1. Communication Quick Guide for the
Emerging Professional
DOMINIQUE JONES – TALENT STRATEGIST
© Dominique Jones – Talent Strategist @DomTalksTalent

2. Agenda
o Communicating in the 21st Century
o What Skills are Needed
o Emerging Professional Launch Kit
Professionalism
Writing Tips for the Professional
Positive & Negative Messages
Electronic Messages & Digital Media
© Dominique Jones – Talent Strategist @DomTalksTalent

3. Today’s workplace is…..
• Connected 24/7/365
• Increasingly Diverse
• Mobile, Decentralized, & Virtual
• Collaborative & Organizationally Flat
© Dominique Jones – Talent Strategist @DomTalksTalent

4. In order to thrive in this type of environment, companies
look for the following skills in its employees…
Communication
Organizational Skills Leadership Potential
Decision Making
Teamwork & Collaboration
Honesty & Integrity
Flexibility
Writing
Problem Solving
© Dominique Jones – Talent Strategist
Professionalism
@DomTalksTalent

5. The #1 desired soft skill is Communication
Employer surveys list communication skills as critical to…
• Job Placement
• Performance
• Career Advancement
• Organizational Success
© Dominique Jones – Talent Strategist @DomTalksTalent

6. Professionalism + Communication
They go hand in hand
PROFESSIONALISM
Defined as skill, good judgement, and
polite behavior expected from a
person trained to do a job well
“Nothing says unprofessional like an inability
to effectively communication”
© Dominique Jones – Talent Strategist
See what I mean?
@DomTalksTalent

7. Grow in Professionalism
Best Practices
1. Build your expertise to increase your overall competency
2. Develop your emotional intelligence to improve appropriation in interpersonal behaviors
3. Honor your commitments to show accountability and integrity
4. Be polite to everyone from the CEO to the mail clerk
5. Always be prepared by planning and paying attention to detail
© Dominique Jones – Talent Strategist @DomTalksTalent

8. © Dominique Jones – Talent Strategist
Your writing should be:
• Purposeful – What are you trying to achieve with your message?
• Economical – How can you communicate the message clearly & concisely?
• Audience Oriented – Who are you writing to and how will they receive the message?
“Employer surveys show that
writing is the cornerstone of
business activity.”
@DomTalksTalent

9. 3 x 3 Writing Process
Most good writers right in steps
and avoid “jumping right into it”
For starters, experts recommend
spending:
• 25% of time prewriting
• 25% of time drafting
• 50% of time revising
As you develop, alter the process
as appropriate
© Dominique Jones – Talent Strategist @DomTalksTalent

10. © Dominique Jones – Talent Strategist
Managing Positive & Negative Messages
DEFINITIONS
POSITIVE MESSAGES
• Routine Requests
• Instructions
• Replies
• Goodwill Messages
NEGATIVE MESSAGES
• Bad News
• Refusals
• Denials of Requests
DIRECT APPROACH
Opening = main point/bad news
Body = reasons/evidence
Closing = Pleasant close
INDIRECT APPROACH
Opening = buffer/reasons
Body = main point/bad news
Closing = Pleasant close
The key is deciding which approach will be most effective
APPROACHES
@DomTalksTalent

11. Electronic Messages & Digital Media
Best Practices & Tips
• Know when email is not the most effective
• Master the subject line
• Check emails periodically
• Maintain conversational & professional tone
Email
• Adhere to company policies
• Avoid sending anything that could damage you/your company’s reputation
• Use at appropriate times (avoid use while engaged in another conversation
• Remain professional at all times
Text Messaging/IM
© Dominique Jones – Talent Strategist @DomTalksTalent