Conceptual Model
Communication is a two-way process in which people transmit（send)and receive ideas,information,opinions or emotions.These must be interpreted and reacted on,normally through feedback before the communication process is completed.
In the world of business,the aim should be to develop communication patterns, between individuals and groups,that are meaningful,direct open,and honest.A manager conveys information and instructions through communication,either written or verbal.It is therefore a vital link between the manager and his or her team and effective communication is the key to good management.Yet,in reality,it is a very poor link.
Research confirms that audio-visual techniques are much better than just audio or visual.Also that writing/reading messages is the least effective way to communicate.There are broadly four components of any communication: communicator;medium;message;and recipient.
But we tend to focus attention on only one of the four,the message.The other three components are usually ignored and this leads to a complete breakdown in communications.In the case of international business communications there are additional factors such as language barriers and cultural differences.These can further complicate the picture by distorting the message.
3.1 Definition of Conceptual Model
In the latest sense of conceptual modeling,a model is anything used in any way to represent anything else.Some models are physical objects,for instance,a toy model which may be assembled,and may even be made to work like the object it represents.In contrast,a conceptual model is a model made of the composition of concepts,that thus exists only in the mind.Conceptual models are used to help us know,understand,or simulate the subject matter they represent.
The term conceptual model may be used to refer to models which are formed after a conceptualization process in the mind.Conceptual models represent human intentions or semantics.Conceptualization from observation of physical existence and conceptual modeling are the necessary means human employ to think and solve problems.Concepts are used to convey semantics during various natural languages based communication.Since a concept might map to multiple semantics by itself,an explicit formalization is usually required for identifying and locating the intended semantic from several candidates to avoid misunderstandings and confusions in conceptual models.
3.2 Models of Concepts and Models Being Conceptual
The term“conceptual model”is ambiguous.It could mean a model of concept or it could mean a model that is conceptual.A distinction can be made between what models are and what models are models of.With the exception of iconic models,such as a scale model of Winchester Cathedral,most models are concepts.But they are, mostly,intended to be models of real world states of affairs.The value of a model is usually directly proportional to how well it corresponds to a past,present,future, actual or potential state of affairs.A model of a concept is quite different because in order to be a good model it need not have this real world correspondence in the client organization.In artificial intelligence conceptual models and conceptual graphs are used for building expert systems and knowledge-based systems,here the analysts are concerned to represent expert opinion on what is true not their own ideas on what is true.
3.3 Type and Scope of Conceptual Models
Conceptual models（models that are conceptual)range in type from the more concrete,such as the mental image of a familiar physical object,to the formal generality and abstractness of mathematical models which do not appear to the mind as an image.Conceptual models also range in terms of the scope of the subject matter that they are taken to represent.A model may,for instance,represent a single thing（e.g.the Statue of Liberty),whole classes of things（e.g.the electron), and even very vast domains of subject matter such as the physical universe.The variety and scope of conceptual models is due to the variety of purposes had by the people using them.
In a word,business communication actually encompasses such topics as marketing,brand management,customer relations,consumer behavior,advertising, public relations,corporate communication,community engagement,reputation management,interpersonal communication,employee engagement,and event management.It is closely related to the fields of professional communication and technical communication.All in all,business writing will be the key for successful communication between various businesses.
Also,in today's fast paced world,effective business writing establishes your image and seals business deals.Effective written communication builds rapport with clients,maintains productive relationships within the organization and contributes to the bottom line.
How you write and what you write can greatly influence and motivate your target audience,clients,customers or the top management.The power of effective written communication can contribute significantly to organizational productivity, efficiency and success in today's rapidly changing business world.
Notes
business context 商务语境
résumé 简历；个人履历
tender 投标
relay information 传播信息
community engagement 社区参与；社群参与
print media 平面媒体；印刷媒体
ambient media 环境媒体
word of mouth 口口相传
utilitarian 功利的；功利主义的；实利的
sloppy 草率的；粗心的
poorly written 不严谨的
disorganized 紊乱的
littered with jargon 充满行话
top quality 最高品质
to make common 使普通
pop out of the womb 从娘胎里钻出来
beat around the bush 旁敲侧击
deflecting 偏转
inner scripts 内在原稿
fledgling relationship 稚嫩关系
reciprocity 相互性；互惠主义
self-awareness 自我意识
self-control 克己；自我控制
volition 意志，意志力；决断力
affinity 亲合力；密切关系
repel 排斥
empathetically 移情地
affirmative 肯定的；积极的
defensive 防守的
relinquishing 放弃
affirming intent 确认意图
emotional intelligence 情绪智能
diplomatic and politically savvy 外交和政治上精明的
director 指导者
expresser 表达者
thinker 思维者
harmonizer 和谐协调者
snapshot 快照
hard-charging 强硬的
action-oriented leaders 以行动导向的领导人
assertive 独断的；坚定而自信的
task-oriented 以任务为导向的
people-oriented 以人为本的
amalgam 混合物
matrix 矩阵；模型
frame of reference 参考系；参照标准
gauge 测量；估计；给……定规格
elicit 引出；引起
sensitive stuff 敏感内容
audio-visual techniques 音频视频技术
communicator 沟通者
medium 媒介
recipient 接受者；收件方
language barriers 语言障碍
cultural differences 文化差异
conceptual modeling 概念模型
conceptualization process 概念化过程
semantics 语义学
iconic models 图像模型
Winchester Cathedral 温彻斯特大教堂
artificial intelligence conceptual models 人工智能的概念模型
conceptual graphs 概念图
mental image 精神意象
mathematical models 数学模型
Statue of Liberty 自由女神雕像
rapport 和谐；和睦