Use of English - Multiple Choice

Corporate Communication

In modern organisations, effective communication is often regarded as the (0) CORNERSTONE of long-term success. Even companies with highly skilled staff can run into difficulty if messages are poorly expressed or key decisions are not properly (1) .......... to the people concerned. In many cases, problems arise not because employees lack ability, but because expectations have not been clearly (2) .......... from the outset. A capable manager knows that good communication is not simply about giving instructions; it also involves listening carefully and responding (3) .......... to feedback. In addition, the language used in business settings must be appropriate to the situation. A proposal may fail to make an impact if it is too vague, while an email that sounds overly direct may (4) .......... offence where none was intended. For this reason, professionals are often advised to (5) .......... their wording before sending important messages. This is especially true when dealing with clients, where one poorly chosen phrase can (6) .......... an otherwise productive relationship. Ultimately, organisations that communicate well are better placed to build trust, resolve conflict and (7) .......... on new opportunities. In a competitive market, that ability can give them a clear (8) .......... over their rivals.