ADMN 233 — Communication for Business Simulation
Platform: Ametros Learning
Scenario: Josh plays a Corporate Communications Specialist at Monarchy Technology, navigating a diversity-algorithm failure (Regency III) with client Eidos Logistics while completing a Professional Communication certification.
Performance scores:
- Module I: 3/3 knowledge check; MASTERY on message planning, email writing, information gathering, critical thinking
- Module III: STRONG on professional ethics and emotional intelligence (responding to Isaac’s press release request)
Module I — Email Planning, Scope, and Audience
PAS Framework (Email)
Purpose → Action → Structure — the core email mini-framework.
“Write every message backwards from the action you need — then make that action obvious, easy, and unavoidable.”
See PASFramework for full detail.
Scope
The breadth and depth of a communication — what goes in, what stays out.
- Too much detail → overwhelmed reader; less likely to be informed or persuaded
- Too little detail → confusion; reader forced to send follow-up communications
- Optimal scope = determined by purpose, action, gravity (overall effect), and audience expectations
Audience — PSA Triad
Purpose + Scope + Audience must be aligned. New element here: Human vs. Algorithmic Audiences:
- Human: Adjust tone, detail, structure for role, hierarchy, culture, relationship
- Algorithmic: Forms, feeds, search systems — be precise, consistent, privacy-aware
See AudienceAnalysis for full audience analysis detail.
Email Memo Basics
- Subject line: short, clear, <1 sentence
- Body: state purpose in first 1–2 lines, short paragraphs, bullets
- Use phone for sensitive information
- “Reply all” risk: exposes private content
Routine Messages
Even simple messages need PSA planning: purpose (primary + secondary) + audience + scope.
- Structure: Introduction (who/why/reference) → Body (main purpose) → Conclusion (call to action)
- Tone example: neutral vs. relationship-focused (“Congratulations! Oxford Wheels looks forward to building a mutually beneficial relationship…“)
Module II — Writing Consciously and Mechanics
Wordiness — 4 Types
See Wordiness for full detail.
| Type | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Redundancy | Multiple words saying the same thing | ”circled around” (circle already means around) |
| Unnecessary Intensifiers | Increase strength for no reason | very, honestly, really, totally, absolutely |
| Stretching Phrases | Little words that add quantity, not meaning | ”in order to” → “to”; “at this point in time” → “now” |
| Thick Words | Unusual/archaic words not used in everyday speech | heretofore, herein, whereby |
Parts of Speech — 8 Types
| Part | Function | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | Person, place, thing | house, teacher, Toronto |
| Pronoun | Substitutes a noun; avoids repetition | I, he, she, it, they |
| Adjective | Describes noun qualities | size, colour, number, kind |
| Verb | Action; can change form (tense, person) | run/ran, talk/talked/will talk |
| Adverb | Modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs; often ends -ly | quickly, impressively, usually |
| Preposition | Shows relationships (time/place) | above, across, during, into |
| Conjunction | Connects words or clauses | and, but, or (3 types below) |
| Article | Provides information about a noun | a/an (indefinite), the (definite) |
Three types of conjunctions:
- Coordinating: joins two independent clauses (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
- Correlative: joins ideas in pairs (neither/nor, whether/or, not only/also)
- Subordinating: combines independent + dependent clause (though, because, although, since)
Sentence Variation
Vary sentence length and structure to avoid monotony.
| Pattern | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Short | Single, unmissable point | He stopped. |
| Long | Atmospheric, emotional; use parallelism | She stood at the window, watching the rain collect in the gutters. |
| Intrusive | Full sentence inside another | The tiger — he went by Conrad — snarled. |
| End/Beginning | Repeat end of one sentence at start of next | ”This business is new. New business isn’t easy.” |
| Beginning/Beginning | Two sentences open the same way | Emphasizes the repeated opening action |
| Ending/Ending | Two sentences close the same way | Emphasizes the closing point |
| Beginning/End | Opening element returns at the end | ”Eternity is a long time, but David wants to live for eternity.” |
Module III — Ethics, Empathy, and Presentation
Professional Ethics — Potter Process
See ProfessionalEthics for full detail.
Four steps:
- Explain the problem fully — without complete information, you can’t make an informed decision
- Consider values — what would the community (society, profession, organization) expect?
- Consider timeless philosophical principles — Aristotle (middle-ground), Kant (universal law), Mill (utilitarianism: most benefit, least harm)
- Consider loyalties — boss, organization, profession, self, general public (think to the bigger loyalties)
Delivering Negative Information
- Primary purpose: deliver the news clearly and completely
- Secondary purpose: what outcome do you want? (e.g., maintain relationship, persuade of a plan)
- Don’t surprise receivers with bad news — keep stakeholders proactively informed
- Scope: minimum = detailed explanation; strong expected resistance = data-supported argument
- Timing: negative news should be delivered promptly — sitting on it is never a good idea
Empathy in Communication
See Empathy for full detail.
| Type | Definition |
|---|---|
| Emotional empathy | Responding to another’s mental/emotional state with the appropriate emotion (feeling with them) |
| Cognitive empathy | Understanding another’s position or perspective (perspective-taking) |
Both types help you craft more compelling messages to specific audiences. Empathy is a learnable skill.
Presentation Skills
See PresentationSkills for full detail.
Slides:
- Focused topic + central argument tying slides together
- 6 slides per 10 minutes; point form, not full sentences
- Consistent template, fonts, titles; agenda slide first; summary slide last
- Replace text/numbers with images/graphs where possible
Online presenting:
- Most important: sound quality (use external mic; quiet room)
- Lighting: source must be in front of you (face a window or use desk lamp)
- Don’t read a script — speak to the slides and fill out naturally
- Use screencasting software if recording for playback
Simulation Context (Regency III)
The scenario running through all three modules:
- Monarchy Technology: HR software company; Josh’s employer
- Regency III: AI recruitment platform designed to increase diversity — but at Eidos, diversity metrics dropped from 56% pre-implementation to 24% post-implementation
- Eidos Logistics: Major client; Nina (Eidos contact, Module I), Inês Carneiro (QA Manager, Module II)
- Isaac Leath (Design Lead): Requested a premature “no issues” press release — Josh correctly rejected this on ethical grounds
Key skill demonstrated: When faced with Isaac’s ethically problematic request, applied the Potter Process — identified the full problem, considered organizational values (integrity), and prioritized loyalties to clients and public over internal politics. Received STRONG ratings on Professional Ethics and Emotional Intelligence.
Related Concepts
PASFramework · Wordiness · ProfessionalEthics · Empathy · PresentationSkills · AudienceAnalysis