Applied Business Communication Case Analysis - Dr. Laura Poh

Applied Business Communication Case AnalysisDr Laura Pohopienno One K

Applied Business Communication Case Analysis Dr. Laura Pohopienno One K

Applied Business Communication Case Analysis Dr. Laura Pohopienno No one knows exactly how much poor communication costs business, industry and government each year, but estimates suggest billions. In fact, a recent estimate claims that the cost in the U.S. alone are close to $4 billion annually! Poorly-worded or inefficient emails, careless reading or listening to instructions, documents that go unread due to poor design, hastily presenting inaccurate information, sloppy proofreading — all of these examples result in inevitable costs. The problem is that these costs aren’t usually included on the corporate balance sheet at the end of each year, so often the problem remains unsolved.

The waste caused by imprecisely worded regulations or instructions, confusing emails, long-winded memos, ambiguously written contracts, and other examples of poor communication is not as easily identified as the losses caused by a bridge collapse or a flood. But the losses are just as real—in reduced productivity, inefficiency, and lost business. In more personal terms, the losses are measured in wasted time, work, money, and ultimately, professional recognition. In extreme cases, losses can be measures in property damage, injuries, and even deaths. The following case study shows how poor communications can have real world costs and consequences.

Examine the case study below and compose your -word response to the following questions. Refer to the syllabus and rubric folio for upload and assignment information 1. Define the rhetorical situation : Who is communicating to whom about what, how, and why? What was the goal of the communication in each case? 2.

Identify the communication error (poor task or audience analysis? Use of inappropriate language or style? Poor organization or formatting of information? Other?) 3. Explain what costs/losses were incurred by this problem.

4. Identify possible solution s or strategies that would have prevented the problem, and what benefits would be derived from implementing solutions or preventing the problem. Exercises adapted from T.M Georges’ Analytical Writing for Science and Technology. CASE: The unaccepted current regulator proposal The Acme Electric Company worked day and night to develop a new current regulator designed to cut the electric power consumption in aluminum plants by 35%. They knew that, although the competition was fierce, their regulator could be produced more cheaply, was more reliable, and worked more efficiently than the competitors’ products.

The owner, eager to capture the market, personally but somewhat hastily put together a 120-page proposal to the three major aluminum manufacturers, recommending that their regulators be installed at all company plants. She devoted the first 87 pages of the proposal to the mathematical theory and engineering design behind his new regulator, and the next 32 to descriptions of the new assembly line she planned to set up to produce regulators quickly. Buried in an appendix were the test results that compared her regulator’s performance with present models, and a poorly drawn graph showed how much the dollar savings would be. Acme Electric didn’t get the contracts, despite having the best product. Six months later, the company filed for bankruptcy.

Please closely view one scene (four minutes or less) from the film list, and then complete a short analysis (2 pages, double spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman). Film list: Laborer’s Love Goddess 1934 Raise the Red Lantern1991 This exercise asks you to demonstrate proficiency “close reading†a given film sequence. Below are the elements that go into a good film analysis. 1. Viewing and reviewing: It goes without saying that you cannot rely on the impressions of one viewing to write about a film sequence.

One’s memories are generally not sufficient for close analysis. Take the time to view the sequence of your choice multiple times. 2. Using film terminology: Mastering the vocabulary of film leads to more careful viewing, more in-depth analysis, and more effective communication of your thoughts. When writing your essay, take into consideration the elements of editing, cinematography (shots), and mise-en-scene, etc., that have gone into its creation.

3. Bringing things together: Observe first, then interpret what you see. Be attentive to detail, but don’t drown in it. Develop some interpretation underpinning your analysis. What is the “meaning†or “purpose†of the scene, both in itself, and within the larger film of which it is a part?

4. Give your scene analysis a title. Make it both informative and striking!

Paper For Above instruction

The case study provided illustrates the profound impact that poor communication can have in a business context, specifically within the engineering and manufacturing sectors. In this scenario, the Acme Electric Company’s failure to effectively communicate the value and technical details of their new current regulator led to the loss of a significant market opportunity, culminating in bankruptcy. Analyzing the rhetorical situation, identifying errors, and recommending strategies for improvement reveal critical insights into effective communication practices.

Firstly, the rhetorical situation involves the company’s owner (sender) communicating with potential clients, the major aluminum manufacturers (audience). The owner’s goal was to persuade these clients to install Acme’s new regulator across their plants, emphasizing that it was cheaper, more reliable, and more efficient than competitors’ offerings. The communication was meant to convince the clients of the superior value of the product, thereby securing lucrative contracts. However, the owner’s approach was largely ineffective, reflecting a failure to adapt the message to the audience’s needs and understanding.

The primary communication error was an overload of technical information, especially in the main body of the proposal, which consisted of 87 pages detailing mathematical theories and engineering design aspects. While technical depth can be vital in certain contexts, in this case, it overshadowed the core message and made the proposal inaccessible to the decision-makers, who are typically more interested in practical benefits and cost savings. Additionally, the inclusion of complex graphs buried in an appendix further removed critical information from the main argument, reducing clarity and persuasiveness. This approach exemplifies poor organization and audience analysis, as it failed to prioritize the information that the clients needed to make an informed decision.

The costs and losses associated with this communication failure were significant. The most immediate loss was the failure to secure the contracts, which directly affected the company’s revenue and competitive positioning. Six months later, the company’s financial instability led to bankruptcy. Beyond financial repercussions, the failure damaged the company’s reputation, eroding trust in their ability to communicate effectively. It also represents a lost opportunity to establish long-term relationships with key clients and the industrial sector.

Strategies that could have prevented this problem include adopting a more audience-centered approach and simplifying technical language. For instance, the proposal could have included an executive summary highlighting the key benefits—cost savings, reliability, efficiency—in language accessible to non-technical stakeholders. Incorporating visual aids that clearly illustrate savings and benefits would also have been advantageous. Additionally, tailoring the message to focus on the strategic needs and concerns of the clients would have enhanced understanding and persuasion. These strategies would have made the proposal more engaging and comprehensible, leading to increased likelihood of contract awards, improved corporate reputation, and sustained financial stability.

In conclusion, this case underscores the importance of effective communication and audience analysis in business decisions. By carefully organizing information, simplifying complex technical content, and emphasizing benefits over technical details, companies can better align their messages with the needs of their audience, thereby reducing misunderstandings and avoiding costly failures. Effective communication strategies not only improve the chances of success in securing contracts but also foster trust and long-term relationships essential for corporate growth and stability.

References

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• Clark, H. (2019). Effective Business Communication Strategies. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org
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