with others on their thoughts and ideas. Proper use of this element will further strengthen the strategic bond between management and employees in that the employees will believe in the same vision for the organization and feel empowered to continue to make decisions on their own with the vision and success of the organization in mind. Critical Decision-Making: Strategic leaders must have well developed critical decision-making skills. The ability to analyze a situation and make a calculated and well thought out decision will ensure that the said decision is the best option given all the alternatives. The leader should take into consideration all the options available and then execute a decision in a timely manner to reach a quick resolution. Desire for Improvement: A strategic leader will demonstrate and exemplify an innate desire for continuous improvement, both in their leadership abilities as well as with the employees. A leader will analyze past failures and successes and use what they have learned from both, learning from their mistakes, and use that to improve the outcomes of future projects. Strategic leadership Strategic in their leadership abilities as well as with the employees. A leader will analyze past failures and successes and use what they have learned from both, learning from their mistakes, and use that to improve the outcomes of future projects. Strategic Leadership Examples Effective Strategic Leadership at Amazon: An example of effective strategic leadership is Jeff Bezos and Amazon, currently the largest online retailer ever to exist. Bezos created Amazon in 1994 as an online store for book sales. Through his strategic leadership skills, like his ability to anticipate where the online retail market was heading to include consumer confidence in the online industry, he was able to plan and expand his online bookselling site to the mega-online retailer it is today with a valuation in the billions. Poor Strategic Leadership at BlackBerry: An example of poor strategic leadership is BlackBerry Corporation. BlackBerry was the leader in the smartphone industry and the opulence of business status at the height of its success. Due to its inability to anticipate the emergence of such competitors like Apple and Motorola and what effect these two major competitors would have on their market share, Blackberry soon failed. Blackberry finally succumbed to its competitors and the iconic device that once held the majority of the market became obsolete. Strategic leadership Strategic Leadership vs. Other Styles There are several other main leadership styles other than strategic leadership. How these styles compare to strategic leadership and why strategic leadership is superior is as follows: Authoritarian Leadership: This type of leadership revolves around one leader or manager making all the decisions with no input from anyone else. This type of leadership tends to rely on threats, intimidation, and punishment as the primary motivational factor. Strategic leadership is superior to this; a strategic leader will lead subordinates to achieve a performance objective by utilizing motivation, influence, and guidance best practices rather than threats and punishments. Democratic Leadership: This type of leadership style is like strategic leadership in that employees are encouraged to participate in the decision-making for the organization. Most of the planning and decision-making is conducted by the group which leads to higher motivation among the employees but takes some of the foresight and final decision-making abilities from the leaders away. Strategic leadership is superior to this type of leadership in that while employee involvement is high in democratic leadership, strategic leadership allows the manager to take into consideration their subordinate's plans and suggestions and uses that information to formulate and execute a concise decision. Laissez-Faire or Free-Rein Leadership: This type of leadership is a more lenient version of democratic leadership in which a leader allows the employees to do all the decision-making and gives little to no direction. This type of leadership allows the employees to establish their own goals for the organization and problem-solve on their own. Strategic leadership is superior to this type of leadership in that productivity tends to be lower under this type of management. Employee morale may be higher or the same level as democratic leadership but without productivity being maximized, it is not as effective. Strategic leadership Pros and Cons of Strategic Leadership Styles As with any leadership style, there are some pros and cons: Pros: Strategic leaders can project their strategic vision onto their employees in a way that motivates them to believe in that same vision. They use this motivation to gain trust and buy-in from the employees which only increases positive results and morale. They use advanced decision-making skills to analyze risk and use that to further enhance and project the long-term vision for the organization to their employees. Cons: One of the most difficult aspects of the strategic leadership model is having astute foresight and being able to anticipate threats, weaknesses, or opportunities that are forthcoming. This ability must be constantly honed as changes in business such as new competitors entering the market are always a threat. If a strategic leader is not able to anticipate and counter these types of threats effectively, employee and stakeholder trust and loyalty may be lost. A lack of good communication between the leader and the employees could also cause a decrease in morale if the employees do not understand the long-term goals for certain decisions being made. Lesson Summary Strategic leadership is the ability of a manager to project the strategic vision of an organization onto their employees in a way that motivates them to achieve that same strategic vision and underlying objectives for success. The elements of strategic leadership such as loyalty, motivation, compassion, and communication are critical to this style. The leader's skill in anticipation and foresight, ability to make critical decisions, communicate and motivate, and continuous strive for improvement are paramount in this style. Strategic leadership Frequently Asked Questions What is an example of strategic leadership? An example of strategic leadership is when a manager utilizes motivation, influence, and guidance to help achieve an organizational goal. An example of this would be how a sales manager gathers their team together and gives a motivational speech prior to a big sale event. The leader uses this to motivate, encourage, and provide guidance to the sales team and influence them to achieve a sales goal. What are the characteristics of a strategic leader? Characteristics of a strategic leader are having foresight to look toward the future for the organization, open communication with their employees, having critical decision making abilities, and constant drive to make improvements, both with oneself, their employees, and the organization. What is the meaning of strategic leadership? Strategic leadership is the process of using strategy to manage employees. The leader will use this strategy to motivate employees, maintain positive morale, and in doing so, achieve the strategic vision of success for the organization.