Business Communications

Course Description

Mrs. Klebba

 Business Communications is a one-semester course designed to improve both written and spoken communications as they relate to business.  Throughout this course you will learn the fundamentals of business communication skills.  You will improve your general word skills and study how the mastery of grammar, punctuation, and style can make a difference between effective and ineffective communication.  You will develop your written and oral communication skills and learn to apply these skills and talents toward getting and keeping a job in today’s business world.

Textbook:  Communicating for Success by Hyden, Jordan, Steinauer South-western Publishing Company – Copyright 2006

Topics covered

 Communication Skills

Written

Oral

Interpersonal (listening, nonverbal, customer service, diversity in the workplace)

Effective Speaking

Introductions

Telephone Etiquette

Demonstration

Informational

 Document formatting skills

Memos

Letters

Reports

 Job Search Skills

Application forms

Employment resumes

Employment interviews

Cover letter writing

 Other Skill Development

Handling diversity

Customer service

Technical writing skills

Basic Grammar & Punctuation

Self management and interpersonal skills

Resource management

Leadership, decision making and problem-solving skills

Listening Skills

E-Mail Etiquette

Business Ethics

Business Communications

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  ü      Define communication and compare both verbal and nonverbal forms

ü      Select and use precise language in everyday communication

ü      Use bias-free language

ü      Describe how messages are adapted to various audiences and purposes

ü      Distinguish between businesslike and unbusinesslike speaking and listening behaviors

ü      Write clear, concise, correct and complete sentences and paragraphs

ü      Improve verbal communication skills though various oral presentations

ü      Participate in decision-making groups

ü      Distinguish among fact, opinion and inference

ü      Plan, write and revise various business related letters and memos

ü      Gather information to accurately prepare a  resume, job application, cover letter and envelope

ü      Correctly do business introductions

ü      Identify marketable skills

ü      Recognize the importance of business ethics and its impact on business

ü      Edit documents for grammar spelling, consistency and organization

Communication Skills

ü      Define communication and compare both verbal and nonverbal forms

ü      Select and use precise language in everyday communication

ü      Use bias-free language

ü      Describe how messages are adapted to various audiences and purposes

ü      Distinguish between businesslike and unbusinesslike speaking and listening behaviors

ü      Improve verbal communication skills though various oral presentations

ü      Understand and practice oral, written and technological skills essential for interacting effectively with people in the workplace and society

ü      Define and use analogies

ü      Communicate in a concise, clear, courteous, and correct manner on personal and professional levels

ü      Increase vocabulary and word choices

ü      Plan, edit and revise oral messages

ü      Understand diversity

ü      Develop self management and interpersonal skills

ü      Develop leadership, decision making and problem-solving skills

ü      Develop listening Skills

ü      Develop effective time management techniques

ü      Improve Internet search techniques

Effective Speaking

ü      Recognize the importance of business ethics and its impact on business

ü      Participate in decision-making groups

ü      Distinguish among fact, opinion and inference

ü      Correctly perform business introductions

ü      Demonstrate proper phone etiquette

ü      Define and identify mechanic descriptions

ü      Define and understand persuasive appeals

       Technical Document & Formatting Skills

ü      Demonstrate the ability to correctly format and concisely compose business memos, e-mail and letters

ü      Produce an effective multimedia presentation

ü      Plan, edit and revise written messages

ü      Demonstrate proper E-Mail etiquette

ü      Write clear, concise, correct and complete sentences and paragraphs

ü      Plan, write and revise various business related letters and memos

ü      Use and define proofreading marks

ü      Edit documents for basic grammar, punctuation and spelling

ü      Use technology to enhance the effectiveness of communication

ü      Prepare reports

ü      Create effective page designs

ü      Produce effective visuals

ü      Identify purposes of standard forms

ü      Plan, write, revise and present an informal progress report

ü      Write clear, concise, organized complete sentences and paragraphs

  Job Search Skills

ü      Integrate all forms of communication in the successful pursuit of employment

ü      Plan and conduct a classroom mock interview

ü      Gather information to accurately prepare a resume to identify marketable skills

ü      Prepare a job application, cover letter and envelope

ü      Identify reasons and content for writing messages

ü      Create persuasive written messages.

ü      Revise ineffective messages

ü      Understand customer service’s role in business

ü      Define and set different types of goals

ü      Understand the need for professional organizations

ü      Develop leadership, supervision techniques, customer service strategies, and personal ethics standards to communicate effectively with various business constituencies

ü      Develop communication strategies necessary and appropriate for effective and profitable business relations

Page Author:  Cindy Klebba

Page Sponsor:  Angela Fortune

Updated Date: August 19, 2010