GSB 529 EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR MANAGERS (4 UNITS)

Course Description

Intensive - Short Session Course

The most important ideas in business are spoken and written. They are also sifters that can make or break a project or a career. Technology, models, cash flows, underwriting, financing, marketing, and other facets of business are all servants to the English Language. This course will build on your current skills in speaking and writing, thinking critically, analyzing audiences, developing messages, writing correspondence, and designing visual aids.

The specific objectives are to help you:

1. Appreciate the importance of effective communication in business and society;
2. Understand how the elements of the communication process are directly related to successful public communication for the firm;
3. Understand how management writing and the management message it conveys are products of a process that begins with critical thinking;
4. Improve your business writing skills, including precise word selection and language use, style, tone, grammar, punctuation, and organization;
5. Make decisions about business document preparation, including format, layout, and design;
6. Improve your speaking skills in small groups and public contexts;
7. Confront and overcome your fears about public speaking; and
8. Deal with reporters and the news media during on-the-record interviews.

Learning Outcomes

You will learn how to:

1. Organize and prepare written documents and reports for business audiences;
2. Develop protocols for business reports with multiple authors;
3. Prepare miscellaneous business documents such as emails, press release, letters of acceptance and rejection, and resignation letters;
4. Learn how to write and present executive summaries;
5. Organize presentations for business audiences;
6. Use voice modulation, physical presence, and gestures to reinforce business presentations; and
7. Use information technology and displays to support business presentations.

Special emphasis will be placed on extemporaneous writing and short, persuasive emails and memos. You will receive instructor feedback and peer review on your writing and speaking, including delivery, non-verbal behavior, content, organization, and visual-aid support.

Course Instructor

Steve Whitaker is a government affairs and risk management consultant. He counsels clients on how to manage the nexus between government and business when dealing with international trade, technology, and federal appropriations issues. Mr. Whitaker serves as Senior Policy Advisor to the law firm of Thelen Reid & Priest in Washington, DC and San Francisco. His clients include the Bose Corporation, US Bank, Vanu, Project Rebirth and FedEx. He is currently leading an anti-counterfeiting investigation and risk-management program for Bose Corporation in China, working with local law enforcement on “block and knocks” at factories and warehouses.

Mr. Whitaker is also scholar and a professional writer. He has taught writing and public speaking, international economics, and public policy at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, the California Polytechnic State University, Pepperdine University, and Emory University.

Mr. Whitaker previously launched the federal appropriations practice for DCI Group in Washington, DC, including hiring new employees, implementing marketing plans, identifying potential clients, preparing presentations, and making pitches on location. He helped increase the number of clients from five to fifty-five and served them using a national field force of grassroots political professionals. At Cassidy & Associates, he founded Global Trade Strategies, the firm’s international trade practice. He has traveled extensively in Asia, Latin America, and Europe, and is fluent in Italian.

Mr. Whitaker served as a professional staff member on the Trade Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee under Chairman Bill Archer (R-TX), where he advised Members of Congress on the operation of U.S. trade laws and multilateral agreements. He was responsible for oversight of the U.S. Trade Representative, US Customs, and the US International Trade Commission. Mr. Whitaker has also worked as an international commodities trader and interpreter for Cargill in Minneapolis and in Bologna, Italy.

Mr. Whitaker earned a Ph.D. in Political Theory from Emory University, an M.S.L. from Yale Law School, an M.A. from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and a B.S. from Bates College. He earned a Fulbright Fellowship for research leading to his book, Anarchist-Individualism and the Origins of Italian Fascism. He has also published creative fiction in the Chrysalis Reader.

Course Schedule

Offered only during special summer session, this innovative course is required for students pursuing the MBA - Accelerated Option and strongly encouraged for students following Track Two and in a Dual Degree program.

Note that this course is offered so that students may also take the Commercial Development of Innovative Technologies (4 units) course thereby completing 8 units of electives before the regular Fall quarter commences.

Start and End Dates : Monday, August 25, 2008 to Friday, September 10, 2008

Time: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Location: Orfalea College of Business - Building 3, Room 300A

Pre-Attendance Preparation:
To make the most of the initial class sessions, several readings will be assigned prior to the first day of class. Students who have enrolled in this course will be expected to access the Blackboard system, via the MyCalPoly portal, to acquire the course syllabus and a listing of pre-course required readings and assignments.

Course Cost and Registration

The cost of tuition for this course is $1,555.

Courses offered outside the regular academic quarters must be offered through Cal Poly Continuing Education and are subject to a different fee schedule and registration method. The cost for courses offered through Cal Poly Continuing Education is the same for both in-state and out-of-state residents. Note that because this course will take place as a special short summer session course offered through Cal Poly Continuing Education, financial aid may not be available. Students are advised to check with the Cal Poly Financial Aid office and plan accordingly.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy:

Any changes in status must be made in writing and received by the Orfalea College of Business Graduate Programs office during business hours. Business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.