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, […]
Category Archives: Resources for Instructors
The Invisible Influences in Teaching Business Communication
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 […]
Preview of Part IV: Chapters 10-12, Business Communication Today, 16th Edition
Part IV of Business Communication Today, 16th Edition, focuses on mastering the art of crafting routine, negative, and persuasive messages, blending timeless communication strategies with cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence (AI). This section prepares students to navigate real-world business scenarios effectively while leveraging AI tools to enhance clarity, empathy, and engagement. Chapter […]
The Multi-Audience Problem: Why “Cereal for Dinner” Became a Crisis Communication Case Study
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 […]
Future-Proofing AI Instruction That Won’t Age Quickly
. Figure 1. Designing AI instruction that lasts means teaching judgment, ethics, and communication principles—not chasing tools that will soon change. AI evolves rapidly—but business communication education must be built to endure. For instructors evaluating AI coverage in today’s textbooks, the central concern is no longer whether AI is included. It is whether that content […]
Preview of Part VII: Chapters 18-19, Business Communication Today, 16th Edition
Part VII of Business Communication Today, 16th Edition, focuses on preparing students for successful job searches and interviews in the modern workplace. These chapters combine practical strategies with cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence (AI), empowering students to stand out in competitive employment markets and adapt to evolving hiring technologies. Chapter 18: Building Careers […]
The AI Advantage: Elevating Teaching Quality and Productivity in Business Communication
Instructors of business communication are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to transform how they teach, engage with students, and manage workloads. AI tools are enabling educators to streamline routine tasks, create personalized learning experiences, and deliver higher-quality instruction. In a world where technology is rapidly reshaping education, AI is emerging as a powerful partner […]
Teaching Digital Media in Business Communication in the AI Era
Written by Courtland Bovee and John Thill As digital media and artificial intelligence continue to transform business communication, instructors face the crucial task of preparing students for this rapidly evolving landscape. Students must learn not only to master traditional digital channels but also to effectively collaborate with AI tools that can help them write […]
The 12 Most Important Questions Instructors Ask about Teaching Business Communication (and the Answers You Need)
Illustration showing a diverse group of business communication instructors gathered around an interconnected framework, symbolizing recurring teaching concerns such as relevance, engagement, rigor, and preparation for digital and AI-driven communication. Over the past four decades of working with thousands of business communication instructors, I’ve noticed that their questions—though diverse—tend to circle around 12 core […]
The Digital Backbone: Why Modern Companies Are Ditching Email for Real-Time Collaboration
In 2004, three entrepreneurs faced a seemingly simple challenge: they wanted to sell snowboards online. Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake had the vision, the products, and the determination to launch Snow Devil, their winter sports equipment company. What they lacked was a suitable platform to bring their dream to life. Rather than accepting […]