This document outlines best practices in business communication. It discusses that all communication, whether corporate communication, electronic media, business reports, plans or proposals, and positive and negative messages, can impact an organization's success if not handled properly. Some best practices include using clear, concise language; ensuring goals and strategies are realistic; representing the organization well in all communication; and recognizing good work with positive messages.

1. BEST PRACTICES IN BUSINESS
COMMUNICATION
MARISSA HART
ORG536 – CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS WRITING AND COMMUNICATION
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY – GLOBAL CAMPUS
DR. PHILLIP JACKSON
MARCH 1, 2015

2. BEST PRACTICES
• Always assume that your audience may not have a full
understanding of what you intend to communicate
• Make sure to put things in the simplest of terms
• Use effective language
• For effective comprehension of the subject that you intend to
deliver, make sure you understand the subject fully
• Avoid abbreviations, acronyms, references to strategic methods
it is your responsibility to make sure that the recipients of the
message understand and comprehend to the fullest extent the
message that you are delivering

3. • Make sure that corporate communication is a two-way street that not
only can the hard-working frontline let their voices be heard but
management also since direct clear and honest answers to the front
line.
• Set a communication foundation from the top down. If
communicating goals and or strategies, make sure the goals and
strategies are realistic, measurable, and that they can be
accomplished and within what time frames; Communicate the time
frames.
• Always remember to use things in the concept of we and us. never
using the concept of I.
• Show a level of care and appreciation in all statements issued by the
corporation remember that the actions of management are much
louder than words but words can damage the direction of any
project.
• The smallest of mistakes in a communication can make all the
difference in the world to a companies success or failure.

4. BUSINESS
COMMUNICATION
Corporate
Communication
Electronic Media
Communication
Business reports,
plans, and proposals
Positive and
Negative Messages
Corporate communication,
electronic media
communication, business
reports, plans, and proposals
and positive and negative
messages all have an impact
on the success of the
organization and should be
handled appropriately. Best
practice in these types of
business communication are
extremely important.

5. CORPORATE COMMUNICATION
• Communicate goals and strategies
• Be sure to include realistic, measurable, attainable results
• Ensure that there are no typos and/or spelling errors
• Formal and informal communications are both necessary

6. ELECTRONIC MEDIA COMMUNICATION
• Must represent the organization well
• Must be honest and engaging
• Executives are expected to be the spokes
people
• Training for all staff
• Develop social media policies
• Consider the difference between internal and
external communications

7. ELECTRONIC MEDIA CONT.
• Media is the vehicle through which organizations can deliver
their communication:
Where the recipients are
now.
Information through
electronic media
Where the recipients should
be after the information

8. BUSINESS REPORTS, PLANS, AND
PROPOSALS
• Encompass the bulk of professional writing
• Never create or circulate anything that the organization
wouldn’t want on the front page of the newspaper
• Not necessary to be overly formal
• All information should be relevant
• Be clear and concise: use words to form pictures in the readers
mind
• Tone: Inviting and Positive

9. RELEVANT INFORMATION
Who
What
WhereWhen
How
Why
• All communication should
include only relevant
information.
• All communication should be
professional and relevant and
should be written with tact
and a responsibility to the
organization and its goals
and values.

10. POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE MESSAGES
POSITIVE MESSAGES
• Recognize good work
• Managers can model positive
communication
• Positive messages create a
positive culture
NEGATIVE MESSAGES
• Include a positive message
before communicating a
negative
• Negative communication can
essentially destroy and
organization if not handled
properly

11. REFERENCES
• Boerner, C. M. (2014). Building Communication and Leadership
Skills. Journal Of Health Care Compliance, 16(6), 39-40.
• Christensen, M. (2014). Communication as a Strategic Tool in
Change Processes. Journal Of Business Communication, 51(4),
359-385. doi:10.1177/2329488414525442
• Conrad, D. (2014). Workplace Communication Problems:
Inquiries by Employees and Applicable Solutions. Journal Of
Business Studies Quarterly, 5(4), 105-116.
• Eisenberg, E. M., Johnson, Z., & Pieterson, W. (2015).
Leveraging Social Networks for Strategic Success. Journal Of
Business Communication, 52(1), 143-154.
doi:10.1177/2329488414560283

12. REFERENCES
• Karanges, E., Beatson, A., Johnston, K., & Lings, I. (2014).
Optimizing employee engagement with internal
communication: A social exchange perspective. Journal Of
Business Market Management, 7(2), 329-353.
• Thomas, G. F., & Stephens, K. J. (2015). An Introduction to
Strategic Communication. Journal Of Business Communication,
52(1), 3-11. doi:10.1177/2329488414560469
• Vidaver-Cohen, D., & Brønn, P. (2015). Reputation,
Responsibility, and Stakeholder Support in Scandinavian Firms:
A Comparative Analysis. Journal Of Business Ethics, 127(1), 49-
64. doi:10.1007/s10551-013-1673-7