COMMUNICATION FOR EXECUTIVES COM 3102 Spring 2016 INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION Darnide Cayo, Adjunct Lecturer Department of Communication Studies- 8th Floor VC building Phone: 646-312-3875 Email: Darnide.Cayo@baruch.cuny.edu Office hours: By appointment Course Objective This course seeks to enhance the student's awareness and appreciation of communication processes in business and professional settings, as well as the dynamics of communication between individuals within an organizational context. An emphasis is placed on understanding interpersonal relations, professional presentation and reputation management. Emphasis is placed on understanding and improving personal analytical and communication skills in an organizational setting. We will examine listening skills, standard speaking and writing formats, small-group dynamics, and techniques related to the strategic design and delivery of organizational messages to internal and external audiences. Students will understand the role an executive plays during a crisis and the vital role that effective communication plays in an organizational structure. Learning outcomes Obtain a better understanding of how to effectively communicate with senior level executives Learn the best way to communicate as a senior level executive to internal and external stakeholders Understand the role of protecting the \"brand\" and its reputation as a communication strategy Ability to think more strategically when analyzing issues Required Reading Bryant, A. (2011). The corner office: Indispensable and unexpected lessons from CEOs on how to lead and succeed. New York: Times Books Kotter, J. (2012). Leading change. Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business School Press Cayo 2 Suggested Reading Alsop, R. (2004). The 18 immutable laws of corporate reputation: Creating, protecting, and repairing your most valuable asset. New York, NY: Free press. Covey, S. (2013). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change. New York: Simon & Schuster. Pearce, T., & Komisar, R. (2013). Leading out loud a guide for engaging others in creating the future, third edition, newly revised (3rd ed.). San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass. Discussion Topics Understanding the corporate environment Communicating to an executive Communicating as an executive Effective Oral Presentations Working effectively with others Reputation Management Effective research techniques Media Analysis Baruch Policies: Class attendance is mandatory. Baruch policy states that \"all students are required to attend every session of their courses. Students are expected to complete every assignment, oral and written, by the due date. Students with disabilities should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to request special accommodations. Plagiarism, or other types of academic misconduct, will not be tolerated. All policies and procedures followed by Baruch College and the City University of New York will be followed. Important information for students about the consequences of cheating and plagiarism Academic dishonesty is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Cheating, forgery, plagiarism and collusion in dishonest acts undermine the college's educational mission and the students' personal and intellectual growth. Baruch students are expected to bear individual responsibility for their work, to learn the rules and definitions that underlie the practice of academic integrity, and to uphold its ideals. Ignorance of the rules is not an acceptable excuse for disobeying them. Any student who attempts to compromise or devalue the academic process will be sanctioned. http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/academic/academic_honesty.html Attendance: Attendance will be taken at every class. Students are only allowed to have a total of three absences during the duration of the semester. The forth absence will count as an automatic withdrawal WU (equivalent to an F) for the course. Excessive lateness will seriously affect your class participation grade. If you anticipate being late or absent, please notify me in advance. Over the course of the semester, students will engage in a number of in-class Cayo 3 activities/ assignment. You are expected to add your perspective to class discussions. Attending class alone will not earn you participation points. Grades: Grades will be based on the successful completion of each assignment. 40% Presentation 30% Written Assignments 20% Active Participation 10% Group Work Written Assignments: Students are expected to complete every assignment on time in Times New Roman, 12pt font Semester Long Project: You will be asked to select an organization of your choice that has been in the news over the past few months and commit to this organization for the duration of the semester. Hint: It is preferable that you select an organization that has encountered some reputation issues and/or bad press coverage as that executive can surely use your help. You are expected to stay on top of your organization's news coverage (web, print, television, investor relations report, etc...). Identify the issue this executive/ industry is facing. Be mindful that your executive may not be under direct attack but your industry may be facing some bad press; as a result, you want to be proactive in salvaging your company's reputation by creating good buzz in the media about your company. Presentation Day Power Point- print out in handout format 3 per page 4 x 6 note cards are required for your presentation. Cards must be turned in after each presentation. No outlines or manuscripts are allowed up with the speaker. It is mandatory that a work cited page (MLA or APA) is submitted with your projects. Assignments: Kindly note that assignments, as well as dates, are subject to change. Additional projects will also be added during the semester. You are expected to stay on top of your reading assignments as assigned during class. Cayo 4 Assignment 1- Getting to know yourself the way others see you! During an interview with Adam Bryant of The Corner Office, Cristobal Conde of SunGard stated the importance of being able to build \"a giant mosaic about what your organization really looks like, and people respected that\" (page 140). Your Task- Ask at least 3 key stakeholders in your life (significant other, parents, employer, sibling and/or friends) about yourself... Questions can include: How do I handle conflict? Do you feel I take advice/ suggestions well? Are there any areas you think I should work on? If you can pick an industry/ company for me to work in, where would you place me and why? Are you surprised by the feedback? Submit your response typed in an organized structure. Be prepared to discuss your findings with the rest of the class. Now find the best corporate environment you think works for you? Assignment 2 - 4-5 minute presentation (Power Point) -Present an introduction and SWOT analysis of chosen organization. -Submit your 1 page proposal- write down the name of the industry, company, and executive you plan on following and analyzing during the course of the semester. Write down why you chose your company, what issue you wish to analyze, and what databases you will use to conduct your research. Assignment 3 - You are scheduled to meet with your CEO for your bimonthly status. Create a list of talking points you plan on addressing with him/her regarding the research work you are working on concerning your project. How are you planning on conducting your research? What resources will you use? Think about the current concerns your company/ industry is facing and address them. Please be sure to include the name of your company at the top of your paper. Assignment 4 - Your CEO has asked you to help him/her brainstorm on adopting a new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in the hopes of creating more media attention and staying in alignment with the company's core values. You will have 5-7 minutes with your executive. What are the questions you will ask? Assignment 5 - Find a nonprofit organization you feel will be the best cause to support. State the reasons why in memo format addressed to your executive. Assignment 6 - Group Work TBD Assignment 7 - Departmental meeting/ Status. Be prepared to discuss the status of your project. Details to follow. Cayo 5 Final Presentation- Executive Overview 8-10 minutes (5-7 page paper Note: must submit no less than 5 FULL PAGES...Not 4 full pages and 3 running sentences onto page 5) You will provide an overview about your company, executive, issues, financial data (if applicable) to the class. During your recommendation adopt 2 examples from the suggested/ required reading you feel will be instrumental in assisting your executive. You must include at least one concept from Kotter's Leading Change which should be reinforced by an example from Bryant's The Corner Office. You are also expected to incorporate at least one journal article of your choice from the library database as an additional resource, whether it be on analyzing a crisis, organizational communication, public discourse etc... Be sure to give a clear debriefing about why your executive should adopt these concepts/ research findings and how it will be beneficial to your organization. You are to also mention your research findings, new CSR initiative and anything you feel will be useful to your executive and organization. Knowing Yourself & Your Company Knowing Yourself... What is your non-negotiable? Where may you change your mind? Discover and record some values and experiences along the way How are people communicating? Any unspoken rules? Jargons/ Abbreviations being used? Defining moments -Recognizing and reflecting on your point of view \"Brick Walls\" help define who you are When did you have that light bulb moment? Every idea you hold dearly has a background related to your own personal experience. Soup Kitchen Domestic Violence Homelessness Reforestation/ Eco Friendly Wildlife Conservation Ocean Conservation Cancer Research Communicating Change Anticipate both emotional and logical resistance and during the initial verbalization of the needed change You will be foreshadowing the issues As an advisor/ consultant- Ability to see what is coming around the corner How do you incorporate effective change management? Must develop trust with your constituents Must develop competence through demonstrating your commitment to action and involving others Ask questions about others and in that process of introspection have expanded your awareness of leadership as being a way to build relationships Awareness Awareness- understand what's really going on. What is the BIG PICTURE What is going on behind the scenes that you're not aware of and should be Executive wants to know that you are thinking like them and for them Have answers prepared for the questions they will have and the questions they should have Discovering what matters Personality- What are the character traits, habits, and internal response patterns that attract others' to engage? Those who get it right, stand out! What are you thinking about... What is the one thing that keeps you up at night? What do you want? What are you here to do? Questions to ask in committing to action Organizational and Personal Steps Toward Change What steps does the organization need to take to effect the change? What specific action am I taking personally regardless of what others may do that is significant enough to insure them? Involving others- Asking for Commitment What specific actions am I going to ask of others to give them a way to engage immediately? How can I involve others? What can I ask that will give others the chance and the desire to participate? Questions to ask in creating shared context Common Priority Understanding of History Current Reality Reinforcement of Broader View Trust Common Understanding of History What is the history of this issue? What stages have we gone through and what conditions brought them about? What is the story that captures the history? Priority What has changed to make this issue timely and critical? In light of history why do we need this change now? Why should this be a priority in light of other important issues and priorities? Is the change I am advocating the best alternative? Current Reality Where do we currently stand? What do our stocks look like? What's What's going on in social media? going on the news? Current Reality: Headlines Broader View: Key Questions ANALYZING THE PROBLEM What is the broadest possible implication of the current situation? What greater system has been harmed because of the current reality? EVALUATING SOLUTIONS What broader opportunities or barriers stand before us in executing this change? What greater purpose will be served by this change? Reinforcement of Trust What role did the executive play in this history? Is there distrust internally (with the employees) externally (in the eyes of the public) SWOT ANALYSIS SWOT SWOT Strengths Think about the history of the company If your company were a person, who would it be and why? How would you describe it? What are its personality traits? Was it a small start-up? Private/ Family own? Publicly traded company which was taken over by larger firm? Weakness Do a media sweep? Does your company only cater to a particular segment/ demographic? What's been going on in the media over the past few months/ years? Evolving Current Ongoing Are the sources reliable? Do they have a following? Lawsuits Opportunities Now think about its future... where is it going? Where do you see your company going over the next fiscal quarter, years... How will it get there? How will your initiative help it get to where it need to be? Threats Know Your Threats! Actively causing harm to your company Who are activists and why are they important to identify? Activists are individuals who campaign for some kind of social change. Someone who acts on what they believe is an activist Are there any pressing issues you should make aware to your executive? Start petitions, go to congress for legalized action Call for Action Shut you down! Activists Landscape Great now you have an idea of where you want to take your life changing vision. Now let's look to see what the activist landscape looks like Not just your competitors but who are the activists petitioning against you? Personal Care Products Industry Campaign for Safe Cosmetics PETA Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Green Peace Change.org