The field of business communication is constantly evolving, and instructors must keep pace to ensure their teaching remains effective and relevant. While traditional methods may have served well in the past, they often fall short in engaging today's ...
‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
Business Communication Instructors

Instructors must adopt innovative, interactive methods to engage and prepare students effectively.

The field of business communication is constantly evolving, and instructors must keep pace to ensure their teaching remains effective and relevant. While traditional methods may have served well in the past, they often fall short in engaging today's learners and preparing them for the complexities of modern business communication. To stay ahead of the curve, instructors need to unlearn outdated practices and embrace fresh, interactive approaches that foster both engagement and practical skills.

 

Moving Beyond Traditional Lectures

 

One of the biggest shifts instructors can make is to move away from the traditional lecture format. While lectures can provide valuable information, they often fail to actively engage students. Instead, instructors can adopt a range of active learning techniques that encourage participation and critical thinking.

 

Group Discussions: Facilitate dynamic conversations by posing thought-provoking questions and encouraging students to share their perspectives and ideas. This fosters collaboration and helps students develop their communication and critical thinking skills.

 

Case Studies: Present real-world scenarios that require students to analyze situations, identify challenges, and propose solutions. This provides a practical application of theoretical concepts and helps students understand the complexities of business communication in a real-world context.

 

Problem-Solving Activities: Introduce group exercises that require students to work together to find creative solutions to business communication problems. These activities encourage teamwork, innovation, and the application of communication principles in a collaborative environment.

 

Embracing the Dynamic Landscape of Business Communication

 

The modern business world is dynamic and constantly evolving. To stay relevant, instructors must ensure their course content reflects the latest trends and practices. This requires moving beyond static, repeated material and embracing new approaches.

 

Incorporating Up-to-Date Case Studies: Regularly update course material with contemporary case studies that demonstrate how businesses are using communication strategies effectively. These can be drawn from news articles, industry reports, or even student-generated case studies based on their personal experiences.

 

Highlighting Current Events: Integrate current events into the curriculum, discussing how communication strategies are used in the news, social media, and the broader business environment. This helps students connect theoretical concepts to real-world applications and develop their ability to analyze communication in different contexts.

 

Leveraging Industry Trends: Explore emerging trends in business communication, such as digital marketing, social media, and virtual communication. This provides students with a contemporary perspective on the field and prepares them for the communication challenges they will face in their professional careers.

 

Beyond Theory: Bridging the Gap to Practical Application

 

Business communication should go beyond theory and equip students with the skills they need to excel in the real world. Instructors can bridge this gap by integrating practical applications into their courses.

 

Real-World Case Studies and Simulations: Utilize case studies and simulations that replicate real-world business scenarios. These can be found in textbooks like Excellence in Business Communication, which offers a range of interactive simulations that challenge students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings.

 

Integrating Digital Communication Platforms: Incorporate platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom into the curriculum. This provides students with hands-on experience using the tools that are commonplace in today’s business environment, equipping them to effectively navigate digital communication channels.

 

Cultivating Teamwork and Collaborative Learning

 

Business communication is rarely a solo endeavor. Modern workplaces emphasize teamwork and collaboration, requiring individuals to communicate effectively within teams to achieve shared goals. Instructors can foster these skills in the classroom through a variety of approaches.

 

Effective teamwork and collaboration are essential for modern business communication.

Collaborative Projects: Encourage teamwork by assigning projects that require students to work together to achieve a common goal. This allows students to develop their interpersonal communication skills, negotiation abilities, and conflict resolution skills, all crucial for effective team collaboration.

 

Peer Feedback and Coaching: Encourage students to provide constructive feedback to each other on their written work, presentations, and other communication tasks. This helps them develop their analytical and communication skills while receiving valuable input from their peers.

 

Updating Assessment and Feedback Methods

 

Effective assessment and feedback are essential for student growth and development. Instructors can enhance their evaluation practices by moving beyond outdated rubrics and feedback methods.

 

Detailed and Up-to-Date Rubrics: Provide clear and detailed rubrics that outline the specific criteria for each assignment. This ensures students understand the expectations and can work towards meeting them effectively.

 

Personalized and Timely Feedback: Offer individualized feedback that is timely, constructive, and tailored to each student’s strengths and weaknesses. This helps students identify areas for improvement and develop their communication skills more effectively.

 

Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Learning

 

Technology plays a crucial role in today’s business communication landscape. Instructors can effectively leverage technology in the classroom to enhance engagement and learning outcomes.

 

Pearson's MyLab for Business Communication: Utilize online resources like MyLab to supplement textbook content and provide interactive learning experiences. This platform offers dynamic study modules, chapter warm-ups, case studies, and writing assignments that engage students and offer real-time data on student performance.

 

Unlocking Learning Breakthroughs: How MyLab Transforms Business Communication Instruction

 

Business communication students are experiencing a new era of learning with the powerful combination of an eText and the interactive MyLab platform. Instructors are discovering a robust approach that accelerates learning, engages students, and provides valuable insights into student progress. This innovative system offers a seamless way to tailor courses, identify struggling learners, and foster lasting comprehension, all while enhancing the learning experience for students.

 

MyLab: A Powerful Tool for Instructors and Students Alike

 

MyLab empowers instructors to easily tailor their courses to fit their specific needs. With access to real-time data on student performance, instructors can quickly identify struggling learners and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly. This personalized approach ensures that every student receives the support they need to succeed.

 

Beyond the Textbook: Interactive Learning at its Best

 

MyLab goes beyond traditional textbooks, offering a rich array of interactive features that engage students and accelerate learning. These features include:

 

Simulations: MyLab's simulations place students in realistic business scenarios, prompting them to make critical decisions and navigate complex communication challenges. These immersive experiences translate theoretical concepts into practical application, fostering deeper understanding and confidence.

 

Dynamic Study Modules: This adaptive study tool identifies individual student needs and tailors learning experiences accordingly. By focusing on areas where students struggle, the Dynamic Study Modules ensure that every student receives personalized support, maximizing learning efficiency.

 

Chapter Warm-ups: These practice assessments encourage students to engage with key concepts before class, ensuring that they arrive prepared to participate in discussions and activities. Chapter Warm-ups also help students retain information more effectively, strengthening their comprehension.

 

Chapter Quizzes: These quizzes offer a quick and effective way to assess student understanding of key course concepts and textbook material. Immediate feedback allows students to identify areas where they need additional study and to track their progress.

 

Case Study Library: MyLab's expansive Case Study Library provides instructors with a flexible and growing collection of supplemental assignments, aligning with diverse courses across the business school. This rich resource ensures that students engage with a wide range of real-world examples, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

 

Personal Inventory Assessments: These self-assessment assignments encourage students to reflect on their own communication styles and experiences, connecting theoretical concepts to their personal lives. This personalized approach enhances student engagement and promotes a deeper understanding of the course material.

 

Writing Assignments: MyLab offers a comprehensive suite of writing assignments that allow instructors to assess students' critical thinking, communication skills, and ability to effectively convey complex information.

 

The Benefits of MyLab: A Win-Win for Everyone

 

MyLab empowers instructors to create engaging, effective, and personalized learning experiences, while providing students with the tools and support they need to excel. Here are just a few key benefits:

 

Enhanced Student Engagement: MyLab's interactive features and real-world scenarios captivate students, making learning more dynamic and engaging.

 

Improved Learning Outcomes: By providing personalized feedback and targeted learning experiences, MyLab helps students master key concepts and improve their overall understanding.

 

Increased Instructor Efficiency: MyLab streamlines the teaching process, providing instructors with valuable data, resources, and tools to enhance their teaching effectiveness.

 

Ready to Unlock Learning Breakthroughs in Your Business Communication Course? MyLab offers a powerful and effective approach to teaching business communication. By embracing the interactive features and personalized learning experiences offered by this innovative platform, instructors can empower students to succeed and unlock their full potential.

 

Revolutionizing Business Communication Education: How Business Communication Today Empowers Modern Learning
 

The field of business communication is evolving rapidly, and Business Communication Today, 16th Edition equips instructors with the tools and strategies needed to keep students engaged and prepared for the modern workplace. The textbook aligns with innovative teaching approaches that emphasize interaction, digital integration, and real-world application.
 

The book supports a shift away from passive lectures by encouraging active learning techniques such as group discussions, case studies, and problem-solving exercises. It highlights the importance of collaborative communication, urging students to engage in peer feedback and teamwork-based projects. This mirrors the idea that students learn best through hands-on experiences that simulate real business environments.
 

Understanding the dynamic nature of business communication, Business Communication Today integrates the latest industry trends and digital tools. It explores the role of digital platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams, showing students how these tools enhance collaboration and productivity. This approach aligns with the recommendation to incorporate digital communication platforms into coursework, giving students practical experience with technologies they will use in their careers.
 

The book also bridges the gap between theory and practice with real-world case studies, simulations, and AI-assisted writing tools. These elements expose students to professional communication tasks, helping them develop the skills needed to navigate today’s fast-changing business landscape.
 

Collaboration is another key theme, reinforcing the idea that business success depends on teamwork. The book provides guidance on collaborative writing, effective digital communication, and optimizing feedback mechanisms to enhance learning outcomes.
 

By integrating these modern teaching strategies, Business Communication Today offers a powerful resource for instructors who want to create an engaging, relevant, and effective learning experience for their students.

The post How Business Communication Instructors Can Benefit from Unlearning Outdated Practices and Adopting New Ones first appeared on Teaching Business Communication.

      
 
college instructor pondering invisible influences in her office

Navigating the unseen: Just like this thoughtful educator pondering invisible influences, business communication instructors must recognize and adapt to the hidden forces shaping today's learning environment. Whether it's shifting workplace norms, evolving student expectations, or technological disruptions, understanding these invisible elements is key to crafting dynamic, responsive, and effective teaching strategies

The Invisible Influences in Teaching Business Communication: Uncovering Hidden Forces

 

In the realm of higher education, teaching business communication at the college level involves navigating a complex landscape of unseen forces and indirect influences. These hidden factors shape student learning, engagement, and overall success in ways that may not be immediately apparent in the day-to-day classroom environment. However, their impact on how effectively students develop essential communication skills is significant. 

 

By recognizing and addressing these invisible influences, educators can make more informed teaching decisions, improve student outcomes, and create a more dynamic, responsive classroom environment that better prepares students for the realities of modern business communication.

 

1. Recognizing Hidden Influences in Teaching Business Communication:

 

The landscape of business communication is constantly evolving, driven by a multitude of factors that may not always be directly addressed in traditional teaching materials. Recognizing these hidden influences is crucial for educators to stay ahead of the curve and provide relevant, effective instruction. One of the most significant unseen forces is the rapidly changing workplace communication norms. The rise of remote work, collaborative digital tools, and shifting workplace hierarchies have transformed how businesses communicate. For instance, the growing reliance on virtual meetings and team-based communication platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams has fundamentally altered how teams collaborate across distances. This shift necessitates a reevaluation of what skills students need to succeed in future business communication environments.

 

Cultural and social shifts among students also play a crucial role in shaping communication styles and preferences. Today's students, particularly those from Generation Z, are influenced by broader social dynamics that emphasize values such as authenticity, transparency, and inclusivity. This trend extends to communication styles, with many younger professionals preferring more direct, less hierarchical forms of interaction. Acknowledging these cultural shifts can help instructors design assignments and class activities that resonate with students and prepare them for modern workplace communication expectations.

 

Technological disruptions in both education and business communication are another invisible force shaping how students learn and communicate. AI-powered writing assistants, chatbots, and automated email tools are becoming commonplace in professional settings, yet they may not always be integrated into traditional business communication curricula. Understanding how these tools influence communication in the workplace is crucial for educators to help students navigate the balance between relying on technology and honing their own communication skills.

 

Institutional and regulatory factors, such as changes in educational policy or shifts in institutional priorities, can indirectly influence how business communication courses are taught. For instance, the growing emphasis on outcomes-based education has led many institutions to revamp their curriculum design processes. These unseen forces may lead to shifts in course structure, learning objectives, and how student success is measured, requiring educators to align their teaching strategies with broader educational goals.

 

2. The Power of Recognizing Unseen Forces:

 

Understanding and leveraging these hidden influences can significantly enhance the effectiveness of business communication instruction. By anticipating changes in workplace communication norms, educators can better prepare students for the future of work. This might involve emphasizing skills like clear written communication for emails, concise virtual presentation techniques, or effective management of remote teams.

 

Tailoring teaching methods to align with cultural dynamics can lead to more effective engagement and learning outcomes. For example, incorporating discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in business communication or creating opportunities for collaborative learning can resonate with students' values and increase their engagement with the material. A study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 79% of Gen Z job seekers consider an employer's commitment to diversity and inclusion when deciding where to work, underscoring the importance of addressing these themes in business communication courses.

 

Leveraging technology to enhance learning can also yield significant benefits. Integrating communication technologies like video conferencing or collaborative document editing into classroom assignments can simulate real-world business scenarios. Additionally, teaching students how to critically evaluate the use of AI tools for communication, such as knowing when to rely on a grammar checker versus their own judgment, can set them up for success in an increasingly tech-driven workplace.

 

Aligning with institutional priorities ensures that business communication courses remain relevant and valuable within the larger educational framework. For instance, if an institution emphasizes skills-based learning, educators can design assignments that focus on real-world applications, such as mock presentations or client communications. This alignment not only enhances student learning but also demonstrates the course's value to administrators and stakeholders.

 

3. How to Identify and Leverage Unseen Forces in Teaching Business Communication:

 

To effectively identify and leverage these hidden influences, educators can employ several strategies. Staying attuned to industry trends is crucial. This can involve attending industry conferences, reading business journals, and engaging with professional networks to gain insights into evolving communication practices. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report, for instance, consistently highlights the growing importance of digital and emotional intelligence skills in the workplace, providing valuable guidance for curriculum development.

 

Engaging in cross-disciplinary learning can also yield valuable insights. Understanding how fields like technology, psychology, or sociology influence communication dynamics can help educators design more comprehensive and insightful lessons. For example, insights from behavioral economics on decision-making processes can inform lessons on persuasive communication techniques.

 

Monitoring student preferences and behaviors provides a direct window into the evolving communication landscape. Surveys, class discussions, and informal feedback can reveal valuable information about how students perceive communication in a business context and what skills they believe are most important for their future careers. A study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that verbal communication skills are consistently ranked as the most important attribute by employers, highlighting the need to focus on these skills in business communication courses.

 

Consulting with industry experts can provide invaluable insights into the hidden forces shaping business communication. Guest lectures, partnerships with businesses, or informal conversations with industry professionals can reveal emerging trends and expectations that may not yet be widely recognized. For instance, a 2023 LinkedIn Global Talent Trends report highlighted the growing importance of adaptability and resilience in the workplace, skills that are closely tied to effective communication.

 

4. Putting It Into Practice:

 

Translating these insights into effective teaching practices is the final step in leveraging unseen forces in business communication education. Adapting assignments to reflect real-world changes is crucial. For example, creating projects that require students to craft emails or presentations using the latest collaboration tools or address real-world business challenges, such as managing virtual teams, can prepare students for the demands of the modern workplace.

 

student giving a presentation in class

In a business communication course, students hone their skills by delivering presentations that incorporate real-world business challenges and the latest collaboration tools, equipping them for the demands of today’s dynamic workplace.

Creating opportunities for reflective learning can deepen students' understanding of how hidden forces influence their own communication practices. Assignments that ask students to compare traditional business communication formats with modern equivalents, or to analyze the effectiveness of different communication strategies in various cultural contexts, can foster critical thinking about the factors shaping communication in today's business environment.
Incorporating regular feedback loops between students, educators, and industry professionals can ensure that course content remains relevant and responsive to changing needs. This might involve regular course evaluations, industry advisory boards, or alumni surveys to gather insights on emerging trends and skills gaps.

 

Embracing the Invisible: Shaping the Future of Business Communication Education

 

The landscape of business communication is shaped by a myriad of unseen forces and indirect influences, from changing workplace norms to evolving student preferences and technological advancements. By recognizing and responding to these hidden factors, educators can create more dynamic, relevant, and effective business communication courses that truly prepare students for long-term success in the modern business world.

 

The ability to uncover and leverage these invisible influences enables educators to make more informed decisions, foster greater student engagement, and ultimately enhance the learning experience. Whether it's staying attuned to technological advancements, understanding cultural dynamics, or aligning with institutional goals, the key lies in remaining flexible, curious, and responsive to the ever-changing landscape of business communication.As we move forward, the challenge for educators will be to continually adapt their teaching strategies to address these unseen forces, ensuring that business communication education remains at the forefront of preparing students for the complexities and opportunities of the modern workplace. By embracing this challenge, we can create a new generation of business communicators who are not only skilled in traditional practices but also adept at navigating the invisible currents that shape our professional interactions.

 

How Business Communication Today Helps Instructors Navigate Hidden Influences in Business Communication
 

Business Communication Today is an essential resource for business communication instructors, especially when considering the insights from The Invisible Influences in Teaching Business Communication: Uncovering Hidden Forces. This textbook equips educators with the tools to address the often-unseen factors that shape student learning, engagement, and communication effectiveness in the modern workplace.
 

The article highlights the importance of recognizing hidden influences—such as shifting workplace norms, evolving student expectations, and technological advancements—that impact how students develop business communication skills. Business Communication Today directly responds to these challenges by incorporating real-world case studies, workplace-relevant activities, and the latest digital communication tools, ensuring that students are well-prepared for today’s dynamic business environments.
 

For example, as remote work and virtual collaboration become standard, effective business communication now requires skills beyond traditional frameworks. The textbook emphasizes virtual presentation strategies, digital collaboration techniques, and professional email communication, ensuring students can confidently navigate hybrid and remote workplaces.
 

Additionally, Business Communication Today acknowledges the cultural shifts among Generation Z students, who prioritize transparency, authenticity, and inclusivity in professional interactions. The textbook includes assignments and discussions that encourage students to develop communication strategies that align with these values, making them more effective in diverse and rapidly evolving business environments.
 

Finally, the book’s robust instructor support, including customizable digital learning tools and adaptive assessments, allows educators to tailor lessons to meet institutional goals and student needs. By addressing these hidden influences, Business Communication Today helps instructors create a responsive, inclusive, and effective learning experience that prepares students for the real-world challenges of business communication.
 

The post The Invisible Influences in Teaching Business Communication first appeared on Teaching Business Communication.

 

Image symbolizing a disconnect between executive messaging and consumer sentiment during an inflationary cost-of-living crisis.

This representative image visualizes the communication disconnect between corporate and consumer perspectives in the Kellogg's case. Images are illustrative and do not depict actual persons mentioned in this case study.


In early 2024, WK Kellogg Co—custodian of one of the most recognizable food brands in the world—found itself engulfed in backlash after comments made by CEO Gary Pilnick during a televised interview. The intent was clear: reassure investors by highlighting the company’s value proposition during a period of inflation. The result was the opposite.

The message landed—but not the way leadership expected.

The Interview That Sparked the Backlash

Pilnick appeared on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street to discuss company performance amid rising grocery prices. As the interviewer raised concerns about household food affordability, Pilnick pivoted to a familiar marketing narrative: cereal as a cost-effective option.

“The cereal category has always been quite affordable,” he explained, describing cereal as “a great destination when consumers are under pressure.”

He then introduced a specific campaign idea—suggesting that families consider “cereal for dinner” as a way to manage costs.

When the host pressed gently—asking whether that message might land poorly with families struggling to afford nutritious meals—Pilnick doubled down, insisting that the idea was “landing really well with the consumer.”

It wasn’t.

Within hours, short clips of the exchange spread across TikTok, X, and Instagram. The reaction was swift and harsh. Critics framed the comment as emblematic of corporate indifference: a highly compensated CEO advising families facing “heat-or-eat” decisions to lower their expectations rather than addressing structural affordability.

What had been positioned as practical advice was received as condescension.

What Went Wrong—and Why It Was Predictable

This was not a verbal slip or media ambush. It was a systemic communication failure, rooted in misaligned audience awareness and emotional context.

Audience Misalignment

Pilnick spoke as though his primary—and only—audience was Wall Street analysts. In reality, televised interviews in the social media era have simultaneous audiences:

  • Investors evaluating margins and growth
  • Consumers interpreting values and intent
  • Employees watching how leadership speaks about customers

The message was optimized for the first group and alienated the other two.

The Say–Do Gap

For decades, Kellogg’s branding emphasized family wellness, nourishment, and care. The suggestion that families simply downgrade dinner expectations created a visible gap between brand narrative and executive rhetoric—a credibility fracture audiences detect instantly.

Emotional Intelligence Failure

Technically, Pilnick’s cost-per-serving logic was accurate. Communicatively, it failed. In high-stress economic conditions, people listen less for arithmetic and more for respect, empathy, and acknowledgment of hardship.

The inferred message—not the literal one—dominated public reaction: “We see your struggle, and our solution is for you to accept less.”

The Aftermath

The company was forced into reactive mode. Calls for boycotts circulated. Commentary framed the moment as emblematic of corporate “greedflation.” WK Kellogg Co issued clarifications, but the reputational damage had already occurred.

The lesson was clear—and costly:

In modern business communication, every operational statement is also a moral signal.

Where Business Communication Education Makes the Difference

This crisis was avoidable—not through silence or message avoidance, but through better professional judgment.

The principles that would have altered the outcome are foundational ones emphasized throughout Business Communication Today, 16th Edition:

  • The You Attitude: framing messages through the lived reality of the receiver
  • Audience Analysis: recognizing secondary and tertiary audiences in public communication
  • Ethical Communication: prioritizing dignity and respect over tactical persuasion
  • Context Awareness: understanding that social and economic climates shape interpretation

Had these principles guided the interview preparation, leadership could have shifted from telling consumers how to cope to showing how the company was acting responsibly—through price stability efforts, portion strategies, or community initiatives.

The strategy did not need to change. The message architecture did.

Using This Story as a Teachable Case

Use this story as a teachable case with your students. It works particularly well in units on audience analysis, executive communication, ethics, crisis response, and professional judgment.

Have students read the case first without discussion. Then pose the questions below.

Discussion Questions — with Model Answers

1. Why did a technically accurate statement trigger a public relations crisis?

Model Answer:
Because communication does not occur in a vacuum. In the context of inflation and widespread financial stress, the statement was interpreted emotionally rather than analytically. Accuracy without empathy can feel dismissive. The crisis emerged not from incorrect data, but from misjudged context.

2. Who were the key audiences for this message, and how did their needs differ?

Model Answer:
The primary audience was investors seeking reassurance about demand stability. The secondary audience was the general public, who wanted acknowledgment of hardship and respect. Pilnick failed by optimizing for the first audience while underestimating the reach and sensitivity of the second.

3. How did tone and phrasing shape public perception more than intent?

Model Answer:
Tone communicates values. The phrase “cereal for dinner” suggested sacrifice imposed on consumers rather than support offered by the company. Alternative phrasing could have emphasized what Kellogg’s was doing for families instead of what families should do for Kellogg’s.

4. How does social media amplification change the risks of executive interviews?

Model Answer:
Every live interview is now effectively a global broadcast. Short clips strip away nuance and magnify emotional impact. This raises the stakes for precision, empathy, and foresight. Executives must assume all messages are public, permanent, and remixable.

5. If you were advising the CEO, how would you have reframed the response?

Model Answer:
A stronger response would lead with empathy and shared concern, for example:

“We know families are under real pressure right now, and our responsibility is to make sure our products remain accessible without compromising quality, while we absorb costs where possible.”

This reframing centers the consumer, not the product.

 

 

 

The post The Multi-Audience Problem: Why “Cereal for Dinner” Became a Crisis Communication Case Study first appeared on Teaching Business Communication.

 

AI Strategy n the fast-paced world of hospitality, the end of a long shift traditionally meant one more tedious task: tip distribution. Enter Kickfin, an Austin-based startup that's transforming this nightly ritual with a seamless digital solution. Their platform enables instant tip payments directly to employees' bank accounts, eliminating the safety risks of cash handling and the frustrations of delayed prepaid card systems.

 

But Kickfin's innovation extends beyond just digital payments. Under the leadership of VP of Operations Larisa Thomas, the company has embraced AI technology to solve another critical challenge in the hospitality industry: 24/7 customer support. Recognizing that restaurants often need assistance during unconventional hours, Kickfin implemented Forethought's GenAI-based support system to provide round-the-clock assistance without the operational complexity of staffing night shifts.

 

What makes Thomas's approach particularly noteworthy is her perspective on AI implementation. Rather than viewing it merely as a cost-cutting measure, she sees it as a pathway to service enhancement. The AI system doesn't just process more tickets faster – it handles customer interactions with consistent patience and professionalism, even in high-stress situations. This approach has led to thousands of successfully resolved support queries, with the system becoming more sophisticated over time.

 

Thomas's vision for AI in customer service challenges traditional metrics. Instead of focusing solely on quantitative measures like call volume, she emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and customer satisfaction. This holistic approach reflects a broader truth about technology in business: the goal isn't just to work faster, but to work better, creating more value for both employees and customers.

 

NOTE: This is an extract of the chapter-opening vignette that appears exclusively in Chapter 10 of Business Communication Today, 16th Edition, by Bovee and Thill (Pearson).

 

Business communication instructors and their students can step into the future of business communication with the new, groundbreaking 16th edition of Business Communication Today by Courtland Bovee and John Thill—where artificial intelligence meets time-tested principles. For the first time, artificial intelligence (AI) is seamlessly integrated into every chapter, making this the first business communication textbook on the market to offer comprehensive AI coverage.

 

Neuroscience Meets Business Communication Education

 

This text integrates research-based principles from neuroscience to enhance learning.  This innovative approach aligns with how the brain learns, retains, and applies information, transforming how business communication is taught and mastered. Imagine students who don’t just memorize concepts but confidently apply them. With engagement soaring and retention deepening, your classroom is where communication skills are mastered for life. Give your students the neuroscience advantage. Join leading colleges and universities already seeing remarkable results with our neuroscience-based approach.
 

The post Beyond Basic Bots: Kickfin’s AI Strategy Redefines Business Communication first appeared on Teaching Business Communication.

 

A Data Expert's Guide Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

 

At the intersection of mathematics and business, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic discovered her calling: helping people transform complex data into compelling stories. With credentials spanning applied mathematics and business administration, Knaflic honed her expertise through roles in banking, private equity, and Google's People Analytics team before founding Storytelling with Data, where she now teaches others the art of data presentation.

 

Throughout her career, Knaflic has observed a persistent challenge in business presentations: slides that fail to convey their intended message. Despite presenters having valuable insights to share, their points often get lost in a maze of excessive information and competing visual elements. The problem isn't just poor design – it's the fundamental disconnect between what presenters want to say and what their audiences actually understand.

 

Her solution is refreshingly straightforward: embrace simplicity and maintain unwavering focus. Each slide should serve a single, clear purpose, stripped down to its essential components. When presenting complex comparisons or temporal developments, Knaflic advocates for a methodical approach: using animation and narrative to build understanding piece by piece.

 

This step-by-step methodology transforms data presentation from an information dump into a guided journey. Rather than overwhelming audiences with multiple points simultaneously, presenters can lead them through a carefully constructed narrative path. It's an approach that recognizes a fundamental truth about human comprehension: people absorb information more effectively when it's presented in digestible segments rather than as a complete picture all at once.

 

In essence, Knaflic's philosophy suggests that the art of data presentation isn't about showing everything you know – it's about showing exactly what your audience needs to understand, one clear insight at a time.

 

NOTE: This is an extract of the chapter-opening vignette that appears exclusively in Chapter 17 of Business Communication Today, 16th Edition, by Bovee and Thill (Pearson).

 

Business communication instructors and their students can step into the future of business communication with the new, groundbreaking 16th edition of Business Communication Today by Courtland Bovee and John Thill—where artificial intelligence meets time-tested principles. For the first time, artificial intelligence (AI) is seamlessly integrated into every chapter, making this the first business communication textbook on the market to offer comprehensive AI coverage.

 

Neuroscience Meets Business Communication Education

 

This text integrates research-based principles from neuroscience to enhance learning.  This innovative approach aligns with how the brain learns, retains, and applies information, transforming how business communication is taught and mastered. Imagine students who don’t just memorize concepts but confidently apply them. With engagement soaring and retention deepening, your classroom is where communication skills are mastered for life. Give your students the neuroscience advantage. Join leading colleges and universities already seeing remarkable results with our neuroscience-based approach.

The post From Complex to Clear: A Data Expert’s Guide to Better Presentations first appeared on Teaching Business Communication.

 
 

 

 
   
 
© FeedBlitz® - Win the Inbox ™ | feedblitz.com | info@feedblitz.com | Privacy | Terms of Service
   
 
© FeedBlitz® - Win the Inbox ™ | feedblitz.com | info@feedblitz.com | Privacy | Terms of Service