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Hey Team! Welcome to MGMT2002 – Managing Business Communication!

This welcome packet/frequently asked questions (FAQ) document serves as an introductory guide to

the course to let you know a little more about me (your Lecturer) and the way the course will

operate. This guide is intended to be an informal supplement to the course outline.

1. What’s this class going to be like?

This class is actually a lot of fun! We cover a broad range of exciting topics regarding business

communication. As relationships form the core of everything that we do, this course will give you

new perspectives on communicating across our various workplace relationships. Although not

everything will be “new” per se, spending more time on these topics will certainly make you more

successful in your communication and career. I promise that there is much that we can learn and

accomplish together… this class truly has something for everyone!

In this spirit, we emphasise reflective assessments which give you the opportunity to focus on the

areas more meaningful to you individually. Content from this course is heavily inspired by current

events and delivered across multiple mediums to enrich your learning. Naturally, you will have

learning content through videos and exercises too. Altogether, I have put together a thoughtful team

and program for you, and I look forward to serving as your guide/LIC as we progress through the

term. With current circumstances, we definitely have plenty to discuss. Albeit some pressing

challenges, there is plenty of opportunity ahead!

2. What does our schedule look like between lectures and tutorials? Do I need to be in

class?

Yes! Regular class attendance is first and foremost the most important responsibility for students in

this course. In terms of both lectures and tutorials, this course is delivered live and in-person. In the

spirit of our work ultimately driving when and where we are, we have a total of nine (9) lectures,

nine (9) tutorials, and four (4) assessment deadlines to organise your time around.

In terms of schedule, there is some flexibility already built into the course. Ultimately, when and

how you work (and what you choose to prioritise/emphasise) is up to you (i.e. flexible), aside from

when we meet and submit assessments (i.e., structure). Overall, our course meetings (including

lectures and tutorials) occur in two parts:

1. Lectures. Our lectures are delivered in-person on Wednesdays from 12:00 - 2:00 pm

AEST/AEDT in Electrical Engineering G23. To preserve the live dynamic of our classroom,

lecture sessions are not recorded. Some supplementary and bonus material is posted on a

delayed basis. Lectures are the main source of new information and learning material. More

importantly, lectures are the only means I have for teaching (and interacting with) you, and

and there is no real substitute for your learning and success than regular attendance.

2. Tutorials. Your tutorials are offered at their regularly scheduled time (depending on your

selection). You can find the full schedule of tutorials on our course page. Although there is

some overlap, lectures and tutorials are separate activities that work in tandem. You need

both for full participation and content. If a scheduling conflict arises within a particular week

of the term, we will encourage you to attend one of the other sessions. If this occurs, please

just email me (and the tutors involved), so that we can be aware of the situation.

Ultimately, this meeting plan aims to find the right balance between connection and convenience. As

we are encouraged to meet together, this format is arranged to best serve your learning needs. I

encourage you to be well-rounded across aspects of your life, but it is your responsibility to make

our class meetings and deadlines.

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3. How will I be marked? What are the assessments?

In this course, we have a series of four assessments that are good measures of growth and learning

but also should be enjoyable experiences. These assignments are comprised of three types:

Reflective Reports (2), Negative News Memo Packet, and Summative Take-home Exam. Following

course content, these assessments are spread consistently across the term.

Individually, the assessments accomplish different goals with associated strengths. The take-home

exam (multiple choice) provides a simple, direct, and summative demonstration of important course

terms. The reflective reports allow you to focus on the areas which are more interesting and

meaningful to you. Finally, the negative news memo provides you with an experiential opportunity

to apply course content to a current real-world problem.

Together, I think you will find these exercises to be fulfilling experiences in support of your individual

learning. The course outline marks these out in detail and more guidance will follow in due time

throughout the term, but I hope this early preview provides you with a little insight into course

planning and assessments.

4. What about a textbook?

Textbooks are expensive, and let’s face it, you are probably not here to learn from a textbook.

However, a textbook can be a good supplement, especially for key terms and additional stories. With

this in mind, I am happy to report that your textbook is open access (no cost!): Business

Communication for Success ISBN: 9781946135056). I understand how you are feeling!

The lecture material each week should be your priority resource, but I will point to certain chapters

and selected content within the chapters. Here, the textbook suits our purposes well enough. The

textbook covers some parts well (such as key terms), but it tends to go on tangents in other areas.

Overall, the textbook simply provides an additional resource to support your learning. Keeping in

mind many of the key terms we use come from the respective chapters, you may find it helpful to at

least scan/skim the content within the chapter each week.

5. What is Dr. Dhaenens (dee-hane-nenz) or ‘’Dr. D’’, if preferred, like as a professor?

I believe that most students consider me quite passionate and considerate about what I teach. I put

a lot of thought into organising my courses and making them balanced across content, assessments,

and learning needs/styles. A major goal in my classrooms is to provide learning that is future- focussed! Ultimately, this means I am going to everything I can to make you prepared for the

challenges you will face ahead in your career. My classes are for the here, now, and tomorrow!

Above all, I am here to do what I can to support your learning. Generally speaking, I am chill, if you

are chill, but that still comes with some expectations, discomforts, and challenges. True learning

comes from being challenged, even while covering valuable topics.

Below are the five qualities that I seek to represent in my teaching and courses:

1. Balanced

2. Future-focussed

3. Passionate

4. Approachable

5. Considerate

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6. Tell me more about Dr D? What does he do? (please excuse the third person writing in this section)

Overview (Faculty Profile). Dr Andrew Dhaenens is a Lecturer at UNSW Business School. With an

industry background in human resources, his research is the area of workplace relationships across

many applications (including organisational change, work arrangements, and employee turnover)

within a range of industries. At UNSW, he co-founded and leads Hybrid Work Leadership (HWL) as an

applied and translational lab which works to help organisations find ways to better manage hybrid

and flexible work arrangements. As an emerging voice on human resources and workplace trends,

His work has been featured across many popular media outlets (print, radio, and television) across

Australia including Sydney Morning Herald, Sky News, 2GB, Qantas Magazine, Canberra Times, HRM

Magazine, 2CC Talking Canberra, Australian Financial Review, ABC Radio, and The New Daily.

Education and teaching. Dr Dhaenens did his undergraduate (concentration: human resources;

minor: psychology) and MBA at the University of Detroit Mercy. Fun fact, he was a NCAA Division I

Cheerleader (on partial scholarship) during this time. He received his Ph.D. in Management from

Mississippi State University in 2018. Before joining UNSW in 2019, Dr Dhaenens has taught courses

at Mississippi State University and the University of Toledo.

As far as specific classes, he has taught a wide range including human resources, compensation,

organizational theory and change, family business & entrepreneurship, organisational

communications, principles of management & production, organizational behaviour, and training &

development. At UNSW, he recently served as the inaugural Program Director for the new MHRM

Program as well as being a First Aid Officer. Before this, he served a full term as the Major Champion

overlooking the HRM specialisation.

Industry and consulting. Dr Dhaenens’ industry experience comes by the way of human resources

and consulting across a variety of industries (e.g., higher education, retail, architecture-engineering).

He was very fortunate to have some high-powered work experiences early on in his career,

beginning with full-time HR work in his second year of university and continuing throughout his

undergraduate and MBA. He remains very engaged with industry partners and media outlets.

Research. His research interests are primarily in work relationships with supporting interests in

mentoring, social networks, and family business. His research primarily studies workplace

relationships with supporting interests and ongoing projects in mentoring, family business, and

social networks and related applications to organisational change, employee turnover, and work

arrangements.

About ‘’home’’ and “hobbies’’. Dr Dhaenens is from the United States. He has lived in four different

U.S. states (Michigan, New Mexico, Mississippi, Ohio) prior to moving to Sydney and becoming a

permanent resident. His family mostly resides in Michigan, although his friends live in Mississippi

and considers that most “home” with the mild southern accent to match. Prior to his Sydney move,

he was in Ohio for a year. As such, his identity is a bit conflicted with many “homes.’’ In 2024, he

became an Australian citizen.

After five years of living in Bondi Beach, he has moved to North Sydney. He enjoys life with his eight- year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi named ‘’Victory.’’ His hobbies include sailing, going to the gym,

playing video games, and scuba diving. As a member of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA)

and Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association (RANSA) in Rushcutters Bay, he spends most

weekends sailing/racing on the harbour. Finally, he has been learning Korean since the start of 2023.

All in all, feel free to commiserate about life and beyond with your professor. He is driven across

many facets of life with an often-unsatisfied desire to see the world become a better place.

Although, life in Sydney is mostly (and fortunately) pretty bliss !

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7. What if I need to chat with Dr. Dhaenens? What is the best way to contact him?

If you have personal questions, email is the best way to reach me: [email protected]. I am

generally pretty quick to reply. However, if you do not hear from me, it usually means that I will be

answering your question as part of a larger message to the class (likely because it is a popular

question) shortly upcoming. I will be sending out email updates to the class throughout the term.

For general questions, you are strongly encouraged to post in our Q&A forum on Moodle, as others

are very likely to have the same question. I am likely to advise you to post there unless your question

deals with a personal situation. Feel free to help out your classmates with forum answers here too.

8. Can I see some pictures?

Sure! Here’s a collage of sorts about me (see next two pages):

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