A good manager is someone who has leadership skills and the ability to multi-task. Managers need aptitude in all modes of communication. They must work effectively with employees, the public, the media, other businesses, vendors, lawyers and banks. Managers are also often a liaison between corporate headquarters and their department and staff. Managers are needed in all kinds of industries, including the service and hospitality industry, marketing and communications, the economic and financial industries, retail, real estate and the non-profit sector. Managers may have to start in a lower-level position and work their way up, but a degree in business communications will certainly give prospective candidates an advantage.
One of the most important forms of communication in business is writing. People who study business communications are trained in business writing and are expected to know how to use proper grammar, do research and express ideas on paper with clarity and succinctness. Speech writing and technical writing are two major writing careers for which a degree in business communications prepares you. Both often work freelance, but can also be employed by businesses. Speech writers are usually ghost writers who write speeches on behalf of an individual like a CEO or a politician. Speech writer positions are sometimes connected to a public affairs position, and speech writers often work collaboratively with their clients. Technical writers author instructional manuals, pamphlets, catalogs, press releases, promotional materials and often go on to write full technical articles and books.
Many businesses have specific positions or even whole departments to deal with relations. These positions and departments include corporate relations, external relations, industry and labor relations, investor relations, public relations and media and press relations. To work effectively in relations it is important to be level-headed, to have excellent social skills, to be friendly and to have respect for other cultures and belief systems. The job of someone working in relations is essentially to create a positive image and to build strong connections on behalf of the business. People working in relations often have to network, negotiate and actively seek out new contacts. Labor relations specialists, for example, oversee and deal with the relationship between management and staff. Investor relations specialists, on the other hand, deal with finance, marketing and securities law, and public relations is all about building and maintaining a company's reputation. People interested in relations often supplement their studies of business communication with studies in law, journalism, economics or media studies, depending on the specific area of relations.