07-03-2024
I’ve brought to market an innovative new textbook that blends people-first skills with technological advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is one of the first textbooks that introduces best practices for using AI as an effective communication tool. In Strategic Business Writing: A People First Approach readers get a glimpse of the magic I have tried to create in the business writing classroom here at Purdue’s Daniels School.
Our students learn the technical and people skills needed to be successful in the workplace. As a faculty member in Business Communication, I get to lead the effort in helping students develop some highly sought-after people-first skills. That’s why in the Spring of 2021 I took my academic training and industry experience and launched an innovative, experiential strategic business writing class that quickly became a student favorite. In three years MGMT 33500 Strategic Business Writing has grown from one section to, in the 2024-25 academic year, 25 sections taught across four business communication faculty members. We expect it to scale up even more in the next few years and become the business writing course all undergraduate students in the Daniels School of Business take.
In the summer of 2022, I was approached by an editor at Kendall Hunt who was excited about the unique people-first approach we were taking with MGMT 33500, and in a quick turn of events, I was soon under book contract. In Strategic Business Writing: A People-First Approach I introduce readers to 5 People-First Communication Skills: Emotional Intelligence, Audience Analysis, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Building Connection and Trust, and Communication Ethics. These foundational skills help readers keep in mind the audience and what they want/need, the situation/context, the goal and purpose of writing, how to write clearly and concisely, and style and tone when writing. Once these foundational skills are understood, readers begin to learn the fundamentals of business writing, recalling these people-first skills in every type of business writing they encounter.
At the Daniels School, developing business communication skills requires a people first-approach, but we also stay on the cutting edge of advancements in AI. That is why in my new textbook I introduce readers to best practices when using AI as a communication tool. They learn how to ethically and effectively use AI while not sacrificing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Dr. Kasie Roberson is a clinical assistant professor in business communication at Purdue’s Daniels School of Business. She serves as the Associate Director of Outreach and Coaching for the Center for Working Well and the Course Coordinator for MGMT 33500 Strategic Business Writing. Dr. Roberson is an executive coach for leadership and performance and is frequently asked to speak on topics including: executive presence, emotional intelligence and audience analysis, AI and business writing, and communicating well in the workplace.
