MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF COMMERCE
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION (BM102)
Lecturers: Mudzurandende F and Mavhiki S
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The main objective of this module is to model competent communicators and equip them with knowledge and good communication skills for success in business.
Upon completion of this course students are expected to :
Understand the importance of effective communication in a business setting
Sensitively respond to cultural diversity and issues of cross-cultural communication
Have developed good interpersonal skills and be valuable team players
Be able to select appropriate communication channels for a particular situation and purpose
Have developed good presentation skills in order to develop professional presentations
Use polished Standard English in writing and speaking to enhance professional communication
Course outline
INTRODUCTION
Definitions
Purposes of communication
The communication process
Components of the process
Communication models
How communication gets to people
o Intrapersonal
o Interpersonal
o Group communication
o Mass communication
Communication and management functions
Barriers to effective communication
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Definition
Challenges of intercultural communication
o Language
o Non-verbal communication
o Business practices in different cultures- Gift giving and facility payments
o Gender issues
o Branding and its challenges- brand names and corporate colours.
FORMAL AND INFORMAL
Definitions
Formal communication
Flow of communication in an organization
o Horizontal/lateral communication
o Vertical communication
o Diagonal communication
Informal communication
Advantages
Disadvantages
NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Definitions
Range of non-verbal communication
o Paralanguage
o Kinesics- Body language
o Olfatics- smell
o Chronemics- time management
o Touch - e.g handshake
o Eye contact
o Dress and accessories
Importance of Non-verbal communication
ORAL COMMUNICATION
Definition
Advantages and Disadvantages
Range of oral communication
Presentations/ speeches
Oral reports
Meetings
o Office bearers
o Running good meetings
o Characteristics of badly run meetings
Interviews
Phone etiquette
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Definition
Advantages and Disadvantages
Forms of written communication
o Business letters
o Memoranda
o Press releases/ press Statements
o Reports
o Advertisements
o Notices
o Proposals
VISUAL AIDS
Types of visual aids
Guidelines on the effective use of visual aids
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
The intranet and internet
Electronic mails
Virtual teams and organizations
ETHICS IN COMMUNICATION AND BUSINESS ETIQUETTE