Aristotle for MBAs: Adapting Classical Rhetoric to Graduate Business Communication.

The ability to effectively advocate for an important policy, product or position, to respond to tough questions effectively, and to identify and effectively convey potentially costly flaws in plans and designs—all these are vital for successful business professionals. Many graduate business programs offer some form of communication coursework, at varying levels of course credit; these may focus on effective presentations, managerial communication, business writing or other combinations of topics. Some programs now focus on leadership communication. Additionally, many business schools offer students the opportunity to participate in case competitions, which generally place them in situations which require quick thinking and flexibility. All these approaches point to several important criteria for graduate-level business communication instruction which may go beyond some traditional approaches.