Identify three of the research findings about the status of communications in today's businesses. Why are they significant?

1. Communication is number one among the top ten characteristics sought by employers.
2. Communications skills are critical for securing a job, as well as for advancement and promotion.
3. One-third of employees in U.S. blue-chip companies write poorly.
4. Companies spend as much as $3.1 billion each year on remedial writing training.
5. Although "M.B.A. students' quantitative skills are prized by employers, their writing and presentation skills have been a perennial complaint."
6. Companies that are considered highly effective communicators had 47% higher returns to shareholders than companies considered the least effective communicators.
7. Employees who are happy with how their company communicates difficult decisions are twice as likely to be motivated to work for the company and four times as likely to recommend their company.