Final Project: The Credibility Report
What is it?
The Credibility Report is the Final Project for BA 330. It takes the place of a final exam in Managerial Communications and is a cumulative assessment—an evaluative assessment to measure your understanding of principles covered throughout the semester. We will not meet on the date of our final exam. Instead, be sure to post your final project to Canvas by that deadline.
Learning objectives include being able to:
· Write persuasive business messages (Ch. 10)
· Plan and prepare a formal business report (Chs. 12-13)
· Demonstrate an understanding of principles examined throughout the semester, including but not limited to: establishing credibility via business communication (Ch 1) and applying principles of interpersonal communication and emotional intelligence (Ch 2), team communication (Ch 3), intercultural communication (Ch 4), and effective business writing (Chs 5-6).
INSTRUCTIONS:
Working independently, plan and prepare a formal business report (i.e., your Credibility Report) that analyzes and summarizes the credibility you think you have established and maintained this semester within our organization (our class) and in particular with the professor (me). Be sure to provide ample, specific evidence to support your claims. The report should be an accurate and thorough reflection with content development showing adequate breadth and depth. Your report should be a persuasive, professional business report that analyzes your credibility in this class this semester by providing a statistical snapshot as well as descriptive narrative that incorporates quantitative and qualitative data.
Format: A business report (e.g., Annual Report, Progress Report, etc.) that includes but is not limited to the following:
· Cover Page
· Executive Summary or Narrative Statement that summarizes your credibility and includes a self-rating out of 100 for your Participation score this semester
· Introduction
· Background/Accomplishments/Problems/Improvements and/or
Credibility Statements and Statistical Snapshots
· Future Plans
· Conclusion
· References
· Appendixes
· Effective business writing (narrative) and navigational design
· Primary and secondary research
· Tables and charts
Start now:
Prepare and maintain for yourself a credibility journal, where you can jot down daily notes and evidence (particularly qualitative) of your credibility, along with a credibility dashboard, where you can track a statistical snapshot of your credibility daily, weekly, and for semester’s total.
Grading and Criteria
The content of your Credibility Report will inform your Participation score in this class. The Credibility Report itself, however, will be graded based on how effective it is as a business report.
Particular focus will include criteria from Chs. 10 (persuasive comm) and Chs 12-13 (business reports).
The Final Project is a cumulative assessment (like a final exam), so principles from the following chapters are key as well: Ch 1 (credibility), Ch 2 (interpersonal comm), Ch 3 (team comm), Ch 4 (intercultural comm), Ch 5 (effective business messages), Ch 6 (readability), and Appendix A (grammar, etc.).
Notes about UM-Power, ink
This class is our business. It comprises approximately 30 individuals who meet 13 times for about 2.75 hours each time for a total of 35.75 hours. Our mission of business communication mastery (including grammar) will require every minute and entails extensive planning to facilitate. Our work relies on teamwork, so a single absence or forgotten assignment throws everything off. The maxim is true: Every group is only as strong as its weakest link. Be a strong link for our group. For each in-class hour, college students are expected to invest 2-3 hours out of class studying and working on class materials (11-16 hours each week).
You have all the tools to earn the points you desire in this class. However, tracking your own credibility doesn’t mean you get to determine your grade. It means you get to monitor your performance and tell me what you earned on the participation score according to what’s expected. You are expected to critically analyze and report on your own credibility with truthfulness, honesty, FAIRness. Your self awareness, critical self reflection, and signs of improvement are as important as your final results. For this class, expectations include but are not limited to the following:
· Before the first class, obtain your own copy of the textbook (hard copy recommended)
· Read the syllabus carefully. Ask questions you have about the class as they occur.
· Read every assigned chapter (and other assigned readings) prior to class.
· View each lecture on Canvas prior to class.
· Attend every class. (Added importance is placed on first day of class, exam days, or other days where you have team commitments. Committing to an eight-week class and then missing a night (what is two classes) will lower your credibility score. Period. A single absence lowers credibility.
· Sign in as soon as you arrive.
· Be on time to every class. (Notify the professor of special circumstances, and know this doesn’t excuse you from the expectation to be punctual to every class meeting. Consider what would happen if all 30 of us straggled in, came in and out of the room, took off early, and didn’t show up? We each have committed to working together for 2.75 hours for 13 times. We each are expected to keep our promise. Everything we do or don’t do affects 29 others.
· Listen/read closely (instructions)
· Be prepared for every class by bringing/doing homework items assigned.
· Avoid leaving before class adjourns.
· Avoid coming and going outside of group breaks.
· Listen closely and take notes during lectures, discussions, and announcements.
· Avoid texting, surfing, having side conversations or doing other distracting activities during class.
· Meet every assignment deadline, and don’t wait until the last minute to post to Canvas.
· When you have questions, check with the instructions or syllabus for the answer.
· Post general questions to the Canvas Discussion Q&A and provide answers as appropriate.
· Visit the Class Q&A weekly.
· If you have private questions or concerns about the class, contact the professor outside of class.
· Work independently unless explicitly instructed to do otherwise. Don’t share answers.
· Discuss your assignments, quizzes, or grades outside of class with the professor.
· Maintain academic integrity. Do your own thinking. Do you own work. (Don’t access students, documents, or work that are not expressly given to this class. Whether you obtained a quiz, assignment, paper, or assessment not expressly given to the class… online, from a friend, on Canvas, or via a cheater’s repository, it is unethical. )
· Participate in every class. Listen, ask for and provide information, ask for and provide opinions
· Build positive relationships with your professor and peers.
For more on credibility, see also the “Credibility Rubric” on Canvas and Ch. 1.
Note:
Although I have used the term “credibility report” in previous classes, this particular project has never been assigned in this class, so do not make the mistake of accessing information from prior classes or students (which, in and of itself, presents ethical issues anyway).
Credibility GRADING Rubric
“As a future manager and executive, you can control your reputation as a credible communicator by focusing on three well-established factors: competence, caring, and character” (Cardon, 2016, p. 6). A highly credible communicator balances competence with caring and never shortchanges character—no easy task, to be sure.
The Credibility Rubric below draws on student suggestions and material from the textbook. You may use it to measure your own credibility quotient for our group during our semester. Notice how transferrable this rubric is. Also notice some items could contradict others, so this isn’t cut and dried or to be considered without context. It is a useful way, though, that each of us can measure our self in the workplace.
Credibility measures include but are not limited to the following:
COMPONENT TANGIBLE EVIDENCE
Competence refers to the knowledge and skills needed to accomplish business tasks. Measured by one’s actions, performance, and track record, the following is expected of credible team members:
· 100% attendance is expected; View every lecture on Canvas prior to class.
· Shows up (for class; team meetings; Canvas lectures, discussions, etc.)
· Turns off cell phone in class and puts it away; avoids being a distraction
· Avoids non-class related Internet or computer activities
· Maintains neat, clean, professional appearance
· Maintains appropriate non-verbals
· Reads carefully, listens closely, follows instructions
· Meets all deadlines; Organizes self, time, writing, speech, team
· Uses advanced agenda, timely minutes, useful/time-saving handouts
· Starts on projects right away (doesn’t wait until the deadline to begin)
· Participates “much” (in class, peer reviews, teams, Canvas discussion)
· Participates “well” (in class, peer reviews, teams, Canvas discussions)
· Pays attention to detail; delivers polished, error-free work
· Uses quantifiable data (and values qualitative data too)
· Becomes certified/degreed (and shares that expertise)
· Uses collaborative technologies; Contacts the 24-7 helpline for Canvas help
· Posts useful questions and answers on Canvas Q&A discussion
· Communicates correct, clear, complete, concise info. Compelling? Cool!
· Gets results! (i.e., Work shows improvement, demonstrates understanding, etc.)
Character: refers to acting with integrity. The following is expected of credible team members:
Follows professional code of ethics (AMA, PRSA, etc.)
Abides by organization’s code of conduct (UM-D, workplace)
Establishes and follows a personal mission statement and code of conduct
Doesn’t plagiarize; Avoids forgery and deceit
Cites sources in text and reference list using APA style
Cites sources orally when speaking in public
Uses FAIR communications in print, in person, on air, and online
Practices transparency (full disclosure, avoids conflict of interest)
Uses non-biased language
Respects, recognizes, and appreciates cultural differences
Avoids stereotypes; Communicates openly and honestly
Is sincere, genuine, authentic, uses original thoughts and work
Passes the Mom Test and Front Page/Twitter Test
Caring: In business, caring means understanding the interests of others, cultivating a sense of community, and demonstrating accountability. The following is expected of credible team members:
Shows empathy
Surveys others for thoughts, interests, needs, concerns
Is Adaptable, Collaborative, Respectful, Responsive
Uses constructive criticism
Is quiet; allow others time to think or respond
Doesn’t interrupt or talk over others
Isn’t rude
Respects others’ opinions
Seeks information, opinions, and output from others
Shares knowledge, opinions, and skills
Encourages others
Fills in when the group needs harmony, levity, clarity, information, etc.
Helps the group balance task and social dimensions appropriately
Uses proper email etiquette (Ch. 7)
Uses email for the right purposes (not sensitive, emotional, lengthy topics)
Ensures ease of reading (See Chs 6-7)
Shows respect for recipient’s time
Protects privacy and confidentiality
Responds promptly
Maintains professionalism and appropriate formality
Manages emotion effectively
Avoids distractions
Follows rules of workplace civility (Ch. 2)
Pays attention to others
Treats others with courtesy
Respects the efforts, time, and privacy of others
Respects the dignity and worth of others
Maintains civil communications
Slows down and is present in life and in the moment
Listens to the voice of empathy
Keeps a positive attitude
Respects others and grants them plenty of validation
Disagrees graciously and refrains from arguing
Gets to know people around us
Pays attention to small things
Asks, doesn’t tell.
Gets to know others
Demonstrates high emotional intelligence
Adopts a learner not a judger mindset
Keeps calm, carries on and overcomes noise
Finds common ground
Disagrees diplomatically
Initiates conversation, shares stories, focuses on solutions
Avoids exaggeration and either/or approaches
Takes responsibility for own choices, actions and consequences of those choices
