Communications for Business

1
Communications for Business

• Lecture 1
• Effective Communication in Business

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Course Details

• Lectures 12 x 2 hour sessions
• Seminars 12 x 2 hour sessions
• Self-Study Activities 12 x 3 hour sessions
• Private Study 66 hours

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Assessment

• 100 examination
• 2.5 hours duration
• Closed book
• Past papers available on the NCC Education Campus

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Reading

• There is no set text for this module.
• You are strongly advised to purchase a business
  study skills/business communication skills text
  book to help with your studies. Any one of the
  book titles in the module descriptor reading list
  would be acceptable, but there are many others to
  choose from.

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Learning Objectives

• Understand the importance of communication in
  business
• Understand the process of communication in
  business
• Using communication technology
• Ethics in business communication

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Introduction

• Communication is at the centre of all
  organisations
• Without communication, very little would get done
  and the organisation would not achieve its goals
• But, how can we ensure our communication is
  effective? ..

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Benefits of Effective Communication

• Improved decision making
• Earlier warning of potential problems
• Increased productivity
• Stronger business relationships
• Clearer marketing messages
• Enhanced professional image

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Communicating in Organisational Settings

• Formal communications network
• Ideas and information flow along lines of command
• Downward, upward and horizontal
• Informal communications network
• Grapevine

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Example of Formal Communication Network
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External Communication

• Formal letters, announcements
• Informal meetings, sales contacts
• Social networking technologies
• Linkedin
• Facebook

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Characteristics of Effective Business
Communication

• Provide practical information
• Give facts rather than vague impressions
• Present information in a concise and efficient
  manner
• Clarify expectations and results
• Offer compelling, persuasive arguments and
  recommendations

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The Communication Process
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Barriers to Effective Communication

• Noise and distraction
• Competing messages
• Filters human or technology interventions
• Channel breakdowns failure to deliver message

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Class Activity

• Work in groups of about 5
• What do you think are the key elements required
  to ensure that communication between people is
  effective?
• 10 minutes
• Feedback to the class
• 5 minutes

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Communicating Effectively With Your Audience

• Consider audience expectations
• Ensure ease of use
• Use familiar words and images
• Clearly address their needs not yours
• Design for compatibility

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Adopt an Audience-Centred Approach

• Keep your audiences needs in mind
• Adopt a you attitude
• Learn about their biases, education, age, status
  and concerns

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Giving Constructive Feedback

• Think through your suggested changes carefully
• Discuss improvements rather than flaws
• Be specific
• Keep feedback impersonal
• Time your feedback carefully
• Highlight any limitations your feedback may have

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Responding to Constructive Feedback

• Resist the urge to defend your work
• React unemotionally
• Step back and consider the feedback
• Ensure suggested changes are valid

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Using Technology to Improve Business Communication

• Used wisely, technology can help you communicate
  more effectively
• BUT
• Benefits are not automatic
• It is an aid to interpersonal communication not a
  replacement
• Can waste time and money if not used efficiently

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Tools for Communicating Effectively

• Connecting with the office
• Collaborating
• Sharing the latest information
• Interacting

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Communicating Ethically

• Ethics are accepted principles of conduct that
  govern behaviour
• Ethical communications
• Include all relevant information
• Contain all information
• Are not deceptive in any way

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Examples of Unethical Communications

• Plagiarism
• Selective misquoting
• Misrepresenting numbers
• Distorting visuals

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Ensuring Legal Communication

• Business communication is bound by a variety of
  laws and regulations
• Promotional communication truth and accuracy in
  advertising
• Contracts
• Employment communication
• Intellectual property
• Defamation

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Conclusions

• Effective communication can deliver a range of
  business-related benefits
• There are both formal and informal communication
  networks
• Ensure you understand your audience in order to
  communicate effectively
• Used wisely, technology can help you communicate
  more effectively
• Be aware of your ethical and legal
  responsibilities

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References

• Payne Whittaker Developing Essential Study
  Skills, 2nd Edition, FT Prentice Hall, ISBN
  978-1405840873
• Cottrell The Study Skills Handbook, 3rd
  Edition, Pallgrave Macmillan, ISBN
  978-0230573055
• Price Maier Effective Study Skills Essential
  Skills for Academic and Career Success, Prentice
  Hall, ISBN 978-1405840736
• Cameron The Business Students Handbook Skills
  for Study and Employment, 5th Edition, FT
  Prentice Hall, ISBN 978-0273730712

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Lecture 1 Effective Communication in Business

• Any Questions?