Course Outline Format

Term: First Trimester PGDM

Subject: Business Communication
Instructor: Prof. Thomas V George
Item

Planned

Implemented
(Implemented)

Session No 1

Date: 22/07/2013

Nature & scope

-the world of
communication

VOCABULARY POWER: Tips on building vocabulary

for fluency and effective writing.

Competency
aimed in
behavioural Terms

.They should effortlessly use appropriate words for power

packed & effective interpersonal communication

Resources(such
as reading
materials, slides,
archived video
materials etc.,)

IMPROVE YOUR
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS BBC World Services

Activities before
the Session
( preparation by
Students) and
Deliverables1.

TEST-I(Elementary)
TIME 30 SECONDS
DIRECTIONS: Take out your watch. Now write
in the blank space next to each of the words
in the following list another word that begins
with S and has a meaning directly opposite to
the given word.

Pages 35-44 from the book Model Business Letters ,E-mails

by Shirly Taylor

Group Dynamicscase study ;3 kidneys &12 claimants

EXAMPLE: Fast = slow, Sweet = sour , buy =

sell

Now time yourself. Thirty seconds is enough.

Dont forget, every word must begin with the
letter S.
1. Tall
2. North
3. Happy
4. Different
5. Dangerous

Date: 22/07/2013

6. Big
7. Dull
8. Noisy
9. Sit
10. Receive
Words of opposite meaning are called
antonyms.
You have been just tested for your fluency.

SCORE: In scoring yourself allow two points for

every correct word. Write your total at the right; 20
would be perfect. Any answer written in after the
time must be considered wrong.
TEST
II
VERBAL
SPEED
(ADVANCED)
TIME 90 SECONDS
DIRECTIONS: Take out your watch. Now write in
the blank space next to each of the words in the
following list another word that begins with S and
has a meaning directly opposite to the given
word.

Activities in the
Session (Learning
Method and In
Class Activities)

Now time yourself. A minute and half by watch is

enough. Dont forget, every word must begin with
the letter S. These answers of yours will be
antonyms.

Generous

Meaningless

Believing

Complicated

Doubtful

Careful

Wakefulness

Rough

Objective

Discussion, Interaction
2) Class Tests on: Synonyms, Homonyms

based on the
Deliverables
mentioned above.
Evaluation: Such
as Written Quiz,
Oral Quiz,
Participation or
Presentation cum
Participation, etc.
(There should be
at least one item
of evaluation)

.
Presentation cum Participation ,quiz inter group & group as a
whole

Item

Planned

Implemented

Session No 2and3

Date: 23/07/2013 ) To write business report

Date: 23/7/13

Written
communication
Skill development

. The students would be asked to physically write a

complete business report addressed to GM of the hotel
group on POSSIBILITY OF OPENING a hotel /resort at
Pullikkanam and asked to compare it with their Activity
Business Report and redraft it. They were told to make
sure all the information in the business report is wellresearched and substantiated to enable proper decision
making by the general manager who reads it. They
would be introduced to acronyms for good business
writing: ABC (Accurate, Brief, Clear), KISS (Keep it short
and Simple), CLEAR (Clear, Logical, Empathetic,
Accurate, Right), SMART (Specific, Meaningful,
Appropriate, Relevant, Thoughtful). They would be
taught the 4 Point Plan for letters and emails:
Introduction, Details, Response or Action, Close.

Competency
aimed in
Behavioural Terms

.How to write convincing& credible business reports based on

facts and figures enabling the management to take optimal
decisions. The letter should act as a DSS(decision support
system).

Resources (such
as Reading
Materials, Slides,
Archived Video
Material, etc.)

Unit 1-written communication-an overview Ref. Model

Business letters, e-mails& other biz documents by Shirly
Taylor pages 2-20 of book by Shirly Taylor

Activities before
the Session
( Preparation by
Students) and
Deliverables.

Read pages 3 to 44 of the above mentioned Text book by

Prof. Shirly Taylor & prepare for a quiz programme.

Activities in the
Session (Learning
Method and In
Class Activities)
based on the
Deliverables
mentioned above.

Writing the letter by each student; the same would be scanned

for correction/improvement. It would give a fresh insight to the
students as to where they stand and how to move forward for
improvisation of skill sets

Evaluation: Such
as Written Quiz,
Oral Quiz,
Participation or
Presentation cum
Participation, etc.
(There should be
at least one item
of evaluation)

Presentation cum Participation, quiz, ppt presentation

Item

Planned

Session No 4and5

Date: 25/07/2013

Communication
process &
functions of
communication

,communication channels & networks in organizational

communicationn.How to write letters which have to move up &
down the various levels of organisation

Competency
aimed in
Behavioural Terms

.the objective of communicationto establish a relationship &

get the expected outcome from the recepient of your commn,
ie, to get or not to get certain thing done by the recipient of the
communication.How to write in a pleasant,yet forceful style.

Resources (such
as Reading
Materials2, Slides,
Archived Video
Material, etc.)

Class room discussion, ppt, video etc,. to drive home the

concepts in a convincing manner.

Activities before
the Session
( Preparation by
Students) and
Deliverables3.

Reading the referred text book& come prepared for GROUP

DIS. PRESENTATION

Activities in the
Session (Learning

Presentation by the students; evaluation and suggestions by

teacher

2
3.

Read Book Business Communication by Lesikar & Flatley

pages 2-23

Date: 25/7/2013

Method and In
Class Activities)
based on the
Deliverables
mentioned above.

Assessment & feedback on presentation by the teacher for

sharpening the skill sets

Evaluation: Such
as Written Quiz,
Oral Quiz,
Participation or
Presentation cum
Participation, etc.
(There should be
at least one item
of evaluation)

Presentation cum Participation, QUIZ BASE ON THE

DETAILED DISCUSSION THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN THE
CLASS

Item

Planned

Implemented

Session No6 &7

Date: 29/07/13

Date: 29/7/2013

Improving the
effectiveness of
communication

tips for effective use of communication for putting forth ideas

in a more convincing manner.

Competency
aimed in
Behavioural Terms

.In interpersonal communication the effectiveness can be

improved by a judicious use of verbal communication
sequence. The gut feeling YES,I CAN SHOULD BE THE
COMPETENCY OUTCOME

Resources (such
as Reading
Materials, Slides,
Archived Video
Material, etc.)

Read pages 22-86 of the book Business communication by

Prof. Meenakshi Raman & Prakash Singh, ppt on
organizational communication & listening skills

Activities before
the Session
( Preparation by
Students) and
Deliverables.

They have to come with adequate preparation by

reading the referred text book and critically evaluating the
uploaded case study in the moodle.

Activities in the
Session (Learning
Method and In
Class Activities)
based on the
Deliverables
mentioned above.

Group discussion, lecture , audio-video presentation,

Evaluation: Such

quiz competition, Reiteration based on feed back

Presentation cum Participation method would form an integral

The members of the audience were

as Written Quiz,
Oral Quiz,
Participation or
Presentation cum
Participation, etc.
(There should be
at least one item
of evaluation)

part of the learning process; The students would be

encouraged to ask questions to each other & the best two
would be given special grading.

participation based on the correctn

adopted to measure work and the r
judgements or opinions.

Item

Planned

Implemented

Session No 8

Date: -30/07/13

Date: 30/07/13

Public speaking
and listening skills

Types of listening; Listening vs hearing, Strategies for effective

listening. Public speaking skillsHow to become an effective
public speaker? The major attributes of an effective orator--sound modulation, body language, poise ,pause, gestures,
postures ,eye contact ,etc.,

Competency
aimed in
Behavioural Terms

The objective is to instill confidence in the students for making

effective public speaking. At the end of the class every body
would deliver an effective public address & face any audience
without nervousness.

Resources (such
as Reading
Materials, Slides,
Archived Video
Material, etc.)

Book titled business Communication By Meenakshi Raman

Activities before
the Session
( Preparation by
Students) and
Deliverables.

Come after reading the aforesaid pages of the book by

Prof. Meenakshi Raman and Prakash Singh & rehearsal
before publc address in the class community.

Activities in the
Session
(
Learning Method
and In Class
Activities) based
on the
Deliverables
mentioned above.

Role plays for listening skills; public address drill by each one
of the students; evaluation and feed back,

Evaluation: Such
as Written Quiz,
Oral Quiz,
Participation or
Presentation cum

Presentation cum Participation; evaluation and feed back,

then iteration of the same for improvement, based on the feed
back they have to again do repeat performance of the public
speaking drill .

Read pages 87-120, Video presentation ;Video-graphing the

speeches made by the participants ;pages 123-155 of
Meenakkshis book business communication

then iteration of the same for improvement & enhancing

confidence level.

Participation, etc.
(There should be
at least one item
of evaluation)
Item

Planned

Session No 9
(nine )

Date: 31/07/13

Business
WritingFundament
als- Rules of
effective E
mails
communicati
on Net
etiquette
(Samples to
be discussed
in class)
Business
Corresponde
nce (Letters,
kinds of
letters),
Business
Reports-Kinds
of report,
Elements of
effective
reports,
Purpose,
Steps,
Corporate
reports,
Business
proposals,
Formats(Samples to
be discussed

Structuring your communication,, language & tone,

The explosive growth of e-mail, circulars. sales letters,
marketing communication, Reports & proposals
Ref: UNIT 3 AND FOUR
Of the book Model business letters, e-mails
by Shirly Taylor

http://www.collegegrad.com/resumes/index.shtml
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/pw/index.html

Date: 31/07/13

in class),

Competency
aimed in
Behavioural Terms

.Should be able to write e-mail business letters in a logical,

sequential manner so that the letter evokes the intended
response from the recipient of the business communication

Resources (such
as Reading
Materials, Slides,
Archived Video
Material, etc.)

Reading material as mentioned above from Shirly Taylor

Activities before
the Session
( preparation by
Students) and
Deliverables.

Chapter 8,pages 234-253 of text book Business

communication by Meenakshi Raman, prepare & send
emails to the teacher

Activities in the
Session (Learning
Method and In
Class Activities)
based on the
Deliverables
mentioned above.

Case discussion, presentation

Evaluation: Such
as Written Quiz,
Oral Quiz,
Participation or
Presentation cum
Participation, etc.
(There should be
at least one item
of evaluation)

Presentation cum Participation

Session
No 10

Then ppt presentation, video viewing & critical evaluation

Case study in page no. 253

E-mail letter preparation & sending, locating common errors

made by people & correcting the same. selection of the most
effective letter & analysis of salient features of an effective email communication

Critical analysis & interpretation of video /ppt presentation

Oral quiz, written quiz, role play(discussing the impact of an email by a recipient in a role play situation)

Date: 01/08/2013
Planning the data to

Date: 01/08/2013

Prep
arati
on of
email
resu
me
for
onwa
rd
subm
ission
to
corpo
rate
recru
iters

be furnished to the
prospective
recruiters; arranging
them in logical,
sequential manner

Compet
ency
aimed
in
Behavio
ural
Terms
Resourc
es (such
as
Reading
Material
s
, Slides,
Archived
Video
Material,
etc.)
Activitie
s before
the
Session
( prepar
ation by
Student
s) and
Delivera
bles.

The student should

be able to prepare
presentable
,convincing
,appealing &
.attractive Resume for
job application
Read chapter 11 from
business
communication by
Prof. Meenakshi
Raman and P. Singh

Read pages 307327grom

The text business
Communication By
Prof.Meenakshi
Raman

Activitie
s in the
Session
(Learnin
g
Method
and In
Class
Activitie
s) based
on the
Delivera
bles
mention
ed
above.
Evaluati
on Such
as
Written /
,oral
Quiz,
participa
tion or
Present
ation
cum
Participa
tion, etc.
(should
be at
least
one item
of
evalvn)
Session
No 11

Busin
ess
com
muni
catio
n
Comm
unicat
ing
with

A mock business
meeting would be
organized in the class
room with faculty as
the facilitator.
A panel would
evaluate the
effectiveness of the
resume & furnish
suggestions for
further improvement
of the effectiveness of
such resume.

Presentation cum
Participation would be
evaluated through
quiz, random
questions, role plays
etc.,

Date: 02/08/13
Conclusion, Written
communicationsystems & strategies
chapter 16 Lesikar &
Flatleys book
corporate Commn
Final test paper (open
book)1 hoursThe
2 core competency
will be put to testability to write good
letters & email and
make impressive

Date: 02/08/2013

in
group
s,
other
stake
holder
s,
Class
test to
wrap
up the
writin
g &
speaki
ng
skills
devel
oped

public addresses in
small/big groups in
style and confidence ;
finally feel the
winner in you and
walk taller radiating
confidence .

Compet
ency
aimed
in
Behavio
ural
Terms

.The ability and

willingness to uphold
values ,ethics and
integrity as the
propelling forces
driving the business;.
winners never never
cheat -such a value
system is the core
competency aimed.
This is achieved thro
effective written/oral
communication and
credible & convincing
public speaking skills.

Resourc
es (such
as
Reading
Material
s,
Slides,
Archived
Video
Material,
etc.)
Activitie

Read pages 553 to

572 from the book
business
communication by
Lesikar and Marie
Flatley

s before
the
Session
( prepar
ation by
Student
s) and
delivera
bles.
Activitie
s in the
Session
(Learnin
g
Method
and In
Class
Activitie
s) based
on the
Delivera
bles
mention
ed
above.
Evaluati
on:
Such as
Written
Quiz,
Oral
Quiz,
participa
tion or
Present
ation
cum
Participa
tion, etc.
(There
should
be at
least
one tem
of
sessio

Reading the above

mentioned pages
from the said book by
Prof. Lesikar and
Marie Flatley
Case study
Understanding East
meets West

Sessn
12

Test paper 1

Discussion of the
referred case study
Quiz on subjects
covered so far. A
beautiful live case
of :distortion &
transmission loss in
communication
process

There will be a written

quiz,
An oral quiz, Transfer
of training concept
would be put to test
for evaluating
competency
development,
conceptual clarity
And to gauge their
readiness to face the
on the job
challenges. Of
communication gaps
& miscommunication.
How to become
successful
executives/entrepren
eurs thro' effective
communication
process & public
speaking skills.

Concepts alacrity&
tramsfer of learning

cofirmed
Sessin
13
Sessn
14

TEST PAPER- 2
TEST PAPER3
End of the topic
************

..DO..
DO.