- Courtland L. Bovee |
- John V. Thill |
Title overview
For business communication courses.
Merging best practices in business communication with cutting-edge technology
Business Communication Today blends timeless communication principles with breakthrough applications of AI and other modern technology. Authors Bovée and Thill present key skills in business communication through a current, real-world lens, while helping students translate their media knowledge into success.
The 16th Edition offers complete guidance in using AI in business communication, in a way that fosters authentic human communication. The most comprehensive revision in 35 years of market leadership, it reflects the diversity of voices in business today, while developing AI skills that are in high demand across industries.
Hallmark features of this title
Real-world applications
- NEW: Integrated coverage of AI skills and best practices throughout the text builds sought-after skills in business today.
- EXPANDED: 19 new chapter-opening vignettes, plus end-of-chapter challenges, show how real business professionals apply key chapter concepts.
- 5-Minute Guides, model documents and a three-step writing process present best practices for various communication tasks.
Active learning
- Apply Your Skills Now boxes help learners apply communication skills in and out of class.
- Hundreds of exercises, activities and cases, sorted by learning category, offer essential practice with vital skills.
- Build Your Career activities help students create employment packages to share with potential employers.
New and updated features of this title
Comprehensive updates
- NEW & REVISED: Dozens of chapter sections are new, updated or substantially revised to reflect the latest research and practices in business communication.
- NEW: A wide range of AI concepts, warnings, insights and hands-on skills are now covered in each chapter. Topics include uses and downsides of Gen AI, the benefits of using AI for writing assistance, and the ethics of AI, such as perpetuation of bias and misinformation.
New learning resources
- EXPANDED: More than 230 new student questions, exercises and activities, including more than 100 that involve the use of AI tools, were added to this edition.
- EXPANDED: One-third of the Communication Cases are new. The cases challenge students to craft messaging for mobile devices. Many of them feature real companies from a range of industries.
Visual enhancements
- NEW: Several dozen new infographics help students absorb key points from the text thoroughly and efficiently. Figures, checklists and quick-reference tables also support this goal.
- EXPANDED: More than 180 new or redesigned figures and photos were added, enhancing written explanations and supporting visual learners.
Key features
Features of MyLab Business Communication for the 16th Edition
- NEW: Interactive Reading Assignments engage students through an integrated blend of narrative, media and assessment, while holding them accountable for coming to class prepared.
- NEW: Using AI Assignments help students gain exposure to and practice with various Gen AI tools.
- NEW: The Case Study Library offers brief, assignable case studies based on real-world business scenarios (both text and video cases). Case study assignments include case-related writing prompts as well as auto-graded multiple-choice assessment questions.
- UPDATED: Communication Mini Sims provide hands-on practice with realistic business correspondence and other kinds of business documents. For various types of written communications, students identify problem areas and then correct them based on the business purpose.
- UPDATED: Mini Sims put students in professional roles and ask them to respond to real business challenges.
- UPDATED: Video Assignments for each chapter provide a curated selection of videos connecting chapter concepts to real-world business scenarios. Each assignment includes multiple-choice assessment questions.
Features of Pearson+ eTextbook for the 16th Edition
- NEW: With Interactive Reading Assignments, you can assign reading from the eTextbook and then gauge comprehension with a concept-check quiz after each section of each chapter.
- NEW: Interactive versions of key concepts from the text (1-2 per chapter) deepen students’ comprehension of essential course material.
Table of contents
- Professional Business Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
- Collaboration, Interpersonal Communication, and Business Etiquette
- Communication Challenges in a Diverse, Global Marketplace
- Planning Business Messages
- Writing Business Messages
- Completing Business Messages
- Digital Media
- Social Media
- Visual Media
- Writing Routine and Positive Messages
- Writing Negative Messages
- Writing Persuasive Messages
- Finding, Evaluating, and Processing Information
- Planning Reports and Proposals
- Writing and Completing Reports and Proposals
- Developing Presentations in a Social Media Environment
- Enhancing Presentations with Slides and Other Visuals
- Building Careers and Writing Résumés
- Applying and Interviewing for Employment
Author bios
About our authors
Courtland L. Bovée and John V. Thill have been leading textbook authors for over three decades, introducing millions of students to the fields of business and business communication. Their award-winning texts are distinguished by proven pedagogical features, extensive selections of contemporary case studies, hundreds of real-life examples, engaging writing, thorough research and the unique integration of print and digital resources. Each new edition reflects the authors’ commitment to continuous refinement and improvement, particularly in terms of modeling the latest practices in business and the use of technology.
Professor Bovée has 22 years of teaching experience at Grossmont College in San Diego, where he has received teaching honors and was accorded that institution’s C. Allen Paul Distinguished Chair. Mr. Thill is a prominent communications consultant who has worked with organizations ranging from Fortune 500 multinationals to entrepreneurial start-ups. He formerly held positions with Pacific Bell and Texaco.
Courtland Bovée and John Thill were awarded proclamations from the Governor of Massachusetts for their lifelong contributions to education and for their commitment to the summer youth baseball program sponsored by the Boston Red Sox.