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Are You a Good Communicator?
In today’s fast-paced world, communication is more important than ever. As technology continues
to change the world, the methods of interacting with others must be adapted to meet new challenges.
Fundamentals of Business Communication will help you meet those challenges.
Studying this text will guide you in developing foundational knowledge and skills related to
the Common Core State Standards of writing, reading, listening, and speaking. These four areas of
study are the blocks that will help build your communication talents.
As you read the material in this book, you will learn about interacting in a global society, as well
as how to effectively use technology in the communication process. A review of grammar basics will
help sharpen the skills you need when creating written documents and verbal messages. Features on
business ethics and protocol will provide insight on how the communication process comes together
in today’s workplace.
Each chapter is designed with you in mind, presenting topics in a manner that is easy to read
and understand. Numerous illustrations and photos elaborate the concepts for clear understanding.
Opportunities to evaluate what you have learned, as well as apply the concepts, help assure you
grasp the topics that have been presented.
Fundamentals of Business Communication provides opportunity for you to maximize and refi ne
your talents. As you explore and discover communication in this text, you will learn skills that will
follow you wherever your interests may lead in life.
About the Author
Dr. Sherry J. Roberts has been teaching for over 25 years, 14 of which were as a business education
teacher at the secondary level. Dr. Roberts currently teaches business communication in the Jennings
A. Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University. With a research focus of online
communication, Dr. Roberts has published in several professional journals. She has presented on the
subjects of instructional technology, personal fi nance, communication, and business education at the
international, national, regional, and state levels. In 2004, Dr. Roberts received the Teacher Educator
of the Year award from the Arkansas Business Education Association, and in 2009 she received the
Collegiate Teacher of the Year award from the Southern Business Education Association. She served
as the president of the Southern Business Education Association in 2010. Dr. Roberts was named the
2010–2011 Bridgestone/Firestone Distinguished Assistant Professor for the Jennings A. Jones College
of Business at Middle Tennessee State University.
Introduction