Table of Contents

Question 1...................................................................................................................2

Question 2...................................................................................................................6

Question 3...................................................................................................................7

Question 4.................................................................................................................10

Question 1
 1. Content and creativity

The blog post is insightful and reflective, providing a unique perspective on why

internal communication feels tougher today. The author, Rachel Miller, identifies

three different types of employees in organizations today based on their length of

service: pre-pandemic employees, pandemic employees, and post-pandemic

employees. She argues that each type of employee has different expectations and

experiences of internal communication, which can make it challenging for

communicators to create messaging that resonates with everyone.

Miller's observations are supported by her own experience as an internal

communicator, as well as by conversations she has had with other communicators

and employees. She provides specific examples of how the different types of

employees may experience internal communication differently. For example, she

notes that pre-pandemic employees may be more accustomed to in-person

communication, while pandemic employees may prefer to communicate remotely.

Post-pandemic employees may still be adjusting to the workplace and may need

more information and support.

2. Voice

The writing is appropriate for the intended audience, which is internal communicators

and other professionals who are interested in improving internal communication

within their organizations. Miller's voice is consistent throughout the blog post, and

she uses a conversational tone that is easy to read. She also uses humor and

personal anecdotes to engage the reader.

Here is a practical example of Miller's consistent voice and tone:

Pre-pandemic employees
These are the folks who were in role pre-March 2020. They may have been with the

company for many years, or they may have joined more recently. But one thing they

have in common is that they experienced the workplace before the pandemic.

For this group, internal communication may have been more traditional. They may

have been used to getting their information from email newsletters, intranet articles,

and town hall meetings. They may also have been more comfortable with in-person

communication, such as one-on-one meetings and team meetings.

3. Layout and graphics

The blog post has a visually appealing layout and is easy to navigate. The text is

well-formatted and easy to read. The blog also includes a few relevant images, such

as a graph that shows the different types of employees based on their length of

service.

4. Timeliness

The blog post was published on February 17, 2023, so it is relatively recent. This

suggests that the author is committed to keeping the blog updated with fresh

content.

5. Citations

The blog post does not include any citations to sources. This is a minor shortcoming,

as the author's observations are based on her own experience and conversations

with others. However, it would be helpful if she could provide some citations to

support her claims, especially when discussing topics such as the different types of

employees and their communication preferences.

6. Quality of writing
The blog post is free of spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. The author also

uses a variety of sentence structures and vocabulary, which makes the writing

engaging to read.

7. Writing style

The writing style is conversational and easy to read. Miller uses the pronoun "you" to

address the reader directly, which creates a sense of intimacy and engagement. She

also uses humour and personal anecdotes to connect with the reader.

Here is an example of Miller's conversational writing style:

Pandemic employees

These are the folks who joined organizations between March 2020 and January

2022. They experienced the workplace onboarding and training process remotely,

and they may have never actually met their colleagues in person.

For this group, internal communication may have been more digital and

asynchronous. They may be used to getting their information from email, Slack, and

video conferencing. They may also be more comfortable with remote

communication, such as working independently and collaborating with others online.

8. Is the blog well trafficked?

I couldn't find any data on the blog's traffic levels. However, the blog is well-written

and informative, so it is likely to be of interest to a wide range of readers.

9. What are your first and immediate impressions?

informative. Miller provides a unique perspective on why internal communication

feels tougher today, and her observations are supported by her own experience and

conversations with others. I also appreciate her conversational writing style and her

use of humour and personal anecdotes.

10. Is the blog easy to use or navigate?

Yes, the blog is easy to use and navigate. The text is well-formatted and easy to

read, and the blog includes a few relevant images. The blog is also mobile-friendly.
Question 2

https://josephinemashayanyika.wordpress.com/2023/09/24/integrated-

communication-in-zimbabwe-a-practical-guide/
Question 3

3.1

The blog post on integrated communication in Zimbabwe (IC) shows a direct

relationship to the topics discussed in the blog post on why internal communication

feels tougher today in the following ways:

Both blog posts discuss the importance of communication in organizations.

Both blog posts discuss the challenges of communicating in today's complex and

competitive environment.

Both blog posts offer practical advice on how to improve communication.

3.2

Here are four specific areas that the IC blog post has improved upon in relation to

the internal communication blog post:

Focus: The IC blog post is more focused on a specific topic (integrated

communication), while the internal communication blog post is more general.

Actionability: The IC blog post provides more actionable advice for readers, such as

how to develop a communication strategy, coordinate communication activities, and

measure the results of communication.

Relevance: The IC blog post is more relevant to the Zimbabwean context, as it

includes examples of IC in Zimbabwe.

Visual appeal: The IC blog post is more visually appealing, with the use of images

and other design elements.

3.3
The following are some of the interesting graphic design elements included in the IC

blog post:

Hero image: The hero image at the top of the blog post is a colorful and eye-catching

image of people communicating on different channels.

Pull quotes: Pull quotes are used throughout the blog post to highlight key points and

make the post more visually appealing.

Infographic: The infographic at the end of the blog post provides a visual overview of

the key steps involved in implementing IC.

These graphic design elements are interesting and engaging, and they help to make

the blog post more informative and visually appealing.

3.4

The target audience for the IC blog post is anyone who is interested in learning more

about integrated communication, particularly in the context of Zimbabwe. This could

include business owners, marketing professionals, communication professionals,

and students.

The purpose of the IC blog post is to provide readers with a practical guide to

integrated communication. The blog post explains what IC is, why it is important, and

how to implement it.

3.5

To ensure that the IC blog post was free from any spelling and grammar mistakes, I

followed the following steps:

I used a spell checker and grammar checker.

I read the post aloud to myself to catch any errors that I might have missed.

I also took the time to edit the post carefully, ensuring that the writing was clear,

concise, and error-free.

4.1

Language communication barriers that the team may have felt as a result of Mr

Jacobs' communication:

 Jargon and complex language: Mr Jacobs used complex language and

jargon that the team members may not have understood. For example, he

may have used terms like "synergistic" or "value-added" without defining

them.

 Non-verbal cues: Mr Jacobs' non-verbal cues, such as his lack of eye

contact and his flustered demeanour, may have communicated to the team

members that he was not interested in their input or that he was not prepared

for the meeting.

 Cultural differences: If Mr Jacobs and the team members come from

different cultures, there may be cultural differences that affect their

communication. For example, in some cultures, it is considered rude to

interrupt someone who is speaking, while in other cultures, it is considered a

sign of engagement.

Practical example:

 Jargon and complex language: Mr Jacobs may have said something like,

"We need to develop a synergistic marketing campaign that will leverage our

core competencies in order to maximize brand awareness and increase

sales." This sentence is full of jargon and complex language that the team

members may not have understood. A better way to say this would be: "We
 need to develop a marketing campaign that works together to use our

strengths to increase brand awareness and sales."

 Non-verbal cues: Mr Jacobs may have spoken quickly, avoided eye contact,

and paced back and forth while he was giving his presentation. This non-

verbal communication may have communicated to the team members that he

was not interested in their input or that he was not prepared for the meeting. A

better approach would be to speak slowly and clearly, make eye contact with

the team members, and stand in a relaxed posture.

 Cultural differences: If Mr Jacobs is from the United States and the team

members are from Zimbabwe, there may be cultural differences that affect

their communication. For example, in the United States, it is considered rude

to interrupt someone who is speaking, while in Zimbabwe, it is considered a

sign of engagement. A better approach would be to be aware of cultural

differences and to be respectful of the team members' communication style.

4.2

Type of leadership style Mr Jacobs used:

Mr Jacobs used an **authoritarian** leadership style. This is a style of leadership in

which the leader makes all of the decisions and gives the team members little to no

input.

Whether this was an appropriate style for this situation:

This was not an appropriate leadership style for this situation. Mr Jacobs was leading

a team of creative professionals who needed to brainstorm ideas for a new

marketing project. An authoritarian leadership style would stifle creativity and

innovation.
More appropriate leadership style:

A more appropriate leadership style for this situation would have been a

**democratic** leadership style. This is a style of leadership in which the leader

encourages input from the team members and makes decisions collaboratively.

4.3

Should Mr Jacobs have included visual aids in his presentation:

Yes, Mr Jacobs should have included visual aids in his presentation. Visual aids can

help to make complex information more understandable and engaging. They can

also help to keep the audience's attention.

Benefits of using visual aids:

 Visual aids can help to make complex information more understandable and

engaging. For example, Mr Jacobs could have used a chart or graph to

illustrate the key points of his presentation.

 Visual aids can help to keep the audience's attention. When people are

presented with both visual and auditory information, they are more likely to

remember the information.

 Visual aids can help to create a more dynamic and visually appealing

presentation.
4.4

Example of a formal meeting notice:

To: Marketing Team

From: Ms. Jones, Secretary

Date: September 23, 2023

Subject: Meeting Notice

Meeting: Marketing Team Meeting

Date: September 24, 2023

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: Boardroom

Agenda:

 Welcome and introductions.

 Presentation on new marketing project

 Brainstorming session

 Questions and answers

Please come prepared to share your ideas for the new marketing project.
References

Dwyer, J., 2009. The business communication handbook. (No Title).

Guffey, M.E. and Loewy, D., 2014. Business communication: Process and product.

Cengage Learning.

Hartley, P. and Bruckmann, C., 2008. Business communication. Routledge.

Lesikar, R.V., Pettit, J.D. and Flatley, M.E., 1993. Basic business communication.

Burr Ridge, IL: Irwin.

Thill, J.V., Bovée, C.L. and Cross, A., 2005. Excellence in business communication.

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Varner, I.I., 2000. The theoretical foundation for intercultural business

communication: A conceptual model. The Journal of Business Communication

(1973)