Hi, I’m Erin Wilhite. I’m your instructor in Business Communications here at Blinn College this semester.
I know many of you are taking this class thinking, "Great, another speech and writing class. I already know how to write and talk. What a waste of time and money."
Hm. Well, yes, we are going to be doing weekly writing assignments and a PowerPoint or two, and those will certainly contribute a great deal to your grade. Last semester I required video interviews; this semester that's an extra credit assignment. And yes, you already know how to write. But in this class you will learn the importance of conforming your writing to a specific style, that of the business world. The writing techniques you learned in high school or have been using all along in your past career will help you get started. But the goal of writing in business is to communicate clearly and succinctly. Another way to say that is that you will strive for brevity and clarity in your writing. You will write in specific styles, and although you may think my grading is picky and subjective, it is not – it is very objective, and most assignments are accompanied by a rubric that explains the goal of that assignment.
You see, part of what makes business writing more efficient is that the recipient should be able to glance at the memo, letter, email, or report, and know instantly the purpose, just by its style. Then they should be able to easily search for the details of what they need in order to accomplish the mission of your company. Yes, "mission of your company" is a somewhat grandiose way of phrasing it, but it truly is the big picture of what I want you to walk away from this class understanding.
You see, in our current economy, you can’t afford to be mediocre. If layoffs are imminent, in a company that operates with integrity, the employees who are more likely to either get laid off or passed over for promotion are those who are merely mediocre. In here, I want you to grasp the significance of going beyond “just enough”, to providing that added value that makes you indispensable management material. I want you to achieve excellence.
A student asked me last semester, “Mrs. Wilhite, if you know so much, why are you here, teaching at a community college? “
Well, actually, I’m being modest. He didn’t say “if you know so much.” What he said was, "Mrs. Wilhite, you know so much about business and you have an advanced degree. Why aren’t you working in business, making good money, instead of here, teaching at a community college?”
My answer was, “Brian, it’s the lifestyle. Some people want money and power and toys. I’m leaving next month to spend a week with my daughter in Los Angeles. In July I’m spending a week with my son in Las Vegas. The rest of the time, I’m going to play golf, lie by the pool, and play on my laptop. And what I do doesn’t feel like work. When I play on my laptop, I’m actually researching ideas to make me a better professor, to keep me current, to provide added value to you, my clients. To quote a trite saying, it isn't work if you love it.” So here I am, surrounded by plantains and narcissus in the courtyard of my daughter’s California apartment complex, writing to you.
You may want something different out of life. You’ve clearly started on the path to accomplish that, because you’re taking courses toward a degree or certificate to improve your economic station in life.
I hope you’ll take the time to get the added value out of this class that I’m offering to you. Good luck to you in this and all of your career endeavors.
Hm. I think for the rest of the day, I’ll go for a hike with my daughter in Topanga Canyon, then walk on the beach. Maybe tomorrow we’ll see the Getty Museum. Talk to you later!
