Teaching Business Communication is packed with a wealth of new ideas you can use to add value to your course and make it more instructive.

The Meme Economy: How Internet Culture Is Reshaping Business Communication.

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In the digital age, business communication is undergoing a radical transformation, driven by an unlikely force: internet memes. These bite-sized, shareable pieces of content have evolved from simple jokes to powerful tools for conveying complex ideas, building brand identity, and connecting with audiences in ways traditional methods never could.

Memes, at their core, are cultural shorthand. They encapsulate shared experiences, emotions, and ideas in a format that's instantly recognizable and easily spread. This efficiency of communication is precisely what makes them so valuable in the business world. Companies are increasingly harnessing the power of memes to cut through the noise of information overload and deliver messages that resonate with their target audience.

One of the key strengths of meme-based communication is its ability to humanize brands. By participating in meme culture, businesses can show they're in touch with current trends and possess a sense of humor. This approach can be particularly effective in reaching younger demographics, who often view traditional advertising with skepticism.

However, the use of memes in business communication isn't without risks. The fast-paced nature of internet culture means that memes can quickly become outdated or, worse, misused in ways that damage a company's reputation. Successful implementation requires a deep understanding of both the meme landscape and the target audience.

Despite these challenges, the impact of memes on business communication is undeniable. They've become a new form of cultural currency, allowing companies to build rapport with customers, simplify complex ideas, and even recruit talent. Job postings incorporating memes, for instance, can signal a company culture that values creativity and adaptability.

The rise of the meme economy also reflects broader shifts in how we communicate in the digital era. Attention spans are shorter, visual content is king, and authenticity is prized above all. Businesses that can navigate this new landscape effectively stand to gain a significant competitive advantage.

As internet culture continues to evolve, so too will its influence on business communication. The companies that thrive will be those that can strike the right balance between professionalism and playfulness, leveraging the power of memes to create meaningful connections in an increasingly digital world.

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How to Be an Amazing Listener

"Good listeners attract people like an ice cream truck attracts kids. Why? Good listeners offer goodies even better than fudgesicles (if that’s even possible): validation, affirmation, and trust. In addition, skilled listening is one-half of good communication, which is the foundation of any healthy relationship," writes Ellen Hendriksen, PhD (photo, left).

"But being a good listener goes way beyond just not interrupting or nodding your head until it’s your turn to talk. Here are 5 ways to make your conversation partner feel like you’re fully tuned in to their personal radio station."

See the 5 ways or listen to the podcast . . .

Your Students Don’t Need to Wait to Graduate to Apply Their New Communication Skills

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Your students don't need to wait until graduation to start applying their new communication skills. With Excellence in Business Communication's unique Apply Your Skills Now feature, they'll learn how to use their new skills in a variety of academic and personal scenarios.

Watch the short video . . .

6 Reasons Why One May Be a Bad Listener (and How to Change It)

"It may seem counterintuitive, but the way to achieve success is to make the people around you successful, says Fred Halstead, author of Leadership Skills that Inspire Incredible Results. “It’s not particularly intuitive; in our society we believe in ‘me first,'” he says."

"To help others succeed you have to become good at listening. Listening is more than simply hearing what someone has to say. You also need to be thinking how you can help the other person achieve the best results by carefully considering their words and asking thoughtful questions, says Halstead [photo, left].

“'If you just hear the words without hearing what the person actually intends to say, you will miss the opportunity to gain the essential clarity and results you seek,' he says."

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Why Managers Don’t Listen (Poor Listener Syndrome): and the Cures!

"Actually, it’s not just managers that don’t listen – it’s also employees, husbands, wives, kids, students, teachers, and just about human being with two ears. However, this is a management and leadership resource, so we’ll stick with listening in the context of a management skill," writes Dan McCarthy (photo, left) at his website.

"So if listening is such an important management skill and it’s an ability we were born with, why do so many managers get feedback that say they are poor listeners? That’s an issue I’ve explored with several managers when I review their 360 assessment results. Here are the seven most frequent reasons, and a prescription for each cause: . . ."

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