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Describes a situation in which a deputy library director's assistant refused to bring him coffee on the basis that she did not consider it to be part of her responsibilities, and presents two library administrators' views on how the library manager should deal with such an issue. Role of the secretary in the effectiveness and productivity of a manager; Excerpts from books on etiquettes that relates to such a situation.

The article presents suggestions on what to do in case the community's trust for an organization collapses. Topics discussed here include building trust through truth, Corruption Perceptions Index of Transparency International, and the ways of killing trust and harming the reputation of an organization.

The article presents the author's insights on how to develop a clear corporate writing. The author stresses the role of coherent persuasion strategy in business writing to encourage business partners, stakeholders and customers. He notes the utilization of training program to provide the meaning of business information to readers and audiences. Moreover, the author emphasizes the function of prepare, write and revise in developing business writing.

The article offers information on the 2006 International Association of Business Communicators Conference held in June in Vancouver, British Columbia. A session to use communication skills and power to study the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa was explored by Stephen Lewis. Communication professionals at the conference shared their successes, strategies and dilemmas with their peers.

The article presents information on Excel Award winner John O'Neill. The IABC/Europe and Middle East Excel Award recognizes contributions to business communication by an organizational leader, usually a CEO, who is not a member of the International Association of Business Communicators. These contributions include initiating, directing, supporting or sustaining outstanding and effective communication programs. For 2005, the award went to John O'Neill, CEO of the Dublin-based insurance company AXA Ireland. O'Neill took the reins at AXA Ireland in 1999, when the French company AXA took over Guardian Royal Exchange. At the time, AXA was concerned about the losses the Irish business was incurring, and was anxious to see action to redress the situation. AXA came very close to pulling the plug. AXA bailed the Irish company out, but made it clear that the company had better get things in order--quickly. The new CEO did just that. O'Neill communicated to the 900-plus employees a clear vision of what the company needed to do to get back on top. INSET: Minimizing 'damage'.

Offers culture-sensitive tips to doing business in Japan, Great Britain, Italy, and France. Sucking air through the teeth as a sign of disapproval and frustration in Japan; Difference between the American and the British versions of the victory sign; Inappropriateness of discussing business during mealtime.

The article provides tips in effective business writing. It states that one must create an outline that lays out the main focus of the writing. It notes that mindmapping is a famous brainstorming tool because it takes out the linear thought pattern. It also mentions that techniques such as free-writing and brainstorming can be helpful in filling up one's own creativity in writing.

The article focuses on the strategies to manage the business communication and branding. It states that dramatic cultural changes have presented the industry with a consumer who is more critical of brands. According to the author, the principal function of a brand is to teach us how to buy the products. However, he notes that buying is complicated since the process of creating a brand follows two principles and is based on how to get the community to adopt a simple idea. In connection, the article presents the four phase of the process of brand creation.

The article discusses the effects of regulatory requirements on communication between businesses and investors. A wave of corporate scandals in the United States have caused investor communications to become increasingly scrutinized, as irresponsible communications can have dire consequences for the country's economy. To properly communicate with investors, corporations must carefully balance facts with interpretation to manage investors perceptions and drive their behavior in an ethical manner.

The article cites a study highlighting the need for training in and understanding of ethical issues. The study was conducted by International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Research Foundation. Public opinion surveys on honesty and ethics reveal that journalists, advertising personnel and public relations people score near the bottom--alongside used-car salespeople--on such polls. The IABC Research Foundation initiated a global research study to advance our understanding of business communication ethics. The results were somewhat surprising, though certainly the topic of ethics has been top-of-mind among communicators for some time. Some CEOs also fear that paying attention to ethics is "too expensive." For example, increasing employee benefits or installing costly new equipment to address environmental concerns could increase operating costs. Communicators agreed or strongly agreed to the seven items that addressed their role dealing with ethical concerns and issues of organizations. These different but sometimes intersecting profiles suggest that ethical decision making is an ongoing process in organizations. Not all communicators agree that they should be engaged in organizational ethics decision making.

Reviews the audiotape 'Business Companion: Chinese.'

Reviews the vocational video tape "Courtesy or Consequences".

Attitudes to workplace equality have changed and it makes good business sense, writes Shahnaz Ali. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Less discrimination against black and minority ethnic staff would benefit everyone, argues Yvonne Coghill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the efforts of Caltex Australia Ltd. in creating a more innovative business culture in Australia. The company's innovation initiative is focused on innovation. Subsequent surveys have shown the company's shift towards an externally focused, innovative culture. The author discusses the company's five-step process towards innovation.

This article presents information on various publications and programs related to business communications launched by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). The IABC has delivered new books on consulting, marketing and internal publications. For those who are in consulting business, the second edition of "The Successful Communication Consultant" is a great resource. Corinne LaBossiere discusses the pros and cons of consulting and provides templates for getting started. The IABC's accreditation program offers professional communicators a way to demonstrate their ability to think and plan strategically, and to successfully manage the skills essential to achieving effective organizational communication. The IABC Research Foundation, in partnership with Gevity, a leading provider of employee management solutions, is launching a study on best practices in employee communication in small organizations. For more than 35 years, the Gold Quill has been an internationally recognized symbol of excellence that embodies challenge, learning and success. A Gold Quill Award rewards high standards of excellence and recognizes the world's best communicators.

This article focuses on the business of professional communicators. Even if a corporation seems to have a clearly defined national or local interest, owners are in the global arena — whether they realize it or not, and even whether one cares or not. If the company has a web site, it is global. If its is a public company, all the statutory reporting is available globally. If there has ever been a mention of a businessman in the media, he is in the global arena. Whatever is reported about him or his company in the local newspaper, whether it has a circulation of 100 or 100,000, is more than likely to become immediately available around the world. To a great extent it depends on how one embraces the inevitable and how well one communicates in terms that can be grasped and comprehended by an international audience. What is certain is that businessmen cannot ignore the global nature of business communication or pretend that it's not happening to a businessman, whatever or wherever the business happens to be. The golden rule is never to assume that because it works here it should work somewhere else.

This article presents information on the significance of wikis in business communication. A wiki is the ultimate collaborative tool for a group of users, even on a global scale, especially if they want to create and edit content on the fly as a project moves forward. Wiki is not described with the same passion as blogs, but it appears to have inhaled the same oxygen. It's as if the people on the fringes, sick and tired of corporate communication, went ahead and designed a product-slash-plat form that was democratic, dynamic and not managed from the top. A wiki taps into the "wisdom of the mob" principle and encourages end users to add and edit content so that content is always in a state of flux. A wiki is the ultimate collaborative tool for a group of users, even on a global scale, especially if they want to create and edit content on the fly as a project moves forward--an area where e-mail is extremely unhelpful. The value of a wiki site grows as more people start using it. We all know how fast content becomes obsolete.

The article offers suggestions on how an associate at a law firm can prevent a senior partner from speaking something incorrect in front of the client. It suggests that one should try and write down the concern and pass it on to the senior partner if possible. It suggests that one can also request the senior partner for a separate team meeting about the matter.

Presents information on etiquettes that should be practiced in the age of electronic communication. How the improper etiquette can affect a career; How Americans can improve their manners when interacting electronically; Advices for manners on several kinds of electronic equipments.

The author explains the importance of communication in business and the need for companies to learn how to identify publics and understand how they get information in order to establish an effective business communication. He discusses the most common mistake committed by companies when dealing with public opinion, the classification of publics as those who hold same opinions and those who use similar information channels and a report on news consumption published by the Pew Research in 2012.

In this article, the author discusses the attitude of staff in a workplace. He mentions the steps for solving staff problems at managerial level including clear systems or processes in place, proper leadership and evaluation of legitimacy of reasons for non completion of task as well as clearance of obstacles that prevent the staff from succeeding. According to him, leading staff consistently, firmly and fairly would create successful environment for everyone involved.

The author reflects on the career advancement of black and minority ethnic employees in Great Britain's National Health Service in 2011. She suggests that black and minority ethnic issues in nursing have become less of a priority than in past years. She argues that the agency should promote more minority role models into senior positions and as more mentors and coaches.

The article discusses the etiquette on the business kiss for women who are greeted by well-meaning male colleagues and business partners with a kiss on the cheek instead of a handshake, including the advice of Germany's Knigge Society for people to revert to handshake as a greeting in the workplace.

Employers have a duty to support all staff, regardless of their sexual orientation. Jennifer Sprinks reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the office etiquette regarding the availability of executives when technology allows a person to be connected at all times. It is noted that executives are often "unavailable" to comment on news stories. The author debates the meaning of the phrases "on the record" and "off the record" in the age of the Internet.

The article offers some insights into business and professional etiquette. Men would simply exchange handshakes, but shaking hands with women still causes many men a crisis of etiquette. Men believe that one shakes hands with a man but kisses a woman on the cheek. Some women however, prefer handshakes rather than a kiss on the cheek.

The article focuses on aspects of effective advertising. It explains that casual interactions can promote business and discusses the importance of rapport, good listening, and genuine interest in the field of advertising. The appropriate times for formal advertising pitches are examined and the relationship between clients and advertising agencies is explored.

The article comments on ethical issues and practices related to the use of emails and other forms of business communication. Composing emails may range from the conversational to the utilitarian approach whereby messages are stated bluntly and to the point by the email sender. Key points to remember in writing and sending emails are cited.

The article reports on the results of a business survey about the factors that are important in career advancement conducted by NFI Research in August 2007 in the U.S. The survey includes the opinions from 2,000 senior executives and managers. The findings of the survey show that 70% of executives and managers at small companies claimed that good manners are important in advancing one's career. Only 55% of executives and managers from large companies asserted that good manners are an important factor.

The article provides etiquette tips to Australians who plan to do business with Indonesians. According to the author, a foreigner in India should wear a jacket and tie and women should wear shirts with long sleeves and skirts or dresses that are at least knee-length. When it comes to shaking hands, Indonesians are more likely to use the traditional selamat salutation to show their respect and Western men are advised not to offer to shake hands with Indonesian women.

The article presents a letter from the editor of "Communication World" concerning the July 2007 issue. The editor discusses her experiences working with people who drove her crazy. Even though she was forced to be competitive with and dislike the individual in question, her boss made them go to lunch together. Because they were forced to communicate, the two women found out that they were not actually competing with one another, and ultimately should work together. The anecdote illustrates that the inability to understand one another is one of the biggest communication dilemmas.

The article enumerates the steps that can help a company maximize the benefits that can be derived from business meetings. The author recommends scheduling the meeting off the hour and declaring its length beforehand. The author suggests starting on time and not waiting for latecomers. The author also gives advice on how to decisively close a business meeting.

The article looks at the generation gap problem in advertising. The article states that sometimes the generation gap underlines a power struggle. According to the article, age bias has led some agencies to disregard a key target market. The article discusses dress codes in the workplace, comments from Katie Yontz, project coordinator at Resource Interactive, and office etiquette.

The article offers ideas for first-time managers on how to deal with a straight question. In dealing a question that is hard to answer, a new manager can respond with a wistful tone and a smile that will give the impression that he is wise. He can also reply by saying that the question's topic is a complex one making him look knowledgeable about the issue. Stating that they have that question in mind in an indignant matter might confuse their superiors.

The article discusses the orientations of the legal market in China. The Chinese have selected certain parts of the international business culture and incorporated them in a Chinese way, with which they are intent on safeguarding this culture from Western influences, which has led to a sense of cultural alienation for foreign lawyers. One of these cultural traditions is the guanxi, describes the basic dynamic in personalized networks of influence.

The article focuses on an accreditation program sponsored by the International Association of Business Communicators. The program helps professional communicators to enhance their thinking and strategic planning skills. The management of effective organizational communication skills is also offered by the program.

The article focuses on the study "The Business of Truth: A Guide to Ethical Communication," conducted by researcher Shannon Bowen of the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Hewlett-Packard and ROI Communications sponsored the study. The study is based on a global survey of around 1,800 communication professionals, According to the study, a generally "healthy" climate for business etiquette is maintained by most organizations. Both quantitative and qualitative research findings are included in the study.

The article reports that the book "Unleashing the Power of PR: A Contrarian's Guide to Marketing and Communication," written by Mark Weiner was released at the 2006 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) International Conference. IABC cooperated with publisher Jossey-Bass to release the book.

The article presents questions-and-answers advisory about IT management. The author advises a liaison officer to avoid the temptation to try to simply enforce policy when faced with a recalcitrant sponsor. Two reasons why some sponsors go directly to other people in the department and refused to work with liaison officer. According to the author, one way of helping a valuable employee who are being abused by a manager not the quit his job is to help him seek an internal transfer rather than outside employment.

The article presents views and insights on the strategies in handling politics in the workplace. Jim Grant of the coaching firm Dattner Grant contended that such scenario is unavoidable since work involves basic human interactions. Grant uses animal metaphors to explain types of people within a social or work group. He recommends executives to use open questions about how the suspect viewpoint will affect product or customer service.

The article presents an interview with François Macerola, vice-president of legal and commercial affairs in Cirque du Soleil Inc. He explains that his reason of joining the organization was to modernize and develop the legal team. Macerola stated that he was mainly involved with the negotiations of contracts related to the production and the distribution of its shows. According to him, the organization is establishing a good working relationship with their correspondents.

The article reports on the investigations conducted by the South Korean Fair Trade Commission regarding the business practices of Intel Corp. The Fair Trade Commission's investigation is seeking additional information concerning the dealings with Korean computer makers, including information about its marketing and rebate programs. The Japan's Fair Trade Commissions suggested that Intel Corp. should stop offering funds to computer makers in exchange for a commitment that they would not use processors from its competitors in their systems.

Focuses on the tall-poppy syndrome which wherein people tend to envious and pulldown successful people in Australia. Thoughts of business executives regarding the impact of such mentality to the success of one's business; Assessment of the problems and concerns with regards to industrial relations; Impressions of business executives on such corporate mentality.

Presents letters to the editor referencing articles and topics discussed in previous issues. "On Business and Ethics," which dealt with the practices of multinational enterprises; Challenge faced by Yahoo.

Presents an article on designating honorary titles. Problems with the use of the term madam in addressing a lady; Suggested forms of address; Reasons behind the need for companies to rigorously scour mailing list names.

Highlights the ruling of Delaware Judge William Chandler in the legal dispute among top officials at Walt Disney Co. Criticism on the conduct of the directors of Walt Disney Co.; Argument of CEO Michael Eisner about the firing of President Mike Ovitz; Defense of Ovitz; Controversy over the severance package received by Ovitz.

This article presents information on the history of business communication profession. In 1981, International Business Machines Corp. introduces the personal computer and AT&T is dissolved for violating U.S. antitrust laws. International Association of Business Communicators' (IABC) Research Foundation is formed in the same year to build a research-based body of knowledge; Lynda J. Stewart, ABC, is chairman. Gold Quill entries reach a record of 4,000. In 1981, a quick PR response to the series of fatal Tylenol poisonings helps Johnson & Johnson Co., avoid a public relations disaster. In 1982, IABC membership reaches 10,000, having doubled in four years, in 110 chapters and the journal "Communication World" is launched. In 1982, the Union Carbide plant explosion in Bhopal, India, kills thousands and underscores the importance of crisis planning. In 1984, IABC establishes the Asia/Pacific, Europe/Africa and Americas regions in order to grow internationally. IABC switches its accounting system from cash to an accrual basis, resulting in the creation of a US$800,000 deficit.

This article presents news related to the history of business communication. The American Association of Industrial Editors and the International Council of Industrial Editors merge to form International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) in 1970. In 1971, IABC publishes the "Journal of Organizational Communications" and IABC News. In 1974, IABC launches its accreditation program; 41 members receive their "ABC." Corporate Communicators Canada becomes the first IABC district outside the U.S. in the same year. Claude Taylor receives the first Excellence in Communication Leadership award. In 1979, an IABC Profile survey finds a 40% increase in organizational spending on communication over three years. IABC/UK becomes the 100th chapter, and the first outside North America. In 1980, IABC membership reaches 8,000.