Essential Communication Strategies
For Scientists, Engineers, and Technology Professionals
2nd Edition
Published on 22. March 2004
200 pages
978-0-471-66089-7 (ISBN)
Description
Learn the tricks-of-the-trade of becoming a great technicalcommunicator
Remember when you were an undergraduate and freshman compositionseemed so irrelevant to your life? After all, you were going toconquer the world with technological know-how. Your spellchecksoftware would handle the details. Now that you're a professional -pitching an idea, vying for a contract or grant, or presenting at ameeting - getting your point across effectively suddenly seemspretty essential for success, doesn't it?
Fear not. This light-hearted text, brimming with proventechniques, good advice, and real-world examples that you caneasily apply to your own case, will turn you into an adeptcommunicator. Written expressly for technologists, this is asimple, concise, and practical guide to the communication dynamicsof writing, presentation delivery, and meeting interaction.
Herbert Hirsch, in-demand consultant who developed thesetechniques for his own prolific engineering career, teaches you howto use "scripting" to plan for communication events. More than amere outline or storyboard, scripting is a powerful technique thatassists you in getting the right structure and content, in theproper order.
Using scripting, you will master the fundamental principles ofcommunicating:
* How to grab the reader's or audience's attention from thestart
* How to maintain the connection while proceeding smoothly fromtopic to topic
* How to provide the substantiation for the points you made
* How to communicate with people from other groups, such asmarketers, investors, users, and others
* How to overcome such obstacles as fear, boredom, and aversionto your material
Distilling the art of communication to its essence, EssentialCommunication Strategies empowers you to communicate withconfidence and authority in every situation, to every audience.
Reviews / Votes
"...light-hearted text combines proven techniques, advice, andreal?world examples..." (Mechanical Engineering, May 15,2003) "...cheerily demystifies technical writing and presentation..."(American Scientist, September-October 2003) "...a worthwhile book and I would recommend it to those lookingto shore up their communications skills..." (ClinicalChemistry, Vol. 49, No. 12)More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Software
02/2005
Wiley
€60.29
Shipment within 10-20 days
Herbert Hirsch
Essential Communication Strategies
For Scientists, Engineers, and Technology Professionals
Book
01/2003
2nd Edition
Wiley-IEEE Press
€48.50
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
HERBERT L. HIRSCH began his career at Systems Research Laboratories (now part of Veridian Corporation) in Dayton, Ohio, and rose to the position of Senior Engineer. Mr. Hirsch has also served as an Engineering Group Leader for Quest Research Corporation, Director of Systems Engineering for Applications Research Corporation, Director of Engineering for Defense Technology, Inc., and Chief Engineer for MTL Systems, Inc. He has also authored and coauthored books on radar antenna simulation, statistical signal processing, hardware description languages, and electronic countermeasures. Mr. Hirsch currently operates his consulting business, Hirsch Engineering and Communications, Inc., from his home in Vandalia, Ohio.
Content
Preface.
Preface to the First Edition.
Acknowledgments.
Introduction to the Art of Communication.
PART I: The Written Document-Prose and Panic.
Chapter 1: Planning the Document.
Making the Connection
Establishing the Flow
Providing the Reinforcement
Zero-Time Planning
Chapter 2: Acquiring a Healthy Writing Attitude.
Preparing to Write.
Anticipating the Readers' Needs.
Enthusiasm: Enjoying It and Avoiding Writer's Block.
Zero-Planning Attitude Adjustments: Theirs, Not Ours!
Chapter 3: Producing the Document.
Simplicity: Why Overcomplicate the Task?
Isolation: Get Away from the Interruptions.
Zero-Time Preparation Techniques: They Get What They PayFor!
PART II: The Formal Presentation-Dissertation orDisaster.
Chapter 4: Planning the Presentation.
Making the Connection.
Providing the Flow and Reinforcement.
Zero-Time Planning.
Chapter 5: Acquiring the Successful PresentationAttitude.
Preparing to Present.
Taking the Proper Precautions.
Developing a Healthy Indifference.
Zero-Planning Attitude Adjustments.
Chapter 6: Conducting the Presentation.
Poise.
Confidence.
Dignity.
Zero-Preparation Presenting.
Handling the Video Teleconference.
PART III: The Informal Discussion-Meetings andMishaps.
Chapter 7: Planning for the Meeting.
Attending or Avoiding Meetings.
Filtering Meetings.
Planning the Meeting.
Zero-Time Planning.
Chapter 8: Acquiring a Meeting Attitude.
Preparing.
Anticipating the Unexpected.
Zero-Planning Attitude Adjustments.
Chapter 9: Participating in the Meeting.
Starting the Meeting.
Interacting in the Meeting.
Finishing the Meeting.
Zero-Preparation Techniques.
How to Plan and Conduct the Meeting Yourself.
PART IV: Cross-Culture Communication--Bridging theGap.
Chapter 10: Understanding a Communication CultureGap.
Negating Troublesome Differences.
Leveraging Useful Similarities.
Communicating Effectively.
Chapter 11: Writing for Any Readership.
Getting in Character.
Getting Back to the Basics.
Staying on Track.
Zero-Time Techniques.
Chapter 12: Presenting to Any Audience.
Planning for the Unknown.
Getting Acquainted.
Keeping Together.
Zero-Planning Techniques.
Chapter 13: Meeting with Anyone or AnyGroup.
Preparing for the Encounter.
Generating Comfort.
Making It Enjoyable for Everyone.
Zero-preparation Techniques.
Chapter 14: Conclusion.
Index.
About the Author.
