Communication is especially important in today's world. Excellent writing and speaking skills are necessary as our potential to influence others grows. Through instruction and practice, Business Communication (IDS 290) offers us the opportunity to attend to the professional demands of detail, clarity, consistency, and style. We learn how to express ourselves as leaders, people who will make a difference.

I enrolled in IDS 290 because it was a College of Business Administration lower division requirement. I bought my text books and on the first day of class I entered the world of IDS 290 with eager anticipation. After all, I had been through 16 years of school and always enjoyed English grammar and public speaking. Surely my writing and speaking skills would cam me through; I would get an "A" in the class.

Before long, however, I discovered that my old, familiar style of communicating was not going to get the job done. I was writing and speaking from my perspective - from what I knew. One of the most valuable lessons I learned in IDS 290 was how to develop the ability to step outside of myself and write and speak as though I was the recipient of the communication. I would ask, "How would I perceive, from a business professional's point of view, the letter, memo, report, or speech I was producing"? My newfound perspective altered my approach to detail, clarity, and consistency and allowed me to develop a style befitting that of one who wants to be successful in the wide world of business.

Another valuable lesson I learned in IDS 290 was how to be an effective coordinator. For the Long Analytical Report (LAR), i-ay old, familiar communicating skills proved to be inadequate here too. The verb "coordinate" is defined as, "to bring into a common action, movement, or condition: HARMONIZE." How was I going to inspire harmony so we could come together in a common action, movement, or condition to get the job done, and get it done right?

The first official thing we did as a LAR team to ensure harmony was address a number of potential problem areas such as: attendance, scheduling, preparedness, and attitude. We discussed the issues thoroughly and decided on the ground miles. Then, we wrote them down and everyone on the team signed and got a copy of the contract. This had the effect of clearing the air, leveling the playing field, and inspiring cooperation. We could now et on with our brain storming, our research, and our LAR.

When problems arose, we met, we discussed the issues, we debated the consequences, and we decided on an outcome. An informative memorandum was then issued to every team member. The contract and all memorandums were kept in a separate binder by the LAR Coordinator and referenced as often as necessary to provide clarity during the course of the project.

Another vital link to promoting harmony and, ultimately, the success of our LAR was the requirement that all team members be thoroughly aware of the entire LAR process. This policy provided the following results:

1. It promoted efficiency and enhanced our final LAR product in the same way that cross training in the "real world" affects a company's output and, ultimately, its bottom line.

2. It gave everyone on our team the knowledge base necessary to be the coordinator, or the primary researcher, or the secondary researcher of such a project sometime in their career.

3. It allowed everyone to assume responsibility for the final product because they were equal participates in the production.

4. It streamlined everyone's efforts by reducing redundancy.

5. It gave all team members the necessary information to do well on the Report Writing part of the IDS 290 Final Exam.

There has not been one day that I have not used the communication skills I learned during my IDS 290 semester. I now have a successful nursing career, own my own business, and have had the honor of helping other students as an IDS 290 Teaching Assistant, Spring 1997.

Yes, I did get the IDS 290 grade I wanted and thought I deserved. It took effort, commitment, and teamwork to obtain it.

Are you are willing to work hard and have fun learning new, useful and exciting things? If your answer is yes, then you can get the IDS 290 grade you want and think you deserve too!