Business Communication: Contexts and Controversies, First Edition

This text takes a fresh approach to business communication that you will not find in other texts on the market.  Each chapter examines key issues in business communication — these ‘issues’ provide new contexts in which business communication can be framed and taught in the classroom.  Topics such as ‘Blackberry or Crackberry’ appeal to today’s students and are certainly going to engage them in the classroom and provoke meaningful discussions about what it takes to communicate effectively in today’s digital workplace. 

Les Hanson has over 30 years of experience teaching in schools in locations ranging from the highlands of Papua New Guinea to fly-in communities in Northern Manitoba. He has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Arts degree in Community College Education from Central Michigan University. For the last 20 years he has taught business communication at Red River College in Winnipeg. He recently assumed the position of coordinator in the Business Administration and International Business programs. His current academic interest is in the use of laptop computers in education.  His personal interests include cross-country skiing, bicycling, and inline skating, as well as auto mechanics and home renovation. He continues to live in Winnipeg with his wife and their two children.

Darryl Hammond is a communications and marketing specialist with over twenty years of business managing and post secondary teaching experience. Having worked in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, he has gained a unique perspective of effective business communications from many angles. After building a successful career in senior management with the provincial government specializing in social marketing, Darryl opened Hammond Communications; a marketing and communications firm with provincial and national accounts. In addition, Darryl began teaching part time at the University of Manitoba and later at the University of Winnipeg. More recently he has turned a part time teaching passion into a full time focus. Darryl now teaches at Red River College in Business Communications and Management. He also continues to teach at Manitoba’s two universities in the areas of Social Marketing, Business Administration, and Economics. He is a contributing author in a number of Pearson publications in the areas of business administration and communications. Darryl’s hobbies include water skiing, snowboarding, reading, and music, which he enjoys with this wife and their four children.