It’s time to update your reading list! IABC just published “The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication: A Global Standard Primer,” a 25-chapter collection of thought leadership that explores the communication discipline from multiple angles. This project was a long time coming, as it was originally planned to launch in alignment with IABC’s 50th anniversary in 2020. Although the challenges of the pandemic got in the way, editor Tamara L. Gillis and her team of authors shifted to ensure this valuable resource made it into the hands of communicators around the world.

Here, Gillis talks about the intention behind the book, sharing how it provides best practices across disciplines and is a testament to communicators’ acumen. Read on to learn more about the story behind this latest resource, and be sure to check out the first chapter on Catalyst before purchasing your copy.

Tell us about the intention and inspiration behind “The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication: A Global Standard Primer.” How is the book a testament to communicators’ acumen and adaptability?

This third compendium of organizational communication wisdom — that’s the way I describe this project — has been many years in the making. The conversations about this edition began in 2017. The formal proposal and author recruitment followed in 2018–2019. The original plan was to have the book completed for IABC’s 50th anniversary … then the pandemic hit. There was a point when I thought we might have to table the project, which would have been dreadful, considering all the work that so many people poured into it.

The pandemic changed priorities for many people. Acknowledging the current environment, we reworked the production schedule to accommodate reality. This allowed me to revise the production schedule and re-propose chapter assignments with the authors. I am so grateful that so many authors agreed to stay on the project, and I am grateful for those colleagues who agreed to take on chapters as the production schedule changed.

This work continues the conversation from two previous books featuring best practices in organizational communication. How does this content aid a communication professional in advancing their career?

Business communication is a changing landscape. While communication as a practice is as old as humanity, technology and current events require new applications, strategies and tactics. This addition to the IABC library carries on a tradition that started in the 1980s with the original collections, “Inside Organizational Communication” (1981, 1985, 1999) and “The IABC Handbook of Organizational Communication” (2006, 2011).

Each chapter in “The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication” provides insights into basic principles of communication, best practice examples from specific communication disciplines (such as executive communication, internal communication, strategic public relations and marketing) and competencies (from planning and management to writing and storytelling to evaluation and analysis). It also features strategies for applying the six core principles of the Global Standard of the communication profession.

The authors of this book span the globe and cover topics such as foundations, communication management, internal communication, public relations and marketing communication. How were these authors and their topics selected?

One of the features that makes the IABC community so special is that we represent communication professionals from around the world and in many communication disciplines. A hallmark of each of the IABC book projects has been hearing from colleagues from around the world and learning from their experiences.

As an educator and consultant, I think about these books as a look inside the work of our profession. Each chapter provides basic principles and examples. If someone is new to the profession, they can learn about strategies and tactics. Seasoned professionals, too, can find new applications for their work. The chapters are chosen to address the most common strategies and practices. The authors were chosen for their expertise and their fresh perspectives.

One of my greatest joys in managing and contributing to these book projects has been meeting new colleagues and learning new applications for reaching organizational goals.

What do you hope communicators take away from “The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication”?

“The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication” is a book for three audiences: people who want to learn about communication (students or people who are new to the profession), people who are working on certification who want to reflect on their experiences and best practices in the discipline, and people who manage communication professionals, but are not communication professionals. This collection will provide insights for readers at a number of levels.

"The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication” is now available for purchase worldwide. Look forward to reviewing new communication insights and applications to strengthen your practice. To order your copy, please use the following links:

Order Now (all markets except Australia and Japan)

Order Now (Australia)

Order Now (Japan)

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