SAGE Publishing. CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE. 2020 1 SAGE Business Skills Author Guidelines PRODUCT SAGE Business Skills (SBS) is a digital resource to help students develop practical business and professional skills. With easy access to a range of multimedia content, students can develop relevant, in-demand skills needed to confidently transition from the classroom to the workplace. The platform’s modular design allows for easy student self-discovery through the library catalog as well as the ability for faculty members to embed within their Learning Management Systems or syllabus for classroom support. AUDIENCE & TONE SBS is aimed at upper-level undergraduates enrolled in business and allied fields but could also be used by students outside of the traditional business degree who are looking to ready themselves for employment. When writing, keep in mind that SBS is designed to be an engaging and enjoyable experience for students. There are no citation requirements, but we do encourage you to refer to research that supports the direction you are providing in the content. Below is a sample of how to do this (you can find more sample content in the Appendix of this document): Want to dig into this more and see the research behind the art and science of Business Communication? Check out this article: Communicating Organizational Trust: An Exploration of the Link Between Discourse and Action. We love this quote: “Words in themselves do not communicate trust unless there is corresponding action that attests to the veracity of the words.” WHAT DOES SBS CONSIST OF? At launch, SBS will consist of five modules: 1. Business Communication 2. Data Analytics 3. Soft Skills & Professionalism 4. Leadership & Management 5. Entrepreneurship Please review this brief video on our SAGE’s Skills site: https://study.sagepub.com/skills. The video presents an early prototype of the platform. Keep in mind this is a quick overview tour for authors and editors to orient themselves to this new SAGE idea and not highly polished marketing video. Below is a quick snapshot of the four levels users will access across the site:
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SAGE Publishing. CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE. 2020 1
SAGE Business Skills Author Guidelines
PRODUCT
SAGE Business Skills (SBS) is a digital resource to help students develop practical business
and professional skills. With easy access to a range of multimedia content, students can
develop relevant, in-demand skills needed to confidently transition from the classroom to the
workplace. The platform’s modular design allows for easy student self-discovery through the
library catalog as well as the ability for faculty members to embed within their Learning
Management Systems or syllabus for classroom support.
AUDIENCE & TONE
SBS is aimed at upper-level undergraduates enrolled in business and allied fields but could
also be used by students outside of the traditional business degree who are looking to ready
themselves for employment. When writing, keep in mind that SBS is designed to be an
engaging and enjoyable experience for students. There are no citation requirements, but we do
encourage you to refer to research that supports the direction you are providing in the content.
Below is a sample of how to do this (you can find more sample content in the Appendix of this
document):
Want to dig into this more and see the research behind the art and science of Business Communication? Check out
this article: Communicating Organizational Trust: An Exploration of the Link Between Discourse and Action.
We love this quote: “Words in themselves do not communicate trust unless there is corresponding action that
attests to the veracity of the words.”
WHAT DOES SBS CONSIST OF?
At launch, SBS will consist of five modules:
1. Business Communication 2. Data Analytics 3. Soft Skills & Professionalism 4. Leadership & Management 5. Entrepreneurship
Please review this brief video on our SAGE’s Skills site: https://study.sagepub.com/skills. The
video presents an early prototype of the platform. Keep in mind this is a quick overview tour for
authors and editors to orient themselves to this new SAGE idea and not highly polished
marketing video. Below is a quick snapshot of the four levels users will access across the site:
SAGE Publishing. CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE. 2020 8
Appendix D: Sample Text for Each Content Type
Module Self-Assessment
Even if you have had just an internship, have worked your way through school, or are starting your first
job, this self-assessment will help you identify the skill areas to begin working on. Think of actual work
situations you have been in or visualize yourself in situations you aspire to be in!
To begin:
• Answer the statements in terms of whether the statement describes what you are like.
• Click the button that best indicates the degree to which you feel the statement is like you.
• When complete, submit and explore the skills best suited to you.
How true is this statement to you:
1. I feel nervous about my ability to write professional email that would be read outside the
company by customers or clients. 2. I am comfortable working in a global business setting and working effectively with people of
different cultures and backgrounds. 3. I feel nervous when I have to communicate with colleagues or clients on the phone or in person 4. I am confident walking into a job interview and know how to impress. 5. Traveling for work and representing my company is something I find nerve-wracking 6. I know how to respond to receiving feedback that is critical of my work 7. I get very nervous with the idea of communicating with a particularly challenging colleague 8. I love to stand up in front of my colleagues and supervisor and present 9. I grew up on technology and feel confident using social media in a professional setting. 10. I am very good at negotiating anything! I’m a closer.
Note: Skilll self-eval should be written in the same manner but with just 5 questions.
Module Overview [not actual text that will be used; just a sample to show length] Entrepreneurship is an exciting field in which motivated individuals can merge their unique ideas with
proven business practices. Etc etc etc... We are in the era of entrepreneurship. Historically,
entrepreneurship could be traced back from the development of human civilization and therefore, one
can say that it is as old as history itself. As a field of scientific enquiry, it drew attention and
momentum only in the last few decades. Today, a phenomenal growth in the research interest and
outcomes are clearly visible across disciplines in this field and it is considered as the backbone of the
economy of any nation.
Many issues are important and need to be understood in the context of developing an economy but two
main aspects need to be addressed while understanding entrepreneurship. One is the factors that
facilitate the process of entrepreneurship development and the other is identifying the processes
through which an organization/enterprise has to pass through to become an entrepreneurial one.
Entrepreneurship is the creation of a variety of novel businesses. Many definitions are available in the
literature of entrepreneurship (Morris, 1998) and all have their own merits. It suffers from the problem
of definition, nature of its relationship with uncertainty and its identity crisis (liability of newness or on
novelty). Keeping a cognitive structure of the people of a society, the economic structure of a nation
SAGE Publishing. CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE. 2020 9
and its socio-political system and an overall scope for business, one may attempt to understand
entrepreneurship effectively and then define it.
In this process, probably, the economists should be remembered first. They differentiated an
entrepreneur from an ordinary performing employee (worker) or a change-agent/catalyst/leader from a
sincere manager. Later on, other scientists too joined this field looking at the role and importance of
non-economic factors contributing to the process of entrepreneurship. Today, it is an interdisciplinary
field of study.
Entrepreneurship has to be treated as a long-term competitive strategy, though for some organizations it
could be only a part of the short-term strategy. In fact, the role of entrepreneurship has also changed
drastically in the last decade, particularly after liberalization and globalization have become the
acceptable framework of national development across the world. As a result, one can see a dramatic
shift in the mindset of people, organizations and government policies. Fast growing organizations even
go for audits of non-quantifiable functions as they are ready to invest in anything, where there is
positive outcome but not on something that appears non-productive. This reflects a sense of
involvement, concern on cost effectiveness and preparation of the mindset of all kinds of organizations
for entering innovatively in the new/novel fields.
These enhanced involvements of private corporations and increased participation of new entrants in the
market have created a culture of entrepreneurial transformation in a nation like India. For example,
privatization in the field of telecommunication in the last decade has shown an increasing involvement
of private corporations and impact of governance and management control on creating opportunities for
entrepreneurs and influencing the economy (see Table 1.1).
In this module you will explore how to:
List Out Many Exciting Things
Entrepreneurship has to be treated as a long-term competitive strategy, though for some organizations it
could be only a part of the short-term strategy. In fact, the role of entrepreneurship has also changed
drastically in the last decade, particularly after liberalization and globalization have become the
acceptable framework of national development across the world. As a result, one can see a dramatic
shift in the mindset of people, organizations and government policies. Fast growing organizations even
go for audits of non-quantifiable functions as they are ready to invest in anything, where there is
positive outcome but not on something that appears non-productive. This reflects a sense of
SAGE Publishing. CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE. 2020 10
involvement, concern on cost effectiveness and preparation of the mindset of all kinds of organizations
for entering innovatively in the new/novel fields.
An entrepreneur is that individual who is involved in an entrepreneurial service and one who has
novelty in terms of ideas, processes and outcomes. He could be judged on the basis of the impact on the
economic system, business environment, market and stakeholders that form the entire society. Same
holds true with the definition of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship that originated among the French
first.
We have seen the process and behavior of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs. It requires examining
the venture process, the venture capital, resource assessment, talent availability and business
environment. All entrepreneurs could be categorized broadly as entrepreneurs (general/all), women,
technical and social. Here exists scope for small business management, performance of entrepreneurial
organization by examining issues related to survival as well as growth and inbreeding professionalism
to convert all organizations into corporate entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship also refers to the mindset of the entrepreneurs, to the degree of proactivity they
possess for being ahead of the competitors as well as the risk-taking ability and innovation in the
outcomes of the organizations. Here, economy, market, technological advancement and the socio-
political environment play important roles. The time has now come to encourage entrepreneurs develop
themselves and initiate entrepreneurial strategies to benefit.
Skill Outline (overview is always the first item and overall list can be 3-5 headings) Heading 1: Overview
Heading 2: Starting Off on the Right Foot
Heading 3 Communicating as a Solo Artist and Within Teams
Heading 4: Listening & Feedback
Heading 5: Influencing and Leading
Skill Overview
Today’s workplace is filled with technology that enables instantaneous communication. Every
year will bring even more advances in technology to the workplace; but strip away all these
tools and the essential need for strong and effective verbal and written communication remains.
The ability to be articulate and impactful—both in your written and verbal communication-- is
a key skill that will always be in high demand. Communication skills are woven not just in
every day emails and meetings with your colleagues, but in how a company executes on
strategy, or convinces stakeholders to invest, or steers a company through a crisis. Knowing
how to effectively write, speak, and even listen will set you up for professional success. In this
skillset you will find real-world scenarios, videos, data, and more that will help you
Learn strategies for making a great impression when starting a new job.
Figure out the best ways to work with your new colleagues and start to “read” situations.
See how current research can help you understand what drives workplace behavior and
communication.
General Skills Content
SAGE Publishing. CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE. 2020 11
It is no surprise that communication is essential for a successful organization. Each and every member
of an organization is responsible for helping to build the complicated web of communication that keeps
an organization healthy and moving forward. Yet, everyone is different and you’ll find your colleagues
have varying communication styles, preferences, and strengths. Some of your co-workers will tend to
favor email; others love to flit about the office visiting folks in person; some will startle you with their
love of the land-line phone call; while others rely on texting and Instant Messaging for quick and
efficient communication about daily issues as well as long-term projects.
Further, some of your colleagues you will never meet as they work in a remote location! You’ll find
that each organization has its unique culture and part of successfully fitting into your new position is
getting a sense of that culture and how you can play your part while still be able to express who you are
and allow your specific strengths to shine.
Further, today’s workplace also has a wide range of ages as people are living long healthy lives and
staying in their jobs longer than previous generations. It is commonplace to have people in their early
20s working alongside employees well into their 60s or 70s (check out this great article, Work Values
Across Generations)
Also, we love data and here are some hard, cold facts about employment across the generations. Find
yourself on the graph!
[INSERT DP Table or Video here]
Scenario Type 1
Communicating with Your Supervisor and Co-workers
It is 3 months after your graduation and you have landed a new job as a Marketing Assistant at a
medium-sized consulting firm. Congratulations! Your manager assigns you the task of shadowing a
senior marketing manager to learn about how they develop and execute the company’s social media
strategy. What is the first step you take with this manager?
1. Jump right in and tell her all the ideas you have for the social media feed? a. [response text for this choice: You’re new and at this stage here to learn. Don’t
presume to know enough at this early stage of your career to question a more senior
employee—particularly one you were assigned to shadow. Observe and ask questions
and wait until you’re asked or the opportunity arises to offer your opinion.] 2. Ask how you can help her out?
a. [response text for this choice: While this is helpful and shows your heart is in the right
place, it’s open ended and puts the onus on her to assign you something. You’re new
and here to learn. Let her set the agenda and then move to both agreeing on next steps
together.
3. Introduce yourself and tell her you’re excited to learn from her?
a. [response text for this choice: Good choice! A key part of successful work life is
building trust with your colleagues (organizational trust)…. And trust begins with
respect and willingness to learn from others—particularly as you’re just starting out!]
SAGE Publishing. CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE. 2020 12
4. Let her know how she can quickly add more followers? a. [response text to this choice: While you might have some tips she can use, save your
input until better understand their strategic objectives and can apply the experience you
have to their needs.]
Scenario Type 2
It is 3 months after your graduation and you have landed a new job as a Marketing Assistant at a
medium-sized consulting firm. Congratulations! Your manager assigns you the task of shadowing a
senior marketing manager to learn about how they develop and execute the company’s social media
strategy. What is the first step you take with this manager?
1. Jump right in and tell her all the ideas you have for the social media feed? a. [response text for this choice: You’re new and at this stage here to learn. Don’t
presume to know enough at this early stage of your career to question a more senior
employee—particularly one you were assigned to shadow. Observe and ask questions
and wait until you’re asked or the opportunity arises to offer your opinion.] 2. Ask how you can help her out?
a. [response text for this choice: While this is helpful and shows your heart is in the right
place, it’s open ended and puts the onus on her to assign you something. You’re new
and here to learn. Let her set the agenda and then move to both agreeing on next steps
together.
3. Introduce yourself and tell her you’re excited to learn from her?
a. [response text for this choice: Good choice! A key part of successful work life is
building trust with your colleagues (organizational trust)…. And trust begins with
respect and willingness to learn from others—particularly as you’re just starting out!]
4. Let her know how she can quickly add more followers? a. [response text to this choice: While you might have some tips she can use, save your
input until better understand their strategic objectives and can apply the experience you
have to their needs.]
Scenario Type 3: [see wireframes]
Knowing When To Skip the Tech and Talk Directly
You’ve been on the job for almost a year. As you gain more confidence in your role you are faced with
some new challenges. Think of your ideal or actual workplace today and think judge which situations
you can handle with email or other electronic communication, such as Instant Message, and which
situations are best to handle by phone or in person?
Question 1 (in person): Always remember that any electronic communication is the property of your
company and is stored. So, if you have something you feel a bit sensitive about (such as discussing the
actions of a more senior employee) or don’t want someone else to read if forwarded, try and talk about
it in person. Second choice here would be the phone. Telling your boss about this doesn’t mean you