Module Description:

The module of Business Communication Skills forms part of a bachelor's degree to be earned in three years and is designed to develop the critical skills needed in today's world. The course enables students to communicate in a professional manner and in both written and spoken forms. The course covers business writing, presentation skills, emails, video calls, negotiation, and intercultural communication. Students are trained to manage communication in a variety of contexts and enhance its accuracy and effectiveness for professional and skilled communications conversations, reporting, and teamwork. Students master the module with the ability to participate actively, confidently, and competently and master the use of sophisticated verbal and non-verbal communication in individual and group corporate interactions. Students appropriate a thorough understanding of communication through practical lessons, case studies, and group work. The students learn to adapt to the different business communication situations (125 Hours).

Learning Outcomes:

Competences:

At the end of the module the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

  • Business communication skills include the capability to verbally and textually convey ideas systematically and concisely in various organisational scenarios.
  • Ability to understand and manage pertinent administrative professional interactions with colleagues, organisational stakeholders, and other constituent groups.
  • Ability to engage in and yield cross-cultural adaptations with respect to communication.
  • Competence in negotiation and in influencing other parties to achieve a business-related goal which is advantageous to all those concerned.
  • Ability to prepare and present a variety of professional-level information to different audiences in an interesting and professional manner.
  • Ability to analyse business-related disputes and settle them in a productive manner which is professionally acceptable.

Knowledge:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

  • Comprehending primary concepts and frameworks of business communication as well as economic shifts involving distinct segments of communication using speech and gestures.
  • Civilians booking specialist business-level familiarity of the computerised accounts systems.
  • Aware of social behaviour, business etiquette, company policy and etiquette, and speech style appropriate to company level.
  • Recognising various information and communication technology and modern business methods — social networks, business e-mails, business meetings, computer-aided video integration — and their usefulness.
  • Techniques of making a business more attractive and influencing opinion leaders.
  • Problems defining techniques of resolving and eliminating business conflicts.

Skills:

At the end of the module the learner will have acquired the following skills:

  • Writing professional emails and reports requires great accuracy and precision in communication.
  • Professionally articulate verbal communication needed in interviews, presentations, and meetings reflects grace and poise.
  • In-person responses require an understanding of verbal and non-verbal communication, which this skill outlines.
  • Verbal and non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and voice modulation are communication outcomes that can be enhanced through proper analysis.
  • Development of suitable strategies to address identified problems in communication analysis is this skill focus.
  • Creating visually appealing, engaging, and orderly business presentations is within this skill ability.
  • Fostering effective collaboration and communication in group work is within this skill.

Core Topics and Subtopics:

Introduction to Business Communication

  • Purpose and relevance of business communication
  • Categories of business communication (oral, non-oral, written, digital)
  • Models of communication and business theories
  • Obstacles to effective communication in business

Professional Writing Skills

  • The correct structure and tone of business emails and proper etiquette related to them
  • Composing business reports, proposals, and memoranda
  • Principles of editing and proofreading for clear and succinct expression
  • The proper use of language and business vocabulary in writing

Oral Communication and Presentation Skills

  • A Business Presentation: Its Planning And Delivery
  • Public Speaking: Eye Contact, Body Language, And Voice Control
  • Visual Aids: Charts, Graphs, PowerPoint, And Their Effective Usage
  • Presentation Issues: Questions, Feedback, And Their Presentation

Digital and Virtual Communication

  • Email etiquette and preferred methods for virtual meetings
  • Standards for Video Conferencing on BigBlueButton, and Teams
  • Collaborative and remote working tools for Slack, Trello, Google Docs, etc.
  • Appropriateness, Online Communication, Professionalism

Cross Cultural Communication

  • Appreciating cultural divergent differences in communication
  • Tailoring global communications for diverse populations
  • Issues in international business communications
  • Methods for creating successful multicultural teams

Negotiation and Persuasion in Business

  • Techniques and principles associated with persuasive artistry
  • Negotiation strategies with an emphasis on effective communicative skills
  • Strategies related to conflict resolution with an emphasis on communication
  • The ethics of negotiation and persuasive practices

Business Etiquette and Professionalism

  • Business dress code and professional interaction procedures
  • Effective participation in interviews, meetings, and professional networking
  • Propriety in oral and written expressions
  • Fostering rapport and trust through interaction

Communication for Team Collaboration

  • Communication methods and strategies from an interdisciplinary perspective
  • Notable aspects of review, critique, and conflict in group contexts
  • Methods and technologies for virtual team communication
  • Communication in the creation of cohesive and productive teams

Crisis and Risk Communication

  • Strategies for Transparency and Clarity in Communicating During a Crisis
  • Public Relations Management and Business Crisis Communication
  • Engagement and Risk Communication with Stakeholders

Communication in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

  • Functions of communication in CSR initiatives
  • Communication of corporate CSR reputation and sustainability practices
  • Open and honest communication with stakeholder

Weekly Breakdown / Session Plan:

Week 1: Introduction to Business Communication

  • Session Objective: Grasp the significance of interaction skills in the business.
  • Activities: Forum on the business communications and interaction skills. Sending participants prompts and facilitator’s guides for remote interface starter tasks.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 1 – Business Communication: Process and Product by Mary Ellen Guffey.

Week 2: Business Writing – Email and Letters

  • Session Objective: Grasp the guidelines for drafting emails in a professional context and implement communication models that promote clarity in writing.
  • Activities: Examine their professional and informal counterparts focusing on lay communication; prepare a concise professional email that demonstrates polished writing skills.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 3 – Business Communication Essentials by Courtland L. Bovee.

Week 3: Writing Reports and Proposals

  • Session Objective: Learn how business reports are structured and formatted; develop skills in writing persuasive proposals.
  • Activities: Examination of business report samples and collaborative assignment to develop the structure of a report.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 8 – Business Report Writing from Practical Business Communication.

Week 4: Oral Communication, Presentations & Public Speaking

  • Session Objective: Understand methods for developing impactful presentations and cultivate assurance in public speaking.
  • Activities: Analyse a TED Talk; submit a recorded 3-minute presentation.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 4 – Effective Speaking for Business by Sheryl Lindsell-Roberts.

Week 5: Virtual Communication and Etiquette

  • Session Objective: Comprehend the norms surrounding online interactions and meetings.
  • Activities: Engage in a simulated virtual meeting; peer evaluation on meeting conduct.
  • Key Reading: Article – Virtual Communication Etiquette: Best Practices (Harvard Business Review).

Week 6: Cross-Cultural Communication

  • Session Objective: Understand how culture affects communication in international business.
  • Activities: In-depth exploration of cultural-ethnic differences pertinent to business; lecture practicum on communication in intercultural settings.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 6 – Cross-Cultural Communication in Business Communication Today.

Week 7: Persuasion and Negotiation Skills

  • Session Objective: Develop mastery in persuasive business communications and employ negotiation tactics in applicable dialogues.
  • Activities: Simulate negotiation exercises; critically evaluate persuasive speeches or advertisements.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 7 – Persuasive Communication by Scott M. Cutlip.

Week 8: Professional Writing – Reports, Memos, and Proposals

  • Session Objective: Explore approaches to composing business reports and proposals.
  • Activities: Collaborative assignment to draft a unified proposal; provide peer review feedback on report drafts.
  • Key Reading: Chapter 5 – Writing Proposals from Business Communication Essentials.

Week 9: Handling Conflict and Difficult Conversations

  • Session Objective: Acquire skills relevant to managing disagreements through the application of effective communication.
  • Activities: Conflict resolution strategy discussions; case study exploration on managing difficult dialogues.
  • Key Reading: Article – Conflict Resolution in the Workplace (Society for Human Resource Management).

Week 10: Review and Final Presentations

  • Session Objective: Integrate all acquired communication skills; develop and deliver the final project presentation for the communication strategy course.
  • Activities: Final presentation of personal strategic communication plans; summary session with colleagues’ evaluations.
  • Key Reading: Review all previous chapters and articles.

Reading Materials

Week 1 – Introduction to Business Communication

  • Reading Material: Business Communication: Process and Product by Mary Ellen Guffey & Dana Loewy (Chapter 1)
  • Description: Defines business communication concepts, explores barriers, objectives, and communication types.

Week 2 – Effective Business Writing

  • Reading Material: Business Communication: Building Critical Skills by Jeffrey S. Beall & John L. McDaniel (Chapter 3)
  • Description: Focuses on clarity and structure in writing professional business emails, reports, and other communications.

Week 3 – Oral Communication and Presentations

  • Reading Material: The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas (Chapters 4 & 6)
  • Description: Covers audience engagement, speech delivery, and managing public speaking anxiety.

Week 4 – Cross-Cultural Communication

  • Reading Material: Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace by Lillian H. Chaney & Jeanette S. Martin (Chapter 5)
  • Description: Examines communication practices across cultures and their importance in globalized business.

Week 5 – Digital Communication Tools

  • Reading Material: Business Communication: A Case Approach by M. S. Ramesh & C. C. Pattens (Chapter 7)
  • Description: Discusses video conferencing, email, and digital collaboration in modern business settings.

Week 6 – Professional Etiquette and Writing

  • Reading Material: Business Communication Essentials by Courtland L. Bovee & John V. Thill (Chapter 2)
  • Description: Covers business etiquette, tone, and professionalism in written communication.

Week 7 – Conflict Management and Negotiation

  • Reading Material: The Dynamics of Conflict by Bernard Mayer (Chapters 3 & 4)
  • Description: Communication strategies to resolve conflicts and conduct effective negotiations.

Week 8 – Effective Team Communication

  • Reading Material: Teamwork and Team Communication by John E. Jones (Chapter 5)
  • Description: Discusses collaboration techniques and internal communication for better team outcomes.

Week 9 – Communication for Leadership

  • Reading Material: Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek (Chapter 6)
  • Description: Focuses on communication for leadership, motivation, and team inspiration.

Week 10 – Review and Practical Applications

  • Reading Material: Business Communication for Success by Scott McLean (Chapter 12)
  • Description: Provides exercises and real-life applications to strengthen communication skills.