I want to incorporate many ideas from our class into my business communications course. I hardly knew where to begin! Finally, I opted to create an infographic using Piktochart to use in one of our early discussions on digital communication and professionalism. Each item in the infogram will be explored in more detail, such as behavior in social media, making professional use of LinkedIn, Twitter, and virtual meetings. I struggled with colors, so it is not as attractive as I would hope. Because it is fairly text-intensive, it was easy to create a text alternative (below infographic).
In the business communicationscourse, students learn to write clearly and concisely. Some struggle to veer away from the thick description they’ve incorporated in any previous English composition courses. Writing assignments include positive messages, negative messages, persuasive message, a business proposal, and a collaborative presentation. I think it could be beneficial to have students post their writings online in a blog format something like our ED 654 class so that they can learn more from each other instead of just having me comment on their work.
Here is the text alternative to the infographic:
Business Professionals–Putting Your Best Foot Forward in a Digital World
| DO | DON’T |
| TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU’D LIKE TO BE TREATED
Courtesy and politeness are always appreciated. Be respectful and kind in your written exchanges and smile when you speak through audio means. Be conscious of ethical behavior. |
DON’T LET YOUR SPEECH BE EMBARRASSING OR INFLAMMATORY
Professionals use appropriate grammar. Do not uptalk (make statements sound like questions), or speak in a crude, racist, or adolescent manner. Your speech is very important when creating podcasts or participating in a skype or Google hangout meeting. |
| USE E-MAIL ETIQUETTE
Make use of a subject line, spellcheck, and correct grammar. Make your point quickly and be concise. Make it easy for your reader to find the purpose of your message. |
DON’T BLUNDER WITH UNPROFESSIONAL E-MAIL HABITS
Don’t use a cutesy or inappropriate screen name. Your name should be your own or a positive, businesslike expression. Do not use all caps or overuse punctuation, IM slang, or emojis. |
| BE INTENTIONAL IN YOUR WRITING
Grammar and spelling do count! Mistakes will expose you to ridicule. People from around the world may be posting to the same site as you. To be understood, avoid clichés and slang. |
DO NOT TALK BEFORE YOU THINK
Listening to and reading the discussion on a site will enable you to fit in with that site’s culture so that you can make a valuable contribution instead of create a disruption. |
| BE AWARE OF YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT
What persona do you want the world to know? Everything you do online reflects on you. Text, images, and video chats could be shared by others and cause you embarrassment if they are inappropriate. |
DON’T LOSE YOUR GOOD REPUTATION
Anything you post online could go public. Don’t do, say, or share anything that you wouldn’t be comfortable with your supervisor seeing. Your career and future job opportunities are at stake. Since a person is known by the company they keep, choose your online associates carefully. |
| KEEP ONLINE MEETINGS PROFESSIONAL
Whenever you are using audio communication, prepare in advance to ensure proper setup. Make sure your environment is free of distractions, background noise, and interruptions. |
DON’T ASSUME TECHNOLOGY WILL WORK
Make sure the technology works before using it. Thoroughly check things over in advance, especially if you move to a different locale or device. Don’t wait until the last minute to try to connect to the meeting. |
| CONTROL YOUR CELL PHONE
Turn off notifications during meetings and use them only for meeting-related purposes. Sending and receiving text messages during meetings or allowing them to interrupt in-person conversation is rude and disrespectful. Your outgoing voicemail should state your name, number, and instructions for leaving a message. It should reflect a professional image. |
DON’T LET YOUR CELL PHONE RUIN YOUR PROFESSIONAL IMAGE
Speak softly. Do not make unnecessary personal calls during work hours. Avoid obnoxious ring tones. Don’t make calls from your table in a business meeting or restaurant, or in a library, theater, or church. Do not discuss personal problems in public. Your outgoing voicemail message should not have weird noises or jokes. |
| GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE
Be aware of intellectual property laws and get permission to use or distribute someone else’s content. |
DO NOT OVERSHARE
Private info can be forwarded, so don’t text it. Don’t use your phone camera without permission. Keep personal information to yourself. |
Employers Want Professionalism!
Sources:
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/05/10-excellent-digital-citizenship-tips.html
A good list of advice! The text for “Don’t Blunder” and “Don’t Lose” are the same in the infographic though. I see the two different paragraphs in the text alternative, but it looks like the same block accidentally got copied over in the image. For the last part on “Do Not Overshare,” maybe also mention screenshots? I think that’s the part most people forget- that even when you’ve made something “Friends Only,” and later delete it, that doesn’t mean it’s gone. If someone with a grudge took a screenshot, it can be publicly posted where it will live on forever.
Thanks, Alda! I will fix and re-post. I appreciate your feedback!
Correction made, along with a couple of other overlooked errors. Thanks!
Also on oversharing, I just watched a funny but useful video on It’s done in hip-hop style to appeal to youth, but I bet that would make business folks sit up and listen rather than nodding off during a powerpoint. Might be worth a look as you build a full curriculum unit on these issues. Also, f you are looking for more handouts to add to a packet for students, Jennifer found a great Fair Use checklist.
Ugh, I’m sorry but I’m having trouble with basic html today. There’s a sentence missing in that last comment because of a code error. It should look like this: Also on oversharing, I just watched a funny but useful video on Dan’s learning thing. It’s done in hip-hop style to appeal to youth, but I bet that would make business folks sit up and listen rather than nodding off during a powerpoint. Might be worth a look as you build a full curriculum unit on these issues. Also, if you are looking for more handouts to add to a packet for students, Jennifer found a great Fair Use checklist.